I Faraglioni

We were told this was a convenient base, just a 10-minute walk from everything, but it actually took 20 minutes. The place itself was run-down and dirty, with insects everywhere and bits of the house falling off on their own. It felt like a complete wasteland. That nightmare of a vacation was one we wouldn’t repeat.

I’m giving one star for honesty, though I’d leave that blank too if I could. The last voice message I got from Vincenzo Rea was on July 21, 2024, after I asked about my deposit. He said, “Good morning, dear Alessandra, everything’s slow here, we have to wait a bit. I haven’t forgotten about you, don’t worry.” I still don’t know what was supposed to be slow. Here’s the last WhatsApp message I sent, on September 22, 2024: “Hi Enzo, it’s Alessandra. I haven’t heard from you for a while, but hoped you’d get back to me about the deposit. I let you know well in advance that work meant we couldn’t come down, just two days after I’d paid the money. Given our phone calls, I hoped we could find a positive way forward. I understand you’re not obliged to do anything for me, but €500 is a lot, even for me. I’d at least like to know whether there’s any chance of getting a small part back, or whether I’ve lost all of it. Best regards, I look forward to your reply. Thank you, Alessandra.” Since then, I’ve had no response. This person seemed open and available at first, then vanished despite reading my messages. Absolute disrespect!

The bathroom and bedroom had a constant sewage smell, which the owner blamed on the neighbor. There was also stagnant water behind the bedroom. To try to keep the smell out, we had to shut ourselves inside, and without air conditioning that meant an unwanted sauna every night. Definitely not an experience we’d repeat. At arrival the owner was very kind, but disappeared for the rest of the day. Problems started right away: the fridge wouldn’t stay cold, and when we tried to adjust it with the inside knob, it froze. The owner didn’t come to check. The stove only lit with a lighter, but nobody had told us beforehand and there wasn’t one in the apartment. When we mentioned it, he tossed a lighter to us from his balcony. Davide and Anna

We had a wonderful first three weeks of August and will definitely come back. The apartments are already welcoming and clean, with plenty of outdoor space, though they do need renovation and that work has already been budgeted for. The location is handy, away from the crowds but close to all the beaches and the area’s main places of interest. The real star is Enzo, the legendary Ciociò. He’s always around, ready to help, and quick to sort out any request or problem. Thanks to the owner, Ciociò, and his staff for being so friendly and courteous. See you soon!