The Apartment at Casa Francesca

Set in a stunning medieval hillside village with views across the rolling valleys and sea, Casa Francesca is the perfect embodiment of an escape to Southern Italy; winding cobbled streets, wine on a candlelit terrace, olive groves and lemon trees as far as the eye can see. Boasting a cosy living space with small galley kitchen and open fire, the star of the show is the bedroom; set in an incredible, domed cantina - restored to its original beauty with a shower room of wood, marble and stone. The apartment is entirely self-contained and equipped with everything you need for a comfortable and elegant stay. Our small galley kitchen is equipped with single hob, oven, fridge and Lavazza coffee maker – as well as all the pots, pans and implements you need to knock up a rustic Italian feast. Enjoy a bite of antipasti across the breakfast bar, or take your espresso onto the Juliet balcony to gaze across the mountains and sea. In the evening, curl up on our comfy armchairs with a glass of wine (and a bowl of olives…) and warm yourself by the fire. You can pick a book from our little library, or watch TV on our large screen, connected to a tablet that gives access to Netflix, YouTube, and most major media apps. When it’s time for bed, the bedroom can be set up as a double or two singles, and one of the comfy chairs upstairs folds down into a small bed. We’ve done everything we can to make sure you have a comfy night; elegant white bedding, mattress topper and thin or heavy duvets according to the season. We’ve provided toiletries, fluffy towels and a hairdryer – you’ll be well-placed to get yourself glamorous for a night out exploring the enchanting atmosphere of Badolato’s winding streets and open piazzas. Whilst the apartment is entirely self-contained, it is also attached to a much larger house, where all of our family like to spend time over the course of the year. When we’re around we’ll be very excited to share our knowledge and tips with you and do everything we can to ensure that your stay is comfortable and relaxed. If we are in the house, you’ll also have access to laundry services by prior arrangement. If we’re not in Badolato though, fear not, we’ve made arrangements to ensure you have everything you need. We’ve written a guestbook full of all the information we think you’ll need; restaurants, transport, sightseeing – all the insider info. You’ll also be able to call our liaison Anastasia, possibly the smiliest, friendliest person we know – and she’ll be the perfect point of contact to solve any issues you might have. We really don’t want to write too much here, because the joy of Badolato is discovering it for yourself. Set on the side of a mountain, if you turn left you’ll be up in the cool of the forest, but turn right and you’ll be on the beach in ten minutes (or you can meander down the hill for an hour on foot through the olive groves and orchards). If you stay in the village, you can spend hours wandering through tiny cobbled streets, exploring the 13 churches, and marveling at the old ruins. Be warned though – whilst access to the house is straightforward, the rest of the village is set on a steep incline, so exploring might be more difficult for those with limited mobility. The village is very seasonal; sometimes thriving and vibrating with people, energy and music, sometimes languorous, relaxed and tranquil, with only Italian Nonnas to keep you company. There is one shop and two bars open all year round, but access to larger shops just a ten minute drive away. In season, there is also the most incredible gelataria, plus five fantastic restaurants right in the village. Off-season, we’ll still be able to point you towards some great places to eat outside of the village. We’re located roughly an hour’s drive from the main airport (Lamezia Terme) and a large train station with connections to Rome and Naples. We generally suggest getting a rental car as it’s the quickest and easiest way to transfer from the airport (and gives you more flexibility during your holiday), though buses, taxis and a train to the Marina (ten minutes away) are also possible. Connections between Badolato and the marina on the coast are possible by bus, roughly five times a day (though not on Sundays). The village is 90% pedestrian access only, so parking is on the main piazza of the village, which is a four minute walk from the house.