Villa Melinda
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Overview
Offering an idyllic getaway with glorious views of both the Gulf of Poets and the lush, Ligurian countryside is Villa Melinda. This renovated country farmhouse sits in an elevated position on an olive grove-dotted hillside, close to the famous Cinque Terre and just outside the town of La Spezia. Pathways near the villa make for long, peaceful walks through the hills.
Villa Melinda’s original features have been lovingly restored, creating a romantic, almost fairytale-like feel. Beautifully brought back to life are the wood beams, stone walls and brick archways that make this villa such a warm and restful place to stay. Just as magical is the rambling outside space that offers panoramic views of the sea and surrounding countryside.
The living room is a cosy place to relax and spend quality time with family and friends. Comfortable sofas sit alongside antique pieces of furniture and a flat screen television. There’s more antique charm in the form of the wood table and seats in the dining room, which also features a staircase to the first floor. The country-style kitchen is equipped with every amenity you could need and offers picturesque views over the terrace.
On the first floor is a double bedroom and one with two single beds. Both are peaceful and offer stunning sea views. The lovely family bathroom features a spacious shower for waking you up first thing in the morning or unwinding before bed. The remaining two double bedrooms are found on the second floor. They also have sea views and an en-suite bathroom each.
The most charming area outside is the terrace with a partially-covered area for enjoying al fresco meals. By the large dining table is a stone banquette area that’s perfect for pre-dinner drinks. Set within the immaculate lawns is a large, private swimming pool that’s surrounded by sun loungers. Found throughout are peaceful spots for appreciating the complete seclusion and the intoxicating scent from the garden’s beautiful plants and flowers.
Villa Melinda is ideally located for visiting the Cinque Terre, a string of five coastal villages that are full of authentic, fishing-community atmosphere. They are immediately recognisable by the pastel-coloured houses that nestle on rugged hillsides and cliff edges. The closest village, Riomaggiore, is a 30-minute drive away.
The port town of La Spezia is even closer, with its train station being 10 minutes away by car. Here you can catch services that take you to all of the Cinque Terre villages. Spend some time in the town to explore its historical attractions and lovely waterfront area.
What you should know…
- The staircase leading to the first floor is open and thus not suitable for small children or guests with mobility issues
- The villa has two entrances from the outside, so both floors can be easily accessed
- Some areas around the garden are elevated and uneven, so take extra care
- Please note that published rates are only valid for the current year. Any bookings for subsequent years will be on request only and correct rates will be confirmed at the time of booking
- Please note that your booking will only be confirmed once we have checked availability with the owner or their property manager
Property Features
The Villa
Ground Floor
- Living room with LED TV, DVD player and IPod docking station
- Fully-equipped kitchen with dishwasher and coffee machine
- Dining Room for up to eight guests
First Floor
- Double bedroom
- Twin bedroom
- Bathroom with double wash basin, shower and bidet
Second Floor
- Double bedroom with en-suite bathroom with shower and bidet
- Double bedroom with en-suite bathroom with Victorian-style bath tub and bidet
Outside Grounds
- Private infinity pool
- Sun loungers and deck chairs
- Covered terrace with comfortable stone banquette seating area
- Outdoor dining table
- Utility Room
- Parking
Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Stereo
- Air-conditioning (bedrooms only)
- Fans
- Heating
- Hairdryer in each bathroom
- Iron and ironing board
- Cot
- BBQ
- Board games
- Books
Location
About the surrounding area of Villa MelindaVilla Melinda is set on a hillside just outside La Spezia and there are plenty of long walks to enjoy via nearby pathways. After you’ve built up an appetite by taking in the fresh, country air, head out for an evening meal close by. The nearest restaurant is just 500m away, so you can easily walk there within 10 minutes.
If you’re feeling particularly active, you can decend along a nearby path that leads down into the town of La Spezia (6km), with the journey taking just under 90 minutes. Otherwise, it’s a short 15-minute drive into the town centre. La Spezia is a great place for a family day out. There are centuries of history to discover by exploring its various landmarks and buildings, including 13th century San Giorgio Castle. The waterfront is a lovely place to enjoy a stroll before having an evening meal at one of the many restaurants found here.
The train station (a five-minute drive away) at La Spezia offers services to all of the Cinque Terre villages. This means you don’t have to drive all the way there if you’d prefer a more leisurely route. It’s also a great way of mingling with both locals and other visitors - and it only takes 40 minutes to reach the final and northernmost village of Monterosso al Mare.
If you do want to drive to the Cinque Terre straight from the villa, the closest village is Riomaggiore. This village is most known for The Path of Love, which is a flat, clifftop trail that runs north towards Manarola. Monterosso al Mare is the place to go to enjoy a sandy beach, with Vernazza being considered the most beautiful village of all. All of the five villages feature pretty pastel-coloured houses that perch on dramatic hillsides and cliff edges, with a traditional fishing-community atmosphere to soak up.
The town of Sarzana is a 35-minute drive east of the villa and offers plenty of history and culture. It’s also very Tuscan in style, which isn’t surprising as it’s so close to the Ligurian border with Tuscany. Visit the old town to marvel at its medieval walls and defence towers.
| Local Amenities | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest Airport |
Pisa Airport
(85 km) |
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| Nearest Airport 2 |
Genova Airport
(100 km) |
||
| Nearest Town/City |
La Spezia
(6 km) |
||
| Nearest Restaurant |
(500 m) |
||
| Nearest Bar/Pub |
(500 km) |
||
| Nearest Supermarket |
(500 km) |
||
Kids
Best Suited For: All AgesKeeping children active and entertained is easy when you stay at Villa Melinda, with walking trails right on the doorstep. Drive into La Spezia and then take a ferry ride to the Cinque Terre. It’s the most scenic way to travel to this famous string of seaside villages and is definitely an unforgettable experience. You can also go on a boat trip out to Palmaria Island and explore its pebble beaches and hidden caves during the summer months.
The Cinque Terre village of Riomaggiore is home to a bird-watching centre and botanical garden, which are both very family-friendly spots. Monterosso al Mare boasts a lovely sandy beach that’s lapped by waters that are ideal for swimming.
Kids Activities Close-by
- Walk to Village
- Walk to Restaurant
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Outdoor Pursuit & Activities
- Tourist Towns & Villages
- Historical Sites
Onsite Facilities
- Board games
Services Available
- Chef/Cook Available
- Maid Service Available
Extras
Oliver's Extras
- Chef/Cook Available
- Maid Service Available
At Oliver’s Travels we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact the Oliver’s Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
- Maid service/extra cleaning
- Private chef/cook/catering
- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge
- Local day-trips or tours
- Airport pick-up/drop-off
- Bike hire
Extras included at this property:
- Gardener
Extras available at this property (payable locally):
- Private chef
- Sailing Tours
- Wine-tasting
- Boat/Yacht charter
- Massage Therapist
- Maid service/extra cleaning
- Private chauffeur
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!
Oliver's Travels Chef Service: A Gourmet Dining Experience
Make hosting a memorable dinner party at your villa an absolute breeze with our superb Chef Service. Our chefs will take care of everything for you from start to finish so you can just sit back and enjoy the gastronomic experience. They will bring all the necessary ingredients, cook and serve the food and even clean up afterwards. To find out more visit www.oliverstravels.com/chefs
| Security deposit | €500 paid in cash to the owner upon arrival and refunded upon departure, subject to full inspection. |
| Arrival time | 4.00 p.m. |
| Departure time | 10.00 a.m. |
Terms & Conditions
These terms and conditions may be amended from time to time.
| Security deposit | €500 paid in cash to the owner upon arrival and refunded upon departure, subject to full inspection. |
| Arrival time | 4.00 p.m. |
| Departure time | 10.00 a.m. |
| End of stay cleaning included? | Extra €200, paid locally upon arrival. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or garbage disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. |
| Linen & towels included? | Yes, including pool towels. |
| Energy costs included? | Yes. |
| Heating costs included? | Extra €180 per week (or €25 per day), paid locally. |
| Minimum stay | Four/five nights during low and mid seasons, five nights during high season and 7 nights during top season. |
| Changeover day | Saturday. All other changeover days on request. |
| Smoking Allowed? | Outside only. |
| Tax | Italian Visitors Tax payable locally in cash (typically costs €1-€3 per adult per night- please enquire if exact amount is required). |
| Insurance | Guests are required to be in possession of a valid insurance policy, which covers them for cancellations, personal belongings, personal liability and any accidental damage caused during their stay. |
| Other Ts and Cs | Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are on request only and subject to prior arrangement with the owner and additional charges. |
| Pets welcome? | Pets welcome on request only and with prior agreement with the owner. If accepted, a pet supplement of €10 per pet per day will apply (paid locally). |
| Other Ts and Cs | Please note that published rates are only valid for the current year. Any bookings for subsequent years will be on request only and correct rates will be confirmed at the time of booking. |
| Other Ts and Cs | Please note that your booking will only be confirmed once we have checked availability with the owner or their property manager. |
Rental Rates
Prices based on an occupancy of 8 people:
| Rental period | Weekly |
|---|---|
| Oct 4th 2023 - Jan 1st 2024 | £6,539 |
| Jan 1st 2024 - Apr 6th 2025 | £6,539 |
Please note that these prices/rates are a guide only and may not be correct at the current date. For an accurate quote, please enquire.
Reviews
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Little corner of paradise
5 dream days in a magnificent region and a very pleasant villa. The villa is a little corner of paradise: a rehabilitation full of charm and endowed with all the desirable comfort; the infinity pool is very welcoming; the terrace is perfect for breakfasts and evenings in the setting sun, taking advantage of the unique view over the bay of La Spezia. The villa is also ideally located for visiting the 5 lands. We even hiked from the villa on foot. For good walkers, it is therefore possible to do without a car: the station is accessible in 15 minutes by a shaded path, the hiking trails are within reach. Finally, we must salute the excellent reception of Sarah, who makes every effort to ensure an excellent stay on her property.
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Home away from home
This villa gives you the real local italian experience. Beautifully decorated, clean, comfortable and stunning views of La Spezia and the ocean. Sarah made us feel so welcome and we had enough time to see all the sights and also to relax with a bottle of wine at our home away from home!
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Not a generic holiday house
We had a great week at Villa Melinda and would love to come back. We were 6 adults and 2 children celebrating my mother's 70th, my youngest is 3, and the villa was a perfect base for us to take it easy but also do some exploring in the area. Things we appreciated were the authentic, rustic decor, you really get the feeling that the place has history and is loved, not a generic holiday house. The outdoor area is very good for both large meals and relaxed lunging, the big canopy provides a big shaded area which is great as it is hot. The view is beautiful, the furniture quirky, towels ample, kitchen well equipped and the owner very helpful. The spread of cheese, foccaccia and wine upon arrival was much appreciated as well as the cooking course she recommended and the boat trip we did. Tips for other travellers, get a rental car (not too wide as the driveway is very narrow), no toddlers as the staircase lacks balustrades, use the new car park in La Spezia as a place to park when you explore Cinque Terre, but get there before ten, and go to the amazing food market downtown early in your stay and top up a bit from the local store during your stay. Many thanks for a wonderful week, we would love to come back.
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Drop dead gorgeous!
My wife, 7 year old daughter and I just returned from a 2 week trip to Italy, with the final week being spent in the amazing and gorgeous Villa Melinda above La Spezia. Upon arriving we were welcomed with some local food and wine and shown around the very meticulously restored property. The house and the views are drop dead gorgeous and it has all the charm you would expect of a country villa plus a number of well thought out amenities, including an infinity pool that overlooks the port of La Spezia. Here is the practical breakdown: The location is a great home basest visit many areas from Portovenere, the Cinque Terra, Portofino and even to Florence. For foodies, there are options that are short drive away that we enjoyed greatly. Both the markets and local restaurant options. Having spent the previous week in 2 other rentals, I really appreciated the layout and equipment of the kitchen. The house is solid and well appointed. The electrical, water and wifi are very modern and very much appreciated for those who technology is important. Two or possibly three of the bedrooms had king sized beds and the sheets and pillows were all of good quality. The house is filled with what I assume are family portraits/paintings which give it a great feeling. There are great touches throughout, like candle holders in almost every room and a nice supply of tea lights. The views are the real star here - I took more pictures of the house and the views than anything else in the whole trip. The owner was very helpful with recommendations for food and trips, and helped us set up a beautiful private cruise in the Ligurian Sea. She was attentive and we honestly felt that she was concerned that we enjoy our stay. She's a native English speaker so communication for us was easy. She's also fluent in Italian and is a true local. I highly recommend this as a vacation rental and would, and likely will, stay there again.
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