Everyone loves Italy, with its sunny weather, great history, gastronomy, and for the beach culture. For who prefers avoiding overcrowded spots, Umbria, Abruzzo and Veneto are great options, with green hilly landscapes, hidden little villages, amazing food and wine. A few years ago we explored the region of Treviso  in the Venetian pre-Alps, and we found it absolutely charming. It is on top of our list of Italian “must see” places.

We stayed at Maso Di Villa, a bed and breakfast owned and managed by a family of wine makers. It is rare to find places of such peace and beauty. We had incredible breakfasts in the garden under a fig tree that was providing both shade and part of our morning food. Upon request, the owner was preparing was she was calling “a little snack” but that  was actually copious and exquisite : assortment of cheese, ham and tomato  from the garden, served with the organic house wine, “Nasi Rossi”. It was so good that we ordered two cases that they shipped to London.

Maso di Villa is surrounded by quite a few gastronomical places; “It’s foodie heaven around here and we are so lucky to have such good local produce” says Roberta one of the owners. Recently opened, Osteria Borgoluce is one of them, just a 10 minutes walk away from the hotel.

One could be tempted to stay indefinitely at the beautiful swimming pool, but there is a lot to see in the hotel surroundings, including visits to Villages like Asolo (don’t miss the restaurant Due Mori), Bassano del Grappa, Conegliano and visits to Palladio Villas. Finally Treviso and Venice are not far, visitable on a day trip.

Pirouette tips : where to sleep in Venice

Palazzina Grassi
Hotel DD724
Locanda Novecento
Ca Maria Adele
Pensione Accademia
La Residenza Hotel (only kids +12y accepted)

Where to eat in Venice

La Cantina, Campo San Felice
Osteria San Marco, Frezzeria 1610 041 528 5242
Naranziaria, Campo dell’erbaria 130 041 724 1035
I figli delle stelle, 70/71 Giudecca
Cantina Do mori  Calle dei Mori 429
La Corte Sconta, Calle del Pestrin, Castello 041 5227024
Il paradiso perduto
Osteria Bancogiro
Osteria da Rioba
Trattoria dalla Maria in Carnareggio
La Furatola

Must See in Venice (Off the Beaten Paths)

Palazzo Grassi (Art), Palazzo Fortuny (Art), Punta Alla Dogana (Art – building by Tadao Ando), Fondazione Querini Stampaglia (Art, building by Carlo Scarpa), San Francesco della Vigna (Church with paintings by Veronese and Tiepolo).

A list of kids Summer Camps in Italy

www.zainettoviaggi.it
www.arteaparte.info
www.guidecourmayeur.com (rock climbing, from 8 years old)