The Place
Beside the main square and the church in the small inland town of Giungano, but with a distant view of the sea, Domus Laeta has been the home of the aristocratic Aulisio family since it was built in the 17th century. The house is well preserved, with watch towers, walls punctuated by loopholes, stables and mangers, a stone-built oil mill, cellars and bread ovens. In the lovely gardens a glorious swimming pool (with hydromassage) has been created from an old reservoir, fed by a spring-water well.
Inside, the house is tasteful and cultured; the tiled floors and timbered ceilings of the public rooms unchanged over the centuries. The Aulisio family’s heritage is evident everywhere: in the antiques and objets d’art, the portraits and other paintings, and the 3,000 rare books that fill the library bookcases. Occupying the original rooms, and some with historic names (The Bishop’s Antechamber and The Bishop’s Chamber), the bedrooms are simple yet attractive.
Good value prices include a generous continental breakfast, and the Aulisios, always charming and accommodating hosts, will organize dinner specially if you request it in advance. There are also a number of trattorie nearby, serving simple local food.