CASA LIENA

Description:
The Veneto; an unique region with particular charm; a mix of history, nature, ages full of tradition, art and religion. Thus it is described in the travel guides, and it all sounds fantastic, but why should you want to go there? Well, the choice is enormous: miles of coastline with white, sandy beaches, for instance in Bibione, Caorle, Eraclea Mare, Lido di Jesolo, Lido di Venezia and Rosolina Mare, to mention but a few. But Veneto also means mountains, such as the Dolomites, with delights not only in summer but also during the winter, when lots of Europeans choose this region for their skiing holidays. But the Veneto also has a region with lower hills, covered with vineyards, the so-called Euganee, with thermal wells. Most important for the art-lovers is the fact that the Veneto has lots of it! Of course, there is the city of Venice, a world-famous, elegant city in the Adriatic Sea, surrounded by lots of small islands. Moreover, one should not forget the city of the painter Giotto, Padua, and then Verona, made immortal by Shakespeare. Not to be forgotten are the cities of Treviso, Vicenza, Montagna, Este, Monselice, Vittorio Veneto, Congeliano and Chioggia, the ancient harbour of Venice with a famous fish-market. All these towns have a rich history and culture and deserve attention.
There are lots of age-old Venetian villas; about 4.000 symbols of nobility, rising and declining during the 16th and 17th centuries. Some of these villas have been built by one of the most important architects ever, Palladio.
But the Veneto includes more; there is also Lake Garda. Thousands of tourists yearly spend their summer holidays on the shores of the favourite lake of e.g. the German author Goethe. The Veneto has a national park, four regional parks and many, so-called protected areas, and all are ideal for excursions. Whether you devote a complete day, or just an hour; you are on vacation and do only what you like!
Then, there is the “Prosecco” route, or a trip on the river Brenta, or you visit the little town of Bassano del Grappa to learn about the production of that very tasteful drink, the Grappa. To learn about…we mean, of course, to taste! Just across the wooden bridge in Bassano del Grappa there is a shop were you can eat your heart out as far as earthenware is concerned. Some is very “kitsch”, but there is never any account-ting for taste. When you are holidaying with your children, do not fear that they will not find things to amuse themselves. The afore-mentioned beaches are, of course, always wonderful for children, but a trip in a gondola or even the waterbuses (Vaporetta) in Venice is a nice experience, and there are many Medieval castles to visit.

Casa Liena is situated on one of the large, Venetian country estates (about 150 ha.), at about 20 km. south of Padua. This estate is a an enterprise, with horse-breeding as well as a lot of agricultural and husbandry aspects. There is, a.o., a 19th century park in English style, a Venetian villa and then there are all the farm buildings, which include 5 apartments. Moreover, there are two independent houses and a “tea-temple” rebuilt into an apartment, a very special accommodation, for rent.

At first sight, it looks as if the estate has been “sitting” there for ages, unchanged. But all has been made possible, and is being maintained, by human effort. The main changes were done around the 19th century, and at a later stage the golf-course was added.

During the First World War, the estate was requisitioned by the military, for the training of the troops. The Second World War left the estate more of less alone, although many Italian sons from the neighbourhood left their life during this war; the many monuments in the villages and small towns around the estate bear witness of this sad fact. The owner during that time, a countess with a very “noble” education which included the knowledge of the German language, managed to convince the occupational forces not to destroy her estate. During the course of this war, she hid two American parachutists together with two German deserters in one of the attics. A fact worth a novel!

Nowadays, the golf-course of 18 holes forms part of the estate and is a marvel to look at, with large, undulating open spaces, shrubs, brooklets and little lakes. The present owner showed us around and told about the goal she has set in life; to bring back her estate to its former glory, or even a better one, whilst realising continuously better and more luxurious accommodations for her guests. Countess Francesca insisted we would make clear that, as said above, her estate is a serious enterprise and would the guests, please, understand that however much they are welcome, the daily duties on the estate cannot be put off by them. For instance, in case you are sitting on the loggia of the main building, you might see some horses passing, or somebody on agricultural machinery tracking by.
Sometimes, the locals have rented space in the main buildings for a wedding party. You might be invited to join, but that, of course, is always up to the party concerned. But even if not, you can always make some nice pictures.
And as far as Casa Liena is concerned; this independent house is at quite a distance of the main buildings, so that you might not even know there is a wedding-party for a couple of hours.

Casa Liena is a romantic and “sweet” detached house. Sometimes the word “sweet” has a double meaning, ie. too much of something, but in this case, it really is sweet and absolutely nice. Originally, it was a farmhouse, but has been completely restored. The countess regards it as her showpiece, because it took her lots of struggles with the architect before she got what she wanted. The house is very tastefully furnished, and has all modern comforts. It lies at the side of the estate, with a beautiful view of the hills far away. When you sit outside, you might occasionally hear some traffic on the country roads below. Inside, you cannot hear it.
Please note: There are several small flight of stairs in the house. All rooms are provided with screens (against insects).

Our conclusion: A very exceptional holiday is to be enjoyed on this country estate in the Veneto. Casa Liena is "a beauty of a house"!

Lay-out (8, pers, 200 m²):
Ground floor: Loggia with furniture and sufficient space to dine outdoors.
Sitting-/dining room with open fire place and kitchen corner, toilet, laundry room with washing machine, double bedroom and bedroom with 2 beds, both with en-suite bathrooms (one with basin, toilet, bidet and bath/shower and one with basin, toilet, bidet and shower).
First floor: Open space (vide) with view on the sitting room and furnished as second sitting room, bedroom with 2 beds and en-suite bathroom with basin, toilet, bidet and bath/hand shower, one bedroom with 2 beds and en-suite bathroom with basin, toilet, bidet and bath/hand shower.

Facilities:
Parking, park/garden, furnished loggia, small safe, CD stereo, dishwasher, washing machine, 4 burners, microwave, oven, toaster, electric kettle, fridge/freezer, air conditioning (extra costs), ironing, hairdryer in every bathroom, barbecue, WiFi-Internet. Use of the swimming pool at the Golf Club, 10 min. walk. In the house you will find salt, pepper and suger. Washing up liquid and a new sponge, 1 tablet per day dishwasher detergent, soap powder for 2/3 cycles for the washing machine, 2 small soap bars in each bathroom, and 1 roll of toilet paper for each bathroom are provided. Welcome gift of 1 bottle of wine, fresh fruit and a bottle of Tuscan olive oil (exclusively for guests staying for a minimum of one week)

Possibilities for sports/excursions:
The golf course is situated in the park; guests of the estate get discount. The golf course has a bar, restaurant and sauna. Massages also possible. As far as interesting excursions are concerned, these are quite numberless.

Distances (in approx. kms)
Nearest shops in Montemerlo 2, Padova 20, Venice 67, Treviso 60, Vicenca 23, Verona 90, Ferrara 80, Mantua 98, Bassano del Grappa 62, Bologna 120. In the direct neighbourhood, there are many small restaurants with lovely food. Too many to mention; we will welcome your experiences!