Lemon Leaf

Mountains, valleys, lakes, beaches, art, architecture, and cuisine. Everything that makes for a fabulous holiday, you can find in Veneto. While Venice might take the crown for its most visited spot, its rural offering is another slice of wonder and delight. In the striking Colognola ai Colli region, famous for its wines as much as its hills, this 18th-century manor is a thirty-minute drive from Verona, but feels a world away.

Arriving at this traditional villa, you immediately feel transported back in time. Lush vineyards surround the perimeter, while the building itself casts an imposing shadow onto the greenery below. The facade is so incredibly ornate, it's an artwork in itself. Then blue wooden shutters, terracotta rooftops, an arched gateway, and gravel paths lead to the entrance – but historic influence ends there.

Step inside to a surprisingly modern decor, where typical features such as beamed ceilings have been given a lick of white paint. The entire space feels fresh and understated, but upstairs the chunky timber beams stay true to their original form. Take a look from the first-floor windows to spot the pool terrace, private patio, and countryside views for miles on end. Can you smell the lemon trees below?

Home truths:
*There's no dedicated workspace, but plenty of laptop-friendly spots
*Your host provides a clothes drying rack rather than a tumble dryer
*Parking is available on-site (and we do recommend bringing a car to get around)
*The communal pool is open from April 1st until October 15th
*The entrance is private to your home
*You have a private patio, but the garden and the playground are shared
*At full capacity, one guest will sleep on a sofa bed in the lounge
*As this home allows for self check-in with a lockbox, you won't meet your host
*You'll need to be able to climb stairs to get around this home