Casa Palmaria is a delightful, detached home in burnt orange and ochre tones, offering comfortable luxury and stylish outdoor spaces in the heart of Portovenere in the stunning Liguria region. Set within private gardens offering dappled shade and ample space to frolic and dine, this home is brimming with local charm; arched entries, trellis creeping across the terrace, balcony with sea views. Whilst being in the heart of downtown Portovenere, Casa Palmaria offers sublime tranquillity. An outdoor covered lounge offers a sumptuous nook and cooling shade with a natural indoor-outdoor interplay and far-reaching views. With chic banquettes, a natural palette and textures such as raffia and wicker, this is an elegant space for evening drinks as the sun softens over the bay. With outdoor dining, and lanterns alit in the evening, the views across the harbour are sublime.   Nine guests can be accommodated at Casa Palmaria, across five bedrooms, one of which features a sofa bed. The interiors at this serene home are artfully understated, fresh and airy, with a timeless designer flair; unfussy, yet tasteful. The living space offers unmistakable quality, yet with the lightest touch. The natural tones, fawns, earthy beiges and blush pink create a warming, yet sedate, ambience. Even the bathrooms epitomise natural style and grace, with impeccable interiors flair: a wash of soft light and wall to wall mirror; this home manages to retain timelessness with contemporary style. The bedrooms offer natural timber touches, crisp cottons, a feel of Scandinavian minimalism and above all, a gentle and warming light quality throughout. Open-plan living offers a vivacious and low-key space for the family or group to convene, with the same Scandinavian “hygge” effect of ambient low hanging lighting, natural timbers and airy openness. With an unconventional lay-out, the kitchen and living space is on the upper floor, leading to a balcony and offering majestic sea views. Casa Palmaria offers an effervescent blend of Northern European designer finesse, natural raw materials, and a little glamorous twist of Italian riviera! Portovenere itself, a UNESCO world heritage site, offers all the practical amenities you’ll need to make your stay seamless, including a good range of restaurants, shops and beaches, all within easy reach of the casa. There are plenty of places to explore as you navigate between the winding medieval streets. If you can bear to tear yourself away from your fabulous surroundings, the villages of the Cinque Terre are just a short ferry ride from the local harbour. Features: Villa Interior Ground Floor - Living room/Bedroom with double sofa bed and en-suite bathroom with bath - Double bedroom with queen sized bed with en-suite bathroom with shower and air-conditioning First Floor - Dining room for six guests - Well-equipped kitchen-dine with oven, hob, microwave, dishwasher, fridge and toaster and terrace access - Bedroom with queen size bed - Bedroom with bunk beds - Bedroom with single bed - Bathroom with shower - Air conditioning on the floor (not in each room) Outside Grounds - Parking for two cars inside the property (there is additional on-street parking - charges applied) - Terrace - Lawns - Garden furniture - Patio - Vegetable garden Facilities - Air conditioning (see above) - Wi-Fi - Hairdryer - Washing machine - Complimentary toiletries - Rubber boat (extra cost - please enquire) Location: Casa Palmaria is located in Porto Venere village, which is accessible on foot and has all essential amenities as well as some local style restaurants. This former fisherman’s village (just listed by New York Times as one of the top 45 most beautiful places to visit on earth and one of the UNESCO world heritage sites), is considered one of the most beautiful and romantic villages in what is informally known as the ‘Italian Riviera!’ Porto Venere is also known as the end point of the Gulf of Poets, an area of outstanding beauty frequented by famous writers including Byron in his day. Should you wish to venture further afield, from the ferry dock you can catch a ferry to Palmaria island with ferries leaving every 15 minutes during the summer. The crossing takes just 5 minutes and allows you the opportunity to view Portovenere from a different angle. Palmaria is home to an array of hiking trails, beaches and caves. A great place to snorkel, dive or just cool off with a relaxing swim, then enjoy a spot of lunch before heading back. A visit to this region would be incomplete without a visit to the Cinque Terre. You can travel there by road (30km), by train from nearby La Spezia (11km) or by boat (April to October) from Portovenere. This stunning area consists of 5 idyllic fishing villages each with vineyards, olive groves, beautiful buildings and fantastic hikes, providing plenty of opportunity to take in the stunning views. La Spezia is a great day out; take a stroll along the waterfront, discover historical landmarks such as the impressive 13th century San Giorgio Castle or learn about the town’s important naval heritage. From La Spezia you can take a train to Pisa, Lucca and beyond. Popular with locals and tourists are Viareggio (26km) and Forte dei Marmi (36km). Forte dei Marmi is home to an array of vintage stores and Italian boutiques and, on Wednesdays and Sundays, an exclusive street market is held where you can soak up the atmosphere aplenty. Viareggio is known as the Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea. If you are visiting in the lead up to Easter, don’t miss the amazing street carnival the village is famous for with music, dancing and colourful floats. Watch the parade of floats down the streets and get into the festival-spirit! Why not visit Lucca, a stunning walled city. Whilst the walls have now long lost their military importance, they have been maintained as a pedestrian promenade, effectively creating a park which surrounds the entire perimeter of the city. Why not hire a bike and cycle the perimeter or enjoy an ice cream from one of the many gellateria while you soak up the historical sites? Pisa is also worth a visit. Take the obligatory shot, ‘propping up’ the leaning tower which has become so well-known over the years. Terms & Conditions: Security deposit? €500 paid in cash to the owner upon arrival and refunded after departure, subject to full inspection. Arrival time? 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Departure time? By 10 a.m. Energy costs included? Yes. Linen & towels included? Yes. Pets welcome? On request only and with prior agreement with the owner. If accepted, a pet supplement of €5 per pet per day will apply (paid locally). Changeover day? Flexible. End of stay cleaning included? Extra €250, payable locally. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. Smoking Allowed? Strictly no smoking inside the villa. Minimum stay? 6 nights. Heating costs included? Extra €30 per day, payable locally. Tax? Italian Visitors Tax payable locally in cash (typically costs approximately between €1-€3 per adult per night- please enquire if exact amount is required). Internet access? Wi-Fi connection included. Other Ts and Cs? Please note that your booking will only be confirmed once we have checked availability with the owner or their property manager. Pool towels included? Yes. Pets - allowed Smoking - not allowed