Locanda degli Ulivi

Arcugnano is in the district of the Colli Berici di Vicenza , we are in Veneto region, right in the middle of the Venetian Plain, in the ancient basin of the Fimon Lake.  This small body of water dates from the Neolithic period and the Bronze Age, as shown by important archaeological finds.  The delightful hills that surround la Locanda degli Ulivi are of volcanic origin, and the landscape varies from ridges of calcareous rock, to dales and more elevations.  Only 15 minutes away lies wealthy elegant Vicenza, the city where the number of palaces per person is the highest in Italy.  In the 16th century the architect Antonio Palladio worked here with great energy, intent on reworking the classical ideals and proportions and creating masterpieces such as the Olympic Theatre and the Basilica, and the wonderful villas that dot the Colli Berici di Vicenza.  For everyone’s enjoyment there are innumerable trails to explore the area on foot, by bike or on horseback, and cruises along the Brenta on board the traditional Burchiello barge.

The Locanda degli Ulivi comprises an old farmhouse and a country house dating from the 18th century.  The buildings are immersed in 6 hectares of olive grove, hence the name of the property; they enjoy a panoramic view over the Fimon Valley and the variegated Colli Berici di Vicenza.  The proprietor, Signora Marisa, carried out an attentive renovation and has now had her dream come true, the idea of opening the door to visitors and lavishing them with attention.  Her husband shares Signora Marisa’s ideal, and she still remembers when “we saw this place with our minds’ eyes and imagined how it could be renovated while keeping its character, and what we could offer.”  The house has three floors and a sloping roof, with an old pink facade trimmed with cream bands around the window frames and running horizontally between each floor.  Around the house is a large brick patio laid in the herringbone pattern, where guests relax under the umbrellas or dine alfresco.  The communal spaces include a country-style dining hall with a huge fireplace decorated with Florentine tiles, a spacious terrace with panoramic view, a parlour furnished in the French style, the Art Deco bar and a small library.

The ten guest rooms of La Locanda degli Ulivi are ample and bright, all with floorboards; the attic rooms have a sloping ceiling and exposed beams.  They are decorated in a traditional style with solid wood furniture and iron bedsteads, light white curtains and white bed linen. Wi-Fi is available everywhere.  Careful preparation and attention go into the breakfast buffet with home-made pastries, bread and jams, and cold meats, cheeses and honey that are all locally produced, like the eggs freshly prepared on demand. The other meals offer the opportunity to sample fresh pasta and cakes made on the premises, grilled meats, and seafood caught in the nearby Adriatic Sea, the whole flavoured with the extra virgin oil produced by the olive grove and accompanied by DOC wines that the proprietors know very well.