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The sea below the house from your private descent
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Just off the Tuscan Coast is the beautiful Island of Elba. Your point of entry is the port town of Portoferraio. It is a pleasant 60 minute boat ride from Piombino, the Tuscan coastal port, to this rather large island where Napoleon was exiled for 8 months in 1814/15. Portoferraio offers a harbour of pastel-colored buildings, streets lined with palms, and an imposing fortress which towers high above a harbour full of some impressive yachts, a wealth of shops, boutiques, bars and restaurants. Stroll along the port for a delicious handmade “gelato”.
From Portoferraio, it is about a 10 minute drive to Enfola and your beach-house perched above the sea. Once you have arrived, there is much to enjoy without using your car. After you have basked in the beauty of the view of the mainland in the distance and the nearby sun-dappled hills, covered with lush Mediterranean vegetation, and reflected in the sea below, head to your own private shore; for swimming and sunbathing. Just descend the stairs which start in your garden and weave down the hillside to some smooth flat rocks for sunning and some of the clearest, crystal blue water that you will ever swim in (note that this is a steep descent, and small children should always be accompanied by an adult). If you prefer society to privacy, head out your gated drive, and wind down the road a 100 or so meters to a fine public beach where you can rent umbrellas and beach beds, and peddle-boats, and even motor boats for outings. There is an excellent restaurant here where you can lunch in your bathing suit, or return in the evening, a bit more dressed up, to enjoy the fine coastal specialties that make Italian beach holidays so spectacular. For a special treat, you will want to drive 10 minutes to the village of Viticcio and the charming and delicious family-run restaurant, "Giacomino" built on the coastal rocks, where you can watch the sun set while you enjoy first, your “aperitivo” and then, an excellent dinner. Another night, drive to Portoferraio for an extremely good trattoria,the "Stella Marina"; they have a delicious seafood antipasto, and of course, excellent seafood pasta, and fabulously fresh fish.
You will also want to visit the Villa Mulini, Napoleon's home here, set high on the hill overlooking the sea. Though staggeringly impressive as a home, with lovely gardens, and extensive outbuildings to house his 1000 man entourage, it is easy to imagine that he must have been a bit restless on this peaceful island with the mainland and the route to his beloved France so near and yet so far. The Villa has lovely, decorative walls and ceilings, painted to imitate draped fabric in the Empire style to which he gave his name. It also holds his collection of books brought from Versailles, his campaign bed from the field, and some other attractive "'Empire Furnishings".
Don’t miss taking the superb drive through the splendid, lush mountains, and forests with chestnuts and pines higher up and the more Mediterranean aloes and flora lower down, and always the sea and faraway coasts in view. You will want to stop in the port town of Marciana Marina, unpretentious and casual. Stroll along the harbour, where the buildings are mostly from the mid 19th century, and where there is no jarring junk architecture from the 60’s thrown up in a hurry to destroy the flavor. A nice restaurant here is "Rendez-vous da Marcello": a few steps from the beach, with a lovely view and excellent food: mainly fish and a specialty of "cozze( mussels) alla marinara" Or, you might drive high up into the hills for lunch to the small mountain town of Marciana, to find the restaurant Publius, with a spectacular view, and great Tuscan food. They offer specialities like Polpi and Tagliatelle ai Funghi Porcini and excellent local wines - all in preparation for a hike up the mountain to the Madonna del Monte shrine, 45 minutes up the mountain by foot, where a small church dedicated to the Madonna shares the heights with the house where Napoleon spent several months holed up with a woman of no historical significance.
THE HOUSE:
Enter through the gated drive up a private lane to this beautifully-sited bungalow that sits above the sea - and with sea views all around. This is a great beach home for relaxed vacations of families or friends. With 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms this home offers all comforts but no pretensions. If you like casual living, great views, a clear blue sea, and dining al fresco, and if you want to offer your kids plenty of space to play out doors, this is a great place. The living area has wonderful views from picture windows on one side, and French doors on another which open up to a spacious outdoor terrace, and lawns, and the hills and sea beyond. There is separate indoor dining area with a long table to seat up to 10 comfortably. There are 3 double bedrooms and one single each with its own bath. A fully equipped kitchen offers dishwasher, microwave, and plenty of dishes, cookware, blenders, etc.
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 Non Smoking
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 Beach Access |
Ocean View |
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| Beach Service (available) |
Charcoal Grill |
Cooking Utensils Provided |
| Deck |
Fireplace |
Fitness Center |
| Full Kitchen |
Games |
Garage |
| Garden |
High-Speed Internet |
Linens Provided |
| Lounge/Common Area |
Patio |
Spices |
| Terrace |
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| Alarm Clock |
Blender |
Coffee Maker |
| Dishwasher |
DVD Player |
Microwave |
| Oven |
Phone |
Refrigerator |
| Toaster |
TV(s) |
VCR Player |
| Washer/Dryer (private) |
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| Boating |
Cycling |
Deep Sea Fishing |
| Fishing |
Hiking |
Horseback Riding |
| Hunting |
Live Entertainment |
Mountain Biking |
| Paragliding |
Swimming |
Tennis |
| Walking |
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| Check In: | 15h00 |
| Check Out: | 10h00 |
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A 5o% deposit is required to confirm reservations. The balance is due 60 days prior to arrival.
Sometimes an early arrival is possible. If we can accommodate you, we will. End clean charge of Euros 120 which includes linens is added to all rentals.
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Susan Doull
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This advertiser has listed properties on PerfectPlaces.com since Mar 24, 2008
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Owner/Manager Website: http://www.commendablerentals.com
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