Rental basis: Entire house or apartment
Number of bedrooms: 1; Number of other rooms with beds: 0
Number of bathrooms: 1
If you cause damage to the property during your stay, you may be required to pay according to YourRentals’s property damage policy.
Rural Italian Paradise
It is off the beaten path of the tourist traps of Rome, Venice, and Tuscany –in the incredible Region of Abruzzi in Central Italy. On a short drive east of Rome, you will experience breathtaking scenery with medieval castles towering over the many small towns and villages nestled in the mountain sides. On arrival from the autostrada, you will notice a huge lush green valley surrounded by the Apennine Mountains. In the centre of it all is the beautiful “city of Arts” Sulmona.
Sulmona’s population, approximately 30,000, acts as a hub for 65 small towns and villages within a 50- kilometer radius. Its biweekly mercato (Wednesday and Saturdays) is a vibrant, bustling, and boisterous event. All types of fruits and vegetables, cheeses, salami, sausages, fresh sea food, and an assortment of clothing, shoes, and hardware are available. The beehive of activities where friends and relatives meet to socialize and shop it is a must to experience and truly partake in the rural cultural of Italian life. The movie “the American” with George Clooney was filmed here four years ago and it gave international exposure to this hidden valley gem. . The world-famous candy, “confetti”, a sugar-coated almond, is a must to treat yourself. Unlike other sugar-coated almonds you may have tried, this is the authentic one, first produced in Sulmona and exported abroad. It is a delectable treat head and shoulders above the everyday variety.
Campo Di Fano, a small quaint village of 300 people only two miles west of Sulmona, is where Michael (Clementino Michele) Giammarco (a Calgarian) was born before immigrating as a child to Canada with his parents and siblings. Ten years ago, he returned for the first time after almost 40 years and was sadden to find his birth house, abandoned for 30 years, with the roof caving in and under order by the township to be demolished due to safety concerns.
The house was built by his great-great-great grandfather (1885) for his five sons to live and raise their families, and Giammarco was not about to let this historical family structure be destroyed. Giammarco negotiated with the local township to stay the demolition so it would give him time to contact all the relatives who had part ownership (21 people) to sell their share of the house to him. Once this was accomplished, he proceeded to completely renovate the 5,000- square-foot dwelling, at a cost of almost one million dollars.
Today, “giamia Villas” consists of 8 one-bedroom apartment complexes and is a home to many Canadian, American, and other international tourists seeking a rural Italian experience not found in the major centres of Italy. “the Greening Tourist” of today seeks an authentic experience and is amazed at the slow-paced lifestyles, amazing scenery, and quaint cultivated land parcels of local produce. The region’s prized crops are the “red garlic” and saffron. Restaurateurs and wholesalers from all over Italy gather annually in the area to purchase all that the region produces because of its unique properties and quality.
Guests at GiaMia Villas are generously allowed to harvest (when in season) their own tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, eggplant, artichokes, herbs, cherries, peaches, pears, apples, figs, plums, apricots, persimmons, pomegranates, kiwi fruit, watermelons, and cantaloupes. They also enjoy long walks in the surrounding countryside and can be seen gathering walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts that fall from the surrounding trees.
This location in Central Italy provides the perfect setting for day trips to the surrounding major centres of Rome (1 ½ Hrs), Naples –Pompeii (2 Hrs), Adriatic Sea coastline with its white-sand beaches, the city of Pescara (45 minutes), and of course the mountains with its quaint small towns and villages nestled on the hillsides. Clear fresh lakes that are ideal for picnics are only 30 minutes away. The Abruzzi Region is known as the “Green Lung of Italy” because of its many national parks.
The lucky guests who make “giamia Villas” their home while in Italy are amazed at the many free local festivals that each of the surrounding 65 towns and villages host annually: Sulmona’s joist festival (televised throughout Europe), the Easter morning festival, and the other local festivals of “cherries”, “garlic”, “cheese”, “artichokes” etc. Of course, a very special occurrence in the neighboring town of Cocullo, the “Snake festival”, has received international coverage by Cnn.
Another of the many surprises that guests comment on is the pricing in the local mom-and-pop restaurants, known as “agritourism”, in all the shops and mercatos. Prices are one-third that of the major centres because they are geared for the local population and not the tourist experience throughout Italy.
Some of past guests comments:
“we rented this apartment in the village of Campo Di Fano during the last week of September and were delighted with the property and location, which surpassed our expectations.” Long Island Couple
“even though we had read that there was a mountain view, sitting out there for breakfast or a having a drink in the moon light is unforgettable and beyond our expectations.” “ Our host (mike) had us all go to a terrific restaurant in a winery vineyard where we were introduced to some delicious Italian cooking” “took part in a ceremony honoring the two saints at a church just up the road, which included a parade, fireworks, and the chance to attend Sunday church services.” “Another restaurant just a few miles away in an adjoining little town –don’t miss it! The name Il Carro‒the food is delicious and the prices were astoundingly reasonable. New York City couple
“we were invited to an outdoor “Immigrant Dinner” in Campo Di Fano and we really saw the true Italian hospitality. Everyone was so gracious and friendly and even though we didn’t speak Italian, it didn’t matter; they made you feel welcome.” “mike made us feel like family and that is such a reassuring blessing when you are traveling.” California and Nevada couples
“if you are seeking a truly “unique” holiday adventure, a chance to experience one of the most beautiful regions of Italy, along with the rare opportunity to live each sunny day more like a “resident” than a “turista”, then I urge you book GiaMia Villas apartments in Abruzzi for at least a week or two of your next Italian vacation. Martin Silvestri –croton-on-hudson, New York
“this area is practically in the middle of Italy and taking day trips was made easier. You will be drawn to this area by its beauty, fresh air, water, and of course the cuisine. Staying at the GiaMia Villas adds to the Abruzzi experience. We hope to go back and bring the whole family. Fabio & Mary –Toronto couple
GiaMia Villas has provided me and my travel partner with a rare opportunity to experience the local culture of a small, quiet, rural Italian village. Set amid country hills and valleys, the villa itself if of first- class quality. It is modern, clean and comfortable, furnished with all things needed for our one-month stay. Our favorite place was the large balcony overlooking the villa’s fruit, vegetable, and flower gardens, pond and fountain, flowing river and distant hills and villages. Our stay included invites to the homes of local families, where we could see what their daily lives were like. We were also generously invited for coffee and meals and to their church services. Our host, Mike Giammarco, was exceptional, introducing us to his family members and neigbours and involving us in local events. He was always available to answer our questions and assist us in any way we needed. For me, this holiday at GiaMia was second to none and I am very excited to recommend it to others looking for a unique and personal experience in Italy. Toni Becker –red Deer, Alberta
