L'Albereta

Location

Sprawling vineyards, rolling green hills and beautifully landscaped gardens form the picturesque rural backdrop to L’Albereta, which, with its ivy-laden exterior, blends seamlessly into its luscious surroundings. Bergamo is around a 30-minute drive away to the west, while Brescia is a similar distance away to the east, so while you’ll feel totally immersed in the countryside, two of Lombardy’s most historic cities are within striking distance. The shore of Lake Iseo, Lombardy’s fourth-largest lake, is 20 minutes away by car and makes an excellent option for a day trip.

Accommodation

There are 53 luxurious rooms and suites dotted throughout the property, ranging from superior and deluxe rooms to elegant and sophisticated suites. All of them are filled with natural light and feature private balconies, delicately frescoed walls and spacious marble bathrooms. Each one is individually decorated with vintage furniture and original artwork collected from around the world, while warm, soft lighting adds to the homely ambience. For a truly unique experience, consider the Cabriolet Suite, which has a retractable bedroom roof which opens to reveal the sky, along with a balcony facing the vineyards and out towards Lake Iseo in the distance.

Dining

L’Albereta is an outstanding culinary destination in its own right, boasting a quartet of superb dining venues. At LeonFelice, the speciality is traditional, local cuisine with a strong focus on quality ingredients sourced from the Franciacorta area, served on a gorgeous terrace with views of Lake Iseo and Monte Isola. La Filale produces exceptional pizzas accompanied by an extensive selection of quality wines and cocktails, while Ristorante Benessere offers a menu of healthy and delicious dishes at the Chenot Espace spa. For breakfast, light lunches, drinks throughout the day and sunset aperitifs, Stanza54 is the place to be – with ample seating both indoors, in a cosy lounge area, and outdoors on a trio of terraces.

Facilities

The Chenot Espace spa takes centre stage at L’Albereta, with over 20,000 square feet of space dedicated to wellness and vitality. Here, you’ll have access to an indoor pool, hydrotherapy pools, a steam room, a sauna and a Turkish bath, along with a well-equipped fitness centre and tennis courts. Wellness programmes here focus on a holistic philosophy that involves bespoke therapies based on state-of-the-art diagnostics, so every treatment is tailored to your individual needs.

Wellness aside, vineyard tours and wine tastings can be arranged at Contadi Castaldi and Bellavista Winery, in which you’ll learn all about the history of Franciacorta’s sparkling wines and how they are made, as well as getting to sample them directly from the source. You might also be tempted to rent bikes or go hiking in the surrounding region, take a day trip to Lake Iseo or enjoy a round or two of golf at Franciacorta Golf Club, which has 18 and 9-hole courses.