Location and Surrounding Area. Villa Lavagna features breathtaking views across the sea and is nestled on the Santa Giulia hillside above the beach. Lavagna is situated between Portofino and Sestri Levante and is within the Cinque Terre Marine Protected Area, which is known for its outstanding beauty. The historical centre of this pretty town dates back to Roman times and offers some stunning architecture such as the recently restored medieval tower, the San Lorenzo cathedral, the Casa Carbone museum and the Palazzo Franzoni. Lavagna has the largest tourist harbour in Liguria and dedicates itself to all things nautical. Every summer, the nearby towns challenge each other to long-boat and canoe races in the traditional gozzi boats of the area.
Evocative Portofino is synonymous with la dolce vita of celebrity lifestyles and has attracted the rich, famous and artistically minded for decades. It is full of designer boutiques and an evening aperitif in the main piazza by the harbour is a must for the well-heeled. Fine wining and dining is guaranteed and the town has plenty of excellent bars and restaurants serving the traditional Portofino lasagna, focaccia breads and the locally made Giancu de Purtufin wine.
The coastline of the Cinque Terre is a dramatic display of rugged cliffs and five multicoloured villages perched and nestled on the precipices by the sea. The whole area is more or less a car free zone (but well connected with trains and ferries), which makes for spectacular walking in an unpolluted environment made up of magnificently terraced olive groves and vineyards. Legend has it that the houses are all painted different colours to enable the fishermen at sea to easily recognise their own home.
The city of Genoa boasts the raucous past found in many ports around the world. Genoa is affectionately known as La Superba, the Proud One and quite rightly so. Part of the old town, with its amazing labyrinth of narrow streets and unexpected piazzas, is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Seafaring Christopher Columbus was born here, as was the architect Renzo Piano. In fact, it was Renzo Piano who designed the complete restoration of the old port and transformed it into the area it is today; bursting with life, museums and various other attractions. It is the perfect place for taking a gentle stroll down to see the yachts or just to sit down and listen to the folk musicians busking in the Genoese dialect.
Genoa international airport is only a 45 minute drive from the property and there is a train station in Lavagna. The nearest beach is in Lavagna and only ten minutes away, Chiavari beach is a 15 minute drive, the Baia del Silenzio 20 minutes and the popular Moneglia beach is half an hour away. Sestri Levante is 20 minutes away and Portofino 40 minutes. Pisa is only an hour and half away and Milan is a 2 hour drive.
The Property. This magnificent villa offers the opportunity to relax and be pampered in the style of which you've always dreamed, that of revelling in the fully-staffed, 5 star hotel facilities that are available for the exclusive use of you and your family or friends. Between the six sumptuous bedroom suites and the elegant private restaurant, you won't need lift a finger for the whole of your stay. The property sleeps up to 14 guests and each suite is spacious, air conditioned and has either a king sized bed or a queen sized bed with a private bathroom. As a thoughtful extra, each bedroom has heavy curtains for guests who are looking forward to long lie-ins during their stay. The suites are all individually decorated to an exceptionally high standard and you're guaranteed to feel your best snuggled up to the superior quality bed and bath linen. Two of the suites are on the second floor, three on the first floor and one on the ground floor.
Villa Lavagna offers a generous continental breakfast, which is served between half seven and half ten every morning. You can just wander down when you feel ready and find piping hot coffee ready and waiting. You won't need to think about cooking lunch and dinner either, both are served at pre-arranged times in the dining room or otherwise feel free to dine al fresco on the terrace under a starlit sky. You'll also find a private bar and pool service to bring you that refreshing, afternoon fruit cocktail as you soak up the sun by the swimming pool or kick back in the outdoor jacuzzi.
The terraced gardens are a joy to behold and feature both immaculate lawns and scented Mediterranean style plants. There are plenty of shady corners with comfortable seating for curling up with a good book. Or why not book at massage in the privacy of your room or outdoors in the garden? There is a helicopter available to take you across to Portofino or a private boat to take you for a trip along the legendary Cinque Terre coastline.
| * Please note: the included amenities may vary according to final agreement, make sure to check your contract for complete list. |
