Country house near Campli, Abruzzo

Perched on a hillside overlooking the red roofs of Campli, a historic town in Abruzzo, a whitewashed villa with a stone tower stands guard over mellow hills, thick cluster of trees and a mosaic of green and taupe fields.
It is hard to tell what is best about it—the elegant simplicity of the building, the lovely lawned gardens that surround it, or the kaleidoscope of greens framed by the many large windows.
The views are particularly beautiful from the large bedroom at the top of the tower, which overlooks the Abruzzo countryside all the way from the misty bulk of the mountains to the azure expanse of the sea.
“Built to encompass views of the Adriatic sea, the historic centre of Campli, the fortress of Civitella, the Gemelli mountains and the mountain range of the Gran Sasso, the tower room allows almost a 360 degree view of all the best features of the Province of Teramo,” says John of selling agents Absolutely Abruzzo, who calls it the villa’s “most outstanding feature.”
But the rest of the house is attractive too. It is big and comfortable, with some 650 square metres of living space set across three levels and linked by a sweeping staircase. Rooms have an airy contemporary feel tempered by the rustic charm of brick or stone fireplaces, and classic stoves.
Set only 40 minutes away from Pescara’s international airport, and within driving distance from Rome and Ancona, this villa would make a fabulous country home. However, a versatile layout allows prospective buyers to split it into two separate areas, if required, or use it for a bed and breakfast business. The Adriatic Sea is 20 minutes away, and the ski slopes are about half an hour’s drive.
The asking price is €500,000 through Absolutely Abruzzo (00 39 0861 1990481, http://absolutely-abruzzo.co.uk).