It has to be said that the first time that you drive to the house with no name, you might think that you have taken the wrong turning! The road is a track, but don’t worry, it is being improved! Follow the instructions – you’ll be fine.
Four of us, two couples , rented Carlo’s house this Spring knowing that it would be too big for us, but we liked the look of the place on Owners Direct, and got more information by emailing Carlo. Even his emails have a lovely Italian accent!
The setting of the house is magnificent. Surrounded by picturesque rolling hills, neat vineyards, olive groves and grassland. Every hilltop has a dwelling perched on top: farmhouses, private houses and a few holiday homes. In the distance, the Gran Sasso, a spectacular mountain range, still covered in snow in May, and a wonderful sight at dawn and dusk.
A fresh country loaf, a whole local cheese and a cold bottle of Prosecco were on the table to welcome us. The house is an old stone farmhouse, full of cool Italian design. The huge living space has an eclectic mix of antique and modern, with a superb kitchen. The upper floors are slung on a huge brightly painted girder, with smart bedrooms and bathrooms. Style and imagination abound: wooden or tiled floors and quality linen and towels.
We ate our meals on the big terrace looking at the wonderful views. The pool is close to the house and is checked daily by Marino who doesn’t speak English, but who smiles a lot!
The pièce de resistance was the cantina underneath the terrace. Four gleaming steel barrels: red, rosé and white wines and beautiful olive oil, all produced nearby, and literally on tap, so to speak! Halfway through dinner, one of us would wander down, empty carafe in hand for a re-fill. What a treat!
The only disadvantage of the house is that there is no shop or restaurant within walking distance, so we chose to bypass the local village and drove 20 minutes down to the coast where there are restaurants and decent supermarkets. We collected Carlo’s bikes from his friend’s beach restaurant and cycled for miles along the coastal cycle path, working up an appetite for fresh fish and more Prosecco.
We found a little gem in Via Catullo in San Benedetto - a tiny restaurant (un ristorantino) called Amarcord. Five or six interesting courses for an extremely modest price - great value and a recommended experience.
Altogether, a great week in a stylish home in a beautiful location. Perfetto!!
D&P, G&G from Cambridge