A Casa Zorzi – holiday apartments in a medieval village near Padua, Italy

A Casa Zorzi – holiday apartments in a medieval village near Padua, Italy. These are four charming apartments in an enchanting medieval village, and set within an old stone house. Arqua Petrarca lies just a short way from Venice. You are perfectly placed for day trips to the city here.

Beautifully divided into four romantic apartments, the house has been carefully transformed. Each flat sleeps two, has a kitchen, bathroom, air conditioning, satellite TV and hairdryer. Two of the apartments have sofabeds, thus sleeping four. All gaze onto the courtyard - you wake each morning to a silence broken only by the church bells echoing in the distance.

Olea apartment is named for the sweet olive bush at the entrance, and lies on the ground floor. The living room has locally crafted furniture, with an Ottoman sofa and chandelier. The bedroom has an antique wooden ceiling, kingsize bed and antique armoire.

Also on the ground floor is Rosae, its charming entrance overlooking the lower town and church. Antique furnishings again, including a crystal chandelier in the living room and a bedroom with exquisite hand painted iron bed and antique armoire. The Rosae also has a small laundry with washing machine - perfect for a longer stay.

Iris is a few stone stairs up, with views onto the countryside. This flat has a double sofa bed, while the roomy and romantic bedroom has a hand painted bed and antique armoire. Ceilings are traditional brick vaults with wood beams throughout.

Glycine meanwhile overlooks the interior garden. Stunning traditional vaulted brick ceilings with wooden beams complement an inviting living room decorated with locally crafted furniture. A lovely hand painted iron bed and antique armoire furnish the bedroom.

High season (16 March-30 September) is €700 a week, low season €600 a week. There is an additional €140 per week for more than two guests. Prices include electricity, heating, air conditioning, bathroom linen changing twice a week and cleaning at departure. Breakfast is not included - you can take breakfast at the Osteria Guerriero nearby, with homemade cakes, jams and biscuits, salami, eggs and cheeses from local farms. Continental breakfast is €8, full breakfast €12. The osteria also serves lunch and dinner - great Veneto food and wine. You can also, of course, create your own breakfast in your own kitchen!