CASA BENCONTENTA

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 Bencontenta 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, with include 5 apartments. Moreover, there are two independent houses of which Casa Bencontenta is one, and a “tea-temple” rebuilt into an apartment, a very special accommodation, for rent.

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 Bencontenta 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 Bencontenta is a beautiful farmhouse built in traditional Venetian style, surrounded by a garden of about 6.000 m², at your exclusive disposal. The garden has a corner full of herbs like rosemary, basil, parsley etc, rosebushes, lilies, irises, poplars, walnuts, hazelnuts and fruit-trees like cherries and figs.
The house has been completely renovated in 2003, including 6 bedrooms divided over 3 floors, a very spacious loggia with outside furniture and a large swimming pool with outside shower and dressing room with shower and toilet. The house has been very tastefully furnished and is provided with all modern comforts.

The house is very suitable for a proper family holiday, especially if the party counts some elderly members who cherish their privacy when the others deem the night too young to go to sleep already, or when there are newly-weds in the company who want to create their own delights after a well-spent family day. In the building at the side of the swimming pool, with on the one side the space provided for changing together with a shower and toilet, one finds, at the other side, a charming double bedroom with en-suite bathroom with shower (thus adding up the number of double bedrooms till 7).

The countess is still busy with plans for the other part of the house, but as yet these are still in the “future” stage.

Our conclusion: An elegant country estate in beautiful, natural surroundings, with this really tasteful house: Casa Bencontenta. Because of the golf course so close-by, and the private swimming pool, this is an ideal spot for an unforgettably wonderful family holiday.

Lay-out (ca. 500 m²):
Spacious loggia all along the front side of the house (about 200 m², with large outdoor table and chairs for leisure al-fresco meals, and a tennis-table.
Ground floor: Large living with open fire place, very well equipped kitchen with cooking island (stove with 5 cooking elements), washing machine, dish washer, ice maker, large refrigerator/freezer, coffee maker, dining room with large table and sufficient chairs, breakfast room, 2 bedrooms with each 2 beds and en-suite bathroom with basin, bidet, toilet and shower. Separate toilet.
First floor: Double bedroom with en-suite bathroom with basin, toilet, bidet and bath, bedroom with 2 beds plus en-suite bathroom with basin, toilet, bidet and bath, large open space (about 80 m²) which could be ideal for children to play in when the weather should be a bit off, but also suitable for meetings.
Second floor: 2 bedrooms with each 2 beds and each an en-suite bathroom with basin, bidet, toilet and bath.
At the swimming-pool: Apart from the dressing room with toilet and shower on the one side, a comfortable double bedroom with en-suite bathroom with basin, toilet, bidet and shower (about 40 m² all together) on the other side.

Facilities:
Parking, park/garden, salt water swimming pool (8 x 16 m., depth 1.50 – 2.50 m) with outside shower plus inside dressing room with toilet and shower, furnished veranda, barbecue, sat-TV, DVD-player, CD-stereo, open fire place, Internet (WiFi), 3 safes, dish washer, iron, ironing board, hair dryer in each bathroom, washing machine/dryer, coffee maker, toaster, stove with 5 cooking elements, oven, refrigerator/freezer, icemaker, electric kettle, air conditioning (at extra costs). 3 mountain bikes and a ping pong table are available. Per person a towel for use by the swimming pool. 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 2 bottles of wine, fresh fruit and a bottle of extra virgin olive oil (exclusively for guests staying for a minimum of one week). Charging station for electric cars.

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 (Venice, Padua, Ferrara, Verona). Tennis court at about 15 km., and thermal baths at about 10 km. distance.

Distances: (in approx. km.)
Nearest shops in Montemerlo 2, Padua 20, Venice 67, Treviso 60, Vicenza 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!