We knew we were going to have perfect peace as soon as we drove down the small track through the trees, and through the gates at Costa Fredda. It was everything we had hoped it would be! In the busy north of Italy, just outside Verona and on the fast route to Venice, it was amazing to be able to drop off the autostrada and in minutes be in such a quiet hideaway.
We actually spent most of our time in Lissinia National Park, less than half an hour's drive away, which was a fantastic find. When we came home, hot and sticky, the pool was waiting, and we usually had it to ourselves. You look out from the pool across vines and fruit farms, with the national park mountains in the middle distance, and it is absolutely lovely.
It was great fun to be staying actually in the old villa, which is furnished in a combination of antique and contemporary style - comfortable beds, antique dressers, and old, tarnished mirrors with fantastic gilt frames.
And the hosts - Barbara is a delight, and welcomes you like a friend. We were lucky also to meet her brother Carlo, and touches like the huge bowl of fresh fruit and bottles of water already in the fridge were great to arrive to.
This was our luxury few days after more basic accommodation and we would go again - it is the perfect base from which to explore the north, and as we never quite made it to Mantua we may just have to go back...
(Why 4 not 5 stars? The only thing that caused any stress was trying to work out the bins. Italy is keen on recycling, so is Barbara, so are we, but it was a lot to take in and I am not sure we put everything where it was meant to go!)