A fabulous setting that can’t be beaten - the wonderful beach, incredible sunsets, gorgeous pool and the rare combination of a secluded setting but with shops and amenities in easy walking distance. Alessandra helped us every step of the way and made the holiday really easy and therefore enjoyable.

We were two families staying at this property for a week. It was simply fantastic. The location and the view is the most stunning you can imagine. We made some tours around the area and had a private chef preparing dinner a few times. In all it was a terrific week. Many thanks Alessandra for everything!

Just spent some unforgettable days in this beautiful property.....if you need to recharge your batteries and forget the world, the Cliff House is where you want to be!

We had a wonderful stay at Cliff House. Alessandra was fantastic, helping to guide us from the airport to house and checking in with us after our arrival. The property was absolutely perfect. We were a group of 8 ranging in ages from 20's to 80's and everybody was comfortable and happy. The design of the house and landscape (beautiful flowers and trees) is perfect with little places to get away and relax in sun or shade and with ample space for large indoor or outdoor meals. Speaking of meals, we hired a couple that Alessandra recommended and they prepared two excellent dinners for us. I am still dreaming about the local tuna that we were served. The pool was very nice for those of us that are pool people but the beach was the showstopper - the water was warm and amazingly clear and the steps to and from the beach were much easier than we expected (though the older folks among us sat the beach excursions out). Tropea is an easy short drive away and there were some charming places within walking distance for provisions and pretty pottery. All in all the property and the region exceeded our expectations. Thank you, Alessandra!

Our family (8 persons) travelled the first time to Calabria this August 2018 for two weeks and we fully enjoyed our stay at the Cliff House. Except one short thunderstorm on Sunday after our arrival we had nearly perfect weather conditions so that we could use the terrace for almost every breakfast, supper and dinner. The sight on the sea until Stromboli is overwhelming. The stairs to the beach first were a challenge, especially upstairs, but it was getting better day by day. On the second Sunday we did a day-trip to the Lipari Islands. Over all it was worth it although the sea was a bit wavy and so several passengers (including me) became a little seasick. But we saw dolphins and especially the stops at Volcano and Stromboli were quite impressive. We bought our foods only once in a big supermarket and then mainly by local producers and in local stores. That's how we got to know the surroundings. All the staff were very friendly and helpful, especially Anna. We can imagine to come back to the Cliff House for a second stay, perhaps already in 2019. It's a phantastic location to leave the daily routine behind.

We had a wonderful week. The Cliff House was the perfect place for our family from all over to come together to swim, eat and relax together. Everything was so inviting, excellently appointed and just beautiful. Wonderful places to eat and play games in the villa, no matter the weather. The people of Capo Vaticano are so welcoming. The beach and sea both incredible, and worth the climb, up and down - we did it some days twice! The view and even the ‘weather watch’ was magical. It is a special place. Thank you, Alessandra, for being a fantastic host, and also to Anna, Cesare and Yuri for looking after us. One week was not enough.

After having stayed at the "cliff house" last year we decided to come back every year. We enjoyed our time once again very much: a lovingly furnished interior, a fabulous pool for a swim and the mediterraian at your feet. This year we brought snorkel equipment for the first time and really loved the variety of fish swimming around in the incredibly clear waters. The combination of privacy, view, nature and architecture is a one in a million find. See you next year, Alessandra!

The week we enjoyed at the Cliff House in Capo Vaticano surpassed all our expectations. The serene architecture complements the luxurious landscape. This arid, rural setting could not be more beautiful, with the house perched on a granite massif 80 meters above the Mediterranean Sea. We were absolutely astonished at the lush, glorious landscaping of the entire property, which contrasts with the dry, agricultural character of Calabria. The houses are lovingly constructed in a very sympathetic manner and one finds beautiful details throughout the house, from nautically-inspired door handles to lovely tiles bordering the both the indoor and outdoor kitchens. The houses have a rustic feel without resorting to imitation of historic devices, and because of their gracious proportions and robust construction, one can immediate relax in every room without exception. Despite the allure of these architectural charms, we found ourselves spending most our time at the Cliff House outdoors. The grounds are lovely, and there has been an enormous amount of thought put into how one could, in small or large groups, enjoy the natural splendor of the place. Furnishings are comfortable and grouped in ways that follow the path of the ever-present sun. Tables and seating are positioned in and around the building in a manner that allowed us to decide if we wanted to bask in the sunshine or lounge comfortably in the shade without ever having to move a chair. The pool is integrated into the landscape in a manner that allows a frolicking swim without disturbing others who may wish to relax in undisturbed quiet. Every table, chair, door and window feel as though they must always have been there, and this timeless character is due to the remarkable skills of the architect. Alessandra has anticipated nearly every question a visitor could ask, and sent pre-emptive answers to us in a very enjoyable document that helped us to understand and enjoy everything the house and the location has to offer. She is very organized and made sure that we were taken care of by Cesare and Anna.

Our family found the Cliff House to be just perfect for our week of vacation. It was a great place to refresh and reconnect with the family. We spent time at the beach and in the pool - mesmerized by the sunsets and views. The house was wonderful and provided a great place for the family to gather - inside or outside- - whether it was for eating, playing games or cards, or just talking - it was a perfect setting. The two cottages along with the main house provided a great balance of privacy and community space for each family. The kitchen was well equipped for the dinners that we prepared. The markets, local bakeries and restaurants all provided a taste of rural Italy... along with excellent wine. . I think what we appreciated most is that this was a home not just a house and the wonderful privilege of being able to stay in such a wonderful setting Thank you

This house is rigt on the cliffedge with amazing wiews. We stayd 4 adults with 4 kids and the house worked perfect. The steps down and upp to the Beach is a challenge but well worth it. The area aroud Capo Vaticano is what you can expect of south Italy. I will recommend this house to all my friends.

Our family stayed at the Cliff house in July of 2015 and had a wonderful time. We celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary while we stayed, and the local priest Don Pasquale came and delivered a memorable ceremony for us and our friends and family. The dinner on the patio was incredible and Anna, the housekeeper we hired to prepare the meal, was fabulous. The owner of the property Alessandra was a huge help in making our holiday and 10 year moment magical. Our children 4, 6 and 8 years of age loved the grounds, pool and the private beach was unbelievable. We would highly recommend this property for your vacation- the views second to none, the grounds and staff impeccable and the beach was absolutely breathtaking. We will definitely be back. Thank you Alessandra and all the staff for making our family vacation and 10 year anniversary unforgettable.

We recently had the privilege of spending two wonderful weeks at Cliff House. As its name suggests, the house is literally on the edge of a cliff. As such, the views are beyond spectacular. Sunsets over Stromboli and the Aeolian islands never got old. When not at the beach or pool, spending time on the terrace enjoying the view was everyone's favorite activity. As noted by other guests, the house is not over-the-top, but it has everything (amenities, cooking utensils, dishwasher, laundry, A/C, etc.) one needs. At its heart it is a beach house; it is there to help you relax, which is exactly what it does. Staying at Cliff House helps you reconnect with nature, and the chaos and bustle of the world simply disappears. The beach below the house is beautiful, and well worth the trek down (and up) the 400+ stairs. Given it's remote location, on most days the beach was deserted. We spent hours snorkeling and exploring the various coves and rock formations in the area. On the rare day we didn't go to the beach, we spent the day floating in the fantastic pool, enjoying its sea views. Alessandra, our incredibly helpful and accommodating host, provided a very thorough overview of the area in the rental materials. Of her recommendations, we frequented the fish store, butcher (delicious rotisserie chickens), and market. We found that the fish store had the best selection of fresh fish at 7pm. We had a nice dinner at Donna Orsola, got coffees from Shaker Bar, and pizza from La Campagnola just down the street. La Porziuncola, a small market and ceramics store (also just down the street), has wonderful pottery and two delightful owners. Also, having Anna, the warm and lovely housekeeper, come by every few days was such a treat.

My husband and I enjoyed the Cliff House so much the first time that we went back this past summer for a second time. Two years later it was just as we remembered it. The accommodations are perfect. The kitchen and outdoor barbecue are great for homemade meals. The view with the Tyrrhenian Sea's breeze is both amazing and relaxing. The first year we went in late May, so the water was a bit too cool to enjoy, so we spent a lot of time at the house enjoying the view. I usually never read on vacation but that year I read two books, which spoke to the time we spent just enjoying the calming effects of the sea from an unbeatable view. This year we went in August, and it was hot, so we enjoyed the private beach daily, followed by the pool, as a dip in it was quite necessary after the hike back from the beach. Don't let the steps intimidate you, the cove is so worth it. By the second day my husband and I had the plan down. We went to the local store and bought a cooler, snorkel gear, umbrella, beach mats, water booties and took it all with us the following days. Under an umbrella we enjoyed wine and sandwiches on the beach, and when we got hot, we snorkeled. From the cove there are so many colorful fish, snorkeling is a must. The first visit we totally missed that aspect of the home, but am glad we were able to fully enjoy it this last time. As far as the owner I have all praise for Alessandra!! She is the perfect host. I feel like I have known her for years, and I guess I have, since we first inquired about the property and area in 2012. Seriously, though, even then, she felt like an old friend. We are e-mail pals! Alessandra quickly responds and always provides great insight, advice, and whether it is prior to your arrival or while you are there, she is available and willing to help in any way she can. This past visit to accommodate our family we had to rent another property, and she happily provided recommendations and made the introductions. This home is a must! If you want to see a beautiful part of Calabria, then this is the place to stay. It is clean, chic, comfortable, private, and have I mentioned the view?! We loved going to the local markets and picking up fresh produce, local cheeses and meats, and the fish market is outstanding. I could have gone there every day. Coming from the U.S. we enjoy Italy's fresh food, and when you have a great place to cook and enjoy it, the vacation is that much nicer.

Oltre il cancello verde, obbediente al tuo telecomando, un vialetto immerso nel verde delle piante e nei profumi e nei colori dei fiori, ti conduce, alla fine, dopo trecento passi a Cliff House. Ti ritrovi immediatamente proiettato in un altro mondo, lontano anni luce da dove vivi tu. Una villa aggrappata alla scogliera, a picco sul mare. Oltre 80 metri lì sotto, il mare, la spiaggia, gli scogli. Vuol far sentire la sua forza, ma non fa paura. Tu sei seduto su un comodo divano, con i tuoi amici, in una stupenda terrazza sotto la veranda e bevi un bicchiere di vino fresco che i proprietari hanno lasciato nel frigo per te. O stai cenando a base di pesce, cucinato nella attrezzatissima cucina che c’è lì, o cotto alla brace nel barbecue lì fuori, ai margini del verdissimo giardino, al quale hai rubato un rametto di profumato rosmarino. Oppure sei lì, dopo aver scalato i 437 scalini che stamattina presto hai disceso fresco ed entusiasta e che adesso hai risalito senza comunque faticare troppo e senza pericolo per il corrimano e le reti presenti lungo tutto il percorso. Perché sai che una volta su, a Cliff House, una fresca doccia e una nuotata nella meravigliosa piscina, ti rimetteranno in forma e ti riempiranno di forza e di appetito. Sai che potrai distenderti su una comoda poltrona a leggere il libro che hai scelto tra i tanti presenti nella libreria, o che potrai ascoltare della buona musica, o potrai, se lo sai fare, intonare una canzone di Lucio Battisti, con la chitarra che c’è lì. E poi al tramonto potrai ammirare il sole che si va a nascondere dietro l’isola di Stromboli, ad Ovest, o il profilo della Sicilia a sud, anche se ti distrarranno le barche dei pescatori con i loro lampioni, lì sotto. E infine le stelle del cielo, “disturbate” solo dal raggio del faro di Capo Vaticano. Il fascio di luce attraversa il cielo come le lancette di un orologio, ogni pochi, perfetti, periodici secondi. Alla fine ognuno di noi si ritira nella propria indipendente stanza (due camere nella casa maestra), altre due stanze in altrettante casette separate, tutte con bagno, armadi, aria condizionata, zanzariere. Tutto quello che serve. Pulizia e cortesia non mancano; anche i vicini, ospiti in altre ville, risultano simpatici e cordiali. Credo sia questo luogo, questa aria, questo ordine, questo onnipresente buon gusto, che ci ha reso, almeno per una o due settimane, diversi da come siamo nella nostra ordinaria vita. Io ci tornerei.

Cliff House is spectacularly located in the Calabrian region of SW Italy. We fell in love with the view of Stromboli, the islands, and Sicily, and we loved the grounds - even in winter, we enjoyed the fresh rosemary, lemons and limes that had dropped from the trees and a huge sea view that is gorgeous in any weather. Sunsets are to die for! We were 7 adults and the house was perfect for us. Private, safe (electronic gates to the driveway), room to park and all the amenities we needed. Having the two separate guest cottages made it for us. Each couple had their own en-suite bath and private quiet bedroom. No noise to upset anyone and all the private space we needed and all the communal space we needed. Alessandra went above and beyond to help us when we had a hot water problems and once the power went out but that was fixed by Nino (the kind and clever caretaker) right away. Of course it would have helped us communicate even better if we spoke Italian, but we managed! And Anna came three times a week to clean and offer any help we needed - just a gem of a person! Everyone is incredibly responsive! Alessandra's info package was fantastic and made a huge difference in keeping us from getting lost in our drive from Lemezia airport. The walk to the beach IS really 400 stairs and we made the trip several times and it was worth it - private cove, so much to discover. If you want quiet, comfy outside spaces, no tourists, don't care if much is open, and don't mind the 50-60 degree F January weather, this is a great place to hang your hat - we did for nearly 3 weeks. In the winter, be prepared to to wrap up as the house doesn't have central heat. The main house bedrooms and the two cottages warmed up well at night with the AC/Heat units in the rooms. And we loved the fireplace and having all the wood provided for the living room where we hung out a lot on cloudy or windy days. The only problem there was sometimes it got smoky with downdrafts. Truly a beautiful setting - great for a large family!

The property owner, Alessandra is an absentee owner, lives in NY, but keeps on top of things and has an excellent back-up staff near the property....We were met at pre-arranged location in front of Villa by Nino Paganini, a neighbor and the Owner's Supervisor for THE CLIFF HOUSE....He proved to be most helpful and genuinely cared about making our stay very pleasant and comfortable....The Villa is on a 20 acre compound with a total of 4 residences enclosed by fencing, shrubs and a sheer cliff....The other residences are not visible from The Cliff House...A beautiful view of the volcano Stromboli is straight ahead as you sit and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Sea just below you....The small, isolated beach is just beneath the back patio, just a little over 400 steps down on a private stairway, shared with the other 3 residences....We were a group of 8, 4 couples on the wrong side of 65 on a 3 week adventure.....We began in Sicily and drove, 2 rental cars, to THE CLIFF HOUSE with excellent directions provided by the owner....We were met on our arrival and given the grand tour by Nino, who answered our questions and made suggestions, in a mixture of Italian and English, but was understood....2 couples in Main Residence, 1 couple each in Pool House and Guest House...The photos of the Villa give a good representation of the property, which was very clean and well maintained for an older property....The views are spectacular!..We would definitely recommend this property to our friends and relatives.....Some of our day trips: These are a must....SCILLA, just a little south of the Villa, on the coast...TROPEA, A jewel just north on the coast....Best Gelato!.......PIZZO, north of Tropea, Birthplace of the Tartufa....SORIANO, inland. Tour St. Dominic's Cathedral and monastery ruins, built in the 1500's, damaged by the massive earthquake of 1908....Half of the adventure of this little town is getting there!....All in all, a good property that is quiet, peaceful, and breathtaking scenery.....A jewel on the coast of Calabria, THE CLIFF HOUSE

I rented the Eagle's Nest for my wife, myself, my sister's family (two teenager girls and a 4 year old) and my parents. Regardless of age, we all loved it! My nieces and mother raved about the swimming pool. The pictures fall a bit short of capturing the view and the overall sense of calm created by the olive trees and various plants and flowers that surround the area. On several afternoons, my wife got swallowed up by the hammock situated in the ideal post-lunch shady area by the pool. It is a bit of a walk down to the beach but your reward is a stunning cove offering the best of what the Tyrrhenian sea has to offer - swimming, snorkeling, exploring sea caves and rock formations, reading a good book with cool sea water lapping at your legs. The cooking area and terrace are perfectly set up for preparing and socializing while taking in the spectacular view. A couple of nights, we grilled fresh fish that we had bought in the morning at the fish market down the road. Tropea is a lovely beach-side town only a twenty minute drive away where you can shop, people watch, dine at any number of restaurants and, of course, eat gelato. The only drawback is that I want to go back too much.

Italy is full of beautiful places and everywhere you find great food. Still, it was for us not so easy to find a rental house which we had a good feeling. It was for us important that the surrounding is private and connected with the natural landscape. The interior of the house should be done with good taste and with respect for the local culture and history. When we found Cliff house on the internet, we felt that this house meets our expectation and indeed, it was more than what we hoped for. Everything was perfectly thought of. The kitchen and living room is comfortable and cozy, perfectly equipped with kitchen utensils which is for us important as we love cooking. A lot of books and DVD. We enjoyed the good selection. Three different places to sit outside, a place to dine under shadow, under sun, relaxing sitting area under thatched roof. From the terrace you see the Sun setting towards Stromboli. Beautiful swimming pool where I swam everyday. Garden is nicely organized and perfectly maintained. We were impressed with the level of the care. People who daily take care of the house are also very kind and helpful. It is pleasure to spend time in such a house.

Summer 2012. The Cliff House - Capo Vaticano. The house design is very well thought out. It benefits from two en-suite bedrooms in the main house and it also has two further seperate en-suite rooms in the garden. The bedrooms have air-con which is a plus.The gardens are thoughtfully planted and well maintained and the variety of planting is very good. The long pool is perfectly placed on the rising land above the house. It has an "invisible" lip along the downhill side so that the fantastic view of Stomboli on the horizon isn't obscured while you swim. A well equiped kitchen indoors provides a fun place to cook and there is a great outdoor fire pit (and plenty of kindling) so that you can cook the excellent locally sourced steaks. If it isn't your turn to cook there's a very comfy lounge to sit in around the open fireplace. A fantastic, comfortable and spacious terrace at the seaward side of the property is the place to read that novel with your apperitf before dining al fresco and watching the sun go down between Mt Etna and Stromboli. A path with 434 steps (that's the exercise taken care of) takes you down to one of the best beaches I've ever seen. Clear sea, quartz sand, naturally sheltered and an aquarium of colourful sea life to watch through your goggles. The housekeeper and caretaker are very friendly and helpful. The electrics are a bit Italian and mosquitos are ubiquitos around the Med and always unwelcome but that's the price you pay for the almost incessant good weather. A beautiful house in a beautiful place. Peaceful, everything on hand and a fantastic library (I almost forgot), in a gated and secure area. I never go back - but on this one occasion... I just might. Truly excellent.

We absolutely loved spending a week at the Cliff House. The view from the terrace is spectacular, and there is a beautiful semi-private beach down below with clean, clear water that's very nice for swimming. The house itself was spacious and comfortable. The main house has 2 bedrooms and then there are 2 guest houses each with a bedroom and a bathroom. Even though our friends had an 8-month old baby in the main house, my husband and I still had total quiet and privacy in one of the guest houses. We cooked on the built-in barbecue almost every day and there was plenty of firewood already cut and dried for us to use. The indoor kitchen was very comfortable to cook in as well. There is a large, beautiful private pool with a hammock and lounge chairs that are great for napping. And the view from the balcony of the house is truly amazing, with plenty of space for dining and lounging, and really great views of Stromboli. I would highly recommend this rental to anyone.

When we arrived the immediate reaction was “WOW”. It had been a long drive from Naples and we were all so excited to finally reach Capo Vaticano. As soon as we saw the view from the terrace, the drive was forgotten and the relaxing holiday started. Nino proceeded to show us around the fabulous property but gradually some people dropped off the “tour” and simply returned to the terrace to enjoy the enchanting view – it was after 5pm and Stromboli was coming into view! We cannot stress how great the view is – we have at least 100 photos between us of it, especially of the colourful sunsets that we experienced each evening. The house itself has everything you need – each bedroom having an ensuite is definitely a positive and the added benefit of the outdoor bathroom proved an innovative and fun shower experience as we took it in turns to shower whilst forming a waiting line by the pool. The location is wonderful – if you want to arrive, park your car and not move for a week you can do. If you wish to head out, either by foot to the facilities (slightly limited but a decent choice of restaurants at least) of Capo Vaticao, or further afield by car to Tropea you can do. The beach below the house was amazingly quiet for an Italian “public” beach in August – the 430+ steps down (and up) are definitely worth it, just try to time the descent or ascent at the right time of day. Before 9am or after 6pm it is highly likely that you have the beach to yourself – even in the height of the summer – at least this is what we experienced. Sunset drinks on an empty beach is a must for anyone that visits! We like to visit different places each year but if there was a place that we would return to – simply because of the privacy, the view and the beach below, this would be it.

Our family stayed at the "Eagle's Nest" for a week this past July. We had spent the previous 10 days touring Rome, Amalfi and Calabria and were ready to have a home base for a week to get a sense of life in Italy. What a spectacular location to do this! The villa is located in one of the most amazing locations just as the pictures show. The sun setting beside Stromboli every night is mesmerizing and the clear blue/green water takes your breath away each day. The villa is well appointed, maintained and has everything you will need to enjoy your week. The local market, butcher and fish market are all close by where you can get fresh produce and everything you need to enjoy lovely meals on the terrace each day. Anna helps keep the place clean and is lovely. The pool is beautiful and well maintained. The beach is fantastic and the 437 steps down to it provide your workout for the day! Alessandra is easily accessible by email before and during your stay and answers all your questions. High speed wireless internet kept the young people happy. The two outbuildings are newer and airconditioned, with excellent privacy for couples travelling together. The restaurants that are close by were a little disappointing, catering mostly to hotel guests on a meal plan, so we cooked most meals for ourselves enjoying the local produce and buffola mozzerella! . We especially enjoyed the outdoor grill! The roofless shower was a favorite. The weather was amazing! Overall a most memorable holiday. Thank you to Alessandra for sharing her piece of paradise!

A perfect house for two families with children who are old enough to walk the stairs down to the beautiful beach. The house includes all you need for confortable living. You can even stay updated with home (work ?) using the free internet if you need. Having the large pool and beach downstairs with crystal clear water, you only need to leave the house to supply food and drinks but there are good restaurants within walking distance. The service is excellent. Our dishwasher broke and it was fixed within a day. Definitely one of the best houses we rented since we started to spend our holiday in Italy 10 years ago.

"Rarely does a rental exceed our greatest expectations but the Cliff House did just that. The location is its first but not its only supreb asset. My wife and I and our two friends spent hours looking out over our private sand beach, over the expanse of the Tyrhhean Sea, to the Stromboli volcano. Mesmerizing. The main house was roomy, well-equipped, and obviously lived-in by the pwners. The grounds are lush and elegant. May was a little cool to used the lovely swimming pool, but we did a bit as well as swimming off "our" beach. If you are looking for casinos and night life this is not the place for you. But if you crave natural beauty and elegance you cannot do better. The place comes with maid service included and someone is forever looking after the grounds and pool as well."

My family and I (there was 8 of us total) stayed at Capo Vaticano for 10 days in April 2011 and the trip and the villa exceeded all of our expectations. It was so beautiful and had so much charm and romance that I didn't want to leave. The views of the sea, the volcano and the sunsets were absolutely spectacular. There was so much to do that we couldn't get it all in in 10 days. Alessandra wa so helpful with all the information that she provided prior to our trip in addition to promptly answering my numerous emails. As for her staff, Anna and Nino, we sincerely fell in love with them and feel like they have become part of our family. They were so helpful in many, many ways and it would have never been the same without them. This was truly the trip of a lifetime and a dream come true. I hope and pray that we can go back someday to visit this beautiful villa and especially to see Anna and Nino again.

Two families with two small children each shared this wonderful villa complex. The main house has two bedrooms, two baths and a large greatroom area. Two additional buildings have cozy sleeping quarters with baths. All three buildings are surrounded by beautiful gardens, an infinity pool and plenty of patio areas for everyone to play in or find their own privacy. The accomodations are homey and comfortable. The houses are well stocked. The house is conveniently located within walking distance to the important things of southern Italy: a fresh market, small restaurants, cappocino stand, and gellato shop.

We had the privilege to stay at this incredible villa during our visit to Italy. Alessandra is a wonderful hostess. She left no stone unturned when it came to setting the house up with all of the luxuries of home, plus some. From the moment we pulled up to the property, we were in awe. The grounds are very well maintained and the scenery beautiful. The house itself was amazing. The full size kitchen was equipped with everything a person could need. The adorable outdoor shower was, as Alessandra promised, one of our favorite features of the home. The best part though was the terrace -- the views of the sea with Mt. Stromboli looming can't be described. We felt bad that we did not spend more time exploring the area around Capo Vaticano but we just did not want to leave the property -- certainly there was nothing we could see that was more beautiful than the view from that terrace.

This house feels like it belongs to another age: hugging the lip of a cliff and set in a private floral demesne, it overlooks a clean, white sandy cove and aquamarine sea and, out on the horizon, not one but two active volcanoes, Stromboli amongst the Aeolian Islands - where the sun sinks - and Etna on Sicily. At night the lighthouse beam sweeps the sky and there are still fishermen’s lights dotting the sea. The house itself is designed for outdoor living: terraces in sun and shade with comfortable furniture and expansive wood tables for eating al fresco, secluded benches amongst scented pine trees and an elegant swimming pool. And the plein air shower is delightful. The beaches nearby offer all the traditional pleasures of an unpretentious seaside holiday. There are good family restaurants serving fish and seafood and hand-made pizza and local pasta (if you find it, try stroncatura). Not far off, the charming old towns of Tropea and Pizzo provide a sense of history and elegance as well as cafes, restaurants and gelateria. While the tourism never feels oppressive – even in August – there are empty winding drives and walks to enjoy amongst the wooded hills of the National Park. You’re just as likely to stay at home, mesmerised by the view.

Amazing views, comfortable space, easy quiet, and elegant simpliciy define this place. I spent a week there at the end of July with my girlfriend and we fully enjoyed the exceptional location of the villa, the lushness of the mature garden, the ideally located lap pool and the functional simplicity of the rather large house and annexes. There are spaces to enjoy for all time of day and night: early swim in the pool at dawn; sun bathing, reading and swimming at the small quasi-private beach at the bottom of the cliff; mid-afternoon nap on the hammoc; fast roundtrip over the 400 steps leading to the beach to stay in shape; delicious shower in the roofless bathroom in the middle of the house; a long drink at dusk on the vast terrasse watching the sun slowly fade near the mighty Stromboli; simple dinner of tomatoes, pasta, gorgonzola and Barolo on the outdoor rustic dining table; late night cap philosophically contemplating the starry skies in a reclining chair. We were there to enjoy a little break from hectic urban lives and we thought that the villa perfectly matched our expectations - after a week we felt rested and ready to embark into new adventures. On purpose, we did not get much out of the house (except to buy groceries in nearby shops) since we did not visit the countryside I cannot comment on local interests, except that the little we saw coming in and out was rather plain. The spectacular location of the villa, its natural charm and convenience, as well as its total privacy would be key factors for us to return. It this were to happen, we would this time use the opportunity to visit Sicily and its islands. On the practical side, the house can easily accomodate 8 to 10 people and it would be a wonderful place for a family (children would have to be monitored because of the cliff) or for a couple wanting to entertain friends. The maintenance is impeccable and the housekeeper and the maid are most helpful (in spite of not speaking English). Since there is no perfection in this world, the couple of things to keep in mind are (i) to be fully ready for battle with mosquitoes (the excellent basic instructions on the house booklet have to fbe ollowed to the letter), and (ii) to expect some breaks in internet connections most probably due to weaknesses in the local server. A final note: the owner very kindly managed to pilot us from New-York when we were slightly lost because of a late arrival - a most appreciated case of expert remote control..