Pinerolo (Torino) |
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The Villa Il
Torrione at Pinerolo, a medieval town 35 minutes from Turin is surrounded by a park –
and not just any park. It was landscaped at the beginning of the last century by Xavier
Kurten, the landscape gardener of the Kings of Savoy, who planted exotic trees and bushes
in scenic clumps alongside the centuries-old oaks, box hedges and plane trees. There are
sequoia trees and cedars and cypresses, including a variety called "bald"
cypress with huge roots snaking above the ground, as well as magnolias and pygmy horse
chestnut trees, a giant ginkgo and a lyriodendron, 40 m high. The villa itself is at the
end of an avenue of white horn-beams and is surrounded by olea fragrans, a bush that, in
the Fall, exudes what must be one of the most haunting perfumes in the world. Ivy, too,
has gone scrambling up the imposing façade of the villa, framing each tall window, from
its regal position dominating the lawns and the variegated vista of the park. At the other
end of the park is a lake where ducks and swans nest and herons stand on one leg in the
shallows surrounded by swathes of bamboo.
The floral motif is also evident in the villa itself, where many of the rooms are papered
and upholstered in riotous chintz, a backdrop to the eighteenth and nineteenth century
antique furniture. The apartments for guests have been made out of what was once the wing
reserved for the domestic staff. There is still staff who serve breakfast in the bedroom
complete with orange juice, delicious jams and home made cakes.
Villa Il Torrione is not only perfectly situated for visiting Turin and other historic
villas in the vicinity. It is in the heart of gastronomic Piedmont, home of the white
truffle and some of the best wines in Italy. Pinerolo itself hosts a number of
international equestrian events in the Fall. It is also only forty minutes from Sestriere,
one of Italy’s most famous and best equipped jet set ski resorts.
The charming lady owner welcomes guests to the villa. The family is very prestigious in
Italy, descended from the famous Admiral Andrea Doria after whom Italy’s Titanic, the
most luxurious ocean liner in its history, was named.
Rooms: four very comfortable apartments, the first with a sitting room
with overhead gallery, dining room, two double rooms, one single, three bathrooms and a
fully equipped kitchen. The second has a sitting room, a double bedroom and a kitchen with
a staircase leading up to a duplex with two more rooms and three bathrooms. The third
apartment has a sitting room, two double rooms, two bathrooms and a kitchen. Apartment
number four has a sitting room, double room, kitchen and a bathroom. Minimum stay 2
nights.
Options: French and Portuguese are spoken. Parking on the grounds. Pets
are welcome. Children under the age of 2 are free of charge. Courses in the cuisine of
Piedmont can be organised. Private tennis courts in clay.
Where: the railway station of Pinerolo is at 2 km, while the nearest
airport is in Turin, 45 km away.
Prices: 