Surrounded by greenery near the sea (Rosa cottage)

We were incredibly lucky to find Casa Malvarosa. Having spent almost 90 days driving across Portugal, Spain, France, and Italy, we have stayed in wonderful places everywhere, but Casa Malvarosa goes far beyond a common stay—this is a life experience we will cherish forever. While the property is beautiful, the true heart of this place is the family. They gave us an unexpected glimpse into a warm, loving Italian family. Shortly after settling in, we were surprised with a delicious plate of appetizers made from ingredients grown on the estate, paired with a fantastic wine made by their extended family. It was so special we are packing several bottles home with us! The property itself is pristine. The apartments feature well-appointed indoor and outdoor kitchens. Ours had a covered outdoor kitchen area, allowing us to cook a fabulous meal during an epic rainstorm that passed through before the sunshine quickly returned. The outdoor space has a sun umbrella for morning coffees and happy hours, a refreshing outdoor shower, and a beautiful pool with perfect water temperature. The chickens (chicas) are an added treat, providing fresh eggs upon arrival and entertainment that is far better than staring at a phone screen. The location is also perfect for day trips; we explored nearby beach towns and easily visited Naples for pizza. Casa Malvarosa is a magical retreat to come back to. We hope to gather up our friends and return together soon!

The lovely couple that owns this property lives next door. When we arrived, the husband showed us around with his broken English and my broken Italian. His wife brought us over bruschetta, mozzarella, other cheeses and salami, pizza, and olives from their farm. It was greatly appreciated after our drive. The house is outfitted well with everything you need for basic cooking. There is an outdoor kitchen available in a covered area just outside the door also. Just one air conditioner in the house and it’s located in the family room. We had record high temps while visiting (95 degrees F), but with the bedroom doors open and the fans placed in the doorways, we slept comfortably. The home is in the country and you definitely need a car to get around. They are putting the final touches on a small pool that will be so perfect when it’s finished. As far as amenities go, there is a washer available and a drying rack to hang your clothes. Bathrooms had shampoo, conditioner, and hair dryers. The fridge was stocked with milk and water, and there were bottles of wine for purchase that were reasonably priced. (We were also offered free beer or wine, and soda for the kids on arrival.) The parking space is tight, but our station wagon fit just fine. There’s an electric gate to keep your vehicle safe, and the house key chain has a remote for it, so no need to memorize any codes. The beds and pillows were firm. The family room bedrooms had TVs that worked well. It was a beautiful stay!