For four nights over Christmas, (from 23rd to 27th December) La Villa is yours. You have full use of the large kitchen and the lovely dining room alongside. We serve breakfast - other than that, you can choose to eat in; eat out in one of the many superb local restaurants, or we can arrange for a Slow Food accredited chef to come and cook for you. There is also a well-stocked bar where you can help yourself, and a chest full of board games which you can play in front of the log fire. After that, what you do is up to you.

Maid service for the rooms is included, giving you the freedom during the days to do what you want, once breakfast is out of the way!

* A thermal spa in the picturesque town of Acqui Terme.

* Shopping in Asti, Alessandria or Acqui Terme for those last minute goodies. For serious shoppers, we are less than an hour away from Serravalle, Italy's largest designer outlet centre and an hour from Turin, with its famous coffee shops, hand made chocolates and Christmas light shows.

* A day out on the ski slopes. We are less than an hour and a half from the slopes at Sestriere, Courmayeur and Pinerolo, if you want a taste of the Winter Olympics 2006 venues.

* Horse-riding, cycling, golf and ice-skating can also be easily arranged nearby.

We will be on-site throughout to welcome you, help organise whatever you want to do and ensure your holiday runs smoothly.