Italy’s countless charms make it a diverse destination, one offering a spectacular array of natural wonders, ancient attractions and seaside charm no matter what your preferred vacation may be. Country house hotels, however, add a touch of authenticity to your getaway that cannot be replicated. Set against a backdrop of rolling hills, lush vineyards, lakes and cypress trees, these unique and rustic hotels add a touch of Italian magic to any vacation.

Country House Hotels in Italy: Rustic authenticity in Italy

Lake Garda & Verona: Sumptuous Lake Views

Few places in Italy are as revered as the luxurious Lake Garda. A deep blue lake ringed with dramatic cliffs and mountains host many pretty towns tucked away along its shores. A country house hotel near this premier Italian destination will provide exceptional views and access to some of the area’s most beautiful towns. To the south, Sirmione shimmers with turquoise water and stunning fortress walls. Wander around the peninsula of Sirmione which provides an insight into the lake’s Roman past. West along the shore is Desenzano del Garda, a more traditional town to base yourself as you explore the lake. Hotels near the Italian city of Verona are also charming, and provide easy access to this iconic Shakespearean city. See the 1st century A.D Arena of Verona, the famous balcony where Romeo declared his love for Juliet and the breathtaking Duomo in the heart of the city. Country house hotels in this region of Italy allow you to explore both the lake and the city.

Tuscany: Hilltop villages & time-worn towns

Tuscany is without a doubt Italy’s most beloved region. Romanticized through popular culture, rustic country house hotels here will overlook vineyards, rolling hills and ancient hamlets. While Florence charms with renaissance history, classic art and Etruscan architecture, the walled city of Siena is just as prepossessing. Cobbled streets filled with gelato stalls and traditional pizza joints lead to the sloped and historic Pizza del Campo. Twice a year the town hosts the famous Palio which sees horses race the circumference of the square. It’s also here that you can climb the Torre del Mangia for stunning views over Siena’s terracotta roofs and lush Tuscan hills beyond. Country house hotels on the outskirts of Siena put you in some of the country’s most romantic surrounding. Stop in the traditional town of Pienza to enjoy a drink overlooking the landscape before dining on a freshly baked pizza or mouthwatering home-made lasagna. Check out the country house hotels among the vineyards of Chianti, home to Tuscany’s most exclusive wines. These rustic farmhouses will usually offer their own tasting rooms, swimming pools and restaurants so that you can enjoy the best of Tuscany without venturing too far from base.

Piedmont & South Tyrol: Wine & Mountains

Country house hotels in northern Italy situate you amongst further breathtaking scenery, this time with exceptional views of the Alps. Turin’s baroque architecture and elegant boulevards conjure feelings of romantic grandeur; while the region’s verdant wine industry begs to be explored. Stay in a country house hotel near the towns of Alba and Asti to discover Piedmont’s historic viniculture. Once medieval rivals, now the towns are united in wine, each producing distinctive whites that are famed with aficionados the world over. Alba is also considered one of the gastronomic capitals of Italy, and each fall the city is flooded with its famous truffles that have helped put the town on the map. With its location in the north of Italy and its Austrian influence, the Alpine region of South Tyrol is one of the more distinct and scenic spots for a country house hotel in Italy. Full of quaint towns and mountain retreats sequestered in the foothills of the Dolomites, this charming region is heavily influenced by its Germanic neighbors. Visit Bolzano with its Austrian town center, gothic cathedral and sprawling Muri Abbey. The surrounding region is full off gorgeous towns which provide access to hiking, mountain biking and even skiing in winter.

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