Property 1605885706 - RAVELLO
6 Bedrooms
Location and Surrounding Area
This superb villa is snuggled into the clifftop right above the sea, just like its name The Swallow's Nest, and has seen more than its fair share of celebrities pass by. From the 1970s onwards, this villa was the private home of the American writer Gore Vidal for more than thirty years and has hosted a long list of famous guests such as Paul Newman, Any Warhol, Mick and Bianca Jagger, Tennessee Williams, Bruce Springsteen, Princess Margaret of England, Italo Calvino, Giovanni Agnelli and Sting to name but a few. But it wasn't just Gore Vidal to have plenty of visitors, Property 1605885706 was built in 1927 and owned by the Englishman Lord Grimthorpe, who also owned nearby Villa Cimbrone. The two properties shared the same fir and cypress filled parkland and Lord Grimthorpe's daughter took over Property 1605885706 as a place to host dinner parties for illustrious guests from the world of art, music and culture. Local legend has it that the builders working on the construction of Property 1605885706 had to work hanging from ropes along the cliff face. Today the Villa hosts film shoots and dream weddings.
The town of Ravello sits at 350 metres above sea level and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site offering unforgettable architecture and cultural events amid scenic beauty. The 11th century Cathedral and Villa Cimbrone are magnificent and a summer music festival is held each in the year in the gardens of the 13th century Villa Rufolo. D.H. Lawrence wrote a good part of Lady Chatterley's Lover here and the town has been frequented over the years by the likes of Greta Garbo and Winston Churchill.
Positano has been home to intellectuals, artists and the international elite, who have wandered up and down the picturesque labyrinth of stone steps and pastel-coloured houses for centuries. The town today offers sophisticated shopping, charming restaurants, breathtaking views, several glamorous beaches and juicy lemons in every shape and form! Meandering through the arches and passageways, you'll find local shoemakers who will make
you a pair of customized sandals and the majolica tiled dome of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta can be seen from almost every corner of the town. Villa Oleandri is just a couple of minutes away on foot from the church. Just off the shore of Positano are three tiny islands, Li Galli or as some people call them, Le Sireneuse. Legend has it that they were once inhabited by Parthenope and other enticing sirens who seduced passing sailors with their song. The world famous ballet dancer, Rudolf Nureyev purchased the islands and spent the last years of his life here. The delights of Positano and nearby Amalfi have inspired artists, writers and lovers for centuries and the Kennedy's were regular visitors to the area in the early 1960s. The higgledy-piggledy, white-washed houses, the winding steps and sophisticated shops and restaurants all combine to create an exceptionally chic atmosphere.
Sorrento is a magnificent holiday destination, surrounded by dramatic cliffs and overlooking the twinkling lights of the Bay of Naples. Mount Vesuvius can be seen towering over the city of Naples on the other side of the water. The town itself is a full of fun and offers a labyrinth of pretty streets selling speciality lace, leatherwork, inlaid wood and delicious local limoncello.
Following the private, treelined avenue, Property 1605885706 is within easy walking distance from Ravello. Amalfi is a twenty minute drive away and the drive along the magical Amalfi Coastline to Positano will take you about an hour. Sorrento is over the other side of the hill and takes just over an hour. The nearest international airport is in Naples and takes about an hour. A trip to Mount Vesuvius and the archeological sites at Pompeii and Herculaneum will take you about an hour.
The Property
The accommodation and terraces at Property 1605885706 cover more that 1000m2 and there are nearly three hectares of landscaped gardens and parkland. The property sleeps up to twelve guests in six magnificent suites, each one with sweeping views across the Mediterranean sea. The villa has recently been restored to create an elegant ambience where one feels immediately at home. The furniture and artwork are of an exceptionally high standard and all of the en suite bathrooms feature chromotherapy. The rooms are all air conditioned to ensure maximum comfort during the torrid days of summer and two of the suites have a Jacuzzi cut into the rock.
The living areas are all spacious and offer splendid panoramas. You'll really feel as if you arrived somewhere special as you sip a glass of chilled wine and gaze out over the water in the evenings. The swimming pool also overlooks the water and the poolside area is fully furnished to guarantee a Mediterranean suntan.
| * Please note: the included amenities may vary according to final agreement, make sure to check your contract for complete list. |
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