HERITAGE

La Scuola
Guesthouse

Lusiana - Italy

A former 1920s village school in the Veneto hills, turned into a playful five-room guesthouse between Bassano del Grappa, Marostica and Asiago.

Village Life

Pet Friendly

Picnic Baskets

Ice Cream Truck

Hike

e-Bike Rental

THE SETTING

La Scuola is a small guesthouse in Lusiana Conco, in the Veneto hills, on the southern side of the Asiago Plateau. The building was a countryside school from the 1920s, used by the village until the 1960s, before Valeria and Marco restored it and gave it a new life as a guesthouse.

The idea could easily have become gimmicky, but it does not. The old-school spirit is there — in the room names, maps, globes, old desks, books, teaching posters, and small collected objects — but the place feels warm and personal. It is nostalgic, yes, but also practical, colourful and full of life.

The location is one of its strengths. Lusiana is not one of the obvious stops in the Veneto, and that makes it interesting. You are between Bassano del Grappa, Marostica and Asiago, with mountain pastures in one direction and elegant Venetian cities in the other. On clear days, the views stretch across the Veneto plain, and the horizon can even reach towards the Venetian lagoon.

THE ROOMS

There are five rooms at La Scuola, each inspired by a school subject or school memory. The themes are clear, but handled with humour and restraint: Geography, History and Letters, Science, Arithmetic and the Teacher’s Room.

History and Letters is on the first floor, with large windows overlooking the courtyard, the bell tower, and the plains. It is decorated in Italian colours and features references to literature and history, with a retro-style bathroom and a large shower. Geography sits under the roof, with original wooden floors, restored sloping ceilings, chestnut beams and views over the valley. It tells the story of Veneto, the Asiago Plateau, and other distant places through maps, objects, and travel references.

The Teacher’s Room is the most romantic, set in the attic with valley views from the bed and a Belle Époque bathtub. The story behind it is lovely: in the past, a teacher is said to have slept in the attic because the journey back to Vicenza was too long.

Science is on the ground floor, with an independent entrance, direct access to the courtyard and a nature-inspired mood. It has two connected sleeping areas and works well for friends, small families or guests travelling with a small pet.

Arithmetic is the largest and most playful room, with a double bedroom, a small bunk room, a living corner, a school desk and a blackboard. It is the best fit for families.

THE FOOD

Breakfast is served late, which says a lot about the place’s rhythm. No rushed buffet, no anonymous breakfast room, no need to hurry into the day. When the weather is cool, breakfast is served in the Alphabet room, one of the former classrooms. When the weather is warm, it can move outside, under the linden trees or in the courtyard.

The food is generous and regional, with sweet and savoury options. Expect homemade cakes, croissants, muffins, yoghurt, organic jams, bread, local cheeses, cured meats, fruit and good coffee. The focus is on small producers, local markets and the kind of breakfast that feels prepared rather than assembled.

Picnic baskets can also be arranged, which makes sense here. This is countryside made for walking, cycling and days outside, and having something simple and good to take with you is more useful than a formal lunch setup.

THE STAY

There is a garden, courtyard and terrace where guests can sit, read, sunbathe, have tea or simply enjoy the view. The Alphabet room also works as a shared space during the day, with a free tea and coffee corner, books and a quiet place to pause between outings.

The guesthouse offers e-mountain bikes for rent, a great way to explore the surrounding hills. Guests also receive access to a useful local guide app, with suggestions for walks, itineraries, restaurants, places to visit and food experiences. There is also a small boutique corner featuring local products, natural cosmetics, old-fashioned stationery, local wines, and extra-virgin olive oil. It fits the house nicely: useful, local, slightly nostalgic, but not overdone.

AROUND LA SCUOLA

Lusiana Conco is a strong base for discovering a part of Veneto that lies between the mountains and the city. You are on the edge of the Asiago Plateau, known for its wide landscapes, pastures, woods, First World War history and Asiago cheese. In summer, the altitude keeps the air fresher. From spring to autumn, the area is good for walking, cycling and slow countryside days.

One of the closest highlights is Parco del Sojo, a land-art park set in nature, with sculptures by local artists placed among trees and paths. Malga visits and cheese-farm experiences are also part of the area, especially if you want to understand the plateau’s food culture.

Bassano del Grappa is about half an hour away and is excellent for a day trip: the covered wooden bridge, grappa heritage, riverside views, small shops and easy restaurants make it one of the most rewarding towns nearby. Marostica is also close, known for its medieval walls and famous chess square.

Vicenza offers a more architectural side, especially in its Palladian villas and elegant city streets. Asiago gives you the mountain-town rhythm. Padua, Treviso, Verona, Venice, and Lake Garda are all good options for longer day trips, though La Scuola is at its best when you do not overfill the itinerary.

THE OWNERS

La Scuola is run by Valeria and Marco, and the place feels deeply shaped by them. Their renovation respected the building’s past while making it comfortable, colourful and easy to live in. The result is not a minimalist design hotel, but a guesthouse with warmth, humour and a very clear personality.

Valeria’s eye is visible in the vintage furniture, flea-market finds, fabrics, school objects and room details. Marco and Valeria also bring the area into the stay through breakfast, local recommendations, bike routes, food tips and small producers.

Marco also runs Ricreazione, a small gelato project just behind La Scuola, where he makes artisan ice cream and serves it from a traditional solar-powered cart.

GOOD TO KNOW

Children are welcome, and the Arithmetic and Science rooms are the most suitable options for families. Small pets are accepted only in the Science room on the ground floor. E-mountain bikes, picnic baskets, local wines, natural cosmetics and EV charging are available on request.

A car is recommended for exploring Lusiana Conco, Asiago, Bassano del Grappa, Marostica, Vicenza and the surrounding countryside. Venice and Verona airports are both around 1h30 away by car. The property usually closes from mid-December to mid-March.

Rates usually start from around €110 per night, depending on the season and room category.