Taranta Peligna holiday rentals

Sleeps 8 · 2 bedrooms · 2 bathrooms

Sleeps 8 · 3 bedrooms · 3 bathrooms

The Palazzo Pulieri is amazing, it is quite hard to explain in a few words. Altino is not on the tourist trail, it is quiet, peaceful and in an area that is still the real Italy. People here still make their living from the land. The town is 20 minutes from the mountains and 25 minutes from the sea. There is actually a lot to see and do in the area, but you should do some research before you come. That sets the scene. The moment the doors open you realise how beautiful the palazzo is. It is a fifteenth century noble home and when you wander around inside and look at the art on the walls; the swords, pistols and rifles hanging on the walls; the library and the furniture you realise this is really a grand house with a lot history. There was even a full suit of armour on the landing just outside our bedroom. However, despite all of the history it still felt lived in and inviting. Valeria who looks after the house has doors and windows open and closed as needed so it doesn’t feel like a museum. We felt very comfortable living in the palazzo and valued the fact that you could actually stay in house like this. Our bedroom was very comfortable and spacious. We looked though all of the bedrooms, they all looked great, the photos on the booking site are a very accurate reflection of the rooms. Booking was very easy, and we had a good exchange of information before we arrived. We were met by Filippo on arrival, he is a member of the family who owns this house and the property contact, he was very helpful and even contacted us again the next day to make sure we were okay. Valeria made breakfast for us each day and provided more local information, including booking a restaurant one night. She has mastered google voice translate, so while her English was not great (still better than our Italian), we could communicate quite effectively. The other night we just bought some cold meats, cheese and wine and sat on the terrace for dinner. That was also brilliant, quiet and peaceful with a great view. This place is very comfortable, it has all of the history of a noble house, yet is still easy to live in. We stayed two nights, in hindsight we should have stayed longer.

This home is located in one of the most beautiful places I have visited in Italy. Pacentro is friendly and delightful and the mountains and valleys spectacular. Sitting in the garden for breakfast and dinner was unforgettable with the ever changing light and mist on Mount Majella as a backdrop. Parking is surprisingly easy and safe provided you take the correct small back road up to the house. We spent much of our week there in both Majella and Abruzzo National Parks and visiting the rare Romanesque churches with their 12th and 13th century paintings. If you are interested in such things then I suggest San Tommaso Becket (near Caramanico Terme) with its sculptured lintel and frescoes, San Pietro ad Oratorium - in a forest not far from Capestrano (may need to ring the number on the gate for the friendly volunteer to open) with very special Byzantine inspired pantocrator Christ frescoe, Santa Maria ad Cryptas (in Fossia) with intact 13th cent frescoes cycle) and Bominaco church and Oratorio, with 13th century fresco cycle (ring number on gate for a guide). If these don't interest you then the many spectacular hill top towns may. All up a week wasn't enough in this great part of Italy as there is so much to do and see.