Olive Grove Farm

Olive Grove Farm with pool

and wonderful swimming in the Adriatic in the summer - but tranquility at all times! The house is approached through a tree lined drive, with a small river at the bottom (safe for children to paddle and even has the odd trout!). It has over 200 olive trees in the surrounding grounds. Most of the hot water comes from solar heating.

The farmhouse will easily sleep six but there is a sofa bed (main bedroom) and 3 extra temporary beds if needed. There is also the PoolHouse! Although this is primarily for the use of the “swimmers” it has two single beds, a shower, washbasin and toilet (not connected) and so could be used as an extension of the house for a family if needed. The farmhouse consists of 3 large double bedrooms (2 with washbasins), two bathrooms, a fully equipped very large Kitchen/Diner, a large lounge with a romantic log fire and an “Open” room for eating (generally summer use only!) with some beautiful Italian antique furniture. There is an enormous veranda (12m x 6m) on the first floor facing south allowing maximum effect of the wonderful view. A large permanent Gazebo is on one corner to shield the sun - a perfect place for lunch or an evening barbeque.

Serramonacesca is a tiny, tranquill village found in the province of Pescara in the Abruzzo Region. The village is located on the crest of a 900 foot hill which drops down a steep ridge to the Alento and Vallone Rivers. Serramonacesca is noted for the 9th century Benedictine Abbey of San Liberatore a Maiella, one of the most important medieval churches in Italy. Visit the wondrous mountains and valleys of Serramonacesca.

The house is situated just five min walk from the village (part tarmac, part stone road)and is approached through two white iron gates, up a 100 metre drive surrounded by 200 olive trees and there are also some almond, fig, apple and pear trees. To the left of the house we have just constructed a 12 metre solar heated swimming pool (2m deep) that has a fully equipped (shower, changing facilities etc) log cabin. At night the pool can be lit by underwater lights and around the pool.

The house offers total tranquility, with wonderful mountain/hill walks immediately outside. Ideally suited for everyone - a couple looking for a romantic holiday, a family or a small group of friends. Whether you are looking for a totally private isolated holiday, a holiday full of activities and night life, Olive Grove Farm Serramonacesca and the surrounding area can offer everything you desire.

1st Floor

Bedroom 1 Very large bedroom with king-size Italian antique bed (with new mattress!) and sofa bed, private wash basin and window leading to outside Terrace

Bedroom 2 Large bedroom with brass king-size bed and private wash basin. Two doors leading to small balcony.

Bathroom 1 Completely modernised with shower, toilet, bidet and ashbasin

Terrace Huge terrace 12 x 6 metres with breathtaking views of surrounding mountains. Has swing chair mahogany round table with 6 chairs, mosaic table & 2 chairs and of course a charcoal barbeque and fire bowl. Just completed large gazebo 4 x 4m to cover table and chairs.- ideal to shield from the sun on hot days.

Ground Floor

Bedroom 3 Downstairs bedroom with two single beds, desk and computer (no Internet connection unless you have a GPRS phone), also a travel cot (that can be placed anywhere) plus wireless baby alarm with camera, highchair etc.

Bathroom 2 Brand new bathroom (downstairs) with washbasin, bath shower and toilet

Lounge with leather 3 piece suite (sits 6), large open log fire, 32” LCD satellite television (freesat only) (if you have a Sky pay card bring it with you), DVD 5.1 Theatre sound system, VCR, Hi Fi system . All walls original exposed stone. If you feel you have a musical flare then we have a new electronic keyboard and professional karaoke machine with nearly 500 songs - if you feel like a good old fashioned sing song in the evenings!

Open Room Has lovely Italian antique table (seats 6+ easily) and large sideboard/cupboard. Also bamboo round glass table with chairs - seats four. We call it the open room as there are only shutters to the large window area and entrance - bigger than a garage door - I.e. No glass. Although the house has mobile and ceiling fans these are rarely used as with nearly 1 metre thick stone walls the insulation is very good. Generally there is a small cool breeze - even in very high temperatures!

Kitchen Fully equipped kitchen, gas hob and cooker, fridge freezer, washing machine, dishwasher, espresso coffee, grinder, food mixer, ice crusher, electric grill, slow cooker etc. Full range of cutlery, crockery etc. Also we have a large 2 metre pine table with 8 seats and also a small bamboo table and 2 chairs. French doors to patio

Outside

Patio Outside kitchen, large patio with mahogany table and six chairs and a pergola with vines growing up supports

Swimming Pool Just finished is 12 x 6 metres, 2m deep end, fully automated with electric solar cover. A small log cabin housing shower, toilet is soon to be constructed.

PoolHouse This was built in Feb 2008 and is a large cabin at the end of the pool. It has two single beds and a bathroom (shower, toilet (not connected) and washbasin) and is ideal in an emergency for older children or adults and increases the sleeping capacity by a further 2, although re its description it is primarily meant for use in conjunction with the swimming pool..

Log Cabin . It is about 150 metres from the farmhouse and is completely self contained but we do not normaly rent this out.

Facilities A canoe and two mountain bikes are available for use. There are several books and many CD’s, DVD’s. Local river passes through our land) safe for children to play in (supervised) and build dams etc. Small library of books and collection of tourist information booklets. Further we have a football machine,dartboard and outdoor table tennis (for 4) and children’s swing

3 tier Fountain Illuminated at night with three colours

Parking Plenty of space on right of house for several cars. A car port is now finished and offers protection from the sun.

Location Pescara Airport is just 25 minutes drive away and Rome (Campino) is just 1.6 hours away. Ryan Air fly into both airports, thus very cheap flights are nearly always available if you book in advance. There are even direct flights from New York and Toronto to Pescara. Both airports have all the normal car hire companies. Other low cost airlines of course fly in Rome and Pescara. A car is really needed (unless you like walking. If so then there is a bus from Rome every two hours and a taxi can be arranged to collect you from Pescara. Regular bus service leaving Serramonacesca every day.

Local Amenities Obviously the Adriatic sea, and good skiing in the Winter. Serramonacesca is very quiet, charming and un spoilt village just 5 min walk away. It has two village stores (well stocked) with supermarkets (and Hyper) 15 min away by car. Two bars, several restaurants (excellent and cheap), pharmacy, doctor etc. There are plenty of lovely historic villages and towns to drive to, many walks

Within an hour’s drive there are all the expected tourist facilities (if you want them) two Water parks, golf, karting, hot natural spars, nightclubs and many other attractions. Golf at Brecciarola is just 10 min away.

Olive Grove Farm will delight you and give you a holiday of exactly what you want, whatever that is!

Normal booking Saturday to Saturday

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Olive Grove Farm is a 200 year old stone farmhouse in 4 acres (of mainly olive trees) that has been lovingly restored to a high specification and has astounding views of the surrounding mountains and countryside. A large 12 m swimming pool (2m at deep end) has just been completed. Situated just 25 min. from the sandy beaches of Pescara, and 40 min. from the bottom of the chair lift (2700 m high, so plenty of snow for a long season), this charming old farm house offers both good skiing in the winter

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Medieval abbey: San Liberatore a Maiella Serramonacesca