Italy. Villa Cortine Palace.

Lake Garda.

Originally conceived at the turn-of-the-century as the private lakeside retreat of Count Kurt Von Koseritz, the Villa Cortine is today an elegant 49-room hotel with the most prestigious address on Lake Garda. Its elegant neo-classical architecture, splashing fountains and impressive statues perfectly complement the beauty of its tranquil parkland setting. Fragrant conifers, shady pathways, flowering rock gardens and natural balconies overlooking the deep blue waters of the lake contribute to the hotel’s exclusive, almost meditative ambience. In common with many large European houses, the villa enjoyed an interesting history before becoming a hotel, including a few years as a nursing home for wounded soldiers, as well as sequestration by both the German and American forces during World War II. In 1957 it was extended by businessman Franco Signori and has now been further improved and restored by new owner and art lover, Sir Giampietro Ghidini. The hotel is split into two distinct parts, the later extension housing the majority of the 49 private rooms and suites. Elegant Resorts’ clients will prefer the refurbished rooms on the first and second floor, their oak panelling and parquet flooring enhanced by antique-style furnishings and elegant fabrics. In-room amenities include televisions, radios, ensuite bathrooms with both tubs and showers and most have balconies with lovely views of the lake. Recreational opportunities here include a swimming pool and tennis court, as well as a fully equipped pebbled beach where guests can enjoy fresh fish barbecue lunches during the warmer months between June and September. The main alfresco restaurant serves delicious international and regional cuisine enhanced by fine wines, first-class service and a lakeside setting. The old town of Sirmione, with its cobbled streets, enticing cafés and attractive shops is within easy walking distance.

EXERCISES:

1. Translate and match the two halves of the word combinations correctly.

p restigious statues

splashing streets

impressive service

fragrant setting

in-room shops

swimming restaurant

elegant wines

antique-style cafés

oak court

parquet pool

private address

refurbished fabrics

nursing furnishings

interesting paneling

shady flooring

natural rooms

meditative views

ensuite opportunities

lovely ambience

recreational months

warmer bathrooms

old conifers

cobbled fountains

first-class amenities

attractive pathways

lakeside balconies

alfresco rooms

fine home

enticing history

tennis town

2. Translate and match the three words given below correctly.

p rivate parkland architecture

e legant blue retreat

tranquil walking gardens

flowering neo-classical setting

large 49-room houses

fully equipped barbecue beach

fresh fish lakeside waters

delicious European cuisine

elegant international & regional lunches

easy pebbled distance

deep rock hotel

3. Insert the missed words in the sentences:

1) Originally conceived at the turn-of-the-century as the ______ ______ ______ of Count Kurt Von Koseritz, the Villa Cortine is today an ______ ______-______ ______ with the most ______ ______ on Lake Garda.

2) Its ______ ______-______ ______, ______ ______ and ______ ______ perfectly complement the beauty of its ______ ______ ______.

3) ______ ______, ______ ______, ______ ______ ______ and ______ ______ overlooking the ______ ______ ______ of the ______ contribute to the ______ ______, almost ______ ______.

4) In common with many ______ ______ ______, the ______ enjoyed an ______ ______ before becoming a ______, including a few years as a ______ ______ for wounded soldiers, as well as ______ by both the German and American forces during World War II.

5) In 1957 it was extended by ______ Franco Signori and has now been further improved and restored by ______ ______ and ______ ______, Sir Giampietro Ghidini.

6) The ______ is split into two ______ ______, the later extension housing the majority of the ______ ______ ______ and ______.

7) Elegant Resorts’ ______ will prefer the ______ ______ on the first and second ______, their ______ ______ and ______ ______ enhanced by ______-______ ______ and ______ ______.

8) ______-______ ______ include ______, ______, ______ ______ with both ______ and ______ and most have ______ with ______ ______ of the ______.

9) ______ ______ here include a ______ ______ and ______ ______, as well as a ______ ______ ______ ______ where ______ can enjoy ______ ______ ______ ______ during the ______ ______ between June and September.

10) The ______ ______ ______ serves ______ ______ and ______ ______ enhanced by ______ ______, ______-______ ______ and a ______ ______.

11) The ______ ______ of Sirmione, with its ______ ______, ______ ______ and ______ ______ is within ______ ______ ______.