The Most Romantic Villa in Italy is Based on a True Love StoryThe Story of Villa Di Monte SolareBy Madelyn Miller
Like all good love stories, there is romance, passion, drama and a happy ending. The owners of Villa di Monte Solare, Rosie and Filippo Iannarone, met as teenagers at an international debate contest. Both bright and verbal, they were immediately attracted to each other. But alas, she lived in Germany, he was in Italy.
And when Rosie decided to leave her husband, Filippo was soon on her father’s doorstep in Germany. He convinced Rosie to move to Italy and marry him. Rosie spoke three languages, but Italian was not one of them. She quickly immersed herself in an Italian language school and soon she was fluent in that fourth language. Now she is like a charming United Nations as she speaks with guests in the elegant dining room, asking about their day, suggesting wines and new outings, and introducing guests to each other.
Rosie and Filippo really never planned to open an inn. It was kind of a lucky accident because the way the Italian laws are, the only way they could get a loan for the property they wanted was if they made it an inn. So they did. And everyone who stays there is thankful for the Italian laws that gave us this wonderful experience.
But Rosie is what makes the inn so remarkable. Each guest becomes a friend and she quickly learns not just what you like to eat and drink, but the kinds of things you enjoy. Want to buy a cashmere sweater? Rosie will send you to the factory. Like Chocolate? Rosie will take you into Perugia. (I was lucky enough to be their during the International Chocolate Festival) If you want to go walking, she will point you in the direction of the most interesting paths. In some ways, Rosie is like Martha Stewart. Only a lot nicer. When she learned how much I loved chocolate, Rosie arranged a chocolate tasting, pairing wonderful wines with delicious German chocolates. The Villa di Monte Solare is situated among olive groves, vineyards and forests. The Italian garden, St. Lucia chapel, orangery and ancient park surrounding of the villa make it a genuine haven of peace. The restaurant serves traditional cuisine refined with inspirational creativity and sophistication plus a superb range of 300 different Umbrian wines.
Everyone who worked there seemed to always be smiling, But then, life is good in Umbria. Especially at Villa di Monte Solare. The only thing that made this less than perfection was the lack of easy internet access. But Rosie promised that they would have wireless by the time I returned. And I can hardly wait to get back.
Via Montali, 7- Colle San Paolo - Panicale (Pg) A FEW MORE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ITALY Best Way to Get to ItalyUS's seventh-largest airline, serving 181 communities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. US Airways, US Airways Shuttle and the US Airways Express partner carriers operate approximately 3,400 flights per day. For more information on US Airways flight schedules and fares, visit US Airways online at Best Way to Get Around in ItalyRailEurope offers a Trenitalia Pass network which covers 16,000 km (10,000 miles) running daily through beautiful landscapes to connect big cities and small towns, all famous for their art and history. The trains are comfortable and quick and easy to navigate. I got to Turm directory from Venice in about three hours, it took just a little longer to get from Turm to Milan. BEST WAY TO GET TO THE AIRPORT IN ITALY GREAT GUIDEBOOKS GREAT SLEEPS ITALY GREAT EATS ITALY
Fodor’s see it Italy
ITALY FODOR’S 04 ITALY Rick Steves Italy 2004 BERLITZ POCKET GUIDE ITALY SPEAK LIKE AN ITALIAN THE POCKET IDIOT’S GUIDE to Italian Rick Steve’s ITALIAN PHRASEBOOK AND DICTIONARY BERLITZ Surviving in Italian BERLITZ Shopping in Italian EAT LIKE AN ITALIAN How to Pronounce French, German and Italian Wine Names LANGENSCHEIDT’S POCKET MENU READER ITALY EUROPE’S TOP RESTAURANTS 2004 SHOP LIKE AN ITALIAN COOK LIKE AN ITALIAN THE BEST OF GOURMET MANGIAMO Let’s Eat! TASTE ITALIAN FOOD AT HOME Try Sacla’s Classic Basil Pesto Sauce on your pasta at home. Robust bail leaves, fresh Grana Padano and Pecorino Romano cheese, ripened pine nuts, biting garlic and pure olive oil. TUSCANY AND UMBRIA Walking and Eating in Tuscany and Umbria ITALIAN LAKES ITALIAN LITERATURE TO GET YOU IN THE MOOD VENETIAN STORIES The thoroughly engaging characters who are the focus of these stories are from different backgrounds and various Venetian neighborhoods, but their lives—and the stories—overlap and intersect in surprising and playful ways. CASA ROSA A mesmerizing story of three generations of a twentieth-century Italian family who lived in a farmous in Puglia. JOHN PAUL II BEHIND LOCKED DOORS DANCES WITH LUIGI UNDER THE SOUTHERN SUN VENICE AGAINST THE SEA |
|
TM
In Umbria, only a short distance from Perugia and Lake Trasimeno rises Monte Solare, associated from ancient times with the cult of Apollo, the sun god.
They wrote and corresponded for years. She married a German, had a daughter. Filippo became a very successful lawyer in Rome. But the correspondence continued. 
The love story continues and every guest who stays at The Villa di Monte Solare feels embraced by the charm and skill of this extraordinary couple.
Then the couple was blessed with a local chef, Antonio Bondi, who is a culinary genius with the local produce and resources of Umbria. I had some of my best meals in Italy at Villa di Monte Solare.
She will show you where she gets her flowers, introduce you to the cheese purveyor, and even take you to the artisans who wove the bread spreads for the inn.
There are pools, a tennis court and soon there will be a spa and cooking school. There is a weekly classical music concert, wine tasting and cultural events.
But next time, I hope to bring my own prince charming.
Italy: INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE*
THE COMPLETE IDOIT’S GUIDE to ITALIAN HISTORY AND CULTURE