N° 050 | Idyllic Italian escape
An enchanting and secluded rural retreat in Piedmont
This stunning villa is run by the wonderful Steve and Nick, originally from the UK but now they feel very much like Italian locals. The move from the UK to Italy was a slow process, that took them from Liguria to Piemonte and eventually, the core focus came down to what they nicknamed the 'triangle of desire': the area between Alba and Barolo in the west, Asti to the north and Acqui Terme to the south. They found the perfect home “Cascina” of Tenuta. After two years of renovating their own house, the owner of the villa next door approached them and asked if they would be interested in buying it. They didn't hesitate for a second and the villa was bought, renovated, and opened its doors for guests in 2023.
Steve and Nick created a beautiful, stylish, sustainable, slow-living retreat. Once you arrive, you never want to leave…
Nestled away from traffic and offering complete privacy, this idyllic country house is situated on a tranquil hillside in the UNESCO region of Piedmont. Located near the charming village of Rocchetta Palafea and just a short drive from the historic towns of Canelli and Nizza Monferrato, the villa provides the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, offering a peaceful and relaxing holiday.
The Space
Pass through the electric gates and along the ivy-clad driveway to reach the graveled courtyard for parking. Steps from here lead up to the upper garden level, while at the front of the house stands a majestic bay tree, surrounded by charming Italian and English plants.
Beyond the front door, you'll find the kitchen garden and terrace, where you can delight in the scents of herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage, and basil. The terrace, which catches the early morning sun, offers views of the Rocchetta Palafea village, with its ancient castle tower and churches on the skyline.
Upstairs, accessible via external stairs or the first floor, is the sun deck where you can lounge on sunbeds or relax under an umbrella. From here, you'll enjoy breathtaking views of the Piedmont countryside, with its vineyards, valleys, hills, and distant snow-capped Alps.
Further up is the stone-clad plunge pool (7m x 2m) for a refreshing dip on warm summer days. Take a stroll to explore the frutetto (orchard), where you'll find seasonal fruits like apples, apricots, almonds, and blackberries. The upper garden is ideal for a peaceful reading or yoga session, while the wild garden provides shelter for local animals and insects.
Finally, venture into the Bosco (wood) to enjoy a shaded walk on hot days. Please note, the terrain can be uneven, so sturdy shoes and careful footing are recommended.
Location
The Villa is perfectly situated to offer a truly authentic Italian experience. This region is renowned for its scenic rural and vineyard landscape, which has been hailed by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee as one of the most harmonious and picturesque in the world - and we couldn't agree more!
The Villa is surrounded by nature and boasts uninterrupted views of the valley. With no nearby roads to disrupt the tranquility, and accessible via a 700-meter gravel track, guests can revel in the serene atmosphere and feel like they have the whole valley to themselves.
While the villa provides the perfect escape from the stresses of modern life, it's also within easy reach of three of the region's most important small towns. So, when you're ready to explore the area, you'll find that the delights of Monferrato are right at your doorstep.
Piedmont has been recognized by Lonely Planet as a "Top Place in the World to Visit" and is quickly gaining a reputation as the next Tuscany. Why not come and experience this beautiful region for yourself?
Plinius Loves
Secluded and private location
Stylishly furnished with attention to detail
Renew, reuse, repeat → the effort of being sustainable
we're big suckers for all the good food and wine in the area
There are many spaces to relax and various spaces for social gatherings
Nearest Airport
Milano Malpensa 1:45 hr | Milano Linato 1:45 hr | Genoa: 1:45 hr | Torino: 1:45 hr
Contact:
Do you have any additional questions, or if you like to combine other destinations and properties within the area for your travel itinerary? Please do not hesitate to contact us at: info@plinius.homes
Prices 2024 | Price transparency: Plinius is transparent about the prices, we do not charge a booking fee or add any additional charges.
High season: 1 June - 30 September | Min. stay 7 nights | €685 per night
Low season: 1 January - 31 Mei | 1 October - 30 November | Min. stay 7 nights | €595 per night
Included in the price:
Gas | Electricity | Water
Additional costs:
Security Deposit: € 1.000 ~ The deposit will be fully refunded upon departure when there is no damage/other issues)
End-of-stay cleaning €250
Tourist Tax
Extra Information:
No Kids: There is a strict "no children" rule at the Villa for any child under the age of 16. Not anti-children, but merely limiting the risk of injury to your little ones, due to the many changing levels of land, steep slopes, low-level stone-clad pools, and hard surfaces everywhere. For this reason, they prefer to keep the house as an ‘adults-only’ option.
Electric car charging: 4KW connection for overnight charging, available at an extra cost. You will also find fast chargers in most supermarket car parks and village car parks, as well as motorway service stations too. The nearest one to the Villa is in Piazza D. Alighieri in Calamandrana, a five-minute drive away.
Pets are not allowed: Whilst the garden and land surrounding the Villa are fenced to stop much of the larger wildlife such as deer and boar entering, it is not 100% secure and they don’t want to have any escaped/lost dogs or injured wildlife.
Location: Don’t search the address with Google Maps as Google shows the wrong location (a problem for many in rural Italy) so please use the links and coordinates we will provide
Contact:
Do you have any additional questions, or if you like to combine other destinations and properties within the area for your travel itinerary? Please do not hesitate to contact us at: info@plinius.homes
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