JATU Retreat

A Modern Sanctuary with Wellness Experiences, Tours, and Views of the Tyrhennian Sea

A modern sanctuary surrounded by green lawns, rolling hills of olives and eight private hectares, this serene villa puts the Tyrhennian Sea at the forefront, its oversized windows ensuring that the infinite blue waters merge with the simplicity of the space. Designed by Pungitore Architects, the contemporary property’s focal point besides the sea is its infinity pool of tufo stone, carved into the hilltop by local artisans. Though only minutes from the ancient village of Tropea, the villa feels immersed in nature, a private retreat with no immediate neighbors, and panoramic views of the fertile countryside and turquoise waters.

With a 90 square meter villa, the property can accommodate four adult guests and one child in one double bedroom, and one double mezzanine bedroom with a futon. It's outfitted with two kitchens—one indoors and one out—to encourage alfresco living. There’s a wood-burning oven, a barbecue and outdoor entertainment area, an organic vegetable garden and orchard hung with handmade hammocks, and a pretty footpath through the fields leading directly out to sea.

On-site experiences include yoga and meditation classes, open-air massage, eco-sustainable cooking classes and tastings, trekking and biking, boat tours and fishing experiences, and the possibility to book a personal trainer, water sport guide or local market guide.

Around

Located in Calabria, in the fertile, cultivated region known as the rossa, this property is close to the small town of Tropea, with its photogenic marina, historical buildings, artisanal business and seaside opportunities. Nature, serenity and simplicity reign in the region, a rural area known for its dual offering of rich land and bright blue water. The sea around Tropea is vivid turquoise, marked by chalky white coastline cliffs and powdery sands. Tropea is best known for its clifftop old town, built on a former Byzantine cemetery with a 12th-century cathedral standing guard, along with the Santa Maria dell’Isola Church perched on a rock overlooking the sea. Tropea’s promontory rises some 150ft above the sea, so views from the town are beautiful, and its sandy beaches and rocky outcroppings have earned the town the designation as Italy’s “Village of all Villages,” a pearl of the Mediterranean occupying Italy’s boot toe in lesser traveled Calabria.

With 500 miles of coastline facing the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west, the Ionian Sea to the East and its placement on the “Coast of the Gods,” legend has it that Hercules himself founded the community. The town’s ancient palazzi are built right on top of sheer cliffs that drop to beaches below. Rock formations and turquoise waters make the area a photographer’s paradise, and visitors will welcome the striking architecture, artisanal boutiques, and family-owned and operated restaurants and cafes that line the narrow, medieval maze of streets above the water. The greater region is agricultural, famed for its red onions and ‘nduja salami, a spicy, spreadable version of the meat made nearby. Grottos line the Coast of the Gods, and there are boat tours available that also visit the Eolian Islands. Sunsets are famously redder than the town’s onions, and this region benefits from dark, starlit night skies.

Location

Nearest airport: Lamezia Terme (SUF, 30 miles), Catania (100 miles)

Best time to visit

March to October