Our guests say

Birthe og Jørgen
Anne and Ken (UK)
Teresa ( UK)
John and Brigitte (UK - Germany)
Wally (U.S.A.)
Gro and Dag (Norway)
Birgitta and Lars (Sweden)
Richards and Lynns (Great Britain)
Judy ( Great Britain)
Alex (Great Britain)
Helma (U.S.A.)
Ole and Nina (Denmark)
John and Nancy ( New Zealand)
Endre ( Norway)
Wendy and Tara ( Canada)

John, Carol, Rebecca and Jason

Dear Anne and Mario,

I thought I would just drop you a line to let you know how much we enjoyed our holiday at Mario's apartment.
The apartment itself was lovely and Negrar and the surrounding countryside is beautiful, the perfect spot.
Many thanks for your consideration, and if we ever come back, we would love to stay with you again, either at the apartment or at your B & B.

John, Carol, Rebecca and Jason.

Birthe og Jørgen

Vi ville gerne studere området omkring Verona med henblik på at opleve en opera i arenaen i Verona, se på de omliggende større byer samt stifte nærmere bekendtskab med områdets kendte vine.

Ved søgning på nettet fandt vi Anne og Marios Bed and Breakfast i Negrar, og vi tænkte, at det så lovende ud. Og vi blev ikke skuffede. Et udmærket værelse og et godt badeværelse samt dejlig morgenmad på terrassen.

Mario var meget behjælpelig med at finde gode restauranter, og han tog os med på en tur i omegnen med bl. a. besøg på to af de lokale vingårde med udmærket Amarone.

Desværre nåede vi ikke at møde Anne, der var på ferie hos sine forældre i England.

Mario er en lun vært, som vi kun kan anbefale.

Birthe og Jørgen

 

 

Anne and Ken

We had a wonderful time at this B&B. Anne was away when we stayed, but Mario was a great host – friendly and welcoming with invaluable local knowledge. Without him we would not have:
- gone to the opera in Verona (the cheap 22 euro seats were fine, just borrow a cushion or hire one and enjoy feeling cooler than those in the expensive - and hot - poltrone);
- gone to Lake Garda (pick up some stones from the lake, rub them on your hands and see how soft your skin feels);
- gone to a wine tasting in the mountains (we bought 2 bottles of excellent Amarone);
- had a fantastic meal in an agriturismo (best pasta I've ever had).
And he rescued us in Verona when the bus drivers went on strike.
Our room was lovely, very spacious with masses of storage space (and coathangers) and, unusually, but very importantly, a kettle and teabags.
The prosecco grappa that we bought from Lidl down the road wasn't half bad either!
All in all, a lovely, friendly B&B in a beautiful area. Highly recommended.

Teresa (UK)

You can be sure of a warm welcome at Anne and Mario's B and B. I spent 8 days based in Negrar exploring this diverse and beatiful area surrounded by vineyards. Day trips to Padua and Venice were possible due to good train connections from Verona. A highlight was two nights at the opera in the Verona Arena and there are also classical music concerts in local historic villas throughout summer.
More active days were spent around Lake Garda and walking in the National Park Lessinia guided by Mario. your hosts' local knowledge ensures you will also have the opportunity to enjoy typical food and wines of the region

John and Brigitte (UK - Germany)

Parry Bed and Breakfast is the bed and breakfast venue for all who dislike hotels but normally dislike bed and breakfast places even more. Anne and Mario are as pleasant, helpful, easy-going and accommodating as can be. Their breakfasts are lavish and served with pleasure. They give you the feeling you're at home and they are the ones who have come to stay. Anne is the English half of the partnership, and just a delight. Mario is a native of Valpolicella. He knows the area like the back of his hand and is ever willing to acquaint you with it, either by car or on foot. Let him show you where to eat. Get him to take you on one of his guided tours of the hills, sites, churches, vineyards and smaller local cantinas, where the best wines can be tasted and bought. If you fall for the area so badly you don't want to go home, the remedy is simple: get Mario to cook for you and you'll never leave.

 

Wally (USA)

During my trip I met many wonderful hosts at the various B&Bs where I stayed.  I have to say my stay with you two was the highlight of my entire journey.  Mario's acting as tour guide to his favorite spots (cappuccino coffee at each) and wonderful stories of his childhood experiences hiking in the Dolomites, being in the Italian Army at a US Army post, meeting a beautiful lady (Anne-of course, it's you) and just being a great friend, plus a great cook!  Then, just before I was ready to leave, his great production of a video CD with music and special affects of the hundreds of pictures he took outside & inside the car and at every one of his special places where we stopped in our 600 km journeys during the 4 days prior - was just fantastic.

Thanks again, Anne and Mario.  I really did enjoy our few days together.

 

Gro and Dag (Norway)

Thank you for your great hospitality, Grazie Mille.

We enjoyed very much our stay at your house and in Valpolicella.
It was like staying with friends.
This time the opera in Verona come second.
We think, as we said, that the evening with Agostino and family was the TOP, but everything was SUPERB.
Without your contacts and help, we would never experience this and visit all the great cantinas, and taste the world's sweetest grapes! Or see the Valpolicella area – it was overwhelming.
And not to forget the quiet breakfasts at your wonderful terrace, it was a good start to every day. Our journey home to Norway went just fine. We stayed the first night outside Innsbruck , and we had 2 nights in Germany .
All the good wine came safely home, but we now know after being with you, that the wine has to rest for a while before drinking.
It's hard for us to express how grateful we are for our stay at you house, and don't be surprised if we come back some day.
Thanks a lot again.
Best wishes from Gro and Dag

Kjære Anne og Mario,
Tusen takk for deres store gjestfrihet, Grazie Mille.
Vi koste oss veldig ved vårt opphold hos dere og i Valpolicella.
Det var som å være hos venner.
Denne gangen kom operaen i Verona på andre plass.
Vi synes, som vi sa, at kvelden hos Agostino's og hans familie var helt TOPP, men alt var førsteklasses.
Uten deres kontakter og hjelp, kunne vi aldri fått opplevd det eller besøkt alle de flotte cantinas, eller smakt verdens søteste druer! Eller sett Valpolicella området – det var overveldende. For ikke å glemme de fredelige frokostene på deres herlige terrasse, det var en god start på hvær dag. Vår reise hjem til Norge gikk helt fint. Første natt overnattet vi på utsiden av Innsbruck, og vi hadde 2 netter i Tyskland.
All den gode vinen kom trygt hjem, men etter å være hos dere vet vi at vinen må hvile en stund før den blir konsumert.
Det er vanskelig for oss å klare å uttrykke hvor takknemlige vi er etter vårt besøk hos dere, og ikke bli overrasket om vi en dag kommer tilbake.
Igjen, tusen takk .
Beste hilsner fra Gro og Dag

 

Birgitta Lars (Sweden)

Ni som önskar uppleva Valpolicella på ett mycket trevligt sätt har här chansen. Vi är ett par som älskar gott vin och god mat.

När vi gästade Mario och Anne på vår väg hem från södra Italien blev vi mycket väl mottagna och Mario med sin bekantskapskrets bland både stora och små guidade oss runt bland vingårdar och vackra dalar.

Här finns också riktigt bra vandringsleder.

De vingårdar som vi besökte var bl.a. Bertani, Bussola, Tommasi och Ragose. Med Mario som ledsagare blev vi mycket väl mottagna.

Vi som var där heter Birgitta och Lars från Uddevalla.

Vill ni veta mer hör av er till:

 larsgandersson@zeta.telenordia.se

 

Richards and Lynns (Great Britain) first holiday in Italy  

On arriving in Italy we got lost trying to find Negrar where Mario and Anne live . We ended up in the busy city of Verona . We phoned Anne who kindly agreed to come and get us. What lovely people Mario and Anne are! They took us to a lovely restaurant in the famous square of Verona called the Piazza Bra where we had a super meal.We could see the arena and we went there afterwards to buy tickets for the opera just so we could experience the atmosphere of being in the arena. These lovely people showed us around Verona and pointed out all the historical buildings, it was dark now and everything looked magical. We finished the evening by having our first Italian ice-cream which was gorgeous. We then followed their car home which took about 25 minutes. Lovely home very cool and comfortable.

The next day after breakfast Anne offered to show us one or two places in the area while she re charged her car battery. We ended up going to the top of a mountain and meeting their good friend Pino and his wife at a local festival. Lots of people {locals} were either driving or walking up this high mountain to a festival which celebrated the farmers of past generations taking their cattle up to the top to pasture for the summer. It was great there was the traditional dish that was made by these farmers being made and served there just as it was years ago. It was called "gnocchi di malga" which they made in big copper pots out of flour,butter,milk  and cheese it was very filling which would have sustained these farmers well after their hard days work. Everyone was very friendly towards us and when a storm blew up the lady who owns the cheese shop further down the mountain lent Anne and I some jumpers which we dropped off at the shop on the way down. After the celebration we were invited to Pinos house for a glass of his home made cherry brandy made from his own cherries, his house was in an amazing spot with panoramic views of the mountains all round,they were lovely people his wife remembered a little English so we tried to communicate.Pino could not speak English but we had fun anyway. He took us to see his horse which he loves to ride in the mountains.What a great first day we felt very privileged to see some of the real Italy!
In the evening Rich and I went into Verona to see the opera in the open Arena there was a big full moon and lots of people hold candles.Also that night Italy was playing in the world cup football final against France so there were big screens in the city square, well! When they won you can imagine the celebration. We came out of the arena to join in the throngs of people in the streets. It was really something to see,everywhere was buzzing.

Monday after breakfast Richard and I set off in the car to Lake Garda which takes about 40 minutes in the car. Mario wrote down the names of all the busy villages we would pass through  and we had a super day at the Lake . We took a boat trip which was beautiful. When we got back home in the evening we had watermelon and a little Brandy with Mario on his veranda. Anne had left for England with their daughter for a week to look at universities,so Mario said if we would like he would take us out walking in the mountains! Well you can imagine our delight  as we had planned to do some of the local walks in the mountains anyway, but with Mario we would see some more of the real Italy and the best places to see.
Tuesday morning we left after breakfast. The walk started in a woody area which eventually led to some lovely waterfalls, this was cool as it was all in the shade, we were then out in the open It was very hot but we did not mind as there was so much to take in with the beautiful landscape which was breathtaking. We were heading towards this little village to have lunch when we spotted some cherry trees they were absolutely delicious,I have never tasted anything so good they were like nectar.we also brought some in the village from a lady who was getting them ready for market. We had bread, ham and cheese from the little shop there it was like stepping back in time.Beautiful walk down the mountain then home. Mario planned the walks to be about two hours walking  up then a stop for lunch then two hours walking  down so we got plenty of exercise. In the evening Mario cooked for us, Pumpkin risotto and salad with watermelon to follow, we helped him clear up then went to bed. Another super day.

Wednesday,Mario took us out again, this time we drove for about one hour to Rovereto , another breathtaking hike we could see snow on the opposite mountain which is part of the famous E5 walk .We walked for about two hours then stopped for coffee and ice-cream. We carried on making a descent, at the very bottom we took off our shoes and put our feet in the mountain water it was so cold you could only manage a few seconds at a time but it was so invigorating for our feet we were walking on air afterwards! I must just mention here that Mario gave us sticks to walk with as there are vipers on the mountains ,the noise of the sticks frightens them away. I was picking some wild strawberries and did not see the snake Richard saw it and I jumped, It was a big one Mario said it was quite sleepy as it slithered away slowly Im glad I did nt touch it as it may have bitten me which would have been a disaster as we were along way from help! I did nt pick anymore and banged my stick as I walked but it did nt put us  off Mario said it is not often they bite. Anyway Richard got a picture of it.

Another super day which ended with some of Marios home-made soup. We helped him clear up and watered his garden for him.
Thursday  Richard and I went to Venice by train. It was all very beautiful and it did nt smell as I had heard it did. Lots of unusual shops and we watched the gondolas go by. Sometimes they sang with very good voices for the tourists. Very tired when we got home so off to bed.

Friday   In the morning Richard and I did one of the local walks from Marios house as he had some errands to do. He said he would take us out in the afternoon then we would go to a mediaeval festival. Anyway the walk started at the back of Marios house and we were straight up into the vineyards it was so lovely we were climbing all the time and we could see for miles . There were little villages again, and houses on their own  whose vineyards we were walking through. It was all so peaceful.We came back to Marios and had a siesta then Mario cooked us a pasta dish of fresh basil and tomatoes before leaving for Ala which was about one and a half hours drive. We went up a VERY steep mountain in the car this time to do a two hour walk then down to the old part of avio for the festival. Everywhere was little cobbled roads and courtyards lit by candles. The locals were dressed in Mediaeval clothes and there was different events going on in the little courtyards, it was lovely. The food that was prepared was food of the era. It was scrummy. There was this hearty soup which tasted divine it had black eyed beans in but I didn't know what else but I would have loved the recipe,and of course there was some good wine to go with it.

Well that was the end of our holiday in Italy as we were flying home the next day.We have certainly collected some wonderful memories, and we thank Anne and Mario once again for making it so special. Thank you Mario for sharing your love of walking in the mountains with us.

 

From Richard and Lynn

 

Judy (Great Britain)

"Unforgettable, atmospheric, and  spectacular are words that come to mind when remembering our first visit to Verona Arena.
 The staging of both Aida and Carmen was dramatic and breathtaking, while the huge cast gave the impression of being in the thousands! 
Nowhere else in the world can opera be seen on such a grand scale – unmissable!!!
We had difficulty expressing our feelings of awe and admiration for the productions."

Alex (Great Britain)

Thank you for a most hospitable stay!  The accomodations you provided were extremely comfortable, spacious and clean.  Mario's morning coffee, O.J., and breads made me feel like part of your family.

Helma ( U.S:A)

It's always nice to feel special.... I told Laura and Kees about my very good experiences staying at your place. Hope to come back once. Many thanks! Helma

Ole and Nina (Denmark)

Dear Anne and Mario
Back in Denmark the 20th of May and then a lot of work………..but now we must write you a letter to tell, how happy we were to stay in Negrar. You were so kind and Mario did so much to help, so we can not thank you enough.
We had 14 wonderfull days and we often talk about them and how much we want to come again.
Love
Ole and Nina

John and Nancy ( New Zealand)

Our first venture into Europe crossed paths with so many gracious people, but none more compassionate than you two. Remember us? The ones who kept getting lost! You were both so kind to us, welcoming us to your tasteful home and patiently sending us off on adventures – like sending children off into the world knowing that at times they will need to be rescued. What other guests at Parry Bed and Breakfast ever had to be picked up from the police station? ….. Finally Mario, you are indeed a prince among men! We feel privileged to have met you.

Endre (Norway)

Dear Anne and Mario,
We just have to tell you that we enjoyed these days so much.
Thanks to you and Mario we were able to visit several vineyards which we probably never had been able to find nor given access to on our own.
It was a great experience. We also remember with pleasure the dinner on the farm Sunday evening. It was really great and we loved it. Give our best to the people on farm. Th ank you so much for your great hospitality, and for excellent guiding. I enclose a few photos from our visit and one of our new grandchild, born while we stayed at your
Wenche sends her best.
Best wishes Endre

Wendy and Tara ( Canada)

"Thank you for your outstanding hospitality and generosity. We really enjoyed ourselves
and will have fond memories."