About this property
Near some of Northern Italy’s most unique locations, such as the Cinque Terre villages and Lerici’s Gulf of Poets, Villa Splendor is a hillside home offering beautiful accommodation in an idyllic forested setting. With five bedrooms, this gorgeous, historic home is the perfect place to stay for a larger party travelling on a family holiday or as a group of friends.
This spacious, elegant, timeless home was built in the early 20th century in the Liberty style. While the interiors contain period details such as fireplaces, ceiling paintings and the original flooring, the home has recently undergone vast renovations to inject a new lease of life into the house. Now, the historic charms of the home remain and work in harmony with the modern fixtures and fittings which have been added for the comfort of guests.
The home has a mixture of contemporary décor and lovely antique furnishings and art pieces. The calming colour palette allows the architectural features and the garden views to take centre stage, so wherever you are in the home, you can unwind and make the most of this sumptuous space.
The living spaces here are bright and airy; there is a living and dining room with large windows overlooking the grounds. The living room offers two comfy sofas, a TV and a dining table to enjoy meals with your group. The kitchen is contemporary and well-equipped, yet is in keeping with the design and style of the house. Everything you need can be found here, from a Smeg fridge to a coffee machine.
When you need a good night’s sleep after a busy day out exploring the nearby towns and villages, you will have five bedrooms to choose from, some with romantic canopy beds. There also is a twin bedroom, a room with a queen-sized bed, and a room with a French-sized bed, meaning the home can accommodating guests comfortably. There are also three high-quality, spacious bathrooms available at the villa.
Outdoors, the home is enveloped by an oasis of pine, olive and citrus trees, lush lawns and fragrant beds brimming with flowers. While sitting on the covered portico you will be able to smell the floral scents of the garden, mixed with the fresh sea breeze, this garden is a delightful place to unwind with your loved ones. Out here you will find a large garden which overlooks the hills and the sea from the terraces and swimming pool. Whether dining al-fresco or lounging by the pool, you are bound to love the privacy and beauty provided by the space.
From your base at the villa, you will have many opportunities to get out and explore the charms of Liguria. Just a few paces from the home, you can discover mountain walks and cycling routes through magical hillside trails or head off the beaten track to find caves and ancient ruins.
When you wish to head into town, the centre of La Spezia is just 5km away, though you will find many shops and restaurants even closer than this. In addition to the historic port city of La Spezia, you can also easily reach the incredible Cinque Terre villages and the beaches of Lerici as both locations are under 20km away.
Overlooking Liguria’s forests and mountains and the dazzling blue sea below, Villa Splendor offers guests an idyllic setting within easy reach of some of Italy’s most beautiful towns and cities.
Just a short stroll away, you will find yourself on wooded walking trails where you can enjoy time in nature and get away from the stresses of life back home. There are also local restaurants within walking distance, so you do not need to go into the city centre to tuck into delicious meals and enjoy drinks with panoramic mountain-views.
When you wish to go shopping or would like to have breakfast at the lively port, the outer edges of La Spezia are within walking distance, while the city centre is a mere 5km away. The fantastic city is often missed by tourists who head straight to the Cinque Terre villages. Luckily, you will be close to the city and can get to know this authentic Italian centre, where locals shop, dine out and gather in the thriving squares. If you are looking for a spot for a tasty seafood meal, you should walk down to the port, while history lovers can spend some time getting lost in the atmospheric old town, which has pretty churches and a medieval castle. You can also shop for groceries or gifts here as there are many shops lining the streets and weekly markets.
Another wonderful place to visit is Lerici, a town 20km away and home to some of the nearest beaches. The Baia Blu beach is 17km away, close to Lerici, while the Venus Azure beach is set in Lerici and is a breathtaking beach with Blue Flag status and lots of space for lounging in the sun. Lerici’s coastline is stunning and has long inspired artists and poets. In fact, the gulf here is nicknamed “the Gulf of Poets” as Percy Shelley and Lord Byron both loved the town and were inspired by it. Lerici also has a wealth of shops, cafes and restaurants to discover.
It is hard to imagine taking a holiday in Liguria without paying a visit to the famous Cinque Terre villages, which draw so many visitors in to the area year after year. The closest of the five picturesque villages to the villa is Riomaggiore, which is 15km away by car. Some villages are hard to reach by car, and it may be easier to take the train from La Spezia or book a boat tour. The Cinque Terre villages are a protected unesco World Heritage Site comprising five fishing villages. You could spend a day visiting just one of the villages or visit all five.
Vernazza is one of the more popular, while Riomaggiore is the biggest and one of the best-preserved. For a memorable day trip, you could also opt to take a boat excursion from Portovenere, which stops at a few of the villages and sails past the others. From the comfort of your boat, you can take in the impressive views of the pastel-toned buildings on the cliffsides. There are a range of these boat trips available, including snorkelling and swimming stops, or maybe you would prefer a sunset cruise with dinner included.
Accommodation
Villa Interior (300m2)
Ground Floor
- Entrance hall
- Living and dining room with sofas, fireplace, TV and dining room seating 6
- Kitchen with breakfast table, oven, hob, fridge freezer, dishwasher, microwave, toaster, kettle and coffee machine
- Bedroom with king-sized canopy bed
- Bedroom with double canopy bed
- Bathroom with shower, sink, WC and washing machine
First Floor
- Bedroom with twin beds
- Bedroom with French-sized bed (135 cm)
- Bedroom with queen-sized canopy bed
- 2 x bathroom with shower, sink and WC
Outside Grounds (6000m2)
- Private saltwater swimming pool (8m x 4m, 1.7m deep) open year-round
- Vast garden with trees, floral planting and lawns
- Outdoor living space with sofas
- Covered portico with seating
- Al-fresco dining table
- Shaded sun loungers
- Barbecue and outdoor sink
- Parking
Facilities
- Air conditioning (except the twin bedroom)
- Wi-Fi
- Smart TV
- Washing machine
- Iron and ironing board
- Hairdryers