To experience a different night than usual you don’t need to travel thousands of kilometers, even in Lombardy there are out of the ordinary hotels to try at least once in your life. Glamping, castles and transparent spheres: these are just some of the most unusual places to spend a romantic night without choosing the usual B&B. And if the search is laborious: here is the list of the 7 strangest accommodations for a weekend away, but not too much.
THE MOST PARTICULAR HOTELS in LOMBARDY: 7 strange nights near Milan
#1 Sleeping in a tree house: Agriturismo Tenuta Il Cigno in Villanterio (PV)
Anyone’s childhood dream: the tree house. Being able to live in a suspended wooden house has always been a shared desire, but for those who were not lucky enough to be able to play with it as a child, today being able to spend a romantic night there is possible. The Tenuta Il Cigno farmhouse, located about 30 kilometers from Milan, has built a tree house entirely of wood and equipped with every comfort for anyone wishing to spend an alternative night.
The Tree House is built at a height of over 5 meters wrapped in the foliage of a centuries-old oak and offers a view from above over the Pavia countryside. The room is specially designed for couples, with independent access and furnished in a warm and welcoming way. And to complete the idyllic picture, on the outdoor terrace there is also a heated whirlpool tub from which to admire the sunset while sipping sparkling wine.
#2 Sleeping immersed in 4000 hectares of wood: Il Roccolino di Valsecca (BG)
Among the most particular places to sleep in Lombardy there is certainly Roccolino di Valsecca (Bergamo). A one-of-a-kind B&B: a restored hunting lodge made available to spend a romantic weekend in the heart of the Imagna Valley.
Immersed in 4000 hectares of wood, it was traditionally used for bird hunting. Today stones, stones and woods have been completely recovered, recycled and reused to bring the roccolo back to life. So that, in addition to giving a flavor of other times to the location, it promotes a new way of renovating eco-friendly with the territory and the surrounding nature. The ideal place to indulge in an exclusive experience with the opportunity to enjoy a romantic candlelit aperitif with exclusive local products.
#3 Glamping in Lombardy: Campsite della Colombaia in Padenghe sul Garda (BS)
Many think that going camping means giving up every comfort with small spaces and shared bathrooms, but this is not the case at the Colombaia campsite in Padenghe sul Garda. In fact, here the glamor is added to the campsite, transforming it from simple camping into glamping. The structure includes these Safari Lodge tents, suitable for up to five people, with a large veranda overlooking the lake and furnished with the charm of luxury hotels.
And so the Dovecote must not give up anything. The houses surrounded by centuries-old olive trees include both a private bathroom in the room and a kitchen equipped with an induction hob. In short, glamping in Lombardy is a new fashion way to spend your holidays immersed in nature, but without giving up the comforts of a hotel.
#4 Sleeping under the stars with Exphera in Palazzago (BG)
Nothing compares to the magic of a starry night, especially if you can enjoy it comfortably from a bed next to your loved one. Dream? No, thanks to Exphera this is possible. In Palazzago, in the province of Bergamo, a sphere with a transparent roof hosts anyone wishing to indulge in a unique wellness experience. The structure recalls the style of a tent, but its modern charm makes it a perfect intimate retreat to enjoy the view, perhaps with a candlelit dinner.
The experience at Exphera also includes a mini wellness center: from the house you can access the private garden where there is a hot tub with wood-heated water, a Finnish sauna and a small wellness center. The ideal place to treat yourself to an alternative relaxing weekend.
#5 Home, but also Museum: Palazzo Valenti Gonzaga in Mantua
Within the walls of the Casa Museo di Palazzo Valenti Gonzaga you are directly teleported in the seventeenth century in the heart of the historic city of Mantua. And why not go back in time and live in an extravagant era for one night. The property has two apartments and two bedrooms, all furnished with period furniture, frescoes and fireplaces. The most sensational room is the Cardinal’s Chapel entirely covered with Renaissance stuccoes and frescoes.
An experience that is nothing short of out of the ordinary in a location that, in addition to offering a night of frescoes, draperies and rich decorations, is also a museum that can be accessed for free. In fact, by reserving the house it will also be possible to visit the Valenti Gonzaga Museum for free, where permanent and temporary art exhibitions are on display, which include works by the Flemish painter Frans Geffels, the Italian sculptor Giovan Battista Barberini and a collection of ancient and rare books.
#6 Become a royal for a night at the Castle of Cernusco Lombardone (LC)
To stay on the subject of time travel, in Lombardy it is possible to become royalty for a night. Just 27 km from Milan you can be pampered like a true noble by spending a night at the ancient castle of Cernusco Lombardone. Its history has its roots up to the times of the Roman Empire, it was born as a “Castellum” outpost of control of the territory, then passing to the Lombards and the Milanese Visconti and soon becoming a real noble residence.
A building with a centuries-old history, which after its complete renovation becomes the ideal location to fantasize about past eras. The property includes three bedrooms perfectly furnished with period furniture in a refined style. The main house, La Suite del Camino, consists of two double bedrooms, a large living room and bathroom with hydromassage. In addition, a lovely balcony overlooks the internal courtyard, while all around the structure there is a large park which also houses a swimming pool and location of many weddings.
#7 Dive into a wine barrel at the Silter in Capriate San Gervasio (BG)
But it’s not over yet, as the last and perhaps the most unusual place to sleep near Milan, we find the perfect room for those who want to enjoy a 360-degree gastronomic holiday. Yes, for lovers of good wine it is finally possible to literally sleep in a barrel for a total immersion in the reality of the cellar. It is the Silter in Capriate San Gervasio in the province of Bergamo that has created this unique room for its guests.
In fact, inside the cellar dating back to the eighteenth century, surrounded by old exposed bricks, there is a large barrel of wine, but not just any one: inside, surprisingly, there is a very comfortable bed. Surely one of the most special places to stay and who would not like to toast surrounded by vintage bottles and enjoy a hot bath in the tub and then dive into a barrel to sleep.
ALESSANDRO VIDALI
(Original article By Sara Ferri)
