Anybody who publishes a list, for instance a Top ten list,, should answer a couple of good questions: why that number and why those things were chosen.In this case, answering the first question is easy. Obviously the choice of a number is definitely arbitrary and ten is an extremely small number for any task such as this, but it’s so well referenced from so remote time, that I can go right to use it. On the contrary, the 2nd question deserves more explanation. All the places below happen to be chosen considering a foreigner who would like to look for a home for leisure in Italy. I cared to prevent cities. I additionally avoided places so famous to become almost impossible, for example Cortina d’Ampezzo, Portofino, Chianti region, Amalfi, Capri and so forth. Everyone already knows these places, so adding these phones their email list could be of no assistance to the reader. I’ve selected the ten places below having in mind these two simple objectives: they had to become affordable (no stellar prices) and, overall, representative of the most frequent aspects of Italian territory. I really hope to have accomplished this task a minimum of simply. My true opinion is the fact that every choice of this sort should be taken with a bit of scepticism. Not even close to being definitive, it is just intended to arouse interest and stimulate further exploration..
Finally, this is actually the list of the websites. The warning signs of price you find in each description are dated 1sthalf 2010.
Val Aurina – Alto Adige
Cannobio – Lake Maggiore, Piedmont
Riviera del Brenta – Veneto
Varigotti – West Liguria Riviera
Suvereto – Tuscany
Todi – Umbria
Nemi – Castelli Romani, Lazio
Castellaneta Marina – Puglia
Cabras – Sardinia
Pantelleria – Sicily
Val Aurina – Alto Adige
Alto Adige (or South Tyrol), the region of the Dolomite mountains, has belonged to Italy since 1919, following the end of The first world war. Most people speak German, and a small minority speak the traditional language called Ladino. They are, the most ancient inhabitants from the valleys round the Sella Group,Val Aurina is easily the most northern valley in Italy: it begins in Campo Tures and expands to the borders with Austria. It’s not as famous as Gardena and Badia Valleys and perhaps it doesn’t welcome visitors with equally breathtaking scenery, but it provides a good advantage: moderate prices coupled with twelve month touristic facilities. During the cold months, you may enjoy two well- equipped areas for alpine skiing and two wonderful plateaus for cross-country skiing. In the summer, there’s a number of walks and trips of varying difficulty. The landscape is really a never- ending green expansion of meadows dotted with yellow and lilac alpine flowers and rows of towering conifers. In Campo Tures, typically the most popular and expensive site in the valley, costs are usually less than 4.000 euro / sqm. You should keep in mind that in Alto Adige housing market is subject to a special regulation which favours residential buyers: there are few houses for not residents which means you must be patient and quick to consider whenever a property is available. If you’re thinking about purchasing a rustic house or perhaps a maso (a conventional farm encompassed by trees and pasture) be ready to face a virtually impossible mission.
Cannobio – Lake Maggiore
Situated on the Piedmont side within the high part of Lake Maggiore, Cannobio is the last Italian city before the Swiss border. On the road from Vernabia to Cannobio, the charm of the lake constantly merges with the alpine landscape: you can see peacks greater than 3,000 meters literally rising from the water (Monte Rosa is no a lot more than 50 km far away). About the left side of the road, the valleys degrading towards the lake hide small villages keeping their traditions untouched. The original core of Cannobio, today known as the “Borgo”, is made of narrow streets encompassed by tall buildings, using the purpose to make it easier to protect the city from the enemies from the lake. The walk about the lakefront from the southern point called “Amore” (Love) for the beach (“Lido”), provides a view on the multicoloured row of buildings overlooking the river; most of them go as far back to 18thand 19thcentury. The porticos are home to little shops and caf�s. In the summertime, the beach is crowded with people sunbathing or swimming in the chilly waters from the lake. The inland Cannobina valley, populated by characteristic villages offers enjoyable trips towards the Val Grande National Park, the biggest wild area in Central Europe. The medieval hamlet of Carmime Superiore is remarkable using its gem of 14thcentury, the church of San Gottardo The buying price of a home ranges from 3,000 to 4,000 euros /sqm depending on the status and the position (the Borgo and lake-front are the most expensive zones). The costs for any country house in Cannobina valley are lower.
Riviera del Brenta -Veneto.
The Brenta Riviera is the area between Padua and Venice along river Brenta. This area is strongly characterized by the path of the river: from 16th to 18th century the rich Venetians were competing to construct the most luxurious villas about the green banks of the Brenta. The classic types of villa Foscari, in Malcontenta – created by Palladio – and villa Soranzo in Fiesso, the baroque style villa Widmann in Mira and villa Pisani in Stra – sumptuous residence from the powerful Pisani family – are just some examples of the many magnificent buildings of this golden age. The best Venetian sculptors and painters were called to brighten the villas and also the gardens. The proximity to Venice and Padua and also the transport facility supplied by the river, merged with the beauty of landscape and relaxing quiet from the rural environment, made this land eligible both for commerce and leisure. These special features are substantially lasting to this day. The ten little towns overlooking the Brenta Riviera (the bigger Mira, Dolo, Stra because the smaller Foss�, Vigonovo, Fiesso) provide good services and speedy links to Venice and Padua and therefore are encompassed by the greenery of a gentle landscape. You’ll find terraced or independent houses having a garden as well as country houses: the prices remain 2.000 euros per sqm. Demanding people can look for an ancient home or perhaps a “barchessa”, a historical Venetian rural building annexed to the villa. Not easy, not cheap, but not an impossible wish.
Varigotti – West Liguria Riviera
Varigotti is really a small village within the municipality of Finale Ligure, 40 km west of Savona, on the West Riviera (“Riviera Ligure di Ponente”). It is not famous as its renowned counterparts on the East Riviera: sites as Portofino, Santa Margherita, Tellaro. However it depends on probably the most pristine stretch of the Liguria coast. Saraceni Bay, the beach east of Varigotti, covered with the rocks, away from any building, is amongst the beautiful in Italy. The strategic and repaired position of the site was appreciated from an old time.Probably, before year 1000 the Turkish (called Saraceni in the local language) established here a set base, taking advantage of the natural harbour from the bay. The influence of Arabic architecture can still be gathered in some houses from the old hamlet, showing details unusual to Liguria buildings. The old hamlet is located between the Aurelia road and also the beach and it is doubtless probably the most valuable part of Varigotti. The houses while watching sea (once upon owned by the fishermen) form a coloured curtain about the sand beach and frequently the sea water involves lap the walls. The overlooking Punta Crena hill, with the ancient watchtower, dominates the village like a big cetacean. The inland consists of wild highlands covered by typical Mediterranean greenery and steep rock peaks, appreciated by climbers for training.A home in the old hamlet will cost no less than 7,000 Euros / sqm, much more if it is on the sea-front. On the interior, good solutions are available at a much lower price, often with spectacular views. Just take into account the difficulty of parking about the coast during the summer months.
Suvereto – Tuscany
The hill where the medieval village of Suvereto lies, in Cornia Valley, half a way between your two cities of Livorno and Grosseto in the border using the vast plain of Maremma, is dotted by cork oaks woods (here called “suvere”, from which the name of “Suvereto”). Around Suvereto, the corks oaks are mixed with olives and vines, the normal trees of Mediterranean landscape and across the slopes from the hill you discover everywhere small producers of oil and wine. The normal wine produced is really a quality dark wine produced from blending of the local Sangiovese grapes with international Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah. Don’t forget we are next to the vineyards of Bolgheri, wich offer their globally renowned wines such as Sassicaia and Ornellaia. The climate is mild, you are able to walk-through the corks and spy the deep blue of the wonderful Baratti Gulf. As numerous Italian villages set about the hills, Suvereto has mostly retained its medieval appearance. Within the ancient walls, the narrow streets paved with stones describe a circular path round the old 13thCentury castle (now being restored), on top of the hill. 1 / 2 of the three,000 residents live in the village, the remaining part reside in farmhouses or perhaps in the other small villages from the municipality (San Lorenzo, Montioni, Forni, Prata, Belvedere). The price for a terraced house in Suvereto goes from 2,000 to 3,000 Euros / sqm. There’s a good selection of farmhouses (here called “casali”), with increased or less large extension close to land: in this instance, expect paying no less than 500,000 euros.
Todi – Umbria
Todi enjoyed its moment of fame in 1992, when University of Kentucky professor Richard S. Levine chose it as being the model sustainable city. Then, it had been considered “the world’s most livable city”. Really, if you come here and walk round the city or travel the street to Orvieto with the green gentle slopes, you get the sense that things and nature possess a harmonious balance. It’s the same harmony that Bramante infused in the volumes of “Santa Maria della Consolazione” church, outside the walls, or that you could find at the heart of the city, on “Piazza del Popolo” (People Square), bounded at the opposite sides by the medieval buildings from the Cathedral and also the Priori Palace. Todi was founded in 8thcentury BC with the name of “Tutere” (Border) because it was at the border using the Etruscan kingdom. In 18thcentury a historian counted 365 castles, villas and fortified places in the municipality, so he wrote that Todi could boast to have one different castle for every day of the year. Nowadays, the 37 remaining castles spread on the hills constitute the villages of Todi municipality, among the largest in Umbria. The costs for any whole farmhouse about the hills or perhaps a flat inside the Todi walls or in a restored cottage are very appealing (from 1,000 to two,000 euros / sqm) and good solutions are not lacking.
Nemi – Castelli Romani, Lazio
Castelli Romani (literally: Roman Castles) are the historical villages on the slopes of Alban Hills (Colli Albani), several kilometres south-east of Rome and Fiumicino airport. The volcanic origin of Colli Albani is testified through the two big craters on top of the hills, now the place to find two picturesque lakes (Lago Albano and Lago Nemi). Throughout the centuries, Colli Albani have always been a peaceful retreat for Rome rich residents (for instance, Castelgandolfo hosts a magnificent papal residence): a lot of their ancient villas and palaces can still be admired all over the area. Nowadays, Castelli Romani are a favourite place to go for the Sunday trips of Rome inhabitants, and are well-known for their genuine products, for example white wines (Frascati is the most famous), strawberries, peaches and fish from the lakes. Nemi, hidden on top of the hill, overlooking the river, may be the smallest of Castelli Romani and goes famous for its delicious strawberries. The village is dominated by the big tower of Ruspoli Palace. The legend says that here is the cause of the Roman Empire: Romolo, the first Roman King, may be the son of a Vestal Priestess, Rea Silva, probably resident in Nemus Arcinum, the village which today is Nemi. Flats and country houses are on sale at about 3.000 euro/sqm.
Castellaneta Marina – Puglia
The village of Castellaneta Marina, in the municipality of Castellaneta, was founded within the 60s following the drainage from the area, having a purely touristic purpose. Actually, it is mostly composed by villas fully immersed in the pinewood. It’s curious that the names of the streets mention the Moon geography and the American and Russian spacemen, recalling the space voyages in the duration of its foundation. The dunes behind the beach (increasingly more rare about the Italian coast because of urbanization) are handled by an average low shrubbery. Despite the strong tourism, the long sandy coast continues to be largely uncontaminated and also the sea is warm and clean. Behind the beach and the pinewood the vast Metaponto Plane lies, home to ancient colonies of Magna Graecia (the archaeological area is near Metaponto, where Greek philosopher Pythagoras is said to have lived). About the coast, residences, resorts and sea establishments alternate with stretches of public sea (the nearby Riva dei Tessali hosts one of the best courses in Italy). About the interior, distant about 20 km away, the town of Castellaneta, perched about the crest of a mountain, overlooks an amazing canyon more than 100 meters high. With the old white town and the baroque buildings, this gem really worth a trip. You can find a good house surrounded by the aromas of Castellaneta Marina pinewood at a not daunting price: 2,000 – 3,000 Euros / sqm.
Cabras – Sardinia
Far from the splendor of luxurious Costa Smeralda, about the Sardinia west coast, Sinis peninsula and Oristano Gulf are an area of great natural and scenic interest, already known by Punic and Phoenician many centuries BC. Punic probably founded the village of Tharros, in the southern promontory of Sinis peninsula, before 1000 BC, and exploited the fertile ground and the sheltered bay. Cabras was founded in 12thcentury by the residents of Tharros who were escaping from North-African pirates invasions. It lies on the shore of the largest pool of brackish water in Italy (“Stagno di Cabras”) one of the largest in Europe, natural habitat of pink flamingos along with other typical water birds. The coast of Sinis peninsula is uninhabited for large stretches and it is home to beaches of great beauty, quiet and not crowded. The most famous, “Is Arutas” beach, hundreds of meters long, looks white shining due to the sand consisting of small white and pink rounded quartz grains. “San Giovanni di Sinis” beach, next to Tahrros ruins, overlooked by an ancient watchtower, is long four km and is seen as a our prime accumulations of sand brought on by the west wind. From Capo Mannu, about the northern side from the peninsula, you are able to reach the uninhabited “Mal di Ventre” Island (literally: stomach ache, but the Italian name is a corruption of local name Maluentu, i.e. bad wind), a flat extension of Mediterranean vegetation and charming coves. The Sinis peninsula has not yet were built with a full tourist development and house prices in Cabras are low (from 1,000 to 1,500 Euros / sqm), however the most interesting solutions are outside the town, and prices increase with proximity to sea.
Pantelleria – Sicily
Half way between Sicily and Africa coast, Pantelleria Island is among the most southern spot of Italy. It’s the largest of minor Sicily islands, with a population of about 7,000. Here, the Mediterranean reveals its strongest colours and it is harshest nature: the strong character of the island has fascinated celebrities such as Sting and Madonna. The coasts of lava rock are high and jagged (a trip by boat is required): the famous elephant trunk – an arch of rock ending in the sea – is the symbol of the island. The inland is characterized by a number of wild caper (fragrant Pantelleria Capers, now mainly cultivated) and vineyards of Muscat and “Zibibbo” grapes which give the fine delicious “Passito di Pantelleria”. Citrus trees were imported by Arabs, who carefully protected them from winds by high drywalls. The island, referred to as “Child of Wind” by the ancient Arabic inhabitants, may be the residual of a giant volcanic crater surrounded by 24 smaller ones. Their activity is still visible in the many thermal sources, natural saunas and steam flowing in the stones, which are a type of free open SPA. The “Specchio di Venere” (Venus Mirror) is a small lake springing from an underground sulphurous source, where you can take a regenerating bath. Because of the dry climate and volcanic origin, drinking water is really a rare good overall island: it’s distributed weekly by trucks bringing it to the various districts. The typical house of Pantelleria is known as “Dammuso” and has an Arabic origin. It’s a cubic farm building made of lava stones with round arch openings to counter the heat along with a white dome roof to collect the rainwater. Dammusos would be the most requested and most expensive homes about the island. You can find a Dammuso (even ancient) in an idyllic position, having a garden enclosed by high circular drywalls at the starting price of 4,000 euros / sqm. For any terraced house, the price is all about 2,500 euros / sqm.