Holiday home Fat­toria Santo Ianni

Sitting on one of the ter­races of Fat­toria Santo Ianni, nestled in the hills at the foot of the Apen­nines, thou­sands of fire­flies light up the huge garden on summer evenings. A natural spec­tacle that con­tinues at sunrise, as the view over the Santo Ianni valley to the Adriatic coast is spec­ta­cu­larly beau­tiful.

The ori­ginal small farm­stead, con­sisting of various stone buil­dings, dates back to 1927 and has been trans­formed by the owners, in close col­la­bo­ration with local archi­tects and craftsmen, into accom­mo­dation for small groups of friends and families. The tra­di­tional archi­tecture of the region served as a model, com­bined with modern ele­ments such as con­crete and con­tem­porary design. Nothing seems intrusive or con­trived; rather, the result is an interplay of dif­ferent time periods, styles and mate­rials.

The south-facing pro­perty con­sists of two stone buil­dings grouped around a central terrace. The kitchen in the main house, with its bread and pizza oven and large dining table, is another social hub. Adjacent to this is the living room with lounge and fire­place and the two double bed­rooms of the main building, which are con­nected by a unique bathroom: a former stable that has been subtly upgraded with modern com­forts.

The annex, which con­sists of several small indi­vidual houses, is spread out in tiers across the ter­raced grounds and accom­mo­dates two further bed­rooms with two single beds.
White­washed walls, natural stone floors, wooden cei­lings, wea­thered doors and rustic pat­terned tex­tiles lend an authentic touch to all rooms. This is com­bined with con­tem­porary design that blends seam­lessly into the scenery yet creates a modern con­trast – such as the pink, free­standing wash­basin in front of the open quarry stone wall or the clear con­crete steps and elegant flo­oring beneath the old cellar vault.

Follow the steps through the Arcadian garden with its cherry, fig and pome­granate trees, olive grove and wild vege­tation to reach a 15-metre salt­water pool for morning laps and summer refreshment. The private forest behind the house also pro­vides shade, where you can observe red kites, por­cu­pines, foxes and many other animals. A simple, idyllic retreat for those seeking peace and quiet and nature lovers, offering pleasant comfort and a varied pro­gramme in every season. The small village of Palmoli with its medieval castle is nearby, the sea is only a short trip away, and the beauty of Abruzzo with its extensive forests, rushing rivers and small stone vil­lages is right on your doorstep.

What to do

Hiking (either locally or in one of the three nearby national parks), swimming, bathing and relaxing by your own pool or on the beaches (the coastal towns of Vasto, San Salvo and Termoli are approx. 30 to 45 minutes away), excursions to the surrounding mountain villages or archaeological sites, wildlife watching, enjoying the cuisine and wines of Abruzzo.

Why we like this house

Genuine casualness: a place hidden away in beautiful natural surroundings, full of traditions and original architectural features.

This house is great for

Groups of friends and families seeking peace and quiet and nature in a region that is fairly unexplored by tourists; pets are also allowed.

Sustainability

With the exception of concrete, the house was built using regional, sustainable materials that were reused wherever possible. There is an electric charging station at the house and in Palmoli. Public transport: the nearest larger towns, Vasto and San Salvo, are easily accessible, but local transport connections to Palmoli and the house are limited, so a car or a good mountain bike is recommended.

Owner

Paul Busschots and David Geer bought the house together with two other friends and renovated it themselves under Paul's architectural direction. The group of four lives in Antwerp, but spends much of the year outside the high season at their second home in Abruzzo, hiking, exploring the region and enjoying country life. This has already led to close ties and friendships with the local community. With around two hundred olive trees, the group of friends even produces its own olive oil.

Details

Availability calendar

The calendar shows the current availability of the accommodation. On days with white background the accommodation is still available. On days with dark gray background the accommodation is not available.

Request/Booking