A very warm welcome
Villa Menaluna is an idyllic country house tucked into a quiet hillside in the UNESCO region of Piedmont. At the end of a secluded track, you’re welcomed by rows of ivy and rosemary and the 120-year-old Villa Menaluna.
Entrance and courtyard
Come through the electric gates and the ivy-clad driveway leads you to the gravelled courtyard at the side of the house for parking. From here you’ll see steps to the upper garden level.
At the front of the house is a 100+ year-old bay tree, surrounded by classic Italian and English planting.
Kitchen terrace
Continue past the front door and its two olive trees and you’ll find the kitchen garden and terrace, also accessed from the breakfast/dining room. Here you can catch the scents of the many herbs planted for your use, including rosemary, thyme, sage and lemon verbena.
The kitchen terrace catches the early morning dappled sunlight through the large bay tree, and the views from here are up to our local village - Rocchetta Palafea - with its unmistakeable ancient castle tower and churches visible on the skyline.
Covered Terrace
Accessed from both bedroom 4 and externally from the sun deck, the covered terrace is the ideal place to retreat to on hot days when a little shade is needed. Relax on the comfy sofas and armchairs (enough seats for everyone) and enjoy lunch in the shade. In the evenings, stay cool and take in the sunset views towards the mountains and watch as the village lights of Rocchetta Palafea opposite twinkle into life.
Relax on the covered terrace at the first floor
Sun deck
Accessible via external stairs or from the house on the first floor, step up to the large sun deck to relax on loungers or shield under an umbrella from the Piedmont sun. Below are the vineyards, valleys and hills of the tranquil Piedmont countryside, wrapped by the snow-capped Alps in the distance.
Take in the sun on the sun deck
Plunge Pool
Wander up another level and you’ll find our stone-clad plunge pool (7m x 2m) to help you cool off on sultry summer days.
The Frutetto & Wild Garden
Take a walk and you’ll see the frutetto (orchard) to seek out seasonal fruits include apples, nespolo, apricots, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, blackberries and the odd vine or two of moscato grapes. Further along is the wild garden, tamed when we can, but left mostly to its own devices in the summer to give shelter and food to our animal and insect neighbours.
The Bosco
Our little bosco (wood) can be explored and is particularly pleasant on hot days due to the welcoming shade offered by the trees. Please be careful here as whilst there is a flattened area for walking, the track and the hills are constantly changing with age and weather - sensible shoes only and watch your step.