Nested in a garden of secular olive and fruit trees, very privately, on a breezy Hill ,Villarosa dominates mountains ,valleys and seas. Breath taking sunrise and sunset can be enjoyed from the various balconies and terraces of this idyllic villa. The first floor of very large dining room sitting room with a wood burning fireplace, and kitchen.it is air conditioned .the bathroom with walk-in shower bidet and pantry. The marble stairs lead you to the second-floor where tree-bedrooms , large sitting area the French bathroom with shower and bidet washing machine are.An outside marble staircase leads to to the third floor Terrace that commands 360° view of the Aspromonte Mountains, the valleys and the ionic sea. A private entrance surrounded by cast-iron gates .3 kilometers distance is the town of Gerace 2500 year famous for its many churches site of many concerts ,cobblestone roads and rich of shops ,of local artifacts,restaurants enjoyed by international tourists.
Archeological interest'the Magna Grecia': If interested arrange special tour of museum/actual archeological digs with professors, directors of museums can be arranged for.
Special visits to surrounding islands archelogical sightseeing can be arranged upon requests.
Gerace has over 2000 years of history.It was the site of many occupation tru the centuries, and all thoose civilizations left an imprint,including the Norman invasion that left behind the Norman castle.
Locri has a Greek anphitheather and to date performances under the stars are been given in its 2000 year od anphyteather.
The museum of Locri is well known and the center of interest of luminary personality.
Nearby Roccella hosts international jazz festivals.
The Ionian sea...the surroundings: the ionian sea is clean ,deepest blue and center of attraction for sea lovers of all ages...
Many 'Lidos' serve the clients with umbrellas ,loungers. refresments and lunch/ dinner on the water.
Some of the small restaurants have no set menus'They serve the catch of the day'.
The athmosphere is quiet and the beaches are not loud ,one can spend the day sailing,paddling ,motor boating
reading a book on the lounger ,eating on the rotonda 'Makes one feel like Onassis' as someone told me.
The Eolian islands, Sicily, are some of the many destinations within easy reach even one day escursions,
Palermo is really a jewel and is a must,along with Taormina,
Two days will take you to Erice tip of Sicily that overlooks Africa.
Scilla the site of Ulisse's boat wreck is near Reggio Calabria and is also rich of hystory and breathtaking beauty.
The food of the south: the local food is as good as it gets.
From the local gelato at Rinaldi's at the piazza del tocco in Gerace,to the fancy restaurant, the small trattoria, the pizza,the food is the delicacy and irresistible.
Do not eat too much of the appetizers, everything tastes so good you want to leave room for dessert;
Do not forget to sit out at nigth and have a granita,then sit by the 'Bombarde' the balcony to the world of Gerace
Perhaps it is the sun or the water or the ripeness of the fruit,butthe granita it is incomparable.
Strolling through the cobblestone of Gerace, it's a pleasure to grace through the barriers shops the most exquisite ceramics, linen, lace. At Christmas time the churches have live manger scene; they compete with each other and they are very artistic and unique. Famous composers performed concerts in the churches at Christmas creating an atmosphere that brings you back centuries after the concerts the most delicious hot chocolate takes away the chill.
Villarosa: gli interni
Sulla porta d’ingresso accoglie l’ospite l’arcaico sorriso di Persefone che, insieme con l’iscrizione incisa sul caminetto attiguo , ci ricorda che siamo immersi nell’ambiente della Magna Grecia, terra antica di grande ospitalità e cultura.
Si entra , quindi, sotto i buoni auspici della Dea che un tempo si credeva regolasse le stagioni, nell’ampio living room che presenta una grande e funzionale cucina, un lungo tavolo di cristallo per i pranzi e le cene in compagnia, una grande vetrina porta stoviglie, l’angolo per la lettura , due divani ( uno matrimoniale ed uno singolo) ed un lettino.The dish washer is present.
Accanto, in stile antica Roma , c’è un grande bagno con doccia e sanitari e, a fronte, un ambiente col lavatoio ed un lungo ripostiglio.
Salendo su per le scale fatte in pietra serena troviamo un largo spazio con tre camere da letto: una, con pareti a vetro satinato ed istoriato, contiene una grande scrivania insieme ad un letto in ottone ad una piazza e mezza. Accanto si trova la stanza padronale con letto matrimoniale in ferro battuto e romantico terrazzo che si affaccia sulla vallata di Antonimina e le prime propaggini dell’Aspomonte. C’è, infine, la camera degli ospiti con letto matrimoniale , sempre in ferro battuto, ed un lettino a sponde regolabili per i bambini.
Nel luminoso disimpegno, ancora un letto ( ad una piazza) e , a servizio di tutte la zona notte, un bagno con sanitari in stile vecchia Inghilterra , ampia doccia e, nascosti da due artistiche grate, i vani per la lavatrice e quanto possa occorrere per il bucato.
Dalla zona notte si sale poi sul magnifico terrazzo superiore dove, soprattutto nelle notti più luminose, sembra di potere toccare con mano l’ampia volta del firmamento che si stende solenne su tutto l’ambiente circostante comprendendo la verde collina , l’azzurro mare e la montagna viola.
Anche davanti al living room in basso c’è un ampio terrazzo munito di dondolo, sedie e tavolino in legno e ferro battuto per i pomeriggi e le mattinate dedicate alla tintarella o le serate in famiglia o con gli amici.
Non a torto un ospite canadese ha lasciato scritto nel libro dedicato ai pensieri dei “Guests” della villa che è inutile cercare altrove il Paradiso: esso si trova a portata di mano nella tranquilla, bella e confortevole dimora chiamata “Villarosa”.
Luisa Ranieri
