Villa Melinda

Offering an idyllic getaway with glorious views of both the Gulf of Poets and the lush, Ligurian countryside is Villa Melinda. This renovated country farmhouse sits in an elevated position on an olive grove-dotted hillside, close to the famous Cinque Terre and just outside the town of La Spezia. Pathways near the villa make for long, peaceful walks through the hills.

Villa Melinda's original features have been lovingly restored, creating a romantic, almost fairytale-like feel. Beautifully brought back to life are the wood beams, stone walls and brick archways that make this villa such a warm and restful place to stay. Just as magical is the rambling outside space that offers panoramic views of the sea and surrounding countryside.

The living room is a cosy place to relax and spend quality time with family and friends. Comfortable sofas sit alongside antique pieces of furniture and a flat screen television. There's more antique charm in the form of the wood table and seats in the dining room, which also features a staircase to the first floor. The country-style kitchen is equipped with every amenity you could need and offers picturesque views over the terrace.

On the first floor is a double bedroom and one with two single beds. Both are peaceful and offer stunning sea views. The lovely family bathroom features a spacious shower for waking you up first thing in the morning or unwinding before bed. The remaining two double bedrooms are found on the second floor. They also have sea views and an en-suite bathroom each.

The most charming area outside is the terrace with a partially-covered area for enjoying al fresco meals. By the large dining table is a stone banquette area that's perfect for pre-dinner drinks. Set within the immaculate lawns is a large, private swimming pool that's surrounded by sun loungers. Found throughout are peaceful spots for appreciating the complete seclusion and the intoxicating scent from the garden's beautiful plants and flowers.

Villa Melinda is ideally located for visiting the Cinque Terre, a string of five coastal villages that are full of authentic, fishing-community atmosphere. They are immediately recognisable by the pastel-coloured houses that nestle on rugged hillsides and cliff edges. The closest village, Riomaggiore, is a 30-minute drive away.

The port town of La Spezia is even closer, with its train station being 10 minutes away by car. Here you can catch services that take you to all of the Cinque Terre villages. Spend some time in the town to explore its historical attractions and lovely waterfront area.

Features

The Villa
Ground Floor

• Living room with LED TV, DVD player and IPod docking station

• Fully-equipped kitchen with dishwasher and coffee machine

• Dining Room for up to eight guests
  First Floor

• Double bedroom

• Twin bedroom

• Bathroom with double wash basin, shower and bidet
  Second Floor

• Double bedroom with en-suite bathroom with shower and bidet

• Double bedroom with en-suite bathroom with Victorian-style bath tub and bidet

Outside Grounds

• Private infinity pool
• Sun loungers and deck chairs
• Covered terrace with comfortable stone banquette seating area
• Outdoor dining table
• Utility Room
• Parking

Facilities

• Wi-Fi
• Stereo
• Air-conditioning (bedrooms only)
• Fans
• Heating
• Hairdryer in each bathroom
• Iron and ironing board
• Cot
• BBQ
• Board games
• Books

Location

Villa Melinda is set on a hillside just outside La Spezia and there are plenty of long walks to enjoy via nearby pathways. After you've built up an appetite by taking in the fresh, country air, head out for an evening meal close by. The nearest restaurant is just 500m away, so you can easily walk there within 10 minutes.

If you're feeling particularly active, you can decend along a nearby path that leads down into the town of La Spezia (6km), with the journey taking just under 90 minutes. Otherwise, it's a short 15-minute drive into the town centre. La Spezia is a great place for a family day out. There are centuries of history to discover by exploring its various landmarks and buildings, including 13th century San Giorgio Castle. The waterfront is a lovely place to enjoy a stroll before having an evening meal at one of the many restaurants found here.

The train station (a five-minute drive away) at La Spezia offers services to all of the Cinque Terre villages. This means you don't have to drive all the way there if you'd prefer a more leisurely route. It's also a great way of mingling with both locals and other visitors - and it only takes 40 minutes to reach the final and northernmost village of Monterosso al Mare.

If you do want to drive to the Cinque Terre straight from the villa, the closest village is Riomaggiore. This village is most known for The Path of Love, which is a flat, clifftop trail that runs north towards Manarola. Monterosso al Mare is the place to go to enjoy a sandy beach, with Vernazza being considered the most beautiful village of all. All of the five villages feature pretty pastel-coloured houses that perch on dramatic hillsides and cliff edges, with a traditional fishing-community atmosphere to soak up.

The town of Sarzana is a 35-minute drive east of the villa and offers plenty of history and culture. It's also very Tuscan in style, which isn't surprising as it's so close to the Ligurian border with Tuscany. Visit the old town to marvel at its medieval walls and defence towers.