What is the name of your accommodation?

Poggio Castellaro

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

We are two sisters: the older one, Cinzia, is an architect with a passion for architecture, art, and design. She lives between Milan and Paris.The younger one, Marzia, is an accountant with two sons and a passion for travel, preferably to seaside destinations. She is the one who strongly insisted on having a swimming pool long enough to swim for at least an hour every day.

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

About 10 years ago, my sister and I decided to share something important: a place where we could spend pleasant, unhurried moments together. A place where we could be at peace, in an unspoiled setting, surrounded by the silence of nature and easily accessible from Milan.

When I was shown the ruins of this farmhouse, I didn’t hesitate. I immediately knew it was the right place to create a beautiful retreat for us and our families.

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

As an architect, I was immediately drawn to the idea of renovating this farmhouse. The interior was empty except for a central pillar, but the view was beautiful, and the windows overlooking the garden were large and bright.

So I created a ground floor dedicated to communal space, without doors or divisions. A large, fully equipped kitchen and dining area form one wing of the house, directly connected to the porch, where it is always pleasant to eat al fresco.

To make everyone feel at home, I decided that each room should have its own bathroom, so I created three large bedrooms on the upper floor, each with an en-suite bathroom.

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?

When we bought it, the house had only exterior walls and a roof. The windows were just openings in the masonry, and inside there was a large empty space. Everything could be imagined, and as an architect, I had a lot of fun envisioning how to turn that shell into the right place for us.

I wanted to create an environment that blended simple elements typical of the Italian countryside with contemporary touches. The functionality of the spaces, together with the warmth of the materials and colors, the permanence of the stone masonry, and the uncluttered interiors, all contribute to today’s atmosphere. Our friends often tell us that this is a house where everyone feels at ease.

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

During the day, the rooms are filled with light, while the view of the opposite hills is wide and expansive.

The interiors are spacious and open, and the neutral colors of the walls and floors create a particularly welcoming and relaxing atmosphere. On cold winter days, the fireplace is lit, and there is always someone playing a few notes on the piano.

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

The house was renovated with the aim of optimizing energy consumption. For this reason, the walls on the bedroom floor were specially insulated, while stone walls were preferred throughout the ground-floor living area, where people naturally spend more time.

We are careful to recycle everything we can, so special containers for paper, plastic, and glass are placed in the kitchen to make it easier to separate waste.

What motivated or inspired you to rent your property to guests?

Over the years, we have rented several houses to spend our vacations with friends, and I have always enjoyed discovering how others create their retreats: their ideas of “home” and how they organize indoor and outdoor spaces. So I thought it would be interesting to offer our country house to people who might share my way of thinking about a home.

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.

Each of us looks for something to take away with us, an experience that leaves a mark — not because it is memorable in itself, but because it makes us feel good, sometimes very good. And this is exactly what many friends tell us after spending a few days at Poggio Castellaro.

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?

Who doesn’t know Italy? Yet this is a different Italy, off the beaten track even for those who have been visiting the country for years.

This is an incredibly authentic area that has retained its agricultural character, where people are hospitable and open. It is a place where community spirit still has great value. The food is excellent, the hills are rolling, and there are small medieval villages — yet it is still close to cities such as Piacenza, Parma, and Cremona, places that are still waiting to be discovered.