Welcome to Villa il Guardingo, a beautiful villa in the heart of the medieval village of Rio nell’Elba, on the edge of the picturesque center, above the historic public washhouse.
The villa spans four floors and consists of two interconnected living units. It includes a spacious kitchen, an elegant living room, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and three terraces. It was designed by the renowned architect Roberto Pirzio Biroli on ancient foundations.
The Villa:
You enter from the romantic Piazza del Risorgimento and directly into the "Principe" area, with a cozy and spacious kitchen, equipped with a dishwasher, refrigerator, oven, gas stove, coffee machine, and everything you need. In the kitchen, there are six dining places, and outside on the Piazza del Risorgimento, there is the possibility to sit at a small table and relax under the olive tree.
From the kitchen, you directly access the bright and spacious living room, with a large sofa, an original glass table, and several seats with a view of the village and the valley. Next to it is the bay window room with a high, unique, local wooden beam ceiling, a large panoramic window, and an adjoining tiled bathroom with a shower. Depending on the needs, this room can offer one or two single beds or a double bed.
From the living room, a marble staircase leads to the upper floor, where there is a bright bedroom, also with an old wooden beam ceiling, a double bed, a bathroom with a bathtub, and a wonderful sea view. Next to it is a spacious terrace with a dining table and Mediterranean plants, with a wonderful view of the surrounding hills, the village, and the sea.
From the living room, you can also access, through a small balcony and an external marble staircase, the lower floor, in the "Studio" area. The "Studio" located there is also accessible from the rear entrance of Via B. Nardelli, via an old stone staircase surrounded by bushes and a beautiful stone terrace at the entrance.
The airy stone terrace, furnished with a banana tree and teak furniture, invites you to rest after a hot day at the beach, dine under the stars, or read and chat.
From the stone terrace, a few marble steps lead to the "Studio," which is naturally pleasantly air-conditioned in summer due to the old walls, with a beautiful view of the old town and the green hills. Right in front of the "Studio" entrance, there is a cozy covered relaxation area.
The "Studio" itself consists of several well-divided areas: an entrance area with a wardrobe, a sleeping area with two beds with comfort mattresses, a designer bathroom in the center, and a living area with a dining table, sofa, and WiFi. A marble staircase leads from the living area to the ground floor, into a newly constructed small mosaic kitchen, equipped with a sink, refrigerator, kettle, coffee machine, microwave, dishes, and glasses for preparing small meals.
Through the external staircase, you can go back up from the "Studio" to the living room in the "Principe" area.
Rio nell'Elba
This charming village is located on a hill overlooking the sea, about 8 minutes from the port town of Rio Marina and the beautiful Ortano beach. The strategic location of Rio nell'Elba invites numerous excursions in the surroundings, many of which are accessible on foot, such as Monte Giove, the Volterraio Fortress, and the pedestrian paths above the village.
A few steps from the house is the old washhouse, a historic attraction of the region, and the beautiful central square, closed to traffic on summer evenings and hosting numerous events. Around the square, there are restaurants with local cuisine, a bakery, post office, pharmacy, two bars, and the beautiful village church. Two large supermarkets are reachable in 5-10 minutes by car or bus. The center also houses a museum with exhibits on local history and a panoramic terrace with a sea view, where summer concerts are held.
Activities and Services
Local Markets: On Mondays in Rio Marina and on Tuesdays in Rio nell'Elba, with stalls selling fresh products and local crafts.
Hiking Trails: Explore ancient paths and stairways lined with Mediterranean herbs, with stunning sea views. Trails lead to Santa Caterina, Monte Giove, and the Volterraio Fortress.
Beaches and Water Sports: Rio Marina offers several beaches, such as Vigneria, Spiaggia del Sasso, and Spiaggia Marina di Gennaro, ideal for snorkeling. In Cavo, there are numerous bars and restaurants along the sand/pebble beach. The beaches of Nisporto and Nisportino, reachable in 15 minutes by car, offer golden sand and an excellent beach restaurant in Nisportino. Bagnaia, with views of Portoferraio and the island of Capraia, is perfect for an evening at sunset in one of the many bars and restaurants.
Events in Rio
Elba Book Festival: In July, Rio nell'Elba hosts this famous festival, with independent bookstores, music, and readings in the main square.
Festa di San Rocco: On August 16, Rio Marina celebrates with spectacular fireworks and music.
