FAQ

Location
Villa Valfiore lies in an ideal setting for both business and leisure time. Situated in a charming, quiet position just next to Bologna’s hills, it is just a few kilometers away from the mediaeval city center and nearby all the strategic infrastructures it offers, such as the trade fair centre and the airport. The road that leads to Villa Valfiore continues on towards the Vena del Gesso, a vein of gypsum that is one of the most important, characteristic rock formations in the whole of the Emilia-Romagna Apennines. Another outstanding feature of the surrounding natural landscape is the Lungo Savena Park, a green belt situated between Bologna and San Lazzaro, a system of walking routes and green areas that connects up to each other the various different landscape features present along the banks of the torrent: urban fabric, the Cedri and Paleotto Parks, sites of historical and naturalistic significance, such as Palazzo Malvasia, the old hydraulic works of the lock across the Savena Canal and the Siberia del Rio Acquafredda karst resurgence, which runs for a total of 12 km and is the largest karst system in the gypsum areas of Western Europe, under the protection of the Parco dei Gessi Bolognesi e Calanchi dell’Abbadessa.

What kind of accommodations are offered in?
The 23 rooms in Villa Valfiore are cozy and welcoming, specially designed to guarantee guests a relaxing stay in the delightful, exclusive, sophisticated atmosphere of a relais hotel. The quiet, peaceful rooms are enhanced by elegantly crafted antique-style furnishings, in shades of grey and taupe. Whether you are staying inside the Villa itself, in the nearby guest quarters or the separate annex, you will have the chance to admire the beautiful variety of plants in the garden and to gaze out over the hills of Bologna. Almost all of the bathrooms have large windows that look out onto the large, centuries-old gardens of the Villa, and the rooms are superbly decorated, with exquisite attention to detail: from the cushions in linen and Egyptian cotton to the fresh flowers and the courtesy items.

The Eco-sustainability policy of Villa Valfiore
Villa Valfiore close attention paid to the environment and eco-sustainability issues.The solar panels installed on the roof are sufficient to heat all the water the hotel uses, while under floor heating and air conditioning ensures a consistent, comfortable temperature throughout the complex.

The Restaurant
The Valfiore Restaurant is a bright place, overlooking the centuries old garden, where guests can find some of the cellar’s fine vintages, which naturally represent the renowned vineyards of the surroundings hills of Bologna and Italy. Local products feature on the menu, which focuses on the flavors typical of the surrounding area and the fresh produce grown here, offering guests from the Villa and diners from outside the hotel a range of traditional Emilian speciality, alongside the finest dishes from Italy’s culinary heritage.

The Breakfast
Just like the restaurant, the bright, airy breakfast room is located in what was originally a wine cellar, and looks onto a Mediterranean garden patio with a large staircase leading to the gardens. A particularly fine English-style breakfast is served here, featuring first-quality and some homemade produce. The informal atmosphere created by the ivory-colored sofas and tables is warmed by the fireplace in the winter and brightened by the sunshine in the summer. It is in this season that one of the exclusive features of the relais hotel really comes out into its own: the spacious outside patio, which is bathed by sunshine throughout the morning. Shielded by the surrounding gardens, breakfast on the patio is an ideal, invigorating start to the day, as well as the ideal place to recharge your batteries with a mid-morning coffee enjoyed amid the greenery.

The Events at Villa Valfiore
Ceremonies, weddings, parties, events: for any special occasion worth celebrating, Villa Valfiore is the ideal setting, whatever the season, because it offers superb facilities both indoors and outdoors. Between the Villa itself and the guest quarters is the splendid Sala Ulivi function room, surrounded not by walls but by large windows that reflect the light of the gardens they look onto.The room has a capacity of up to 120 guests, and has been specially designed to blend in smoothly and attractively with the rest of the hotel structure, forming a perfect link between the swimming pool, the gardens, the restaurant and the oratory of San Rocco and San Sebastiano, as well as being connected to the guest quarters and the Villa, just in case you want to organize high-eng events.

SPA
The wellness centre of Villa Valfiore is very intimate, only for a few guests at a time. Two cabins devoted exclusively to massages and body care treatments, as well as a relaxation area with soft lights and a soothing atmosphere. Guests can shake off stress in the Finnish sauna, enjoy a a dip in the whirlpool tub and experience the splendid multi-sensory shower.

Read more articles about Villa Valfiore

Each season is the best to visit Bologna

Bologna still sails slightly below the radar when it comes to travels in Italy, which is hardly surprising when you consider the giants of the country’s tourism industry. Although the city may not have the canals of Venice, the vast ruins of Rome, the loveable chaos of Naples, or the artistic clout of Florence, travellers who overlook Bologna are missing out. There is a surprisingly long list of things to do in Bologna, and the Bologna weather is also particularly agreeable, particularly in the summer months when it’s possible to have up to several hours of sunshine.

Many also consider Bologna’s food to be among the best in Italy, with a range of pastas and gelatos that can rival the best in the country. All that aside, the city is also home to several famous Bologna churches, including the Sanctuary of the Madonna Di San Luca and San Petronio Basilica, the tenth largest in the world, and the centuries-old gathering point of Piazza Maggiore.

Although the question "Is Bologna worth visiting?" is a common one, it’s a surprisingly easy one to answer: "It’s not if the city is worth but when is it worth visiting." And the best place to start when planning a trip to Bologna, is to make sure you go at a time that best suits what you’re looking for in a city break.

Continue Reading

...