When Marco and Valeria first stepped through the doors of the abandoned village schoolhouse in Lusiana, they didn’t see cracked plaster or empty halls – they saw potential. The 1920s building, tucked into the rolling foothills of the Venetian Prealps, radiated a quiet dignity. A relic from another era, it felt like the kind of place where time might pause – and where a guesthouse, unlike any other, might be born.
Today, La Scuola Guesthouse is just that: a lovingly restored five-room retreat where vintage charm revives, and where the schoolhouse theme is the heart of the experience.
Vintage finds
Step inside La Scuola, and it’s like stepping into a time machine. The original hardwood floors creak softly beneath your feet. Firewood crackles in the stove. A cat dozes on an armchair. The atmosphere isn’t staged; it’s genuine – and meticulously curated. Room by room, object by object, the passion of its owners is palpable.
Marco and Valeria preserved the soul of the former schoolhouse, but didn’t stop there. They collected antique school desks, chalkboards, geography maps, and exercise books – some sourced from the very classrooms now used as guest rooms. Others were found in markets across Italy. Over time, guests began adding to the collection too, leaving behind family heirlooms and vintage keepsakes, making La Scuola as much a living museum as a B&B.
The rooms
Each of the five rooms is themed after a classic school subject. There’s Geography, Literature, Math, Science — and the romantic attic suite called “The Teacher’s Room,” complete with a freestanding bathtub beneath the exposed rafters.
Breakfast is a slow ritual, overseen by the hosts. Served on checkered cloths with enamel teapots and bowls once used by schoolchildren, the spread feels like a nod to a simpler era. Freshly baked cakes and homemade treats channel the flavors of childhood. Guests can enjoy their breakfast in the former classroom, where a large blackboard still hangs on the wall, or outdoors beneath ancient linden trees, beside the faded inscription “scuola comunale” and the old village bell.
By the way: We loved the pink garden chairs and tables.
Lusiana
La Scuola’s story isn’t just one of restoration – it’s one of revival. The project sparked a quiet renaissance in Lusiana. Inspired by Marco and Valeria’s success, other young entrepreneurs have opened Osterias and cafés in town. Marco himself operates a seasonal gelato truck, serving handmade, all-natural ice cream to nearby hamlets from a customized Ape tricycle.
It’s a small but meaningful homage to the quality and simplicity of times past.
The region
Lusiana may not be on the typical tourist trail, but that’s exactly the point. Surrounded by cherry orchards and alpine meadows in the Pedemontana Veneta, this unspoiled corner of northern Italy offers tranquility and authenticity in equal measure.
Nearby towns like Bassano del Grappa – also known as the birthplace of Diesel jeans and still the home of its founder Renzo Rosso – offer rich history without the crowds. Adventurers can go for hikes directly from the guesthouse, climb the cliffs of Covolo, fly in paraglide from Monte Corno, or join locals at the beloved PomoPero market festival in October. Art lovers will find the Parco del Sojo, a sculpture trail showcasing over 60 works of art in the open air.
Even cyclists – both road and mountain – will find the landscape ideal, with rolling climbs and scenic descents framing every ride. And should you wish to explore further, the cultural giants of Veneto are close: Verona and Venice are just 90 minutes away. Padua and Treviso, even closer.
Rates
Doubles from 90 euros per day including breakfast.
Booking & Contacts
La Scuola Guesthouse
Via Campana 20
36046 Lusiana Conco (VI)
Veneto, Italy
