Regina - Veneto Countryside/Coast

Italy brings to mind the classic rolling hills of Umbria and Tuscany, dotted with cypresses, vineyards, and olive groves. That landscape, however, is not typical, and what you find around Tenuta Regina is totally different: the land is flat and the air hazy. If you're looking for typically "picturesque", this isn't it. But read on ....

Tenuta Regina (the word "tenuta" means simply "landholding") is a 400-acre working farm located directly on the Marano Lagoon a little more than 50 miles northeast of Venice. You are actually below sea level here; this is reclaimed land Holland-style. The nearest village, with basic shops, is Piancada; the nearest large town is Latisana, with major train station and all other services including hospital, post office, bank, supermarket. The combination Tenuta Regina offers is unusual: rural tourism and seaside at the same time.

The property is especially suited to families seeking not-fancy accommodations permitting a combination of recreation and culture in one setting. For one thing, there's a most attractive swimming pool on the property. In addition, the sandy beaches of Lignano, Bibione, Grado, and Iesolo are within an easy drive. Mountain bikes are available at the property for easy excursions through a not-at-all-strenuous countryside dotted with villages whose primary activity is still fishing for eels and small fish from the lagoon. The Marano Lagoon is a protected wetland, one of the most important in Italy, recognized and protected by the World Wildlife Fund. You can take both day and evening tours of the lagoon by boat from the ancient fishing village of Marano.

"Culture"? To begin with, there's Venice. You can park your car at the nearby town of Latisana and be in Venice in an hour or so, stress-free. Interesting cities and small towns? The biggest and most famous is Trieste, less than an hour in the opposite direction from Venice and also easily visited by train along beautiful coastline. But get a good guidebook and read about such places as Palmanova, Grado, Aquileia, Udine, Cividale, and Gorizia, each unique and delightful, in many cases with a "northern" air inherited from many centuries of Austrian rule. There are also many castles in this area which the owners will be glad to point you to.

Food and wine? The immediate area is full of excellent restaurants and trattorie, most specializing, as you might expect, in the sea. For a big change, take a short ride over to Cormons, center of the Collio district, famous throughout the world for both red and white wines and an excellent cuisine at restaurants like La Subida. San Daniele prosciutto is fully the equal of the ham from Parma. The countryside is pretty, too, with rolling hills covered with vineyards reminiscent of Tuscany but at the same time different.

Regina's owners are a young, enthusiastic couple from the area who have recently developed a number of accommodations for rent, mostly to Europeans and Italians. They speak good English, but very few Americans have made it their way so far. They have 7 air-conditioned apartments for 2-4 persons, located in two separate buildings, extremely simple but comfortably furnished and reasonably priced. You'll have neighbors here, almost certainly Italians or Northern Europeans. If you want total privacy and seclusion, this is not it. If you want to experience the joys (and noise) of meeting and associating with people from other places, this may be just the thing for you.

In addition, the owners offer Airone, a totally independent wing of their own villa, with accommodation for up to 5 persons. This is in our opinion the best: it's the largest, the most private, and the most nicely furnished of all, still at a reasonable price.

Airone
Accommodates 5 — 3 Bedrooms — 2+ Baths

Airone is a wing of the owners' villa which, by the way, dates from 1926. You enter via an especially nice covered terrace ideal for outdoor dining and lounging. This terrace is for the exclusive use of guests at Airone, though guests may also use any other part of the grounds as well, including, of course, the swimming pool, about 200 feet distant. On the ground floor, you'll find the living/dining room, full kitchen, laundry room, and a bathroom with shower. Upstairs are three bedrooms: one matrimonial, one twin, and one single, plus two bathrooms: one complete bath with tub and hand- held shower, the other with just a shower and sink, but no WC. Furnishings throughout are pleasant, characterful, comfortable, but not at all fancy. This is an excellent accommodation for a family or for two young couples looking for a more "active" vacation experience.

Masorini 1/2/3
Each accommodates 2 — 1 Bedroom — 1 Bath

Simple, clean, functional accommodations located together in a building immediately in front of the swimming pool. Each with two rooms: open living/dining/kitchen plus a twin or matrimonial bedroom. Telephone plus independent heating/air-conditioning.

Folaghe 1/2/3/4
Each accommodates 2 or 4

Newly constructed, simple accommodations located in a separate structure about 500 feet from the main nucleus of the estate. Downstairs are two handicap-accessible 1-bedroom units. Upstairs are two 2-bedroom, 2-bath units. Telephone, heating, A/C. Simple, functional furnishings.