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Casa Carla makes part of a very large country house dating back to the 16th century. At one time it was an olive pressing farm surrounded by extensive olive groves and vineyards. A heavy wooden gate opens onto the terrace and the flowered garden with swimming pool. The house is very spacious (200 m2), comfortable and beautifully restored, ideal for a family or group of friends. On the ground floor is a large living room with fireplace, TV, kitchen and dining table. Each of the three bedrooms has a bathroom.
Casa Carla is situated in Toirano, an enchanting medieval village on the hills at 5 km from the Mediterranean sea and from Loano. This small village is completely surrounded by town walls, with gates, loggias and bridges. It is well known to all Italians, due to the "Grotte" as in the calcareous mountainous area caves where discovered traces of human and animal life dating back to Neolithic times, 12,000 years ago. Very interesting are the hand and foot prints from Neanderthals. The 50 rooms open to the public are a must!
If you want to relax you can lie on a deck-chair near the swimming pool and drink a cup of tea or Italian coffee, but if you prefer the seaside from Toirano hills in a few minutes’ drive you arrive at the beaches of Loano, a lively town with beautiful restored pastel coloured facades, a long promenade with flower beds and palm trees, and lots of trendy shops . You can also alternate days by the sea with walks or biking on the hills.
Along the seaside numerous little towns and villages attract the guests as the beaches are never ending and sandy. You can’t miss Borghetto , once a small fishing harbour; Finale Ligure, a paradise for rock climbing, a must;San Remo ( casino and flowers); Ventimiglia Hanbury’s gardens; Genua. Hop over the French border to Nice, St. Tropez, Cannes, Monte Carlo: a week is too short to savour the surroundings and if you are here in October-November visit Alba when white truffles are harvested!
Casa Carla is a all year round holiday place. Due to the climate there are lots of lemon and orange trees and flowers grow everywhere. Springtime starts in February with hills covered with blossoming yellow mimosa. Summers are mildly warm and there is a pleasant breeze. In winter Italian Riviera is blessed with a temperate, dry climate . Because of this it was “discovered” by the English one century ago and many people spend winters in this area to get away from the cold and freezing weather of the North. Even on Christmas day you can have your lunch outside.
What about food? Do not forget to savour the local genuine cuisine: "trenette al pesto" , "pansotti" herbs and ricotta, "torta pasqualina" and "violino di capra", a goat ham as soft as a violin. And also local wines make your stroll in town a tempting adventure. |
