Very much a happy, extended family affair. And, unusually, the Scquizzato’s ramblingly elegant, old farmhouse is in the middle of town – albeit a small one – its courtyard and big garden at the back. Ottorino looks after their nearby orchard (‘forgotten’ fruits a speciality), the land and the animals. His wife Michela looks after guests, is a sublime cook- try her seasonal, regional dishes – with homegrown produce, of course) and runs cookery courses. Daughters Elena and Giulia (architect and lawyer) live here too with their partners and take care of marketing. You breakfast at a happy assortment of small tables; dinners take place at one long one, the convivial heart of things, by the open fire and wood burner. You sleep in beamed and wooden floored rooms on a comfortable mix of antique and new beds, decked with stripes and checks (and there’s a lift, if stairs are a problem). Bathrooms are small and good. ‘Aunt’ Wilma’s colourful paintings everywhere add zing. You must arrange a meal in Piombino Dese and visit its magnificent Palladian Villa, Cornaro. Oh, and cycle the former Treviso-Ostiglia railway path…
Wonderful 3 days in the most beautiful surroundings: Asolo etc. The entire area is essentially an open-air museum and you can stop anywhere. In the house you are well looked after (breakfast!) and well advised: even moving within the house because of our trip to Venice (!) was no problem.