Casalvieri, Frosinone, Lazio, Italy

Villa Celadon is a magnificent 350 sq.mt. home with lovely views set on the crest of a hill in 12,000 sq.mt. of fenced private landscaped grounds which include a large curving swimming pool and tennis court.

The fully fenced property is approached through video-controlled electric gates which open to a long sweeping driveway leading to the forecourt of the home and double garage. The villa was built between 1987 and 1990 and the exterior was completely repainted last year. All of the villa's cutting-edge retro-designer furnishings, fittings and fixtures are included in the sales price.

The architect-designed villa is arranged on several levels creating much visual interest. The entrance hall leads to a very large living room which is open plan with the dining area, while a striking circular staircase leads to a mezzanine area ideal as a study. Adjacent is the beautifully fitted-out kitchen. French doors open out on all sides on to the wrap-around terraces and gardens.

Wide shallow stairs lead from the entrance hall up to the sleeping area, where four bedrooms and two stunning bathrooms including a jacuzzi open off a central spacious hallway. Three of the bedrooms have French doors on to balconies overlooking the gardens.

A self-contained unit on the lower floor with its own direct garden access allows for the possibility of creating private accommodation for a relative or for guests; here is to be found a functional kitchen and dining room, a bedroom, a bathroom and a living room.

Other features of the villa include a large fully-fitted laundry and an underground room excellently suited to be a wine cellar.

The gardens are attractively laid out with well-lit paths, and mature trees including oak trees and palms abound. There is a well for irrigation and solar panels provide the hot water for the villa. A grotto-type cave extends back into the rock. The tennis court needs re-surfacing but the full-height netting is in good condition. The swimming pool, full depth and with a paved surround, has been regularly maintained and, with its curving shape, is an attractive focal point of the upper gardens. The extensive terraces create many perfect spots for al fresco dining, relaxing in a swing chair to enjoy the Italian sun or entertaining large parties of friends.

Energy classification: G


THE CIOCIARIA

The Ciociaria region of Italy where Villa Celadon is located is within easy reach of both Rome and Naples and their respective airports. A day's shopping in Rome is a common pastime, while an even shorter drive brings you to the charming beaches south of Rome. Alternatively, drive east, and the mountains of the Abruzzo National Park await with horse trekking in the magnificent beech forests, and sparkling mountain lakes and rivers where you can swim in the heat of the summer. And at the other extreme of temperature, although Villa Celadon is in a temperate zone, less than an hour's drive brings you to the winter ski slopes.

Often overlooked, both by tourists and by those foreigners in search of an Italian home, in favour of the more publicized regions of Tuscany and Umbria, the Ciociaria remains largely an unspoilt gem with beautiful scenery and medieval hilltop towns. A home or second home in the Ciociaria, in the hilltop towns of Arpino, Veroli, Casalvieri or in the rolling countryside that surrounds them, will afford you a setting where over two thousand years of history combine with an idyllic rural Italian lifestyle, where you can still discover the 'real' Italy and take time out from the busy crowds of the larger tourist cities, while being less than ninety minutes journey from central Rome or either of Rome's two airports.


VIA ROMANA Srls and the CINELLI IMMOBILIARE AGENCY

Via Romana Srls is an Italian-incorporated company owned by a British/Australian Chartered Accountant and her photographer daughter, and offers a package of services to facilitate all aspects of the purchase and restoration of Italian property by overseas clients. The Via Romana team works in collaboration with various fully-licensed Italian real estate agencies including the Cinelli Immobiliare Agency. The Cinelli Immobiliare Agency aims at identifying unique buildings with outstanding locations in the beautiful Ciociaria region, including apartments, historic houses, villas, palazzos and farmhouses. Some of these properties are already renovated while others are to be restored. The Cinelli Immobiliare Agency also provides reliable and full service renovations focussed on the appropriate use of original materials, such as stone, wood and wrought iron, drawing on over 40 years' experience in the restoration sector of their partner company Cinelli Claudio Restorations and their technical office, headed by Ing. Valentina Cinelli.