From the moment Guus (1961) and Silvia (1964) traveled through France together with a small tent, they dreamed of living in the countryside, preferably abroad. Every vacation, they would browse through real estate agent windows and take home brochures.
At home, the plan was repeatedly set aside, but as they approached their forties, they began to search more intensively.

Initially, they wanted to start a regular campsite, but in 2004, after renting a luxury tent in France (without electricity and running water), they became so enthusiastic about this style of camping that they changed their plans and began looking for a place to start a Glamping.

In the spring of 2005, after a visit to the Second Home fair, Guus flew to Italy to view various houses in Piedmont with a real estate agent. He was so enthusiastic that Silvia flew out with him the following week to take a look as well.

Silvia only saw one house, an old wine farm in a beautiful, sunny spot with a stunning view, near the charming city of Acqui Terme.

They bought the house immediately, without knowing what was possible, without permits, without a structural report or any other guarantees. It was simply love at first sight. When they discovered that their last name ‘Bont(à)’ meant ‘goodness’ in Italian, the decision to name the house Casa Bonta was quickly made.

In the Netherlands, they had a successful women’s fashion store. Despite their enjoyable work, beautiful house, and pleasant life there, the adventure and challenge beckoned.

In the summer of 2006, they moved to Cartosio, Italy. The children started their Italian schools in September, in the nearby city Acqui Terme. At that time, there were hardly any other foreign children, and their blond hair was quite a spectacle for their new classmates and the local villagers.

In 2008, Casa Bonta became the first Glamping born in Italy, opening with 2 tents. In 2009 they expanded to five tents and one apartment. The construction workers would return each year after the season to start a new project. The property was large enough to create additional apartments, besides the residence.

Casa Bonta is now an agriturismo with four apartments and eight luxury safari tents, and they continue to invest in improvements every year. With the major renovation projects behind them, they have a bit more time in the winter, although there is always something to do with the large house and the eight-hectare property.

The children, Yara (1994) and Joris (1996) are grown up and quite Italianized. Yara and her Italian boyfriend Kilian work from home for international companies and help out at Casa Bonta in their free time. Joris lives in Madrid, Spain, with his Ecuadorian girlfriend Bernarda. He has completed his master’s degree there and is now working. Both are still often found at Casa Bonta.