How often do you get to say you slept in a medieval pirate’s tower?
Imagine watching the sunset over Sardinia ’s drop from your own private lighthouse or waking up to seagull cry from a medieval sea robber fortress . With many people feeling a mill about caution about crowded , cramped places ever since the pandemic , it ’s no wonder ordinary hotel are so over . That ’s even more true when you have the opportunity to experience Italy ’s picturesque architectural heritage as an undivided guest . After all , if you ’re ultimately going to Italy , why not stay in a castle ?
Renting old , arresting fortresses , lighthouses , and castle — and even former tuna mill — offers a throwback and probably the most unique situation you ’ll ever be able to say you stayed in . It ’s the latest change of location fad : with COVID still out there , many crave more space all to themselves , whether booking the whole place for a weekend or a special event , such as a birthday or finish wedding .
From Sicily toTuscanyand Sardinia , have breakfast on sunlight - buss panoramic terrace and frescoed tower rooms where great Lord and peeress once rubbed shoulders , wearing lavish gowns and throwing balls . prowess and chronicle are intertwinedin many Italian towns , so here are a few places where you ’ll experience like the king of your own piddling land .
Castello di Naro
Tonnara di Scopello tuna fortress
Tuna trapping facility ( hollo tonnare in Italian ) have been banned , but after years of decay , they are now experience a revival . This ancient , tiny tuna fortress near the city of Trapani in Sicily is locate in the pristine Zingaro marine backlog , sitting in front of huge ocean stacks of stone project out of the water .
At the base of a cliff topped by a spotter column are a few elegantly restyled reddish stone dwellings with secret porch - decks where you could park a rowboat or canoe . You ’ll get to log Z’s in majolica - tile suites with fish - motif interior decoration , which were once the digs of the tuna fisherman , as well as the warehouses for salt away gravy boat and tuna processing . Stone bathrooms are carve into the careen , while each elbow room has individual exotic garden and beach access .
Nature and snorkeling fans , this one ’s for you . At dawn or sundown , jump-start out of bed , open up the front door , and dive decent into the clear water with a big splatter . Also included is everything for a relaxing escape : hammocks for meter reading or lounging , finocchio liqueur drinks served in sunshine - kissed courtyard , and fresh ocean urchin for dinner flop from the fisher ’s net .
Tonnara di Scopello
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Castle of Scipione
Walking inside this knightly palace , you ’ll find frescoed green - and - purpleness suites , salons with plush cushioned armchairs and gamey - close fabrics , and bang-up Radclyffe Hall with old-fashioned furnishing where Italian patrician ruled over their county . The Castle of Scipione , set in the Emilia Romagna realm and built in the fourteenth 100 , comes with just two exclusive , romantic suites with a private garden and entry , wooden ceilings , ancient terracotta base , and a stunning view of the surrounding forests where nobleman once hunted .
The two - floor Blue Suite is settle in the watchtower , and comes with a marble bathroom , while the Green Suite , right behind the sure-enough lift bridge , boasts a cap - high fireplace . Both have their own to the full equipped kitchenette , but guests are still treated to fine Tuscan dishes of angry hare and handmade tortellini at the en - suite eating place .
Be prepared to demote into the heirs of the old blue kinsperson that still runs the the three estates . you may also opt to rent the whole palace — horse barn and all — for a special social occasion .
Capo Faro resort lighthouse
reckon sleep in a sleek , livid beacon surrounded by lavish vineyards that produce sweet amber - colored wine called Malvasia , nickname the “ ambrosia of the graven image . ” Part of an acres run by an old aristocratic family , the seafront lighthouse sits on the volcanic island of Salina , the pearl of the Aeolian archipelago , which is a green paradise that has two twin pinnacle . The refurbished hotel now boasts 27 rooms , including a suite with a kitchen for secret dinners , with bench that look out to sea , as well as a pool made of opprobrious rocks .
As gorgeous as the placement and views are , there ’s something truly special about drinking premium wine on the patio of a sun - drench terrace environ by the scent of those same vines , which are undivided to this islet thanks to fertile soil and the sultry heat . The tantalizing drinkable ( which is also used in the onsite restaurant today ) was loved by British admiral Horatio Nelson ’s navy that often partied in these waters in the 1700 ’s , fueled by golden Malvasia .
Salvucci Tower
Living like a noble in the middle ages was n’t always easy , even if you had a whole fortress to yourself . There were no elevator and dozens of step . But for those who enjoy unparalleled adventures , imagine holiday in a fortified tower where your accommodation is stretched across 11 floor of a narrow tower with thick stone walls .
The Salvucci Tower in the enchanting Tuscan village of San Gimignano is perhaps one of the most offbeat accomodation options in Italy . San Gimignano is get laid as “ the village of the many column , ” and this is the only inhabitable one .
get up to stretch your muscles going up and down 143 footfall to get from your bed to the bathroom , kitchen , or mezzanine . There are only three beds and two lav in the integral 11 - floor column , which you would have altogether to yourself . The best part , though , might just be the bird’s-eye rooftop , great for an evening Negroni or a candle - lit chocolate truffle pasta dinner prepared by a private chef .
Castello di Scipione dei Marchesi Pallavicino
Faro Capo Spartivento lighthouse
turn up in the secluded bay of Chia on the island of Sardinia , you may have this watchtower all to yourself for a brilliant holiday . Built in 1865 on top of a cliff , the reddish beacon light , still functioning , has been converted to just six sumptuousness suites with sunrise and sundown view , fence by semitransparent waters and lonely inlets .
The on - land site eating place , unresolved only to hotel guests , serves breakfast and intimate dinners on the terrace . They create locally - sourced dish include seafood , handmade Malloreddus alimentary paste , and Sardinian pecorino sheep cheese . you’re able to also opt to have your evening drinking , with the best Sardinian wine such as Vermentino di Gallura , served at the bird’s-eye pool .
Fortress of Naro
This proud medieval fortress at the top of a drop is settle in the secluded region of Marche , surrounded by forests , rivers , and sleepyheaded small town . Once home to a proud princess - warrior , it is now a little - known hideaway where guest can hold up in a clump of account .
The suites are extravagantly decorated with flowery sculptures , paintings , and old furniture . The bathrooms are sheer luxury , featuring painted frescoes and chromotherapy showers . The old ice storage elbow room is now used as the wine wine cellar , while you may visit the old cistern , once used to collect water system . There ’s also an underground stone spa if you desire more pampering . Or have playfulness looking for the secret passage order to be locate underground .
One of the most charming parts about the rental is the panoramic gardens . There you ’ll find a huge Harlan Fiske Stone terrace featuring comfy sofa bed , where you may unwind , enjoy the sight views , and sip a Martini with premium local Ascolane olives . Plus , the walkway along the fortified wall will give you a sense of what it was like to look out for approach enemy soldiery .
Capofaro Locanda & Malvasia
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Trasita coastal tower
Visiting the vivacious sportfishing settlement of Positano and the spellbinding Amalfi Coast clear pretty much most traveler ’ bucketful lists — but stay in a unique location ups the plot . This 1300 ’s pirate observation tower pillar is carve into the side of a cliff and stretch down to the semitransparent piddle below , which according to mythology were dwell by mermaids . The prop even has a private way of life precede down to the inlets and beaches .
The blanched - water-washed interiors of the Trasita tower make for cool panoramic suites , but you ’ll most in all probability be spending your time at the syndicate and suntanning or adopt a siesta on the multi - layered stone patio dotted with lounge president . From the garden and rooftop , where guard duty once police , the survey elongate all the way to the Li Galli archipelago .
In the morning , before indulging in an iconic ricotta - filled Pastiera cake , jump off right off one of the rocky platform at the human foot of the tugboat and go for a swim — or skinny plunge ! From the windows of the three entourage , you ’ll be so near to the water supply it ’ll feel as if the sea is about to wash up correctly into your way . At a walking distance from Positano village but tucked into its own quiet street corner , the tower guarantees everlasting privacy and secrecy .
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Faro Capo Spartivento
Castello di Naro
Torre Trasita Positano
