If you are visiting in the winter and enjoy skiing, take advantage of the several ski resorts that can be reached from Villa Bonicelli. Febbio is just 30 minutes away; the others can be reached in under 1.5hrs, depending of course on weather conditions. Half-day, whole day and 2-day passes are available as well as 1-week passes, so your whole holiday doesn't have to be about skiing! Febbio is our small local ski resort, just 25-30 minutes away. After a period of closure, it has got back on its feet and is open at weekends. Also a great spot for sledging. This is a small and very convenient resort...

The ski resorts near Villa Bonicelli are also well worth a visit in the summer. For example, Cerreto Laghi becomes a popular destination for walking, horseriding and mountain-biking activities. There are also many walking trails for all abilities. Febbio is also active in the summer, with walking and trekking facilities available, as well as a riding school. Or just head up for the fresh air and wonderful views - the first ski lift (1500m) should be open in time for summer 2014. Just above Febbio is a rifugio, a kind of hostel. It’s called Rifugio Peschiera Zamboni (or La Peschiera). It’s...

If fresh air, mountain walks, Renaissance cities, medieval castles and great food aren't enough to please the little ones, here are a few more suggestions. Great fun for all the family is Parco Avventura Cerwood, just under an hour away in Cervarezza. This is an outdoor adventure park in the National Park, with obstacle courses to suit all abilities (think rope bridges, swinging from trees etc – like Go Ape in the UK). The main routes are for children (and adults!) over 1.4m in height but there are also a few routes for smaller children (1m-1.4m) and a play area for tots with a sandpit,...

Known as the ‘Food Kitchen’ of the North, Emilia Romagna is the ideal holiday destination for food lovers. Bologna, “La Grassa” (the fat, the plentiful), is the capital of Emilia-Romagna and is thought by many to be the food capital of Italy. Many of the foods produced in this region are considered to be at the heart of Italian cuisine. As well as a huge array of pasta dishes such as tortelli and tortellini stuffed with meat, cheese, vegetables and herbs, the region is also renowned for cured Langhirano and Parma ham, mortadella, Parmigiano Reggiano (genuine Parmesan), traditional balsamic...

If eating out is your passion, we have plenty of suggestions! The local restaurants, pizzerie and trattorie cover pretty much every palate and every pocket, from the cheap and cheerful to the more refined. Before your stay we will provide you with a comprehensive list of options – there are many to choose from within a half-hour drive, with the closest just 5 minutes away in Quara. Please note that restaurants are generally closed on either a Monday or a Wednesday. In low season it is worth ringing to check opening times –  some of the local restaurants don’t open unless they have...

Carpineti: The Castello delle Carpinete is a medieval hilltop castle (now in ruins) just over 30 minutes’ drive away, once owned by Countess Matilde di Canossa, a key historical figure in this area. There are short guided tours of the castle on certain days but it’s worth going up purely for the amazing views. There is also a good restaurant there (see the 'Restaurants' section). If you’re staying in February, you will want to head up there for Mongolfiere Innamorate, an annual week-long hot-air balloon festival held to coincide with Valentine’s Day (weather allowing)! Canossa: The Castello...

Quara is the nearest village (3km). Here you will find a café, restaurant, butcher, bakery and mini market. Toano (7km) is a nice little town with shops, bars, a hotel, an ice-cream parlour and banks (cashpoints) as well as one of the best preserved Roman churches in the Apennines. It also has a lovely outdoor swimming pool, which is open during the school holidays (early June to early September). Farneta (7km) also has a selection of shops and a very good restaurant. Cavola is a nice village (about 15 min drive) with a couple of bars (and even a disco!), a bank/cashpoint, and a Sunday...