Notes from the host
Villa Parisi
SPECIAL OFFER 25 APRIL to 25 MAY FOR SIX PEOPLE MINIMUM FOUR NIGHTS
Villa Parisi is a lavishly designed and furnished house on the estate of some 2000 olive trees belonging to Palazzo Parisi, and five minutes drive from it, outside the village of Oliveto, which means an olive grove. The Furniture is of the highest quality and in contemporary style, mostly designed by John Stefanidis. The olive oil from the fields was described by the Roman poet Virgil as the best in the world. The property is easily reached by car from Rome, 50 kms from the city centre and about 90kms from the two international airports of Fiumicino and Ciampino. There are also train and bus connections from nearby to the airports and to the city.
There is a part time handyman gardener, and a housekeeper who keeps the property spotlessly clean and works for visitors four hours a day, six days a week. There are beds for ten people. In June, July, August and September the property must be taken for seven nights or more, at other dates for a minimum of three nights. So it is ideal for short vacation rentals or city breaks.
The prices quoted are for 8 persons, with an extra charge for 10 persons. Visitors do their own cooking, but cooking and extra help can be arranged at an extra cost, as can shopping. The cook is one of the best you could find. CH in the house is charged at a small extra cost.
The property is furnished to a very high standard with designer fabrics, comfortable sofas and antiques, and many English books to read. The garden is elaborate and created by my wife Arabella Lennox-Boyd, one of England’s most famous garden designers. There is a heated pool in the garden and a tennis court 100 meters from the main house, and shared with visitors to the palazzo. There are several restaurants nearby.
The Villa comprises three buildings.
The main house has upstairs three bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, each with showers and bidets, two with bath tubs in addition. The main bedroom has a double bed (200x100cm), the second has a double or twin bed, the third room has a twin bed. All bedrooms have air conditioning and fans. A cot and high chair are provided. There is a large upstairs landing for card games. Downstairs at ground level there is a spacious salotto, a smaller sitting room, entrance-dining hall, fully equipped laundry, downstairs wc, and large covered terrace.
The kitchen is fully equipped with five hobs over a Lacanche oven, US fridge and icemaker, small fridge, microwave, and a deep freeze in the larder. Eating can be on the terrace or in the kitchen, salotto or the hall, all of which are provided with dining tables and chairs. There is central heating, and a log fire in the salotto, TV with Sky, DVD, sound system, Wifi, fax and photocopier. The house contains an unusual and unique feature in the form of a giant indoor sundial on all four walls of the stair tower.
The studio is 20 meters from the main house and has a spacious bed-sitting room, with twin beds and with ensuite shower bathroom, and its own terrace with a ping pong table. It has central heating, is on one level and is wheel chair accessible.
The pool house is 60 meters from the main house, and has a bedroom with twin beds and a shower bathroom. It also has a kitchenette and eating area, equipped with its own fridge and small electric hob. Meals can be enjoyed by the air to water heated swimming pool of an infinity design, 12m x 6m wide, with a retractable cover, for which there is a small extra charge for heating. There is also a small pool garden and outside shower. There are loungers, parasols, tables and chairs.
Sightseeing and recreation
In addition to relaxation by the pool and in the garden, the Villa is ideally suited for sightseeing and recreation. The villa is set amid rolling hills with breathtaking views, and is ideal for teenage children and younger, provided with a tennis court, ping pong and many card games. There is much sightseeing nearby. In the next village of Monteleone is a small museum and the delightful Romanesque church of Santa Vittoria. In another nearby village is the magnificent Renaissance castle of Rocca Sinibalda, designed by Baldassare Peruzzi, perched above a ravine far below. The famous monastery of Farfa is 20kms away. The provincial city of Rieti is half an hour away by car and has several fine churches, palaces, and a museum, as well as four Franciscan monasteries in its vicinity.
Rome is accessible for the day, and so are the famous palaces and gardens of Villa Lante, Caprarola and Bomarzo, and Tivoli. Near Oliveto are beautiful scenic drives, beautiful villages, lakes with walks and signposted hiking, near to a national park. It is good for family adventure. Horseriding is organised nearby. Trekking is available. Details and itineraries are described in a guide in the house, specially written for it. Maps are provided.
