Vecchio Podere Santa Cristiana Bed & Breakfast Nizza Monferrato Italy

�Oasis in the vines" - We stayed at Vecchio Podere Santa Cristiana in March 2005. Snow was still on the ground, but the vines were already being prepared for the summer. The house is peaceful and set in marvelous countryside, with views in every direction. A true oasis of calm amongst the vines. Every day greeted us with a blue sky, and we toured the countryside bathed in sunshine. The local towns and villages were warm and interesting even in the winter season. The accomodation was warm, comfortable and extremely well equipped. Whilst we were definitely on vacation, had we wanted to remain in touch with work via the net, the facilities were there for us if we had wanted them. We would highly recommend Vecchio Podere Santa Cristiana, and will be back there later in the year. Brian & Christine, Warrington, UK, March 2005

"Couldn't have been better!" - It was our first time in Piedmont, Italy and everthing exceeded our expectations. The scenery is breath taking, the food excellent and the people were very friendly. The working farm, Vecchio Podere Santa Cristiana, is tucked away in the heart of stunning countryside, but has the advantage of being only a short distance from three airports. It has all the facilities you would require, including wireless internet connection (should you really want one) and DVD players to entertain the children whilst the adults sip wine on the terrace. The house is full of charm and ideal for a tranquil holiday. We had two 11 year old boys with us who loved the biggest swimming pool we have ever seen (at Aqui Terme) and the beaches on the Riviera. We loved the cafe culture, watching the world go by, the wine tasting and the fabulous restaurants. Phil and Ingrid could not have been better hosts. A pefect relaxing break which we cannot recommend highly enough.Stephen, Annmarie & family, Buckinghamshire, England, May 2005

"Medieval sieges and wonderful wines!" - We spent 4 wonderful nights at Vecchio Podere Santa Cristiana as part of a "grand tour" of Europe. Phil and Ingrid are superb hosts who generously organised several events to enrich our stay. The spectacular pageantry of the re-enactment of the Siege of Canelli was an unexpected treat (18�19 June 2005�lucky timing for us!). The accommodation at Vecchio Podere Santa Cristiana was excellent, and we spent a very relaxing and lazy day dozing and reading in shady spots in the gardens. Wine tastings at local cantinas and a relaxed barbecue overlooking the vineyards gave us a flavour of the wonderful life Phil and Ingrid have adopted. We wish them every success. Kate & Tom, Leeds, England, June 2005

"Beautiful relaxing retreat in the Piemonte region" -I have just returned from a very relaxing week at Vecchio Podere Santa Cristiana, a beautiful farmhouse / vineyard in the Piemonte region north of Genoa in Italy. The holiday started by travelling through a spectacular mountain range to get to our idyllic destination. It was an effortless hour from the airport with a huge diversity of scenery, from mountains to rolling hills covered with hazelnut groves and vineyard terraces. Vecchio Podere Santa Cristiana is set in a little pocket of Italy, as yet untouched by tourism. Based in an agricultural area, it is like travelling back in time. The passion of the local community is wine, over many generations. The views from my room were spectacular, white villages atop hillsides, vineyards as far as the eye could see. The host and hostess, Phil and Ingrid Blades, made one feel at home very quickly and were exceptionally knowledgeable of all the local places to visit and see, of which there are many. Also cities like Turin, Milan and Genoa are all very accessible in a day visit�I recommend you also try the local train service, very reasonable. Or alternatively, you could just relax on the veranda and just de-stress. Lots of lovely local restuarants serving excellent traditional food, and of course don't forget to try the local wines, many of which are unknown to the UK market. Whether you are new to Italy or are a seasoned visitor, I would highly recommend you visit this area, of which Vecchio Podere Santa Cristiana is one of the best places to stay. I will definitely return! thanks again for a great memorable stay. Diana, London, England, July 2005

"Piedmont Perfection"- We spent 9 glorious days at Vecchio Podere Santa Cristiana in July. The accommodation is superb. Our bedroom had wonderful views and was tastefully furnished. Phil & Ingrid are excellent and generous hosts and their knowledge of the area certainly adds to the enjoyment of the holiday. Ingrid's breakfasts (which we ate on the terrace) were feasts served with care and style. The countryside is jaw-droppingly beautiful, with excellent restaurants dotted about. Try the Trattoria di Bologna in Rocchetta Tanaro (10 minutes away according to Phil's driving instructions but about 25 minutes for mere mortals!) No menu, no wine list, no English spoken and no credit cards taken�but a gastonomic delight not to be missed. 7 or 8 courses�we lost count�all washed down with a fine Barberesco selected for us by the patron. A bargain at 110 Euros for two. Should you wish to leave the haven of peace and tranquility created by Phil and Ingrid, Genoa and Turin are well worth a visit, as are the nearby markets and cantinas to sample the local wines. If you are thinking of staying in the beautiful Piedmont Region, this is definitely the place to stay. Jean & Richard, Hertfordshire, England , July 2005

"Total relaxation" - Santa Cristiana is in a beautiful peaceful location. Phil and Ingrid were superb hosts and we were made to feel totally at home. Nothing seemed too much trouble, and they gave freely of their time, but we do now realise just how much hard work goes into the wine we enjoy! This truly is a place to relax and enjoy the good things in life: food, wine and friends. Salute! John & Jean, Burgess Hill, Sussex , August 2005

"Traquility found" - When setting out to stay at a working vinyard in the heart of the Piedmont wine country, I didn't really know what to expect. My previous visits to Italy had centred on the sites, famous places and objects that everyone has heard of and would like to see in person. For a view of the real Italy, to see how the people live and work, you can expect few better experiences than my time at Vecchio Podere Santa Cristiana. Phil and Ingrid, while only 'In country' for a year, have amassed a wealth of knowledge about the environs, the landscape, and the working rythms of their new home. I would have had no clue about the wealth of experience available to me if I had merely consulted the guide books. The pleasures of Turin, the elegance of Acqui Thermi, and the bustle of the Asti market may have been visible, but I feel that I got the 'insider's view' by the insights I gained. I can only marvel at the peace and quiet to be found at this magical place. Truly, highly recommended! Bruce, West Vancouver, BC, October 2005

"One of the best!" - We spent two nights at the wonderful Vecchio Podere Santa Cristiana in late September 2005. We had seen the great reviews on TripAdvisor and were looking forward to a relaxing time in the Italian countryside. We were not disappointed. We frequently stay in B&Bs and can honestly say that this was one of the best. The countryside was tranquil and gorgeous, and the house was immaculate and comfortable. Phil and Ingrid were gracious hosts and we felt like we were visiting friends for a weekend. As this is a working vineyard, we particularly enjoyed learning about the process and sampling the local wines. Ingrid�s breakfasts were a wonderful start to the day, with lots of local produce and great coffee. Their high standards and quality of service were such that we were surprised to learn that this is only their first year in operation. We look forward to a return visit. Lynn & R�my, Alexandria, Virginia, September 2005