VILLA IN ALPS-MARITIME PERCHED VILLAGE ABOVE FRENCH ITALIAN RIVIERA

The restaurant, when and if open on the weekends, is one of the watering spots for everyone, the other being the river. Our intimate villa is reached by climbing the Via Corridoio stairs past the church, turning right down the mysterious Via Oscura, up some steep angular stairs to our tiny entrance courtyard.

Take the path from your Villa down to the Roya River to a small sand and pebble beach, providing a cool dip and sunbathing. If your supplies run low or you want the best Cappuccino around, walk 15 minutes down to Marisa's (where you turned off up to Fanghetto). Walking and hiking trails abound. A Roman footpath runs right outside your door on the Via Corridoio, leading up and down the valley, connecting with a wonderful labyrinth of well-marked and maintained hiking trials throughout the mountains.

The living room of your cozy Villa, with its fireplace (nice in the late spring and early fall) offers a view of the church, and room for reading, conversation and rest, or listening to music from the CD collection. The convertible couch provides a spot for a fifth person or kids to sleep (for safety reasons children should be in arms or at least 5). Just a few steps away from your table is a separate, fully equipped kitchen. On Sundays you can look down on the priest greeting his small flock. Just a step above the kitchen are a bathroom and bedroom, with a small alcove table for writing, looking out over a great mountain view.

A stairway up from the living room leads to a spacious roof terrace, with a charcoal grill, chairs and cocktail table, a larger table with umbrella for al fresco dining, and lounge chairs for sunning and naps. As you look out over the beautiful Roya valley and mountains, you will be amazed by the extensive centuries-old terracing by monks and peasants for growing olive trees.

Spectacular views up or down the Roya valley await you, as do the soothing sounds of the river from below. Soon the swallows come out, and then the stars—a perfect setting for good food and wine great conversations and unforgettable memories.

But your biggest surprise still awaits you. Step through the archway under the stairs, down into a stunning master bedroom, with its luxurious queen sized bed, spacious armoire and large bureau; enjoy a relaxing 'rain' shower in the large second bathroom. There is also separate toilet, and hidden washing machine. This bedroom is a place for deep sleep and wonderful dreams. One of the pleasures of this room is looking up at the white barrel-vaulted ceiling with all its amazing curves and niches. The walls are three feet thick keeping you cool in summer, and warm in spring or fall (helped by an electric heater if need be).