A cobalt sea pushes deep inside the bay, lapping the foot of rugged white cliffs, almost like a Mediterranean fjord. Guarding one end of the inlet, a tower stands powerful and lonely above a winding coastal path scented with aromatic herbs and blazing sunshine. And, above and below it, an intricate maze of stairs and vantage points crisscross the Praiano promontory, revealing slices of jagged coastline, old churches, sacred niches and crystalline waters scattered with islets.
Every corner of the dramatic Amalfi coast reserves a surprise—emerald caves, deep azure bays, pretty hamlets clinging to steep slopes—and the stretch around Praiano, which looks out towards Positano and Capri on one side and towards Furore and Conca dei Marini on the other, is particularly beautiful.
Here, just outside town, the quintessential Italian retreat has come up for sale. Villa Mediterraneo is a whitewashed home laid across two levels, which overlooks the sea.
The interiors are bright and spacious, with seven bedrooms (five of which are ensuite), a large kitchen and living room.
But it is the outdoor space that makes Villa Mediterraneo really attractive. A big panoramic terrace is perfect to soak up the sun and the azure sea views while the portico below it is ideal to eat alfresco.
Best of all is the 500-square metre garden, a verdant feast of Mediterranean varieties partly covered with pergolas, which looks out towards the dazzling waters and cloudless sky.
Alas, the asking price matches all this visual magnificence—it is €1.9m through Italy’s Atmospheres (www.italysatmospheres.com, +39 334 327 7232).
