Near Sorrento, Amalfi Coast
Property 1920
9 Guests
5-6 Bedrooms
5.5-6.5 Bathrooms
225 square meters indoor
2 Hectares outdoor
Villa Il Campo is a delightfully bright house with the feel of a summer retreat. All the fabrics and furnishings are fresh, charming and impeccably kept. Sitting astride a broad green lawn which curves gently with the crest of a hill, the property enjoys a magnificent, panoramic, southwestern view of sea and sky. The Isole dei Galli, once owned by the great dancer Rudolf Nureyev, float in the water below. To the east, the mountain of Vico Alvano rises sharply, a wonderful counterpoint to the wavy softness of the surrounding garden and deep sea stretching all around. It is an oasis of loveliness.
The setting of Villa Il Campo is particularly special and one reason for the popularity of this home. For those traveling with children and/or anyone feeling somewhat less agile and energetic, Villa Il Campo facilitates full enjoyment of the Amalfi Coast from a home base blissfully free of stairs on arrival and departure. This home sits in a verdant garden, with one of the most beguiling entrance drives you can imagine, a parking area just above the garden and lawn. The close proximity of the house to the road, 300 meters along a quiet street, is another convenient feature, allowing easy coming and going. Traffic noise is minimal, the home protected by virtue of the sloping landscape and the owner's family's 150 hectare agricultural estate which surrounds the private garden and olive grove in which the house is settled. You can enjoy the sounds of birds and the panoramic ocean view undisturbed.
There is much to be said for not being situated right in either the village of Positano or Sorrento. This is one home suited to those who prefer to rent their own vehicle and independently explore both the north and south coasts of the Penisola Sorrentina. You can drop down when needed -- for shopping, catching a boat, enjoying a meal -- but you are not obligated to the traffic constraints of village life. That said, there is a good local restaurant a pleasant stroll away. At the end of the street is a large public park with tennis courts and a truly huge pool with fun slides (a sure attraction for the 12 and under set). The park is a wonderful public resource and a nice way to give children of all ages a chance to socialize with Italians on holiday. Anyone wanting to experience the original tranquility of this dramatic and historic coastline, can pick up the beginning of the 'Walk of the Gods' from within the park, and continue as long as desired, enjoying the bright light and fresh breezes that run north to south across the mountains. Walkers and runners will find this trail an ideal destination, especially in early morning, to enjoy the rush of endorphins and prepare for their next plate of pasta.
No doubt there will be days hanging about enjoying the private pool and gardens, taking advantage of the neighboring walks and tennis courts. And some days will be devoted to excursions and touring. From Villa Il Campo, you can explore the many charming coastal towns with ease. A quick ride to Sorrento gives you access to regular and efficient boat service for fun and easy day trips to Capri, Procida and Ischia. Boat service to Naples puts Pompeii and Paestum within reach without the hassle of a car. Private boat rentals from either Positano, Massa or Sorrento are available for excursions to unspoiled swimming coves. Nerano and Marina del Cantone, very characteristic waterside hideaways, are reachable by car. It is the central position of this house, midway between the north and south coasts and centered in the desirable western tip of the peninsula, that makes this an ideal position for a villa vacation.
Villa Il Campo is constructed of square grey stones, similar to limestone. It is simply built in the local style with bright blue window trim and doors, open terraces and loggias. The position of the main house is such that you can enjoy cooling breezes from Ischia almost every afternoon, making the property comfortable even in summer. The garden is characteristic of this semiarid climate; palm trees, cacti and agave, persimmon and pomegranates (fruiting in the fall), fig trees (ripe with fruit from mid-August to the end of September), lavender and roses. A wide, west-facing pergola, crisscrossed with climbing, April-blooming wisteria and jasmine, is set with a dining table and chairs for relaxing. To the south, a covered loggia, shaded with ivy, is also set for dining. The recently completed private pool (12 x 7 meters) is set down below the house - perfect for a refreshing dip after a day of touring, or to enjoy cocktails al fresco as the sun sets over the shimmering sea. The owner has impeccable taste in a classic style, and takes care with the coordinating of fabrics and the numerous prints, engravings and etchings which fill the walls. A private home, with many personal items and family heirlooms which add character and feel luxurious, without being off-putting.
Price information available upon request.
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