Agritur La Dolce Mela, Valle dei Laghi, Trento, Italy - Explore & Book

"It was the Italians who pioneered agrotourism back in the 1970s, and now they're taking it to new levels of luxury. This "Sweet Apple", set among fragrant orchards 40 minutes north of Lake Garda at the foot of the Trento Alps, is a case in point. It all started when Francesca and her not-yet-husband Moreno were on holiday in Sicily, dreaming about their perfect guesthouse, with a view to creating it on this land he'd inherited. Their wishlist? Plenty of space, both indoors and out; a maximum of 20 guests; lots of healthy, zero-mile food for breakfast; help-yourself afternoon cakes, drinks and fruit; EV chargers, solar energy, and e-bikes to borrow. And the bedrooms? Locally crafted materials (oak and pine panelling), bathtubs for lazy soaks and - why not - some in-room saunas too. But no TVs or reception desk, and no children to disturb that wonderful natural tranquility. And here's the result. A beautifully rebuilt barn with all of the above, housed in 5 generous rooms (yes, 2 of them with saunas), plus a new architect-designed, grass-roofed annex with 3 strikingly modernist suites. There's a blissful chemical-free pool, and a firepit for BBQ evenings. It really is the perfect antidote to 21st century stresses and strains. And it happens to be on the edge of one of the loveliest lake- and mountain landscapes in the world. Highs A tranquil setting at the foot of the Trento Alps, aways from the crowds of Lake Garda, but within reach of this and quieter lakes A genuinely sustainable focus: wood-chip heating, local larch cladding, underfloor heating, a chemical-free pool, photovoltaic cells and more This is a place to recharge yourself too: some rooms have hydromassage tubs, two have private saunas The breakfast is one of the most varied and appetising spreads we've tasted in italy Weekly summer barbecues are a great way to meet like-minded guests, if you want to Lows No children: this is a grown-up retreat Evening meals are limited to weekly barbecues and a light-bite menu (but there are good restaurants nearby) No TVs in the bedrooms The 3 newer eco-suites aren't everyone's style, though some rave about them (we met guests who book them a year ahead)" - Michael Cullen