The working farm is very pleasant, clean, and the service friendly. The rooms are well equipped. The price (just off high season) was extremely good value for half board. There is also a good swimming pool for children. The farm is over 800 metres above sea level, and so is cooler in summer.

But the food is what makes this place so very special, as unlike many Agritourismo farms, this one offers half-board as well.. This is italian food that italians would rave about too. All home-cooked, with fresh and mostly home-made ingredients. The secundi are, of course, very meat-based, so vegetarians might feel disadvantaged.

The farm also hosts a regular english-language cookery course in May, June and September. (Google "casa-lara.com). And there are some delights in the area for foodies. We loved the visit to the local creamery to see the Parmesan Cheese being made, for example.

My wife and I just returned from a three-week vacation in Northern Italy. We stayed at La Fenice for two nights, and found the experience to be one of the highlights of our travels.

Remo is the owner and operator of this wonderful ruin that has been restored for the convenience of today's travelers. It is located about 45 minutes from Bologna, high atop the hills surrounding the city. The drive to the top involves curving roads along a pastoral setting that delights the eyes and the senses.

Our accommodation was a newly constructed building not far from the ancient ruin that houses the restaurant and the reception area. We stayed in what can only be described as a two-story fortress with wooden floors and antique furnishings that permitted panoramic views of the entire area. The peace and quiet of the accommodationi afforded us an opportunity for two nights of restful and undisturbed sleep.

Breakfast and dinner are served in the ancient building that also serves as Remo's office. This building, with its adjoining banquet area, swimming pool and veranda, is the focal point for guests staying at the Agriturismo as well as for locals who wish to stop by for a meal or gathering.

The food is prepared by Remo's friends and employees who live on or near the property. There is a family quality about the entire dining experience that is undeniable and rewarding. The quality of the food and the unexpected elegance of the dining area compares to a four or five star restaurant. And to dine in a building whose basic structure dates back more than a thousand years is memorable and impressive enough for that reason alone.

It is Remo's hospitality and generosity that provides icing on the cake for any visitor or guest. As well, his daughter Carla is available to assist in the restaurant and at breakfast, and to otherwise help those like my wife and me who only speak English.

This is the perfect spot to relax and unwind away from the fast pace of places like Bologna and other nearby cities. At the same time, it is close enough to the Autobahn to provide easy access to the many other inviting locations a typical visitor would want to consider.

Congratulations to Remo for offering such a unique and unforgettable accommodation for travelers who wish to experience the real essence of mountain top living in such a beautiful area of Italy.