Corte Saggin Charme Relais

Corte Saggin occupies an old country house on the Castelrotto hill in San Pietro in Cariano, at the heart of the Valpolicella Classica. The restoration kept the timber beams and tufa walls of the original farmstead; around it, rows of vines and olive trees slope down towards the plain, and on clear days the view reaches as far as Verona.

It is a small, quiet house: eight rooms, a well-kept garden, an outdoor pool with sun terrace and a wellness area with a Turkish bath and heated hot tub. Central Verona is about twenty minutes away by car, the shores of Lake Garda around half an hour.

The house is run by Paolo and Palma, who restored it and look after it in person with their staff. Reception is open from 8.00 to 18.00; check-in is from 15.00 to 18.00, later through a simple self check-in arranged in advance. Check-out is by 11.00.

The staff recommend wineries to visit, walking and cycling routes and guided tours of Verona; e-bikes can be hired through a local provider. The property is entirely non-smoking, does not accept pets and welcomes adults and children aged 14 and over.

Each of the eight rooms has its own name. Alcova, on the ground floor overlooking the garden, and Scalini, on the first floor facing the hills, are the two Standard rooms. The five Superior rooms include the two Barchesse in the main building, the two Torri at the highest point of the property, separated by a sitting room and bookable together as a single suite, and the Giardino d'Inverno in the pool wing. The Deluxe Ulivi, on the first floor, has a bedroom, a living room with sofa bed and views over the vineyards.

All rooms have exposed beams, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, satellite TV, minibar, safe, kettle with tea and herbal infusions, bathrobes for the pool and spa, Italian toiletries and a private bathroom with shower. The Deluxe also has a coffee machine.

Corte Saggin does not have a restaurant. The day starts with a buffet breakfast, served from 8.00 to 10.30, with carefully chosen produce and a gluten-free selection always available. In summer a light lunch of cold dishes can be ordered by the pool.

For dinner, the Valpolicella offers plenty of choice within a few minutes' drive, from village trattorias to winery restaurants: reception is happy to suggest addresses and book a table.

The wellness area is set in a room of the old house, with a beamed ceiling and terracotta floor: Turkish bath, heated hot tub and wooden loungers, with juices and herbal teas available.

It is open every day from 11.00 to 19.00 and is used by hourly booking, for a supplement, to be arranged with reception. The outdoor pool is open from June to October, 10.00 to 19.00.

San Pietro in Cariano is one of the historic villages of the Valpolicella Classica, the home of Amarone and Recioto, dotted with Venetian villas, Romanesque churches and wineries open for visits. The Pieve di San Floriano and Villa della Torre in Fumane are close by.

Verona is about 13 km away, some twenty minutes by car; Bardolino and Lazise on Lake Garda are around 25 minutes, the Aquardens thermal park in Pescantina fifteen minutes. Verona Villafranca airport is 16 km away.