Last year, Alicia and I were in Verona for one of her operatic performances. Due to the late evening, and an epic dinner following, we decided to stay halfway between Verona and Vicenza in the magical area of Soave. Still in the province of Verona, Soave is of course world renowned for its famous white wine, and to a lesser extent, its nearly perfectly preserved medieval castle!
Despite being a last minute booking for us it turned out to be a perfect place to sleep after the busy evening in Verona. Tucked away on a hillside a few kilometers north of Soave, Antica Corte offers a comfortable modern accommodation in a 400 year old building. Nestled among the vines and ancient trees, we felt completely at home even for a one night stay.
Everything looked brand new even though the owners told us the renovation took place three years ago. Spotless bathroom, and first rate fixtures. Modern ambiance in a rustic ancient building. My personal home design preference the next time we decide to buy a renaissance era farm-house. By paying just a little bit more, the triple room offers more room to spread out, and with windows on both sides for that cool breeze which makes the air conditioning unnecessary.
Our sleep quality was excellent. Cool fresh air through open windows and AC if required. It was late May, and summer had come early to the Veneto, but incredibly hot during the day. 400 years ago, air conditioning didn’t exist, but thick stone walls keep the place nice and cool during the hot Italian summers. The only noise to wake us were the song birds in the early morning, far enough off the main road for the vineyards to muffle any possibility of sounds of civilization.
Breakfast was of the typical Italian bed-and-breakfast style, meats and cheeses, cappuccino, torta, juice, yogurt and muesli. A small property, there are only three or four tables in the breakfast area, and more tables outside for warm summer mornings for coffee under the vines. Our breakfast was quiet and relaxed, and we would have loved to stay another night rather than check-out!
Our hosts were most helpful, had free bike rentals available, and offered us suggestions on where to go for wine tourism nearby. That day, we “discovered” our all time favorite Veneto wine, Campo Lavei – Valpolicella Superiore, produced by Ca’Rugate, just over the hill in the next valley to the east.
Next time you are in the area of Soave, or need a romantic place to stay between Venice, Vicenza, and Verona, PashbyMaul Adventures recommends Antica Corte without hesitation.
Intentionally International 