1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Visiting the ski resort of Prali. This was recommended by Fabrizio and Marla as the chair lifts were working and it is an easy - about 40 mins from the accommodation. We loved the tranquillity, surrounded by snow capped mountains and walking down into the valley with its pristine lakes.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Take advantage of the wonderful meals prepared by Marla and Fabrizio. The food is freshly cooked, very appetizing and not at all 'heavy'. Every evening was so enjoyable, especially being able to eat with our hosts.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Yes. Food sourced locally. Fabrizio and Marla work hard on promoting the produce of the valley and taking care of the local environment.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Excellent, would love to go back again at some time.

Last month I returned from my first trip to the Italian Alps – it was better than I could ever have hoped. I stayed at this accommodation, a small guest house high up a mountain. Arriving at Pinerolo in the evening after a bus journey from Turin, speaking no Italian, I was apprehensive.

Pinerolo was clearly lovely, but I was dreading the communication problems. I needn’t have worried – although there was little English spoken, people could not have been friendlier and a lady in a café showed me, via hand signals, how to use the Italian public telephones. I phoned this accommodation and was amazed to find that Marla, the hostess, spoke perfect English with an American accent.

She was indeed American but I hadn’t realised this. Marla told me to wait by the station and her husband Fabrizio would come and fetch me. A very cheery Italian man – Fabrizio - subsequently arrived and we drove through the Italian agricultural landscape until we reached some truly impressive mountains. Fabrizio seemed to drive straight up the side of an extremely steep wooded mountain for a couple of miles and we arrived at this accommodation – everybody’s image of an ideal Alpine lodge. Immediately on arrival at this accommodation, I looked at a vista of wooded mountains towering above the valley below with huge snow covered peaks behind, marking the French border. I watched the sun set behind the mountains as I sat in the kitchen while Marla and Fabrizio prepared a meal for us all.

I am usually a single traveller and some of my friends consider me eccentric for holidaying alone – not a problem at this accommodation. It was clear that I was going to have good company whenever I wanted. Marla and Fabrizio really do consider their guests as friends. I was made welcome immediately and it was apparent that this was a place with a relaxed atmosphere – yet if you needed something, Marla and Fabrizio were able to provide it. (I was particularly grateful to them for being able to provide daily e mail access, enabling me to indulge my workaholic tendencies whilst enjoying my holiday.) On the first day of my holiday it rained, so exploring the mountains was out. So Marla and Fabrizio offered me a lesson in Italian cooking – we spent the afternoon making ravioli from scratch, a wild boar stew and Italian desserts.

For the remainder of the week the sun shone - I got some good walks in, the locality having truly stunning scenery with ancient villages nestling among mountains within easy walking distance of this accommodation. Marla provided me with excellent packed lunches when I was out all day. If I was at this accommodation at lunchtime she had an amazing ability to rustle up salads and pasta at short notice. Every evening we sat down together for a home cooked Italian meal. Marla has a wonderful sensitivity towards her guests and quietly but accurately works out their taste in food and drink and caters precisely for them, without ever making it seem a chore. There were idiosyncrasies about my stay that I really enjoyed as well. I am a sociologist, so I was quite interested to watch Italian television and compare it to American and UK television. Marla and Fabrizio translated for me and explained the jokes on the satirical programmes.

I spent the whole week at this accommodation, enjoying the views and food and company or walking through the mountains. It was remote and beautiful, although Marla and Fabrizio were ready to supply information regarding transport or car hire if I did want to go elsewhere. I intend to return to this accommodation in the autumn for another stay, even if it’s only for a few days. It was exactly the sort of holiday that I wanted and there are loads of walks that I still want to do. Of course, I am looking forward to seeing Marla and Fabrizio again. I can’t recommend this accommodation highly enough – I found it virtually by accident and I’m still amazed at the gem that I discovered by surfing the internet one morning. A word of warning – when Marla quotes the cost of your stay – there is no mistake, it really is that reasonably priced!

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Swimming in the mountain streams as we hiked along the beautiful valleys nearby. The porcini picked locally and cooked to perfection by Fabri.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

A small car is very useful. Don't miss the fantastic market in Pinerolo. Penerolo is a really nice town to spend a day in.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Yes. Very few people live full time is this area. Visiting here supports a very local economy.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

A fantastic holiday. We will definitely be back. Best breakfast in Italy.

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

The scenery, the hospitality and wonderful food! We were made to feel very welcome and very much at home from the moment we arrived in this beautiful alpine retreat. Joining our hosts Marla and Fabrizio for the evening meal was a real treat. Both are professional chefs, and the food, invariably served over four courses, is very special. We have rarely eaten so well. Joining in with the cooking classes was a hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience - the pasta we made with Marla's expert teaching, was the best I've tasted.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Throw caution to the wind and have five puddings a day. Marla has worked as a pastry chef, and her puddings, cakes and breads are to die for. Make sure you sign up for the cooking classes, these are a very fun and sociable way to spend an afternoon - they are also very 'hands on', so you can join in properly and there is absolutely no sense of standing around just watching (something we have experienced elsewhere). Watch out for the homemade Limoncello (delicious) and Fabrizio's grappa (deadly - but very tasty). If it's the right time of year, ask if you can join a mushroom hunt. The area is renowned for it's fungi, which are prized by the locals. On the whole, they are very cagey about the best locations, but Fabrizio is happy to act as a guide on one of his favourite mushroom trails (a word of warning though - I for one couldn't tell the difference between the edible type and the deadly poisonous type - Fabrizio has been gathering mushrooms since he was a small boy, so he knows, but don't try it on your own). The walking is excellent - quite strenuous in places, but the alpine scenery is always breathtaking. The 'Seven Bridges' route is a most dramatic walk, criss - crossing a crystal clear mountain river in a stunning gorge. We didn't have a car, so the further reaches of the valley were out of our range, but there was plenty of local walks to keep us happy for the best part of a week.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Marla and Fabrizio source all their food from local markets, and almost everything we ate had been grown in the valley. Like all Italians, they are fiercely proud of local produce, and rightly so. They are very conscious of their environment. We were able to get there easily by public transport.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

One of the best holidays we've had, certainly the best in terms of the welcome and the hospitality. It's only four stars because of the weather - which is perhaps unfair, so for the accommodation, it's a resounding 5. Being a mountainous region, the weather can change very quickly, but we had rather too much cloud and rain for our tastes (although this also included the most spectacular lightning storm I've ever seen). Marla did say it had been an unusually wet year. Besides, rain would just be another excuse, if you need one, to stay in and eat more.

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Location of B&B and the caring hosts.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Bring an umbrella.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Yes certainly for the first statement.

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

It's hard to know where to begin. The wonderful view of the mountains when you open the blinds in the morning or the walking/biking through the beautiful surrounding area? The great food that seems to be everywhere or the warmth and hospitality shown to us by Fabrizio and Marla? Marvellous.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

If possible, hire a car. As mentioned by others, it's a good idea if you want to get out and about. The cookery classes come highly recommended. We went to the market, made a gorgeous 4-course meal with Marla and Fabrizio, then sat down together to eat. We thoroughly enjoyed it.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

As mentioned, Fabrizio is from the area, and knows many of the local producers. There is an active promotion of agriturismo in the area, and both Fabrizio and Marla are heavily involved in this. We bought food from the market, and there was a wide selection of the local digestifs to sample (hic!).

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Four and a half stars.

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Discovering the hidden charms and natural beauty of the Val Chisone and its surroundings. We were ably assisted in this by Marla and Fabrizio the proprietors at this accommodation who are very knowledgeable about the area and helpful with suggestions that add to the success of the stay with them.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

It is advisable to have your own transport as this enables visits to remote villages and hamlets which are part of the history and culture of Piedmont – as well as giving access to lovely areas for walking. The road network is good – and getting better in anticipation of the Winter Olympics in Feb 2006 – and we were able to drive easily to nearby towns such as Pinerolo and Saluzzo, which are full of interest.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Yes – we were very impressed by the emphasis that Marla and Fabrizio gave to this aspect of our stay and they encouraged us to share their love of the locality and the maintenance of its environment and traditions. This included sampling an excellent variety of local foods and dishes. We also found local people in villages and restaurants were very friendly and helpful to us.

4. Any other comments?

We are almost certain to go back to the area because there is so much we still want to do and see – and we will not hesitate to return to this accommodation when the time comes......we do not have grandchildren, but we are telling lots of friends about it. It is definitely a four-star experience in my book.

I had a wonderful holiday in Italy last September. Following a search on your website I contacted Marla and Fabrizio of this accommodation via e-mail. They responded immediately with the news that they had a vacancy and would be happy to see me two days later. As it was all very last minute I had little idea of the area etc I was travelling to. My journey was delayed by a day and night due to Eayjet's loss of my luggage but Marla was very accommodating and kept abreast of my movements via text. When I eventually arrived two days late I was welcomed with homemade pastries, great Italian coffee and a warmth that I usually only get on returning home to Ireland. Marla and Fabrizio explained the ethos of their business and we made plans for my stay.

My holiday in Northern Italy was six days and nights, during which I ate my own bodyweight in gorgeous Italian cuisine (including veggies from the family's garden, mushrooms from the mountains freshly picked by the family and locally sourced produce), went hiking in the mountains close by (Marla has a wealth of experience in guiding, trekking and orienteering, along with a great understanding of the local culture, geography and history which made our walks so much fun) and managed to pick up a few useful phrases. I also visited local artists and producers such as the Galup panonette factory....ideal for finding usual gifts and local foodstuffs to bring home. Fabrizio took me to the local horse-riding school where they arranged an English-speaking riding instructor and I had a ball!

My accommodation was clean, warm and perfect for my needs. I felt it was my home for my stay and the views of the mountains from my open doors in the morning were magnificent. By the end of my stay I felt I had made two good friends and was welcomed into their home and immersed in Italian local life. The wonderful thing about my stay was the relaxed way Marla and Fab run their business, I arrived stressed and tired and left rested, relaxed and promising to come back soon.

In summary, the holiday was great value for money, Marla and Fabrizio provide a service that is well-beyond B&B standard and I would recommend this holiday for single travellers (as I was) as well as couples and families. I do not drive and so was reliant on Fabrizio's kindness so I would recommend your own transport if you want to get out and out a bit. And it fulfilled all I would expect from an ecologically responsible business.