Just outside Vicenza city, in Arcugnano, Villa Pasini is an 18th-century country mansion, built by an architect very much influenced by Palladio's masterpieces you'll find throughout the province.

The suites are astonishingly large (1000 sq ft) for Italian standards, and spotlessly clean. A kitchenette comes with the living room, as well as a sofa that rolls out into a queen-size bed (perfect for when you have more people in your family than will fit in a double room). Bedroom has a balcony. Big granite bathrooms, plenty of walking room to the tub and toilet.

The gardens are beautifully well-kept. Have you seen the size of this place? I don't know how they do it. He is a jet-setting architect (heading for Istanbul the 2nd day we had breakfast with him), and she is a full time innkeeper who still manages to find time for both grad students & her kids. From here, you've got great views of rolling green hills in all directions. On the days we were there, it was... more