Villa Yolanda

In a private and prestigious area of the hills above the regional administrative centre of Sora, with a sweeping view of the valley and the mountains, this striking 380 sq.mt. home is set in its own 'botanical' 10,000 sq.mt. garden, with a variety of interesting plant species. The unusual and dramatic form of the house, designed by an Italian architect, is complemented inside by solid wood and stone furniture designed and hand-crafted specifically for the house.

There is also a separate old stone house set in the gardens, the cantina of which is now used as a wine cellar; the upper floor (also with a lovely view) is an open plan entertainment area / retreat, with original fireplace, a kitchen area with beautiful wooden and exposed-stone fittings, a comfortable armchair and a dining table for impromptu dinners after wine-tastings.

The garden has been terraced into a number of levels providing both visual interest and privacy. A swimming pool could be conveniently created below the house.

A sunny dining terrace, together with another large covered dining terrace for those preferring shade, provide a perfect environment for al fresco meals; at night, the lights of Sora in the valley below and the clusters of light from the surrounding medieval hilltop towns create a truly magical effect.

The entrance hall to the property showcases a stone table especially designed for its position, and a uniquely-carved wooden front door mirrors the slats of the stairs.

To the left, several sitting areas open off one another, featuring a fine open fire, and with picture windows overlooking the terrace, the gardens and the magnificent panoramic view. These flow into a dining room where, as an added feature, the TV in one of the sitting areas can be swivelled through 180 degrees to face into the dining room. Then comes the beautifully fitted and equipped modern kitchen, which has a second door so that groceries can be delivered directly. Finally there is also a study, looking out over another small terrace.

To the right of the entrance are the stairs, storage rooms, and a suite of guest bedrooms, with a large, well-finished bathroom.

The circular stairs, which by their very design form a striking feature of the home, curl gracefully up to another, quite lovely living area, encompassing a TV room with picture window, a feature stone wall and a double-facing large stone fireplace, which also faces into the billiard room and bar area. There is a small seating area for board games overlooking the lower floor, and another large terrace. The artisanal wood furniture of the bar, billiard table and games area has all been hand-carved into a matching suite of furnishings perfectly enhancing the curves of the rooms.

Also on the upper floor is the very elegant master bedroom suite, with a large en-suite marble porticoed bathroom including a bath flanked by columns. Here too are two further bedrooms, one with its own spacious balcony, and a smaller bedroom for guests or children, sharing a large and modern bathroom.

There is excellent road access from the river-side town of Sora, where can be found a wide range of restaurants, bars, cafes, shops of all types including designer labels, hairdressers and other facilities including small spas, gyms, etc., etc.

The entrance to the property is secured by remote-access electrically-controlled gates, which lead to a large paved courtyard and garage. Privacy is ensured by the attractively wooded sloping hillside above the property. Looking up the hillside from the home, one sees the iconic ancient church perched on the hillside high above Sora, dramatically floodlit at night, looking protectively over the town.

All utilities are connected including the central heating. All built-in furnishings are included in the sale price.

Energy classification G

SORA AND THE CIOCIARIA

Sora is one of the major towns in the area of Italy called the Ciociaria, the name given to the fertile land that lies south of Rome but north of Naples, situated inland in the hills in the heart of Italy.

The Ciociaria region 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 Arpino itself is temperate, 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 regional centre of Sora, or in the hilltop towns of Arpino, Veroli, Alatri 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.