Villa degli Armeni has everything you need from a holiday villa. Perched on a mountainside and surrounded by forest, the villa feels very secluded and private, and at the same time open to the wide views out over the Tiber Valley towards Rome.

As well as enjoying a unique location, the villa also has an interesting history; it was built for a senior Armenian prelate and his sisters in the 1960s and retains many original mid century features like the stone fireplace, lofty gabled ceilings, arches and ironwork.

There’s an abundance of windows to let in natural light and to look out on the forest and spectacular views. A large porch on the front and side of the house provides plenty of space for relaxing and for al fresco dining.

It was our home for many years and is full of art by friends and family, or collected on our travels around the world. It’s furnished carefully and comfortably, with an eye to interior design and the mid-century character of the villa.
And if you’re wondering why it’s named “Villa degli Armeni”? I blogged about it here!

The villa has plenty of living areas so that everyone has space to relax without feeling crowded. The large living and dining room is a cool and comfortable retreat in the summer and the cosy heart of the house in the cooler months, with its stone fireplace and dining table seating 8. Connected to the living room by double doors is another sitting room and studio with a desk, the sofa in here folds out to provide a small double bed if needed.

The kitchen is large enough to cook together, and is equipped with dishwasher, microwave, fridge freezer and state of the art electric oven, granite worktops, small table, everything you’ll need to cook with and a wide selection of coffee makers which we hope covers all tastes in coffee lovers! We also make sure there are basics like oil, tea and coffee etc as well as cleaning supplies.

There are two large double bedrooms: the one at the front has three arched windows with incredible views to wake up to. The second double bedroom looks out onto the tree canopy and has it’s own ensuite bathroom (with bath) and terrace, it can be set up with a double bed or two singles, and there is a small sofa which converts to a single bed if needed.

In between is a smaller room with a single bed, also opening onto the terrace, and another bathroom with a shower. All rooms except the small bedroom have ceiling fans, there is no need for air con.

Both our bathrooms are rooms with a view! Perhaps you’d like to take a shower with a view onto the mountainside (don’t worry, no one can see in except maybe some passing birds!)

Or maybe a long soak in the spa-like marble bathroom with widows onto the forest is more your thing. Like many things in the house the travertine tiles here have a story to tell: we picked them up ourselves straight from the quarry near Rome which has been used since Ancient Roman times.

You’ll be wanting to spend lots of time outdoors during your holiday, and the villa offers many outdoor areas to choose from, whether you’re looking for a space to get together for a meal or a private shady spot for some reading. Outside on the porch and balcony you’ll find tables and chairs for al fresco dining, deckchairs, a sofa and lounger. Below the house is a grassy lawn bordering on the forest and perfect for sunbathing, with another large table under a shady tree.

In the summer months we put up the frame pool, it’s over 4.5 metres across and 80 cm deep and while hardly olympic size it’s perfect for kids and adults to splash and cool down in or for a leisurely float as you contemplate the infinite blue of an Italian sky.
While staying at the house feel free to use our collection of books, DVDs, board games and toys. There’s a TV with free-to-view satellite channels and wi-fi.

From its position 500m up the mountain the villa enjoys stunning views across the Sabine Hills, Lazio and on to Rome, with the dome of St Peter’s on the horizon. You really feel like you are floating above it all! And whether you’re watching a spectacular sunset or an approaching thunderstorm, bathed in sunshine or suddenly swallowed up in the clouds, the views here are never short of interest or photo opportunities.

One of my personal favourites in spring and autumn is waking up to find the valley below submerged in mist and looking down onto the little villages and hilltops poking up like islands. Or else watching thunderstorms sweep across the Tiber Valley in summer.

We have some incredible sunsets in the Sabina, autumn and spring are especially good times of year for them and they take place directly in front of the villa so you will have a ringside view! Summer sunsets are longer and less dramatic, but are a great time to linger on the porch and enjoy the last rays.

Of course we can’t guarantee an amazing sunset during your stay, but twilight is always a magical time as you watch the stars come out and the lights go on across the Tiber valley and towards Rome. When darkness has fallen, switch off all the lights and look up, on a clear night you’ll see the milky way stretching across the sky.