The House
A Haven in the Heart of the Apennines
SALVATICO is a Guest House and Holiday Accomodation located on a wooded property just above the village of Vidiciatico, approx. 800 meters above sea level.
The village of Vidiciatico is in the Apennines area between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany, about 75 km southeast of the city of Bologna.
Built in the post-war era, this spacious 250 sqm Villa is set across two levels with a private garden.
Surrounded by woodland and edging onto the Monte Grande forest, this house is a genuine haven of tranquillity and fresh air, a true climatic refuge.
About This Family Mountain House
The house was originally built in 1959 by my grandfather Antonio, who emigrated from Palmi (Reggio Calabria) to Bologna after the war. Starting out as a carpenter, he established a building firm in Bologna and purchased a plot of land with a small chestnut grove in Vidiciatico, where he brought his workmen to build his second home. Yet the true inspiration for the house came from my grandmother Jole, who longed to escape the scorching Bolognese summers and give her three children a place to breathe in the pure mountain air and unwind in the cool.
My father Giuseppe — an engineer — was deeply in love with this house. He worked in the family business alongside my grandfather and personally oversaw its modernisation in the late 1980s, ensuring every improvement respected the spirit and warmth of the original home. My mother Fiorella — a flower arranger — brought her own refined touch to the house and garden. With an eye for harmony, colour and detail, she enriched every corner with quiet elegance, preserving the home’s distinctive charm while elevating its timeless beauty.
Since the 1960s, our family have enjoyed happy summers and snowy winters here, welcoming friends and relatives through the generations and creating a lifetime of simple, beautiful memories. Today, following a careful restoration and improvements in energy efficiency, our beloved family home has become SALVATICO, a place where we hope you’ll feel truly at home, even when far from your own.
Explore SALVATICO
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Hosting Philosophy
A Home Built for Togetherness
This mountain home is spacious and surrounded by nature: a place designed for connection, where shared mornings, long dinners, and quiet evenings become lasting memories.
Ideally suited for Groups & Families
The property is ideally suited to groups and larger families —whether it is a circle of friends or families travelling together, wishing to share time in complete comfort.
The first floor features six bedrooms and two shared bathrooms, making it the perfect setting for convivial stays.
Given its generous layout and shared facilities, the best option is to reserve it as a whole.
We highly recommend booking the entire first floor, accommodating up to 8 guests.
This option ensures full privacy, the exclusive use of all spaces, and offers the best value for your group.
Individual Rooms
For couples or smaller parties, individual rooms are also available. Please note that the single-room rates reflect the privilege of accessing a 250 sqm villa with its private park, as well as the extensive maintenance required to prepare the large shared spaces for your arrival.
Minimum stay
Please note: a minimum stay of 2 nights applies to all room bookings.
Regional Compliance
Occupancy and Cleaning services are defined by Emilia-Romagna Regional Law.
Occupancy
In compliance with Emilia-Romagna Regional Law, occupancy is strictly defined by room size:
14m² rooms: Double Occupancy (2 rooms available)
10m² rooms: Single Occupancy (4 rooms available)
Total available rooms: 6 rooms
Maximum legal occupancy: 8 guests
Cleaning
Furthermore, regional regulations require:
Daily cleaning of all bedrooms and the guest kitchen
Change of bed linen and towels twice weekly
The Host will coordinate with guests to schedule these cleaning services at a time that does not cause disturbance.
The Rooms
Sleep Well, Dream Deep
Sleeping at SALVATICO is an invitation to serenity. Cradled by the forest yet close to the village, the house is embraced by the natural rhythm of the mountains. Even when the natural elements speak with strength, silence feels alive and sleep comes easily, cradled by the heartbeat of the woods.
First Floor Bedrooms and Bathrooms
Guests have full access to the entire first floor of the house – reached via two short flights of stairs (20 in total) – that includes:
- two double bedrooms (14m² each) with terraces;
- four cosy bedrooms (10m² each);
- two bathrooms (5m² each) with washbasin, toilet, bidet, and shower.
Guest Amenities
Each room includes: bed linens, blankets, protective mattress covers, towels and bathrobes.
All the bed furniture, bed bases and mattresses have been renewed and are sized as follows: double beds 190×160 cm; single beds 80×190 cm.
Both bathrooms have been completely renovated.
All the windows and fixtures in the house have been updated with insulated triple-glazed windows. Each window and french-door is equipped with mosquito nets and shutters.
A baby cot (60 × 120 cm) is available on request, with pillow and linen. Just let me know in advance. Please note that this is the only baby facility provided; parents should bring other essentials (or find them at the local Pharmacy in the village).
Nightly Rates
Winter / Summer Rates
In the list below, you will find two rates for each accomodation – room type.
The first rate listed applies to the Winter Season, approximately October to April in Vidiciatico, and reflects the period when heating is required and its associated costs.
The second rate applies to the Summer Season, running from May to September.
All rates include the use of the shared bathrooms, the dining room, the outdoor area, and the property’s facilities.
Please note: a minimum stay of 2 nights applies to all room bookings.
Reserve the Whole First Floor
GROUPS’ BEST VALUE
Reserve the whole first floor – six bedrooms with two shared bathrooms, for up to 8 guests – for 400 € / 350 € per night.
Individual Room Rates
Double 14m² bedrooms: 100 € / 90 € per night (2 rooms available) with shared bathroom
Single 10m² bedrooms: 80 € / 70 € per night (4 rooms available) with shared bathroom
How to Book Your Stay
Currently, SALVATICO is not listed on any online booking platforms, nor is a public availability calendar provided. As this is a private Villa and the Host’s year-round residence, the only way to book is by sending an email to enquire about availability or by calling the Host directly.
A brief introductory chat is always appreciated before confirming a stay. Discussing your preferred dates, understanding the dynamic of your party (whether it is a group of friends or two families travelling together), and getting to know each other a little is truly important. This personal approach ensures that SALVATICO is the perfect fit for your holiday.
The Dining Room
Gather & Savour
On the ground floor, guests can enjoy a spacious dining room (48 m²) with a distinctive 1960s bar counter, a 12-seater dining table, and a large window overlooking the garden.
The room features a fully equipped kitchen with a four-burner hob and oven, fridge-freezer, double sink, dishwasher, and washing machine. You’ll find everything you need: pots and pans, baking trays, cooking utensils, crockery and glassware, including wine and champagne glasses, serving dishes, cutlery, table linens, biodegradable cleaning products, and more.
A cosy lounge area with two sofas, a coffee table, a TV, and a pellet stove/fireplace makes this a perfect place to gather after a day exploring the mountains.
The dining room is also cleaned every day.
The house offers a reliable Wi-Fi connection throughout.
A Taste of the Territory
The Apennine area is rich in small farms and artisans who proudly uphold tradition, creating products that embody the authentic flavours of the region.
Depending on the season, local produce include: yoghurts, various cheeses and Parmigiano Reggiano from nearby dairies, fresh eggs, local cured meats, chestnuts and chestnut flour, wild blueberries and raspberries, mushrooms, honey, organic grains, herbal teas, seasonal fruit and vegetables, and even wines from local vineyards.
On request, guests can arrive to find a selection of these delicious local specialities waiting in the fridge — perfect to enjoy during the stay or to take home (vacuum-sealed options available). This assumes a paid bespoke service — extra cost applies — and must be arranged well in advance. We particularly recommend this option for guests on short stays who may not have time to source these items themselves.
Alternatively, discover it yourself. For guests with more time to explore, the Host would be delighted to provide tips and a list of the best local producers. This way, you can visit them directly to buy your groceries, enjoy tastings, join local food festivals (sàgre), and experience the authentic flavours of the region firsthand.
Seasonal Events & Workshops
Throughout the year a programme of events may take place in the dining room and/or in the garden: food and wine tastings, cooking workshops, themed dinners as well as flower arranging and basket weaving courses, yoga and meditation lessons.
Guests will be informed and are welcome to participate.
Wi-Fi Connectivity & Coworking Atmosphere
The house offers a reliable Wi-Fi connection throughout. However, we ask guests to bear in mind that due to our mountain location, internet stability is not comparable to the city: temporary outages or signal drops may occur depending on weather conditions and infrastructure limitations typical of the Apennines.
From Mondays to Fridays (9:00 am – 6:00 pm), the dining room may host a by-reservation Coworking Service. During these hours, the single Wi-Fi network is shared; consequently, connection speeds may fluctuate or slow down depending on the number of users and the nature of their work operations.
In this timeframe, shared spaces — such as the coffee / breakfast area and the garden — may occasionally be enjoyed in the good company of local professionals.
The Garden
Breathe, Chill & Come Together
Outside, guests can relax and enjoy:
- woodland that embraces the property;
- a courtyard in front of the house, with a barbecue, large tables, umbrellas and sun loungers, surrounded by hydrangeas, rosemary, and medicinal herbs;
- another courtyard with a glamping dome (under construction)
The facilities include:
- an open-air area to relax, have a walk, make a picnic, dry your laundry, etc.;
- two gates leading to the driveway, with parking for 5 cars (in a row).
Experiences, Crafts & Retreats
A seasonal calendar will takes place within the dining hall and gardens, featuring everything from culinary experiences to artisan workshops like floristry and traditional basketry, to wellness sessions.
Guests will be kept well-informed and are warmly invited to join in.
House Rules and Accessibility
Bedding & Mattress Protection
To ensure the highest standards of hygiene and to protect our new mattresses, all beds are fitted with waterproof mattress protectors. These covers are essential for safeguarding against accidental spills and are designed to provide peace of mind for guests of all ages. We kindly ask you not to remove them. The protectors feature a soft top layer selected specifically to be noiseless and breathable. However, should you find that the cover causes any discomfort or noise, please do not hesitate to speak to the Host, that will do her best to find a suitable solution.
Wi-Fi
The house offers a reliable Wi-Fi connection throughout. Access data and password will be provided to Guests at the arrival.
TV Policy
Please note: because we believe that true rest begins with quiet, there are no televisions in the bedrooms. The only TV is in the dining room: we find that watching a great movie or show is often better when shared!
Of course, guests are welcome to watch films or series on their personal devices in the comfort of their room, using the Wi-Fi connection. However, to respect the peace of other guests, please use headphones after 11 pm.
Alternatively, for a true cinematic experience, all guests are warmly invited to the Cinema Teatro La Pergola — a delightful old-style picture house run by a group of volunteers (myself included). Don’t miss the Wednesday 9 pm screenings (original language films with Italian subtitles), or the Saturday (9 pm) and Sunday (6 pm) screenings (films dubbed in Italian).
Smoking Policy
We kindly ask guests not to smoke in the bedrooms or bathrooms. On the first-floor corridor — directly opposite the stairs — you will find a French window leading to a terrace equipped with ashtrays. Smokers are welcome to use this outdoor space at any time; it is the perfect spot to gather and enjoy a smoke in good company.
General Accessibility
Unfortunately, due to the property’s terraced layout and access stairs, SALVATICO is currently not suitable for guests with reduced mobility or wheelchair users.
We deeply regret this limitation.
Making our home accessible to everyone is one of the goals for the future renovation plans.
Four-legged friends policy
Dogs are more than welcome at SALVATICO, provided they are accustomed to travel and socialising with others.
- Please be aware that the property is not entirely fenced; therefore, dogs should only be allowed off-lead if they are strictly obedient / have a reliable recall, as the host cannot be held responsible for any adventurous escapes into the nearby woods;
- Please keep dogs on a lead near local livestock and while in the garden. Given our proximity to the woodland, our grounds serve as a natural corridor for wildlife including badgers, roe deer, and wild boar. While sightings are much rarer, wolves also inhabit the area of Monte Grande. To prevent any unwanted encounters or chases, please ensure your dog is never left unattended outside. The host accepts no liability for lost pets or those that wander into the surrounding woodland;
- Owners are responsible for ensuring their dogs do not consume any prohibited food or drink, and the host accepts no responsibility for any resulting illness;
- Owners remain responsible for their dogs at all times, and any damage caused to the house or its furnishings will be charged to the guest.