Back in the land of longing
#31
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Duomo Trento
The last stop was the Cathedral of San Vigilio, the main site of the Council of Trento, which we had already seen from the outside. It is a building on the border between Romanesque and Gothic.








Outside there is still a bust of the saint and a beautiful portal.










Outside there is still a bust of the saint and a beautiful portal.


#32
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Villa Feltrenelli
One of the main aims of this holiday was to finally stay at Villa Feltrenelli. After a failed attempt last year due to lack of availability, I booked in August last year. Once again, however, my preferred suite was no longer available on the dates I had chosen. In the end it was 4 days in the One Bedroom Suite "Gelsomino" in the Casa dei Fiori, the Park Cottage. I chose this suite because it has a separate living room and bedroom. The description also sounded good:
"80 square metres/861 square feet, Accommodates up to two persons, King size bed
Living room, Private covered patio
This luxurious One Bedroom suite, ideal for a quiet and cosy retreat, has its own private covered patio of 50 sqm overlooking the Villa's beautiful gardens and lake beyond. A large living room leads to a superb master bedroom with a small private patio. A generous wardrobe area lies adjacent to the luminous bathroom adorned with flower tiles, a deep soaking porcelain bathtub and separate large shower."
However, booking Villa Feltrenelli is quite special. As far as I can see, it is impossible to book it online. It is not a member of Virtuoso. The only option is to enquire at the hotel's own reservation desk, where you can get more information about the room categories, availability and prices.
I actually wanted to book through Harper because they offer at least a few perks, essentially a $100 credit. In the end, however, I booked direct for the sake of simplicity, as the $100 doesn't make much difference. Here are the rates and prices for 2023:

I ended up paying €2,000.00 plus a €200.00 service charge.
Our navigation system took us down a crazy route to the villa, it said it would be a great idea to simply drive through the beautifully narrow Gargnano and then recommend driving the wrong way round through a one-way street. My car seems to like adventure, me less so. So I had to ignore the constant requests to turn round and find my own way. When I arrived at my destination, I first drove past the entrance, which is easy to miss. Eventually, however, I found myself in front of the not exactly generously sized gate.

I have one small point of criticism here. In wind and weather (it sometimes rains at Lake Garda) you have to get out of the car and ring the bell. Here it would be much better to have a request contact, see if you know the car and simply open it.
We then took a narrow path to the really pretty villa.






The reception there was exemplary. GF was greeted with a bouquet of flowers

and everything else went very well. We were given a tour of the villa and then took a golf cart to Casa Dei Fiori. I could have walked (and always did afterwards), but that's what they like to insist on.
"80 square metres/861 square feet, Accommodates up to two persons, King size bed
Living room, Private covered patio
This luxurious One Bedroom suite, ideal for a quiet and cosy retreat, has its own private covered patio of 50 sqm overlooking the Villa's beautiful gardens and lake beyond. A large living room leads to a superb master bedroom with a small private patio. A generous wardrobe area lies adjacent to the luminous bathroom adorned with flower tiles, a deep soaking porcelain bathtub and separate large shower."
However, booking Villa Feltrenelli is quite special. As far as I can see, it is impossible to book it online. It is not a member of Virtuoso. The only option is to enquire at the hotel's own reservation desk, where you can get more information about the room categories, availability and prices.
I actually wanted to book through Harper because they offer at least a few perks, essentially a $100 credit. In the end, however, I booked direct for the sake of simplicity, as the $100 doesn't make much difference. Here are the rates and prices for 2023:

I ended up paying €2,000.00 plus a €200.00 service charge.
Our navigation system took us down a crazy route to the villa, it said it would be a great idea to simply drive through the beautifully narrow Gargnano and then recommend driving the wrong way round through a one-way street. My car seems to like adventure, me less so. So I had to ignore the constant requests to turn round and find my own way. When I arrived at my destination, I first drove past the entrance, which is easy to miss. Eventually, however, I found myself in front of the not exactly generously sized gate.

I have one small point of criticism here. In wind and weather (it sometimes rains at Lake Garda) you have to get out of the car and ring the bell. Here it would be much better to have a request contact, see if you know the car and simply open it.
We then took a narrow path to the really pretty villa.






The reception there was exemplary. GF was greeted with a bouquet of flowers

and everything else went very well. We were given a tour of the villa and then took a golf cart to Casa Dei Fiori. I could have walked (and always did afterwards), but that's what they like to insist on.
#33
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Villa Feltrenelli
Let's go to the suite then. It covers the entire ground floor of Casa Dei Fiori.

In addition to a small terrace with 2 sun loungers, the suite also has a large, covered terrace with a seating area and dining table.




But then come on in.


After passing through a double door, you find yourself in the living room. Sufficiently large and individually furnished. OK, it's not really modern and the furniture probably wouldn't last too long in my flat at home, but it's absolutely perfect for a hotel.



The bedroom was also a good size with a very comfortable bed and a good sized make-up corner.



The cupboard area was also good.


I'm slightly ambivalent about the bathroom. Undoubtedly big enough with a large shower and bathtub. But unfortunately the toilet was not separate (there was no guest toilet anyway) and there was only one washbasin. Even if the "built-in" soap dish isn't really my cup of tea, the tiles were undoubtedly high quality and we thought they looked nice.




Overall I liked the suite, we were very satisfied.
By the way, the turndown was also interesting. There was a rose on the bed, a lit candle and the toilet was prepared - a very high standard.



And finally: The Casa by night.

In addition to a small terrace with 2 sun loungers, the suite also has a large, covered terrace with a seating area and dining table.




But then come on in.


After passing through a double door, you find yourself in the living room. Sufficiently large and individually furnished. OK, it's not really modern and the furniture probably wouldn't last too long in my flat at home, but it's absolutely perfect for a hotel.



The bedroom was also a good size with a very comfortable bed and a good sized make-up corner.



The cupboard area was also good.


I'm slightly ambivalent about the bathroom. Undoubtedly big enough with a large shower and bathtub. But unfortunately the toilet was not separate (there was no guest toilet anyway) and there was only one washbasin. Even if the "built-in" soap dish isn't really my cup of tea, the tiles were undoubtedly high quality and we thought they looked nice.




Overall I liked the suite, we were very satisfied.
By the way, the turndown was also interesting. There was a rose on the bed, a lit candle and the toilet was prepared - a very high standard.



And finally: The Casa by night.
#34
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Villa Feltrenelli
There was no kettle with tea bags in the room. But as GF loves tea, we asked for one. When we got back to the room, what was on offer far exceeded our expectations. In addition to a kettle, we were given 2 silver teapots, tea water and 3 types of high-quality loose tea.


Once again exemplary!


Once again exemplary!
#35
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Villa Feltrenelli
Villa Feltrenelli is located in a park with direct access to the lake. There are plenty of seating options in the park, so you can feel at home here.




















Here's a closer look at the pool. To be honest, it's nothing special, but it's pleasantly heated and of course has a fantastic view.


Some joker then thought he had to take off with the Hili from the garden of the villa. First, everything got mixed up when the stupid thing landed, then at the start. It doesn't have to be like that.....





















Here's a closer look at the pool. To be honest, it's nothing special, but it's pleasantly heated and of course has a fantastic view.


Some joker then thought he had to take off with the Hili from the garden of the villa. First, everything got mixed up when the stupid thing landed, then at the start. It doesn't have to be like that.....

#36
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Villa Feltrenelli
Lake Garda is lemon country, and lemons have always been grown in Limonaias. I saw in a report that there was only one working limonaia left on Lake Garda. I think that's nonsense, there are still quite a few, even if a large number no longer seem to be used for agricultural purposes. But what does that have to do with Villa Feltrenelli? Quite simply, Villa Feltrenelli also has its own Limonaia.




Incidentally, it is interesting that the fitness area has been built into the Limonaia. A cool idea.




Incidentally, it is interesting that the fitness area has been built into the Limonaia. A cool idea.
#37
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Villa Feltrenelli Dinner
Villa Feltrenelli has a restaurant that has been awarded 2 Michelin stars. Whilst I think this is a good thing, for some it may have the disadvantage that there is no "casual" dining option in the hotel. You can basically eat anywhere in the villa, but it's essentially centred around the dining room and terrace.
The nice thing is that you don't have to make a reservation here, hotel guests are always welcome. We opted for a table in the main restaurant on the first evening.


For the meal, we opted for the tasting menu, which costs 250.00 per person. Even without wine, but with the 10 % service charge, this quickly adds up to 600.00. Unfortunately, I didn't take any photos of the menu and I can't remember what everything was in detail.
















The dishes were all good, but not totally exceptional. Personally, I wouldn't have been bothered if the restaurant had been awarded a star.
Afterwards we had one last dessert, which I particularly remember. It was some kind of cream with a slightly salty biscuit and dehydrated capers.



Does that taste good? Clear answer: no. To be honest, it was inedible for us, a complete disaster.
Overall, with the exception of the last dessert, the food was good, but I wouldn't go to Villa Feltrenelli just for the food.
The nice thing is that you don't have to make a reservation here, hotel guests are always welcome. We opted for a table in the main restaurant on the first evening.


For the meal, we opted for the tasting menu, which costs 250.00 per person. Even without wine, but with the 10 % service charge, this quickly adds up to 600.00. Unfortunately, I didn't take any photos of the menu and I can't remember what everything was in detail.
















The dishes were all good, but not totally exceptional. Personally, I wouldn't have been bothered if the restaurant had been awarded a star.
Afterwards we had one last dessert, which I particularly remember. It was some kind of cream with a slightly salty biscuit and dehydrated capers.



Does that taste good? Clear answer: no. To be honest, it was inedible for us, a complete disaster.
Overall, with the exception of the last dessert, the food was good, but I wouldn't go to Villa Feltrenelli just for the food.
#40
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P.S. I mentioned I didnt post pictures of the Villa so far. Have to do it later today.
#41
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Villa Feltrenelli
Let's take a look inside the villa: The interior rooms on the ground floor are largely in their original state. Even if I wouldn't furnish myself like this, the rooms are very beautiful and impressive.























Then a quick look at the first floor, where the guest rooms are located.


























Then a quick look at the first floor, where the guest rooms are located.



#42
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Villa Feltrenelli
The advantage of Villa Feltrenelli is that it is strongly focussed on its guests. When I asked about breakfast times, the answer was that it starts at 7 and lasts until we get up. I praise that, such flexibility is rare.
We always had breakfast on the terrace.


The first thing that greets you is the beautiful view.




Breakfast is ordered completely a la carte.

The selection is relatively normal, totally unusual things were missing. The food itself was good, although not outstanding. Nevertheless, we were unquestionably satisfied.













We always had breakfast on the terrace.


The first thing that greets you is the beautiful view.




Breakfast is ordered completely a la carte.

The selection is relatively normal, totally unusual things were missing. The food itself was good, although not outstanding. Nevertheless, we were unquestionably satisfied.













#43
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Sal
Of course, we don't just want to stay in Villa Feltrenelli, we also want to get out and about. First of all, we went to Sal. It's a beautiful little town with lots of old buildings.


















#45
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