Il Giardino di Sibilia | Elegant Veneto Villa with Pool, Gardens and Stone Cellar Cantina

In the countryside of Vicenza, Il Giardino di Sibilia is a graceful Veneto retreat for up to 16 guests, set among landscaped gardens with views across forest and valley. It has the sort of old Italian poise that does not need to shout: exposed stone walls, wooden ceiling beams, time-softened furnishings, broad outdoor spaces, panoramic terraces and a private pool waiting for slow mornings and golden-hour swims.

The villa has 8 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms, with six double bedrooms and two twin bedrooms, making it well suited to an extended family stay, a gathering of friends, or a celebratory escape in northern Italy. Each room has its own character, and one carries a rather charming surprise, a piano in the bedroom, for anyone inclined toward a little after-dinner Schubert, or something less disciplined after the grappa.

The heart of the estate is its stone barrel-vaulted cellar cantina, a wonderfully atmospheric setting for anyone with a fondness for Italian wine and grappa. Days can be as unhurried as you like: breakfast on the terrace, an afternoon by the pool, a barbecue in the open air, then a quiet evening watching the landscape darken around the gardens.

• Sleeps: 16 guests
• Bedrooms: 8, including 6 double bedrooms and 2 twin bedrooms
• Bathrooms: 6
• Outdoor living: landscaped gardens, private pool, panoramic terraces, barbecue, forest and valley views
• Indoor character: exposed stone, wooden beams, traditional Italian furnishings, bedroom piano, stone cellar cantina
• Comforts: Wi-Fi, satellite TV, safe, washing machine, iron, hair dryer and baby facilities
• Kitchen amenities: dishwasher, kettle, toaster and microwave

With Vicenza as its address and Venice and Lake Garda within the wider Veneto picture, this is a villa for guests who want countryside calm, architectural character and a generous sense of place. Pack a book, leave room for wine, and let the terrace do most of the persuading.