Casa Olivia, Serramonacesca, Abruzzo

Home description

Visiting Serramonacesca is like stepping back in time. Nestled in the foothills of the Maiella mountains the house is just 20 minutes from a ski resort and 40 minutes from the sea. With two bars and a famous abbey, it is so Italian you expect Al Pacino to walk by any minute, humming that tune... Still relatively undiscovered by The Brits (unlike Tuscany), we have been overwhelmed by the warmth, generosity and friendliness of the local people.

Casa Olivia is in the tiny hamlet of Garifoli, about half a mile from the village of Serramonacesca. It is detached and very tranquil. It comfortably sleeps 7 people with three bedrooms. Recently completely renovated, we have worked hard to retain the character of this ancient stone property that once housed the curate of the famous San Liberatore Abbey. The floors are stone and terracotta; there are wooden ceilings and newly fitted shuttered windows. There are three bedrooms, one family shower room and one en-suite bathroom. Two of the bedrooms have a double bed, one has two/three single beds. The kitchen is newly fitted, with built in fridge, freezer, gas hob and electric oven and there is a washing machine and gas central heating.

There is a characterful dining room and the living room has an open log fire, a DVD player and a selection of DVDs and a door that opens onto the terrace.

Serramonacesca

Serramonacesca is a pretty village with two bars, two general stores, a butchers and a pharmacy. In the Summer there are numerous festivals with concerts and events in the village square.