Villa Sogara is a hidden gem in the Veneto.....we will be back!

Guest: SheriG (Fair Play, CA)
Date of Stay: 05/03/11 Review Submitted: 07/18/11

My husband and I have been visiting the Veneto and staying in different villas around Verona for about ten years. We chose Sogara because it looked simply beautiful and my subsequent e-mail exchanges with Tomasso, before we booked, sold me. We couldn't wait to get there! Everything exceeded our expectations- Sogara is conveniently located, a short scenic drive from the autostrada, Verona and the Valpolicella wine region. Tomasso and his lovely financee, Ela, greeted us with open arms, arranged fantastic day trips for us and drove us to certain destinations so we wouldn't get lost. Superb hospitality! They both know food and wine, and all things cultural, so they are just lovely to talk to....we actually had dinner with them a few times and went wine tasting together! They create the perfect balance between meeting guests' needs while respecting their privacy....we just happened to LOVE spending time with them! The villa itself is well appointed, authentically decorated, and the daily maid service was awesome! Its possible to use every bedroom if you're traveling in a large group, but you'll have to share bathrooms. Not a big thing in Italy, but could be a small turn-off for some Americans. We were close enough for a day trip to Modena, Prosecco, Venice and Bassano del Grappa and would have made the trip to Tramin, too, but we decided to relax and enjoy the space..we will go north on our next visit! The experience and hospitality were soooo Italian....Grazie mille, Tomasso and Ela...ci vediamo presto! Truly a gem of a stay!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Guest: Debbie (Fort Worth, TX) (-)
Date of Stay: 04/06/11 Review Submitted: 06/29/11

“Fabulous---a "once-in-a-lifetime" experience that I would love to repeat every year!!” Villa Sogara is a beautiful and unique property, a bit outside of the city, but that was just fine with us. Nestled among vineyards, olive trees and winding roads, it was a charming escape into the daily life of the Veneto. Tommaso and Ela are the most charming and down-to-earth inn-keepers/new friends one could ask for, and the view they offered into the villa's and their family's history in the area surpasses anything that could be gained from a history book. Combine Renaissance beauty and elegance with country home comfort and up-to-the minute, modern amenities and conveniences---and you have the ingredients for a perfect home-away-from-home. And then there are the cuckoos that call softly from the treetops all day long.....already plotting my return!

Recommended for:

Guest at Villa Sogora

Guest: Billy (Hendersonville, TN, USA)
Date of Stay: 09/24/10 Review Submitted: 11/18/10

We have been too long in sending our unqualified, wholeharted recommendation for VIlla Sogora to everyone who is thinking of a trip to Italy! The reason for the delay was simple. We felt we would be unable to adequately describe our delightfull stay there. We supposed that upon reflection we could better do justice to Sogora,Tommoso and Ela. As time has passed and we have relived our time there through photos and conversations, we still feel inadequate but here goes! Collectively our party has traveled all over the globe. We have rented through VRBO in St Andrews, Scotland and Tuscany. We love to travel. Though we had high expecations we were totally blown away by the "Sogora Experience". The listing was accurate in every way, but we still had not imagined the wonder of the full experience. It was a dream vacation that included owners who were available to us for information, advice, tours, translation, meals, delightful conversation, and enlightening stories of Villa Sogora as it developed through the ages. Not the least of these facinating stories were the personal histories of the four generations of the remarkable family who has loved and protected it through such profoundly historic times and who now work tirelessly to share it with the lucky travelers who find their way to VIlla Sogora. The photographs of the two welcoming columns on the first floor front portico are beautiful but you must go there to get the full effect and to see these true relics from pre Roman times. They and the half column and broken bust dug up from the vineyards stand reflecting an age we have studied and viewed via museums. Somehow their presence and that of other antique furnishings in this home impart a new feeling of respect for the past. The same is true of the family's personal possessions that came from the former family palace in Verona. There are comfey sitting rooms too! How luckey is the traveler who accepts the invitation of the gracious owner who makes it available. Renting a car in Venice or Verona is simple. We were able to have many day trips to very special small towns. With Tommaso's help, arrangements to the train station in Verona for an early morning jouney to Milan made everyting so much more convenient. This is but one example of the extra things that were done for us. We loved our trips to the wineries. We loved our neighbors there. We were welcomed to the Lake Country by so many friendly faces. Go there soon!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, people with disabilities, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Wonderful Experience

Guest: Liz (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 09/18/10 Review Submitted: 10/13/10

We had 10 people in Villa Sogara for a week. It was so delightful and relaxing by the pool overlooking the vineyards that we almost didn't want to sightsee! Tomasso and Ela were the most gracious hosts, even arranging for a visit to the neighboring family-owned winery. They are happy and willing to share their knowledge of the area. Ela is an amazing chef, and a special dinner prepared by her for your guests is a must! Everything is easily accessible by bus, train or car - Verona, Vicenza, Lake Garda, wineries, and of course Venice. This are cost-competitive accommodations in a perfect setting.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

What a splendid Easter break!

Guest: Paula M. (Oporto (Portugal))
Date of Stay: 03/27/10 Review Submitted: 04/08/10

Villa Sogara is full of charm and character. You can immediately feel it was a happy, lived-in house belonging to a family who loved the villa and loved each other. You are in the country with interesting views over vineyards and hills. There is bird song, peace and quiet the whole time. One morning we could spot a pheasant in our garden. Wonderful! However, within a few minutes’ drive you can be in the city of Verona with all its cultural, sightseeing and shopping offerings. There is a large Shopping center halfway to Verona which is very convenient for last minute shopping, just a break or a stroll in the many shops. We found it very useful, both for shopping and as a landmark - impossible to get lost. There are many interesting, genuine and reasonably priced small restaurants and pizzerias around - the ones that ordinary tourists never know about - so, ask Tommaso and Ela for suggestions. Pizzeria Lui e Lei took our order by phone on the way home and all we had to do was collect the pizzas. The Villa: You will find the best of ancient and most modern, from a charming, fantastic countryhouse kitchen, to a lift (which we only used twice, to get the luggage inside and outside. The stairs are so easy to climb), to internet access. The bathrooms are all well equipped and modern and the water is always hot when you need it. The furniture is lovely and unique and there is a good supply of high quality hangers (wood). The cleaning is efficient and nonintrusive. We toured Verona, Vicenza, Lake Garda, Sirmione, Maranello (try the Ferrari test drive if you get a chance - thrilling!), Modena, Padova and Venice in the 8 days we stayed. We found the Villa ideally situated to do this – in the countryside but boasting fantastic road access to everywhere you want to go. Our hosts – whom we did not know at all previously – welcomed us to their Villa as old friends would. This made all the difference – we felt that they would be there for us should anything happen or should we need help for whatever reason. Both Tommaso and Ela speak perfect English. We never felt intruded on our privacy. Bill the dog, was a great hit with the children. He lives by the main gate providing guarding services but kept away from the Villa and guests. Our Party: 5 adults and 6 children aging between 2 and 11. We had a great time and strongly recommend this Villa to parties who desire to tour the wonderful cities around Verona coming back to wonderful accommodation.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.