Before we dive into the details, could you briefly introduce yourselves?

We are Myrthe (63) and Cees van den Heijkant (66), and we live in Joppe, the Netherlands. Since 2005, we’ve owned an estate in Italy, right on the border between Umbria and Lazio, with five houses, three of which have been renovated. We rent out two of them — La Quercia and Il Pastore — through Nice2stay, starting in 2024. We have two employees who maintain the houses and the surrounding gardens and grounds. We usually welcome guests personally and spend the summer months living in the main house ourselves. We also grow and produce our own olive oil and wine.

We’d love to share a bit more about you as individuals with our guests. Could you tell us more about yourselves?

We have two children — our daughter Iris (34) and our son Jelmer (31) — both of whom live with their partners. Myrthe is a graphic artist and regularly exhibits her work in the Netherlands; many of her pieces also hang in the houses in Italy. Cees retired from work in 2014 and has since remained active as an investor in IT ventures. Over the past 10 years, he has developed the estate’s olive oil and wine production.
Our love affair with Italy began in 1993 when we discovered the country as a holiday destination. In 1994, we purchased a house near Pescara on the Adriatic coast and spent many beautiful summers there with our children, learning the language along the way. In 2004, we began searching for a place with olive groves and a vineyard. Over the years, we’ve also taken a major trip every two years — to Asia, America, or Africa — and made countless city trips across Europe with the children. But Italy has always been our true holiday home. Our children and their partners also visit Tenuta Saliano frequently.

When and in what way did this property come into your life, and what motivated you to make it part of your lifestyle?

As mentioned earlier, our passion for Italy began in the early 1990s. In 2004, we started searching for a beautiful estate with houses, olive groves, and a vineyard. We found exactly that at Tenuta Saliano.
It has since become an integral part of our lives — we now spend around six months a year here, and we've become part of the village and the social fabric of Montebuono. In 2021, we made the decision to gradually rebuild and renovate the houses on the estate and begin renting them out.

Can you tell us more about the process of renovating and furnishing your accommodation?

In addition to the main house, Tenuta Saliano includes four other houses. We renovated the main house in 2005/2006. In 2021, we began planning the renovation of two additional houses. Eventually, we decided to completely rebuild both of them and equip them with all modern technologies — including integrated underfloor cooling for the summer months.
The houses were designed and drawn by Myrthe. She also took care of the interiors, which follow a modern eclectic style with many design elements. These houses were designed to be lived in, and that makes them fundamentally different from typical holiday homes created purely for rental purposes.

What makes your accommodation truly special to you? Are there any memories or moments that make it particularly dear to your heart?

These houses are special to us because we personally tore them down and rebuilt them from scratch — designing and decorating them entirely ourselves. We spent years thinking about what we wanted to do with them. The construction was carried out by local contractors and installers from the village, which created a strong sense of involvement from the local community.
The houses are located in an incredibly beautiful spot, with an almost 360-degree panoramic view that is truly beyond words.

Which part of your accommodation do you find the most beautiful, and why?

That’s difficult to say. There are so many little corners and places that each have their own sense of peace and perspective. The houses themselves are built in a variety of Italian architectural styles — pietra (stone), intonaco (plaster), and legno (wood) — each with its own distinct charm.

What makes the location of your accommodation unique and special?

The estate stands out for several key reasons: it accommodates up to 16 people, yet still allows for privacy among smaller groups (families of 5–6) thanks to the many terraces and the layout across three buildings (two main houses plus an annex).
There’s a breathtaking panoramic view, and the property is very child-friendly, with fencing and safety locks. It’s also suitable for combining work and leisure, with fast internet and a dedicated workspace. The village of Montebuono is within walking distance and offers a great café/bar, a bakery, butcher, and supermarket.

Are there any sustainable or eco-friendly practices associated with your accommodation that you’re proud of?

As mentioned, the houses were completely rebuilt. We installed a large number of solar panels and batteries, meaning the estate uses almost no electricity from the grid. Heating and cooling are provided by electric heat pumps powered by solar energy.
There is integrated underfloor heating and cooling — far more energy-efficient than individual air conditioning units. Rainwater is collected and reused for garden irrigation. We have our own water source, so we use very little public drinking water. We also produce our own organic wine (red, white, and rosé) and organic olive oil from our own vineyard and olive grove.

What motivated or inspired you to start renting out your property to guests?

We spent a long time considering what to do with the four additional houses. In 2021, we decided to completely rebuild two of them and rent them out from April to September. We’re at Tenuta Saliano for most of the summer ourselves and, together with our staff, are able to manage the rentals well. We do not rent out the main house, as it is our private residence.

Can you paint a vivid picture of the overall guest experience at your accommodation?

Staying at Tenuta Saliano means living in a space that is fully equipped for everyday life, with all the Italian touches one would expect — surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty and panoramic views.
Guests can enjoy sun or shade, relax by the pool or spend time in and around the houses. There are games available, a library, pétanque, and more. It’s easy to stroll to the village for your morning coffee, and there’s a wide choice of nearby restaurants and trattorias for unforgettable meals.

In what ways does your accommodation stand out from others? What unique features make it an unforgettable experience for guests?

In addition to what has already been described, we’d like to highlight a few more unique features: Tenuta Saliano is located just 60–70 minutes from two airports, one hour from Rome (by car or train), 50 minutes from cities such as Orvieto and Viterbo, and just 1.5 hours from the sea (Porto Ercole and Orbetello).

What is the nicest compliment you’ve received from a guest?

“I could live here,”
“Everything has been thought of,”
and “Idyllic, relaxing, incredibly pleasant, welcoming, and child-friendly.”

What do you hope guests will take away or remember most from their stay at your property?

The joy they experienced while being here, and how fully they were able to relax and enjoy.

Do you have any recommendations for guests to fully enjoy their holiday?

This historically rich region offers a wide range of sights and attractions, including:

• Rome: Just a 60-minute drive, with convenient parking near Villa Borghese and the Spanish Steps. By train, it’s also 60 minutes from Stimigliano station to Tiburtina station, from where both metro lines provide access to the entire city.

• Villa Hadriana in Tivoli (approx. 50-minute drive): A vast 12-hectare estate built between 126 and 134 AD by Emperor Hadrian near the Latin town of Tibur (modern-day Tivoli).

• Civita di Bagnoregio (60 min.): A hilltop village dramatically perched on eroding tuff cliffs — one of Italy’s most iconic sights.

• Etruscan Necropolises: Tarquinia (70 min.), Cerveteri (Banditaccia, 80 min.), Sarteano (70 min.), including ancient sites such as Solaia, Macchiapiana, and Poggio Rotondo.

• Sea & Beaches:

  • Orbetello and Porto Ercole (100 min.)

  • Fregene (70 min.)

• Cascata delle Marmore (55 min.): A majestic waterfall formed by the Velino river merging with the Nera.

• Lake Piediluco & the village of Piediluco (60 min.): A beautifully restored lakeside town.

• Otricoli – Archaeological Park of Ocriculum (20 min.): Roman ruins including an ancient olive oil port on the River Tiber.

• Thermal Baths of Viterbo (approx. 50 min.): Including renowned spas such as Terme dei Papi, Terme Oasi, and Terme di Vulci.

• Lake Vico: With the stunning town of Caprarola and the impressive Villa Farnese (Palazzo Farnese), built by Cardinal Alessandro Farnese.

• Lake Bolsena: Dotted with charming villages such as Bolsena, Montefiascone, and Marta, and home to some of the region’s finest lakeside restaurants.

• Lake Bracciano: With beautiful towns like Trevignano Romano (a lovely lakeside promenade), Bracciano, and Anguillara Sabazia.