Villa Santorio

Description

The thirteen bedrooms, all with private bathroom, open onto the grand corridor, as does the dining room, a small living room with TV and a large kitchen with larder. The main living room, or grande salone, is at the end of a second corridor, which intersects the first beneath a typical Baroque cupola. Ten of the bedrooms look onto one of two cloisters each centred on an original fountain — wonderfully evocative places to relax or meditate. Off the cloisters is the immense, original refectory, these days used as a dining or banquet room when large groups visit. From here a monumental staircase leads to the up-per floor. The garden is beautifully cared for and full of hidden angles — even including a labyrinth — and in summer you can cool off in the large swimming pool. The abbey forms part of an agricultural estate, with milk fresh from the cow, seasonal produce, eggs and olive oil available for the use of guests. Useful information: There is no air-con because there is absolutely no need for it! The location and the thick walls mean that the abbey stays cool in summer. Indeed, you might even need a jacket or jumper in the evenings.