Albergo diffuso: the Italian invention that turns an entire village into your hotel

Picture a classic hotel. You probably imagine a single lobby, an elevator, and long corridors lined with identical doors. Now, throw that image away. Italy invented a completely different way to check in: the albergo diffuso, or "scattered hotel."

Instead of building a massive concrete resort, a brilliant Italian tourism professor had a wild idea in the 1980s. Why not take an entire dying, historic village and turn it into a hotel? Under this genius model, the reception might be at the local café, the dining room is the family-run trattoria down the cobblestone alley, and your bedroom is a beautifully restored medieval house right next door to a local nonna.

We are absolutely obsessed with this concept because it solves a massive problem with pure Italian ingenuity. It breathes economic life back into vulnerable borghi without ruining their architectural heritage with modern construction.

Consider this our ultimate insider tip: Umbria, that green center of Italy, all rolling hills, truffle forests and medieval stone, is one of the regions richest in alberghi diffusi. One worth seeking out is Torre del Nera, tucked into the ancient village of Scheggino in the Valnerina valley, just fifteen minutes from Spoleto. Look it up, then see what else Umbria has to offer in this category. You may find it hard to choose.