Gästanvändare
31 januari 2023
Knowing we would be driving up to the port of Civitavecchia the night before our cruise, my wife and sought out local lodging close to our cruise ship, so as to make the next day a bit easier. We could not find a local hotel with any room, so I widened our search. This proved to be a fortuitous decision, as we found Vella del Marta – and had one of the highlights of our entire 16-day, 3-country adventure. Same-family-owned for 120 years and five generations, Vella del Marta is an award-winning farm, a winery, a distillery, a boutique hotel, a restaurant, and a spa all rolled into one. The grounds are stunning, as if pulled directly from a Hollywood movie set. Excellent food, warm and inviting rooms, and a lovely pool, my wife and I were totally captivated by this magical place. Best of all, however, is the family who owns this beautiful place. Mario (one of two brothers in the 4th generation of owners) is as kind and warm of a human being as one could ever ask for. He personally led us through a (double gold) brandy tasting and a subsequent walking tour of his vineyards. Stunning and (again) like out of a movie, it proved to be a tremendous evening of connecting and enjoying the very best of Italian hospitality. Another bonus was the opportunity to meet Mario’s daughter Giorgia, who helped take care of us with a wonderful meat and cheese tray. Her infectious personality brought additional depth to our experience. We eventually learned that not only is Giorgia absolutely charming, she is also the youngest published author in Italy (!). Our only regret with Vella del Marta is that we had to leave after only one night. Wanting to take a little bit of this beautiful place with us, we ordered some of their delicious red wine and brandy to be shipped to our home in Kansas City. Sure enough, it was there waiting for us upon our return. My wife and I will be returning to Italy in the future. Be assured that our first stop will be Vella del Marta, as there is no better place to get one’s feet back under them after a long flight. The problem? We won’t want to leave! Thank you, Mario and family, for a delightful and incredibly memorable stay. To everyone else, do not miss this incredible slice of heaven. You will not be disappointed.
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