What is the name of your accommodation?

Our accommodation is called Villa Montagnola.

Could you introduce yourself and share a bit about your life, such as your interests, hobbies, or background?

We are Michel and Maria Coumans. Since our first stay in Rome in 1980 and later years we spent in Milan, we have fallen in love with Italy. We now live with heart and soul in the hills of the Sabina region. We love nature, tranquility, cooking and sharing the Italian lifestyle with friends and guests.

How did your property become part of your life? When did it happen, and what inspired or motivated you to take it on? 

Our first encounter with the Sabina region dates back to 1981, when we drove from Rome to the Terminillo ski area. The peace, the hills, the nature, it spoke to us immediately. Years later, we searched for a casale to renovate, but something was always not quite right. Until the realtor called: “I have something, but it is not quite it.” Mysterious words. When we visited the olive grove and saw the magnificent panorama, we knew this was the place. But a house that was not there yet.

What was the process of creating your property like? Tell us about renovating, furnishing, or styling it.

Because no house existed, we were able to design freely. We built something that blends completely into the landscape, while the interior is modern, comfortable and functional. Comfort, practical usability and aesthetics were our priorities:
• A large, fully equipped kitchen, where Maria later developed her own Italian recipes and cookbooks (Cucina Maria).
• Bedrooms with spacious 2.10 m beds and air conditioning for maximum comfort.
• A villa whose colours and exterior blend with the hues of the mountain, the Montagnola, so that everything harmonises with the surrounding nature.
Later,  we also bought the neighbouring land from the baron and built a second home for ourselves, allowing the villa to be fully available for guests, friends and our children.

What makes your property truly special to you? Do you have any favorite spots, cherished memories, or personal touches that make it dear to your heart?

For us, the magic lies in the combination of absolute tranquillity, the sweeping view across the valleys toward Rome where on clear days you can see as many as eleven valleys, the shifting light on the mountain that creates a mysterious and unforgettable atmosphere, and the intimate, personal setting that we ourselves love to live in. This blend is what  gives Villa Montagnola its unique charm and soul.

How would you describe the atmosphere and interior of your property?

Villa Montagnola embodies Italian simplicity, modern comfort and rural peace. From the outside, it appears as though it is part of the mountain itself. Inside, a warm and homely atmosphere prevails: calm, comfortable and thoughtfully designed, with modern furnishings, a practical kitchen, comfortable beds and air conditioning, all centred on wellbeing and experience.

Are there any sustainable or eco-friendly applications associated with your property that you are proud of?

The swimming pool runs on solar energy,  and we store power in batteries for use at night. In this way, we minimise our environmental impact and respect the serenity of the surroundings.

To make all this possible, it became necessary to rent out the villa during the weeks we do not use it ourselves. The setting is so special that we are happy to share it with others.

What can guests expect when staying at your accommodation? Share the experience, the highlights, and perhaps the best compliment you’ve received from past guests.

Guests can count on silence and privacy in the heart of nature, breathtaking views over valleys and mountains, a fully equipped kitchen where they can cook for themselves or enjoy preparing meals together, comfortable and spacious bedrooms with large beds and air conditioning, and the relaxation offered by the solar-powered pool.

In their reviews, guests often say they feel at home, that they unwind, that they enjoy cooking together as a family or with friends, and that the views and silence have deeply moved them. One compliment we often receive is that they feel as if they have stepped back in time, away from stress and back to simplicity, nature and peace.

Reading the reviews will help you understand even better what guests appreciate about the accommodation.

Make your holiday unforgettable by visiting Rome, less than an hour’s drive away, for a perfect day trip. Explore the Sabina with its historic villages, olive groves and authentic local trattorias. Enjoy nature in all its forms — the walks, the viewpoints, the sunrises and sunsets from the terrace. Make use of the kitchen, where anyone who loves cooking can work with local ingredients to prepare a homemade meal full of the region’s organic richness. And take time to do nothing at all: simply sit, read, share, listen to the silence and feel what peace does to you.

What do you hope guests will take away from their stay, and do you have any special tips or recommendations to make their holiday unforgettable?

We hope guests leave with a sense of inner calm, a deeper connection to nature, a renewed appreciation for simplicity and warm, lasting memories of Italy. We hope they carry the silence, the views, the kitchen and the atmosphere with them, perhaps even a small piece of the soul of the Sabina.