In Italy Online - Villa Giardino di Amalfi

One day, we were driving along the famed Amalfi Coast road when we looked up and saw a hilltop estate that stopped us in our tracks. There are not many dream homes like this along the coast, but most of those that do exist are owned by families who have no need or inclination to rent them to visiting strangers. So we were astonished when our local colleagues told us this incredible luxury villa is available to our readers! We immediately changed all our plans and took a tour of the property. On closer inspection, it turned out to exceed even our most optimistic hopes. If you've been promising yourself a dream vacation for some time now, call up six friends or gather your extended family about you and head for Villa Giardino di Amalfi, where you will experience the very best that this utterly beautiful part of the world has to offer.

When you round the bend and open your private electronic gate (with video intercom), you will park as many as three cars in the secured driveway and ascend 19 steps to the main floor of the 2700-square-foot air conditioned villa. Immediately you are in the spacious living room, where two large French doors lead to the first of many panoramic terraces and gardens totaling 11,000 square feet. Here you will find a wrought-iron dining set placed before one of the best Amalfi Coast views we've ever seen; there are also two side terraces here which offer different views. Back inside the sunny living room, there are several large sofas, a glass table, a bar, a decorative marble fireplace, and an entertainment center with satellite TV, CD player and Italian DVD player. Next door is the eat-in kitchen, which opens onto one of the side terraces furnished with a dining table and chairs shaded by pine trees, a mature bougainvillea and an awning. Here another panorama will delight you as you dine. The equipment in the brand-new kitchen includes four gas burners, an electric oven, dishwasher, full fridge/freezer, microwave and all the small appliances you'd expect, as well as plentiful dishes and cookware. This floor of the villa is completed by a laundry room with two washing machines and ironing facilities, a bathroom with stall shower, and a hallway to a large bedroom with queen bed, daybed and French doors onto another terrace with sea views, plus an en suite bathroom with a large stall shower.

The other bedrooms are upstairs, reached either by 20 steps or -- wonder of wonders! -- an elevator. The master bedroom has a queen bed and en suite bathroom with stall shower and separate whirlpool tub. The other two bedrooms each have two twins or one queen bed and a door to a terrace with sea views, and they share a hall bathroom with stall shower. In this villa, each bedroom has satellite TV and telephone, as well as individual a/c controls; each bathroom has a hair dryer. DSL Internet access is also available.

From this floor you will take the elevator (or an outdoor staircase of 45 steps) up to yet another spacious terrace, beautified by potted plants and more unforgettable views. From here, 21 steps lead up to heaven, which in this case is the upper terrace and its 50x20-foot swimming pool (open May 10-October 25, 2008). To complete this level are two outdoor showers, a covered dining area, a charcoal barbecue, and a bar.

2008 prices include: all taxes, services, electricity, air conditioning, heating, two sets of linens per person, 25 hours of cleaning (5 hours/day Monday-Friday), final cleaning
2008 optional extras: food delivery, meal preparation and service, babysitting, high chair, 52 Euro/week for baby cot and linens

Access to the property is via a remote-controlled gate on the road level, opening onto the parking area for three cars.

Amalfi (bars, shops, banks, and post office) is 2.5 km, Ravello 5 km, Sorrento 40 km, Salerno 25 km, Positano 25 km, Naples airport 60 km. The nearest beach is 1.5 km away, down a hillside with 180 steps carved into the rock. During the summer months there is a bar, and umbrellas and chairs are rented. There are also three other beaches within 6 km that can be reached by car or bus. The bus stop is 200 yards from the house and takes you to Amalfi (10 minutes) or Ravello (10 minutes). Ferries and hydrofoils ply daily during summer months from Amalfi to Capri (1 1/2 h.), Positano (20 min.), Ischia (2 1/2 h) and Salerno (1 h.).

Check-in: 3-8pm
Check-out: 10am
Refundable security deposit: 1500 Euro paid in Euros cash or double-signed travelers checks

Click here for information about regular boat service between Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Agropoli and Cilento.

Weekly Rates for 2008 (for the villa)
Jan. 5-May 3 Sept. 27-Jan. 3, 2009	4546.00 EURO
May 3-31	5734.00 EURO
May 31-July 5 Aug. 23-Sept. 27	7437.00 EURO
July 5-Aug. 23	8089.00 EURO