Local Area

We have a lovely, spacious villa in Val di Comino, Italy, set in tranquil countryside, half way between Rome and Naples, with spectacular views of two mountain ranges and of the broad valley between them.

Villa Alberto sleeps 6 in three bedrooms and has a large, private garden.

The village, Pietrafitta, is quiet and off the beaten track. Shops, restaurants and other facilities are within a short drive.

It is away from city bustle and fumes, Villa Alberto, is set in tranquil countryside with clear air is ideal for a relaxing holiday.

The Village of Pietrafitta, is in the south-east corner of Lazio, Close to Abruzzo, Molise and Campania. Tranquil and off the beaten track.

The Villa is situated between Rome and Naples, at the foot of the Appenine Mountains, in the tranquil Val di Comino. It is away from tourist bustle and ideal for a relaxing holiday. There is plenty to do in the area and there are good restaurants and shops nearby. There are three excellent pools a few minutes away.

The Villa is an excellent base for a walking holiday. The Abruzzio National Park is a vast area of outstanding natural beauty, set high in the Appenine mountains. One of the biggest National Parks in Europe, its dramatic landscape includes isolated villages and resorts, beech and pine forests, flower filled alpine meadows, rocky mountain peaks and sparkling lakes. Wildlife includes chamois, eagles, bears and wolves. Visit pituresque Opi, Pescaseroli or Castel del Sangro. Go on a guided walk or get a map from the Park offices and explore it yourself.

Natural wonders below the mountains include the Pastena caves, with amazing stalagmites, stalactites and colonies of bats, beyond Cassino, and the falls of the river Liri and Lake Fibreno a bird sanctuary with a floating island near Sora.

For broad sandy beaches go to Gaeta or Scauri, well established family resorts about an hour away. A trip up the coast to the resort of Sperlonga offers the opportunity for a brief stop at my favourite roadside cafe, to eat salami with fresh bread and mozzarella on a cliff overlooking the bright blue sea, and another stop at Hadrian’s seaside villa where wonderful statues, found smashed in his fish ponds, have been pieced together and housed in a small museum.

The Abbey at Monte Cassino was completely rebuilt in the 1950’s, just as it had been before destruction in World War II. At 1,400 years old, it is one of Italy’s oldest monasteries. It is on the site of a prehistoric shrine whose walls are made of giant stones carved to fit each other precisely. There are also another 6 ancient abbeys and 6 castles in the area.

Caserta with its splendid palace and gardens, Naples, Herculaneoum, Pompeii and the Amalfi coast are 1.5 to 2 hours drive away and well worth visiting.

Nearby towns include Settefrati, San Donato, Atina, Villa Latina, Picinisco, San Biagio, Casalvieri, Casalattico, Alvito and Vicalvi. For the historically minded, who are able to do some research, there are at least half a dozen neglected castle in the valley itself, as well as ancient churches and pre-Roman remains.

Swimming Pools

There are three good pools within a mile or so. We have been to them all recently.
The one at GreenPark Hotel Tullio is immaculately clean, (the hotel is now owned by a pharmacist) has sparkling clear water, a magnificent backdrop of mountains, a shady end for when you want to be in the water, but not in the sun, a retractable awning for all year swimming, changing rooms, showers and toilets, and a snack bar. As it is next to the hotel, you can pop in there for lunch. It has a large children’s pool, 60 cms deep, as well as the main, 25m pool. It is off the main road, on the way to the villa. It charges 10 euros per person for the full day, 8 euros after 2PM, children under 12 – 8 euros per day, 3 euros after 2.

The second is called AquaPark. On the main road, it is busier. It has a much bigger area of sun loungers. Its children’s pool is slightly deeper and it also has a fun pool with slides, fountains etc. There is a snack bar, but other facilities are not quite so convenient as at GreenPark. Charges are similar but children under 10 are 6 euros in the afternoon.

The third called Harim, further down the road, is more elaborate still with two main pools, grassy areas to lounge in and games areas.

If you have small children, it may be preferable not to have a pool at your villa. These provide an economical alternative.