Casa Tuja, a holiday home in the Molise Hills, Tavenna, Italy

Casa Tuja, a Hillside Home in Undiscovered Molise

This country house is located in the Molise region of south central Italy, a largely unexplored part of the country and also one with very little pollution. According to the owners, it is the perfect place to inhale fresh and clean air, and to enjoy green hills and a crystal-clear sea.

The home belonged to their ancestors, who lived in it and worked the surrounding land. "There was no electricity at that time," they remember, "so they used to sleep in a room together with cows, which warmed them up with the heat of their breath. They devoted their entire lives to the cultivation and growth of olives and grapes, to create the best extra-virgin olive-oil and wine."

Memories of farm-to-table food, of delicious zabaione made with fresh eggs and sugar, and being pampered by grandparents have influenced the design of the home today.

"Our sweetest memories are related to this place and you can feel it by the positive energy in the air," they add. "Thanks to what our loving past taught us, we are still used to living our lives in a simple way, to be touched by the small things, to value what really matters, and to respect and take care of nature and each other."

Casa Tuja is the perfect place to slow your pace and enjoy a down-to-earth lifestyle. Its interiors are minimal, with natural colors and sustainable materials such as wicker baskets, woven carpets, and wooden accessories.

The house is named "your house" in the regional dialect, reflecting the owners' goal of making guests feel like they are at home. There's a lovely new swimming pool in the garden, as well as an open-air cinema among the olive trees!

This lovely two-bedroom vacation home rental in Italy is the perfect location for a relaxing family holiday.

What we love

There's a particular kind of quiet here that takes a day or two to actually hear. The pool helps. It sits at the top of the property, looks out over the hills, and on clear evenings you can just make out the sea. If you feel like venturing out, Trabocco Diamante at San Salvo Marina is worth the 30-minute drive. It's a converted fishing platform over the water.

The small detail that stays with most people: Lorenza's family is on the property most days, keeping the garden and pool in order. Her grandfather's plot is just down the road. Eggs and vegetables arrive at the door each morning. The first guests got a cake on arrival, made with fruit from the property. That hasn't changed.

Layout

This vacation home for rent in Tavenna, Molise sleeps up to five guests. Ground floor: open-plan kitchen and living/dining room with built-in sofa, covered panoramic terrace accessible via double doors. First floor (via external staircase): two en-suite bedrooms. Pool and garden set at the top of the property. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms. One bedroom has an additional single bed.

Beds

- Bedroom 1 — Double, en suite, extra single bed available

- Bedroom 2 — Double, en suite

Experiences

The host offers assistance organizing local experiences, including hiking routes, agriturismo visits, day trips to the Tremiti Islands, and introductions to the area's festivals. Fresh vegetables from the family garden are available on request. Private chef available on request.

Good to know

Tourist tax not included. Smoking permitted outside only. Baby cot and high chair provided for families. Dogs welcome on request (€40 per dog per day).

Amenities & services

Saltwater private pool (11×3m), barbecue, covered panoramic terrace, outdoor furniture, pool lounge chairs, parking, garden, air conditioning, central heating, WiFi, espresso machine, coffee maker, oven, stove, fridge, freezer, washing machine, iron, bed linen, towels, pool towels, kitchen towels, hairdryer, baby cot, high chair, care products, information on local itineraries

Around

Many enchanting places surround Casa Tuja: castles, amphitheaters, mountain trails, marvelous woods, sanctuaries, lakes, small villages and also a contemporary art outdoor museum. This land is proud of its ancient traditions, and it is possible to take part in ancient, unique festivals. There are wonderful beaches with crystal-clear water within 20 minutes by car.

The house is located in the small village of Tavenna, where there is a café, restaurant, pharmacy, and a small village supermarket. The city of Termoli, with its long, sandy beach and old walled castle, is a 20-minute drive away.

Molise was recently selected by the New York Times as one of the best worldwide destinations to visit. A relatively unknown region, its landscape is made up of the Apennine mountains and a beautiful coastline, dotted with trabucchi, traditional wooden platforms once used for fishing. Take the ferry to the Tremiti Islands or enjoy winter sports in the surrounding mountains.