Italy is known for its food, fashion, lifestyle – and car industry. Or did you forget brands such as Fiat, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati? Here, in northern Italy, in the Emilia-Romagna region, the city of Modena is the center of the upper-class sports car makers: Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati, or De Tomaso and Pagani are, or were, located here and all, except Lamborghini, have headquarters in the city or nearby. The Ferrari 360 Modena was even named after the town itself. Ferrari's production plant and Formula One team Scuderia Ferrari are based in Maranello south of the city. Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the company, was born here; his birthplace is today part of the Ferrari Museum.
How convenient, that from all the fast cars and much horsepower you can take a break and slow down nearby, more precisely at our place, the Casale Monte Valestra :-) Here you can enjoy the solitude of the area as well as the culinary specialties of the region. Because Modena is also known for its production of balsamic vinegar: “Balsamic vinegar of Modena” became even a protected geographical indication. But the city also contributed tortellini and tortelloni to the Italian pasta culture, as well as the salamis “Zampone” and “Cotechino Modena”.
And the city of Reggio Emilia - to which our Casale Monte Valestra is close - is not only famous for being the place of the foundation of the Tricolor Italian national flag, but also of the "king of cheeses", the Parmigiano Reggiano. Typical for our region is also Scarpazzone: a salty cake of rice, spinach, ricotta and Parmigiano Reggiano that can be eaten at any time, breakfast, lunch or dinner. Buon appetito!
Bienvenuti!
Come and enjoy relaxation in the exclusivity of a renovated farmhouse in Reggio Emilia and taste typical local products. The structure of the Casale dates back to the end of the 1800s, it was always used as a stable for cattle as well as a barn and belonged to the noble Manodori family in the past. In fact, the Casale is located just below the Manodori’s Palace from which the homonymous street takes its name.
After several renovations, the guest apartment on the ground floor awaits its guests since 2022, so everything is very fresh. The 70 square meters apartment features original vaulted ceilings and windows kept in their original arched shapes. It furthermore consists of a large open space with a sofa bed for two people, small sofas, a vintage stove, a bookcase corner, a breakfast corner with a counter, a table with chairs, a mini-bar, an electric oven, a French bed for two more people, a corridor and an independent bathroom with shower equipped with hydromassage jet.
Besides that you will find here a wardrobe, desk, mirror and a coat hanger. A table high chair for babys is available if necessary. The bathroom is equipped with towels, a courtesy kit and a paid washing machine service. And there is a bidet with free toiletries and a hair dryer.
The B&B comes also with a terrace, a garden with barbecue facilities, free WiFi, a flat-screen TV with access to Netflix and free private parking.
The accomodation ist ideal for couples or families with 2 children who love nature and animals, for sporty people who love trekking, long walks or mountainbiking.
The rich breakfast in for mof a breakfast basket is included in your fee, during that meal you can already taste the typical local products from a 0 km radius. To continue your culinary tour in our region, we can recommend you good restaurants in the area with authentic flavors and dishes.
Besides that, you have also the possibility to use the kitchen to prepare your favorite foods. The kitchen is equipped with a fridge, a stove, an oven and a minibar, furthermore you will find a coffee machine as well as a tea kettle here. Shops with local products to fill up the fridge are just a walk away, so you won't have a problem to get fresh supply :-)
In and around the Casale, you can relax very well (for example in the jacuzzi, or with yoga) - but you won't be bored.
For example, you can tour around the area, take big walks in the surrounding fields, climb the mountain Monte Valestra (935 meters above sea level) or visit the Castello di Carpineti, the ruin of the medieval hill castle of Carpineti municipality.
Another site worth visiting is the Pieve di San Vitale, an ancient parish church situated on Mount Olivero, overlooking the valleys below the Frigido River.
While walking through the fields in eastern direction, you'll see a bench you want to rest on - but as you approach it, it gets bigger and bigger! No, you haven't had too much wine or a sunstroke, it's a work by artist Chris Bangle as part of the countrywide Big Bench community project, and its dimensions invite you to feel like a little kid again while enjoying the view.
The Casale is immersed in the nature of the Appennino Reggiano, but also just ca. 50 minutes from Reggio Emilia, Maranello and Modena, 20 minutes from the Pietra di Bismantova and 5 minutes from the center of Carpineti.
If you are into racing cars, you will find your Mecca in Modena and Maranello where factories (or even heaquarters) of Ferrari, De Tomaso, Lamborghini, Pagani and Maserati are, or were, located. Maranello has also a Ferrari Museum, an interactive museum that houses not only exhibitions and films about the legendary sports car, but also a racing simulator. The museum complex includes the birthplace of the founder of Ferrari, Enzo Ferrari, and a futuristic automotive design gallery.
What’s there for children?
Children will find a lot of equipment in and around the Casale: besides a crib and a high chair, we can offer cartoons, toys, books, a children's corner, board games and a garden for (safe) adventures. In addition, the younger guests will also meet our family's dog, Miele, and cat, Romeo, with whom they can play, too.
For more action with animals, you don't need to go far: in Carpineti itself is the bio farm called "La Contea della Terra di Mezzo" that offers Alpaca trekking.
Or should it be rather horse riding? Then you can find Maneggio country horses at "Maik Horses" in the nearby town of Toano.
Another child-friendly, adventurous site ist the Cerwood Adventure Park in Cervarezza, in the middle of the nature. The youngsters can climb wooden moving bridges between treetops and prove their courage when it comes to crossing them.
What’s there for employees?
In case you want to do some workation in Italy, we can offer work space in our apartment. You will find desks as well as WiFi internet connection in every room. In addition, also a printer is available. Due to our calm location, no sound from outside will disturb you while working on your projects.