Apartment Rental Overview
Sulmona, Abruzzo, Italy
8 Bedrooms 8.5 Bathrooms Sleeps 16/19 |
No Pets Allowed
No Smoking Allowed
Not Wheelchair Accessible
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Current Specials
Earn discounts for longer stays and enjoy more value for your money!
- Rent one week at our normally low rates.
- Rent two weeks and save 5% off both weeks.
- Save 10% on rentals of three weeks or more.
If you would like to book a rental, please call Parker Villas at:
United States or Canada: 800-280-2811
United Kingdom: 0800 032 1704
All other countries: +1-781-596-8282
Property Information
Cuoco d'Oro means golden cook. It is a coveted award bestowed on Italy's best chefs. The fact that Filippo, a well respected Boston chef was recognized by the Italians as a Cuoco d'Oro was no small feat. But then, nothing Filippo does is ever small. This home bears witness.
Upon revisiting his ancestral Sulmona, Filippo purchased one of the city's oldest palazzi, built in 1260 and immediately embarked on a painstaking restoration. To the amazement of architects and local historians, the same Roman aqueduct that was thought to end in the city's main square continued arching right through Filippo's property. As craftsmen toiled to free these ancient arches, a stone shield emblazoned with the 800 year old crest of King Manfredi, ruler of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilys, came to light.
The restoration is complete, and the royal seal is proudly visible once again, adorning the dining room of Cuoco d'Oro. The aqueduct that runs through the house forms the walls of two rooms and is stylized as a backdrop for the heated, Roman plunge pool in the atrium.
Chef Filippo's success as a restaurateur is due in part to a simple creed: "Provide the best possible quality at a reasonable price and they will come." Anna, the chef's American born wife has been instrumental in applying the same philosophy to this home. Together, here is what they have accomplished.
Gleaming marble floors and hand painted high ceilings frame eight spectacular bedrooms each with its own en suite bath with a built-in, heated towel rack and hair dryer. Air conditioning is throughout the entire home. There's a washer and a dryer, satellite television, wireless Internet connection for laptops at no charge, a CD player and a compact, well equipped kitchen.
Two hours of mid week maid service are included in the price. Meals, cooking classes and additional maid service may be requested when booking. A walking tour of Sulmona's artistic sites or a hike to the hermitage of Pope Celestine V may be arranged with the city's prominent art historian and master artist - an intimate introduction to this lively city.
Sulmona is a fascinating city, rich in pageantry, history and artistic treasures. It is known as the Siena of the Abruzzi. The city's Palio, La Giostra Cavalleresca, is the oldest in Italy. It is a medieval jousting tournament that takes place the last weekend in July on the other side of your aqueduct. If you are fortunate enough to come at a time when Filippo and Anna manage to get away from Boston - their separate apartment is on the top floor - they welcome you to enjoy the views of the city's main square from their panoramic rooftop terrace.
Parking is where you can find it around the piazza or in a paid lot, 200 yards away. Your door opens to the main square and just outside are a number of restaurants, cafés, gelaterie, bakeries, grocers, butchers, including two on the floor below and a few jewelry shops; one is a school for goldsmiths. There's an outdoor market on both Wednesday and Saturday and an antiques market every second weekend of the month. Sulmona's colorful, candy coated almonds are found everywhere.
Within 20 minute drives are the undiscovered medieval villages of Patrola Peligna, Popoli and Pacentro, Madonna Ciccone's ancestral home; Roccaraso's ski slopes: 30; Chieti: 40; Scanno's hiking trails, lake and filigreed gold: 45; the Adriatic beaches of Francavilla al Mare: 50; L'Aquila or Ortona: 60; Tivoli: 75; Isernia: 80; Rome or Terni: 120.
Buses depart from Sulmona for Rome six times a day and take two hours each way.
Additional Rate Information
Weekly rates range from $4,685 to $7,050.
A two hour mid week cleaning is included. Heating, electricity, firewood and phone calls are payable on-site in Euro.
Availability Calendar
Availability for this Property is located at the following website:
http://www.parkervillas.com/villas/villadetails.cfm?sid=90461520081230101139&villa_ID=6158&occ=19&year=2009
Other Availability
Year Round Italy Vacation rentals
Property Amenities
Furnishings/Luxuries Air Conditioning | Fireplace | Heating | | Linens Provided |
Appliances| Dishwasher | Dryer | Full Refrigerator | | Grill/BBQ | Iron | Ironing Board | | Microwave | Stove | Washer | |
Electronics| CD Player | Satellite TV |
Recreation/Activities| Biking Nearby | Golf Nearby | Group & Family Reunions | | Hiking Nearby | Historic Area Nearby | Mountain Biking | | Restaurant Nearby | Shopping | Ski Slopes Nearby | | State/National Park Nearby | Wineries and Vineyards |
Other Unlisted Amenities
First floor: Long entry corridor with French balcony. Living room with fireplace, TV, CD player and doors to atrium with heated plunge pool. Dining room. Galley kitchen with stove top, oven, microwave, fridge and dishwasher. Six bedrooms each with two single, joinable beds and en suite bathroom with shower, one with an extra single bed and another with a screened French balcony. One bedroom with two sets of two single, joinable beds, a screened French balcony and en suite bathroom with shower. Accessed from another bedroom or from the atrium is the aqueduct bedroom with two single, joinable beds and en suite bathroom with shower. Half bath with washer and dryer.
Property Activities
Nearest shopping and dining: Just outside your door around the piazza are a number of restaurants, cafes, gelaterie, bakeries, grocers and butchers, included two on the floor below. The city is known for its gold jewelry and candy coated almonds known as "confetti".
Not to be missed: The abbey of San Spirito, three miles from Sulmona, was founded by Pope Celestine V who dwelt in a hermitage - the route to his home passes the remains of a Roman temple to Hercules. Scanno, 40 minute drive, is a picturesque, summer resort village where woman still dress in their native peasant costumes and shops sell gold and silver filigree made by local craftsmen.
Within walking distance: Several historical sites and museums including: the Church of Annunziata (1320) with a museum of local artifacts, paintings and examples from the city's goldsmiths in the 14th century; the Duomo built on the ruins of a Roman temple; Gallery of Modern Art; Museum of Natural History in Palazzo de' Sardi with an extensive butterfly collection; Museum of Confectionary Art chronicling the history of the area's candy making.
Public transportation: Bus service to Rome leaves from Sulmona's bus terminal at Piazza Tresca and runs six times a day, taking two hours each way, with the last bus returning from Rome at around 8 pm. This route is only recommended for day trips into Rome as a car is needed for this location.
Outdoor Activities / Hiking / Skiing: Guests have a choice of exploring two nearby areas known for outdoor adventures. The Maiella mountains, 30 minute drive, contain no less than 40 hermitages, several hiking trails and the ski resort town of Roccaraso. Abruzzo's National Park, 45 minute drive, was the first national park in all of Italy with countless trails for cycling and hiking including 150 marked itineraries of various length and difficulty. "Il Trenino della Valle" (The Little Train of the Valley) is a morning train leaving from Castel di Sangro, 45 minute drive, that passes through the Abruzzo National Park on a scenic route heading through mountains to the sea. Open weekends from May-September.
Indoor/Outdoor Community Swimming Pools: Located just outside Sulmona, 1.8 miles away in Localita Coronato. Open year round from 10AM - 1PM and 3PM - 7PM. Guests can purchase a pass for several uses at a discounted price.
Beaches: Sandy beaches are found in Francavilla al Mare or Ortona, both approximately a one hour drive.
Festivals: Sulmona hosts several ancient festivals throughout the year. Giostra Cavalleresca is a palio with the seven neighborhoods or districts competing in a medieval jousting competition during the last weekend in July in Piazza Garibaldi - right outside your door. The last two weeks of May is the Confetti festival celebrating the candy covered almonds native to Sulmona. During the last two weeks in August, local farmers from Abruzzo bring their wares to display. Easter is a well celebrated holiday with La Madonna che Scappa taking place on Easter Sunday. It is a drama carried out through the town with a candlelit procession with St Peter and St John announcing the resurrection of Jesus, and finally, Mary believing them. She embraces her son resulting in fireworks and the releasing of doves.
Open air markets: In Sulmona, morning markets are every Wednesday and Saturday. An antique market takes place every second weekend of the month.
Property Resources
Visit this Vacation Rental's Website
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 Reservation Information
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Parker Travel Advisor
Day Phone: 800-280-2811
Evening Phone: 1-800-280-2811
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 Email the Owner / Manager
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