Ambra

This rambling stone farmhouse villa has been modernized to offer a delightful experience in the countryside of Emilia-Romagna between Milan and Florence. The nearby castle offers guests access to its spa and restaurants.

Location

Guests are welcome in the nearby castle and the village where there is a hotel within the village homes converted to hotel accommodations. It is about a 5 minute drive from the villa. There is a fine restaurant located in the old dairy and Parmesan cheese factory that specializes in the dishes of Emilia with ingredients from its garden and local foods from the region. And, of course, this is a region that reigns in Italy for Parmesan cheese, prosciutto ham from Parma, tortellini and balsamic vinegar from Modena.

Guests are invited to the spa located in the village.

Nearby is the fascinating town of Salsomaggiore Terme with restaurants, cafes and art. Its art deco main thermal baths and the pleasant boulevards with sidewalk cafes echo of the days in the last century when spa treatments were enjoyed for both their social and medical benefits. At one time Italian state medical insurance covered spa treatments. No longer, so you do see some spa towns like the closest little town of Tabiano Terme have very little going on.

Tennis courts in nearby village of Tabiano Terme and golf in Salsomaggiore.

Take a short drive to the Fidenza Village Outlet Mall, Italy's largest, with more than 100 fine stores and many restaurants. The Fico Eataly Food World just north of Bologna is a 1.5 hour's drive.

This area is recognized for food and music. This is the home of Parmesan cheese, Prosciutto di Parma, Felino Salami, Balsamic Vinegar. The famous Berceto Mushroom restaurant is an hour's drive. Nearby Parma is the home of Giuseppe Verdi.

Nearby are beautiful towns like Parma (Verdi's home), Cremona, Mantua, Modena, Bologna and Milan. Verona and Pisa are a 2 hour's drive as well as the Liguria sea. Emilia-Romagna's Motor Valley is here where you can see factories, museums and even drive a Lamborghini, Ducati, Pagani, Tazzari and Maserati.

Train access: reach the nearby town of Fidenza by train direct from Milano (1+ hour) and Bologna (1hr 45min). Or for more connections such as 1.5 hr trip from Florence use Parma a 40 minute drive and lovely city.

Exterior

From its position on a rise, the views are very nice: rolling countryside with a castle in the distance.

Outside is a wood-fired pizza oven on the other side of the pool and a barbecue for guest use.

Interior

You can feel the comfort of time in this marvelous villa with its pool and large garden.

Outdoor spaces beckon with a huge covered terrace and views across the garden, the fields and the castle in the near distance. 

Indoors is a huge living room with a fireplace for use in the cooler months. Across the pool from the house there is a small building with a wood-fired pizza oven as well as a barbecue.

Built in the 1600s in a traditional form, the building has been updated with modern bathrooms, heat, complete eat-in kitchen. There is also a dining room area in the great room.

Services such as a chef, tour guide or driver can be organized for you.

Things To Note

Neighborhood: Parma

Size: 5,400 sq ft/ 500 m2

Accessibility/Security: There are no alarms for the pool, guests are fully responsible for safety of all.

Payment: Upon reserving, 30% of the total is non refundable.

Utilities/Taxes: Heat and A/C dates on/off and daily cycles are set by the government.

Hospitality tax is paid in cash on arrival. Go to www.italyperfect.com/tax for current rate.

Room Details

Kitchen

• Kitchen
• Fully Equipped
• Coffee Maker
• Dishwasher
• Nespresso Style Coffee Machine
• Oven
• Stovetop
• Toaster
• Refrigerator

Accessibility

• Private Entrance

Bathroom

• Hairdryer

Connectivity/Entertainment

• WiFi
• TV - Limited English Programs
• Foosball
• Ping Pong Table

Heating/Cooling

• Heating
• A/C
• Window Screens

Laundry

• Drying Rack
• Iron & Board
• Washer

Outdoor

• Terrace
• BBQ
• Pool
• Wood-Fired Pizza Oven

Special Features

• Balcony/Terrace

Amenities

• Pool
• Air Conditioning

Things to See & Do

Castello Banfi (5 mins Driving)
Picturesque castle, with restaurants, wine tasting of its own fine wines and hotel.
Salsomaggiore Terme (14 mins Driving)
The Art Deco spa building is amazing! Beautiful piazzas and parks to wander. Restaurants and cafes of course.
Parma (45 mins Driving)
Outstanding UNESCO celebrated city with historical architecture and cathedral among quiet streets, Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano to be nibbled with local vino Lambrusco. Cafes, restaurants and concerts including much Verdi a native son.
Piacenza (55 mins Driving)
Fine city visit with monumental architecture including the fascinating Gothic palace. Fine dining with the classic foods of the region.
Berceto (mushrooms!) (60 mins Driving)
Classic village with charming walks and sights. Famous mushroom restaurant.
Reggio Emilia (60 mins Driving)
Very fine old town with impressive architecture, stunning churches, great food.
Modena (71 mins Driving)
Modena beckons with vino Lambrusco, tortellini and balsamic vinegar. Native sons Verdi and Pavarotti bring the music. Find a lovely Italian city in the Motor Valley where you can visit the museums, factories and show rooms of Lamborghini, Ferrari, Ducati, Pagani and Dallara.
Bologna (84 mins Driving)
One of the greatest cities of Italy with great food, music, beautiful architecture, fountains and significant churches with fine and famous art. For centuries a center of education and medicine with the oldest university in the world. Very important economic hub in Italy.
Genoa (90 mins Driving)
A great city of Italy, the capital of the Liguria region. Mediterranean center of maritime trade for centuries. UNESCO World Heritage list for rich history in art, music and cuisine. Spectacular old town. Great cuisine just starts with its famous pesto genovese.
Milan (90 mins Driving)
Milan is great fashion city that is rich in history art and culture. The majestic gothic Duomo and nearby da Vinci's Last Supper mural are on every visitor's top list. The La Scala opera house is just one of many art and music venues. Then there is food!
Verona (110 mins Driving)
Lovely and important Italian city. Wander the large and amazing historical center with beautiful piazzas, a Roman arena still in use and Juliet's balcony from the story of Romeo and Juliet.
Florence (144 mins Driving)
Capital of Tuscany, home of the Renaissance. Architecture and art. Food and shopping galore.