Villa Il Frantoio Praiano

Villa Il Frantoio is a bed & breakfast in Praiano, in the South of Italy, in the charming village of Vettica Maggiore is the recently restored historic Il Frantoio. The villa was once a working olive press for the local villagers and has been carefully restored to bring back the essence of a period long gone.

The bed and breakfast feature six rooms each with a special and unique character with private terraces overlooking the shimmering Mediterranean, picturesque Positano and legendary Capri. Homer’s famed isle of the Sirens (Sirenuse) also lies in what seems merely inches from your touch through your window.

The architecture of the villa dates back to the 17th century and all of the romantic and dramatic details shine through today. The bed and breakfast’s private and common-space terraces are characterized by dramatic high arches and the sleeping chambers have domed roofs in the authentic style of this region.

The original stone wheel and press have been kept fully intact in our grand suite as a tasteful centrepiece. Although every effort to restore it original charm and elegance have been employed, there are all the modern conveniences one would expect in a world class bed and breakfast establishment.

LA MOLAZZA SUITE
La Molazza is our main suite. The room has a large double bed and two singles with en-suite full bathroom with shower, a beautiful Sea view private terrace. The floor of the room is in marble and it is furnished with wardrobe.

The room also has a convenient kitchenette with a two electric burners’ stove, cutlery and dishes. Our guests will admire the majestic antique milling systems of olives to make pastes and extract virgin olive oil, based on the use of heavy stone cylinders, only contained in this special room of our villa.

IL SANSARIO JUNIOR SUITE
Il Sansario is a room with whirlpool bathtub. Has an area of about 30 square meters (about 320 sq feet) plus a large garden-terrace of 30 s.m. (about 320 sq. feet) including all modern facilities.

The floors are colorful marble and the rooms are furnished with antiques. The room has a convenient kitchenette with a two burner stove, cutlery and dishes.

IL FRANTOIANO
Il Frantoiano is a room with en-suite bathroom with shower. The area of the room is about 22 square meters (230 square feet); the room offers an outside area where you will find a porch and a garden-terrace of about 15 square meters (160 square feet).

You will enjoy all modern conveniences. The floors are colorful marble and the room is furnished with antiques. The terrace afford a beautiful Sea view.

VILLA LILMAR
With architecture dating back to the 17th century, coupled with all the modern conveniences one would expect, the Villa Lilmar is a fantastic rental choice.

Offering glorious views of Positano, Capri, and the islands of Li Galli, Villa Lilmar will seduce you. Located in the quaint village of Praiano, Villa Lilmar is the perfect waypoint for seeing all the wonders of the Amalfi Coast.

This means that Amalfi, Capri, Ravello, Sorrento, and Positano, true gems of the region, are within close proximity. And the villa lies in a centralized position in the village of Praiano, just minutes walking distance from the center of Vettica Maggiore. There are also restaurants, bars, grocery stores, and a Sita bus stop nearby.

Villa Lilmar features two bedrooms, each with unique character. One matrimonial bedroom has a large window and en-suite bathroom with shower and washer, the other has a door that opens on to a vast terrace, and has a small bathroom with a shower.

The lovely terrace is equipped with table, chairs, and two sun beds, where you can dine, or bask in the sun. The spacious living room features a TV with SAT international channels and a sofa that folds out into a comfortable single bed (up to three single beds are available and a baby cot).

There is a beautiful kitchen with a 4-burner stove and electric oven, well-equipped with modern appliances, including a dishwasher. There is also a dining room with six tables. Dramatic high arches and domed roofs, authentic to the style of the region, convey a wonderful romantic style.

Though Villa Lilmar has a multitude of 21st century amenities, the original charm and elegance remains intact through the architectural design. The villa faces west, which allows you to enjoy the evening sun and admire wonderful sunsets behind the Faraglioni of Capri.

To access this villa, you must walk 50 steps, then 150 meters from the nearest parking area. The property is not accessible by car, but, this fact does guarantee tranquility. Parking facilities in the town lots is available with a charge. While at the villa you might enjoy full breakfast on the terrace or can visit the nearby Villa.

Villa Lilmar benefits of all Villa Il Frantoio services, managing the Villa Lilmar : breakfast service, the stunning swimming pool, parasol and sunbedsand the bar. Villa Il Frantoio staff is also available for directions and suggestions, can book taxis or excursions for you.

THE AMALFI COAST
Praiano is an ancient village on the Amalfi Coast, and is situated halfway between Positano and Amalfi. The B&b Villa Il Frantoio is a b&b in the Amalfi coast; it is located in the core of Praiano, on Via Francesco Russo 36, just a few minutes walk from the centre of Vettica Maggiore.

The main Sita bus stop, as well as restaurants and bars are nearby. Here at the villa you will enjoy the evening sun until 8:30 pm during the summer and the splendid view of Capri, Positano and Li Galli island.

The walk from the parking area to the villa consists of approximately 40 steps and leads to a communal path of about 200 meters. The walk to the village center is about 200 steps. Parking facilities are available at 12 Euros per day. It is advisable to make parking arrangements prior to your arrival.

Praiano and Vettica are ancient villages like all others on the Amalfi Coast, and are situated halfway between Positano and Amalfi. The origins of these two villages are unfortunately unknown to us because of the few documents found so far.

Praiano, Antica Plagianum, facing east gives you the opportunity to enjoy the sun and moonrise, whilst Vettica Maggiore (where il Frantoio is set) faces west and from there you can admire wonderful sunsets behind the “Faraglioni” of Capri.

Praiano has always been a fishing village and until few years ago fishing was the main profession. The old village was situated by the sea, but due to the saracen’s invasion, pestilences, and other natural calamities, they were obliged to move higher up in the mountains for safety reasons.

During the “Angioino” and Preroyal periods many fortresses were built along the sea. Many of these are still in good condition and can be seen along our marvellous coast.

They also built a lot of houses with Mediterranean style roofs, looking like eagles nests lying among the rocks and terraced gardens with dry built walls made of local stones. The villagers also took up farming and grew products typical of the region such as citrus fruits, potatoes, tomatoes, grapes, barley.

The council crest of Praiano includes oranges in it’s design , signifying the importance of agriculture. In the “Angioino” time, Praiano was bestowed the title of Universitas, an honour only few villages received.

With that title, Praiano was able to become more independent. Still its financial relationship with Amalfi lasted until the 17th century.

Silk and linen manufacturing along with the art of creating fishing nets provided other means of making a living. Men, apart from being good fishermen, used to fish and sell local corals to the factories of Torre del Greco.

In 1924 a very bad landslide destroyed the Praia beach area. It was disastrous for the village as it was the location where most activities took place and where most local goods were traded.

The “Cala della Gavitella”, located at Vettica di Praiano, another beach similar to the Praia , was also used as a trading place and for the storage of goods in the so called “magazzeni”. Spread around both villages 15 churches and chapels were built, with most being for private use.

The two main churches were built after the Lepanto battle at the end of the 16th century: the Church of Saint Luca is located in Praiano and Saint Gennaro in Vettica Maggiore.

Staying at a bed and breakfast in Praiano as Villa Il Frantoio, means fully enjoy the wonders of these places, because the b&b is just a short walk from all the beauty of the Amalfi Coast: Amalfi, Capri, Ravello, Sorrento.. real gems of nature!

Rooms: 6

Price: from 163 EUR per night

Source: www.frantoiopraiano.it