Villa Serena - Holiday apartment in Vietri sul Mare

Come una nave in mezzo al mare

Noticing our amazement upon entering her apartment, Signora Lina, the friendly owner, told us about the history of its extraordinary architecture. The famous Italian architect Paolo Soleri, founder of the Arcology movement, planned the apartment as the image of a ship which seems to float above the sea.

Recently modernized Villa Serena was built in the 1950s, supervised by Soleri. At the time, the waters still crashed against the rocks directly below the apartment and the sandy beach of Marina di Vietri was not yet there.

Even today, the sight you meet with beyond the large panorama windows, still gives you the feeling of living right on the sea.  

Villa Serena is located on the 1st floor of a house facing the sea and built on a terraced slope. From the parking lot somewhat above, you need only descend a few steps to get to your apartment.

Vietri sul Mare is an ideal starting point to explore the charming area of the Amalfi coast, but at the same time enjoy a wonderful beach holiday away from the hustle and bustle.

Right from your terrace and via a stepped path you can reach the sandy beach of Marina di Vietri with restaurants, bars and shopping facilities.

Experience a „cheerful“ holiday at the seaside at artfully furnished Villa Serena and feel the charm of the picturesque Costiera Amalfitana taking hold of you!

Adorned with Vietri tiles and elements of lava stone, the apartment displays a fascinating interior.

Villa Serena includes a sea view double bedroom with en suite bathroom, the latter equipped with bathtub, WC/bidet.

From the bathroom you have also got a fantastic view of the sea.

Furthermore, there is a second double bedroom as well as a second bathroom with masonry shower and WC/bidet.  

The living area in the spacious living-/dining room is furnished with a sofa bed for the 5th and 6th persons, a fireside, a TV, a piano as well as a colorful dining table made of „pietra lavica“ (lava stone).

The eat-in kitchen of Villa Serena is equipped with oven, 4-burner gas stove, refrigerator with freezer compartment and toaster.

The large terrace, partly shaded by an awning, runs the width of the house. Garden furniture, sunbeds and an outdoor barbecue are at your disposal.

At the end of the terrace, there is a small area which the owner has chosen as her favorite spot. It is adorned with statues from Greek mythology and green plants.

A place to linger while the sea lies at your feet!

Villa Serena offers, among others, air conditioning with heating system, fireside, TV, piano, barbecue and washing machine.

You can park your car on a reserved parking space above the apartment.

It is only 300 m from your apartment, via a stepped path, to the sandy beach of Marina di Vietri with restaurants, shopping facilities and bars.

The town of Vietri sul Mare is only 1.5 km off.

Those who wish to avoid driving along the winding coastal road can use the very well organized public transportation system, the Sita-busses.

Only about 50 m from Villa Serena there is a bus stop from where busses depart for Amalfi, Ravello and Positano.

Nearest train station: Salerno.

Tips for excursions:

Due to Villa Serena’s convenient location, you are not far from the famous excavation sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Or make a day trip to Capri. There are numerous maritime connections departing from Salerno.

Visit the tile factory of family Solimene where the old craft of tile painting is still alive today.

Watch ceramics of all kinds being painted by hand and witness this fascinating art whose origins date back to Etruscan times.

The building itself was designed back in the 1950s by Paolo Soleri, the architect of Villa Serena.

Returning to Italy after his studies in the USA, he spent some time at Vietri sul Mare to learn the art of tile painting. That was when he made the acquaintance of family Solimene, who then entrusted him with the project of a new tile factory.

Soleri, admirer of the Spanish artist Gaudi, took the latter’s works of art as role models and designed a building which amazes passers-by with its façade of huge triangular glass elements and conical walls of ceramic elements.

The unique architecture of fabbrica Solimene will surely fascinate you, too!

Information about the town of Vietri sul Mare...