This magical villa in the heart of Elba’s Portoferraio bay welcomes up to 8 travelers. The 19th century house, fully renovated by an Italian architect, offers a unique mix of design and timeless comfort.
Space
The ground floor of Casale opens onto a garden surrounded by an olive grove. It is an open space with a beautiful view of the bay of Portoferraio.
The teak wood platform with a jacuzzi for 6 people is located at the foot of the centuries-old pinewood.
Inside, the living room is organized with a table for 10 people and some sofas.
On the ground floor there is also a guest bathroom.
The kitchen has an equipped island and a large table for 10 persons which overlooks a patio ready for outdoor meals.
The first floor has 4 double rooms. All rooms are equipped with an en suite bathroom and AC. 2 rooms face onto the bay; the other 2 have independent terraces.
Guest access
They are available exclusively for guests: the main house of 250 sqm, the garden including the Jacuzzi area, parking for 5 cars.
The owner lives in a separate apartment on the west side of the building.
Housekeeping staff can access the outdoor areas by agreeing to the hours with the guests.
Wi-fi is available everywhere.
Each room comes with linen embroidered and Egyptian cotton bath linen.
Other things
The Casale is something more than a vacation spot: spaces, furnishings, services reflect personal experiences and the sensitivity of the owners. Guests are kindly requested to treat them with care and respect.
Guests are also kindly invited not to touch the art pieces. We thank you in advance and much appreciate your understanding.Parties can be organized only for the guests of the house. It is allowed to smoke only in the outside spaces, but it is forbidden to throw bugs into the woods.
Children can access the spa area if accompanied by an adult.
Pets are allowed, subject to express prior permission from the owner.
The villa is about 100m away from a road, nightime is however very quiet.
I was born and bred in Lyon, France, where I lived until I was 22 years old. I then moved to Italy, where I have lived on and off for 40 years, and Thailand, my other chosen homeland for now over 30 winters.
After having spent a long period in the Northern Italian city of Bologna, I had the lucky opportunity to buy a beautiful country villa on the Elba Island with two other friends, and I ended up making it my home. We restructured it and decorated it to reflect my biggest passions and interests: the East of the World, travelling, art and interior design.
Actually in summer time, I share this place and its unique vibe with travellers looking for a soothing and rejuvenating staying close to nature and to the beautiful Elba sea.
The villa is located in San Giovanni, a few kilometres away from Portoferraio, where mainland ferries land.
Sports: the house is walking distance from: a rental boat, a diving centre, a sailing school, a stadium with running tracks, three tennis courts, two Padel courts, a fitness trail within San Giovanni’s thermal area, and, a little 4km further away, the Elba nine-hole golf club.
Restaurants: the house is walking distance from two traditional “trattorie” located in San Giovanni where is possible to order freshly prepared meals.
Grocery&co: supermarkets are open seven days a week. The closest is only one minute away.
Getting around
Beaches:
The island owes its charm to the numerous beaches, cliffs and coves. Elba boasts a wide variety of beaches, ranging from the classic sandy beaches, to gravel, pebble, and rock beaches.
From the villa, you can easily drive to several popular locations: going north you can reach the stunning white-sand beaches of Sansone and Capobianco, and going south there are the beautiful beaches of Barabarca and Zuccale. A little further south past Barabarca, you can reach the magical beach of Punta Calamita.
You’ll find a beach-specific travel guide in the house that you can browse at any time.
However, its inland offers equally beautiful views thanks to its chestnut- and oak-trees mountains (great for hiking and trekking), while the characteristic coastal villages showcase its layered history. Elba was in fact colonized as early as the 7th century BC by the Etruscans, followed by the Roman civilisation two centuries later, due its iron- and granite-rich mineral deposits. In the 16th century, it was taken over by the Medici dynasty, which also fortified the capital Portoferraio.
But Elba's most relevant historical figure has been Napoleon Bonaparte, who exiled here in May 1814 after abdicating the French throne and governed the island for little less than a year, leaving a much longer and deeply rooted on its future identity.
Languages spoken: English,French,Italian,Thai