Cascina Aurora

The real highlight of our two-night bed-and-breakfast stay at Cascina Aurora was our hosts, Sabino and Giacinta. We were in Acqui Terme for a conference and booked through an offer. Our room was set up for disabled guests, and the atmosphere was simple but comfortable. We had dinner there twice. Giacinta made genuine home-style dishes with garden produce and eggs from their chickens, along with homemade cheeses and artisanal cured meats from a neighbor. The fresh tagliatelle and gnocchi were lovely, as were the muffins, apple pie, pear tarts, and coconut cake. We went home with cheeses, olives, jams, freshly gathered eggs, and produce and aromas from the garden. Great value, and a lovely place to reconnect with nature, enjoy authentic food, and chat in the evenings without a TV. Highly recommended.

The owners were helpful and courteous, which was the one bright spot. The agriturismo was hard to find, with no directions or signs. The property was in terrible shape, with fresh and old dog mess all over the garden. Our room had no window and was very dirty, with a filthy carpet and floor. The bathroom had no window either, and maintenance was poor throughout. There was no phone, radio, or TV in the room. The sheets were stained and very old. The outdoor pool was dirty with leaves and dirt everywhere, and poorly maintained. Strongly not recommended.

The atmosphere is very family-oriented, so expect Mr. Sabino to share stories from his life over dinner. He and his wife look after the vegetable garden and animals, and cook with their own produce, which is delicious and plentiful. The farmhouse is on a hill with a splendid view, plus a small pool and a pond.

If you like food with real character instead of bland, "perfect" dishes, this is a good place to try. We ate wonderfully authentic food in a charming setting. The catfish was exquisite, and I devoured it even though I don't usually eat fish. The goat cheeses were really flavorful too.