Villa in Italy with pool, Piemonte

Wine Routes: The Province of Asti has several wine routes, through historic villages and vineyards. One of these routes - the Langa Astigiana - takes in Bubbio and circles the hills surrounding Casa Pietra, where you can see several castles and towers as well as farms specialising in goats cheese production, chestnuts, fruits and medicinal herbs. In the hilly terrain of the Langa Astigiana there are many nature trails and paths.

The local village, Bubbio is only 10-15 minutes walk away and is a charming village with some shops, cafes and a couple of restaurants. The village centre has a lovely green space with a little playground overlooked by the outside terrace of the local auberge. You can also find banks, a post office and bakery.

The nearest large supermarket is 15 minutes drive away in the historic town of Acqui Terme, which has a good fresh fish counter, plenty of meats and all the food you will need. It also has many household and garden goods, toys and even some clothes.

The historic and beautiful town of Acqui Terme, 15 minutes drive away, is very much worth a visit during your stay. Lovingly restored by the Italian government in recent years, the town originated in Roman times and was built around a natural hot spring, which you can see bubbling up in a beautiful square in the town centre. This is a lovely place to come and wander around the shops and twice-weekly market, have lunch in and see the fine architecture and peaceful squares.

Walking in the hills around Bubbio is another lovely way to spend some time. There are several local walking routes meandering between villages, showing you the local flora and fauna and beautiful views of the surrounding area.

Another local favourite is cycling. The house is in a flat part of the river valley, but with pleasant hills a short walk/ride away. If you or your children like mountain biking, our neighbour runs a small mountain biking school where you can hire bikes, go on a lesson or take a guided ride in the surrounding countryside.

Through our nearest neighbour we are also able to offer walking tours, wine tours, road cycling tours and other activities. If you would like to consider this, please email the owner and I can put you in touch. Alternatively go to www.outdoorlive.it.

A day at the beach is another option; about an hour's drive away is the coast between Genoa and Savona, with many beaches to choose from. Genoa also has some attractions, including a large sea life centre and restored ancient port.