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On the 22nd October Sabrina and I began our trip to the PENINSULA of Sorrento, to meet and get to know Mariano, his villa's and his homeland. We wanted to go personally to visit his properties (we always personally visit every single property we buy and the owners also always want to meet us too) but above all we wanted to meet him "Our host" and the peninsula Sorrentina, less famous than the Amalfi coast but not less beautiful and definitely just so authentic. 

We left Siena at 6 am in the dark and both so excited ( I personally didn't sleep a wink I was so excited and Sabrina was already ready to go at 3.00 am) After a 5 hour drive, we got to Massa Lubrense in the pouring rain, driving through the tunnel that cuts through the hills and as we exit the tunnel we are flabbergasted at this wonderful view: the rain had disappeared and the sun shone brightly with the deep blue sea and enticingly beautiful coastline were right in front of us.

We get to our destination and meet Mariano, young, smiling, full of energy and positivity.

He welcomed us with his warm smile and offered us an aperitivo, which after a 5 hour drive was more than appreciated.

We immediately got down to work and started our visit to his 2 properties, one of which left me totally awestruck: it was his grandmother's house, completely revamped by Mariano and seriously beautifully done I might add ( speaking as an Architect!)

The most wonderful view of the whole gulf with that delicate sea breeze that caresses your hair and makes you feel almost a part of this incredible nature that kindly hosts us all.

He then took us to a quaint little fisherman's village introducing us to a wonderful lady who owns a restaurant right on the beach where I savoured the most delicious fish I have ever had in my whole life.

Mariano then came back to pick us up after lunch and accompanied us to our apartment, sweet, just perfect, with a sea view and so we began our site visiting, each villa more beautiful than the other.

We spent the whole of the day together, getting to know each other: one of the qualities I admired most about him was this natural force eradicated in him and that Genius Loci that secretly keeps him tied to this wonderful land.

Driving along in the car, we pass an olive grove when all of a sudden he puts on the brakes and reverses down hill proudly telling us "that is my father". We could just see a figure hidden between the olive branches almost at the top of the tree who was hand picking the olives, he shouted hello and drove off again.

Are you so surprised at what hit me? Straight in the face?

How many other 30 year olds, in his position would have stopped, reversed, almost risking an accident just to say hello to his father, whom he would have seen later anyway?

Mariano not only took us around his beautiful villas and surroundings but he divided and shared this reality that I didn't believe existed any more, the simplicity, the family love and most of all respect.

It's like a little village in Massa Lubrense, everybody knows each other, they help each other out, with this wonderful word: "Respect" that still exists and in its totality. The word "Family" is stronger than the coastal winds that can blow harshly, and longer than a lifetime, here, with a laid back rhythm, with traditions sent down from generations, somewhere that despite our modern day life, there still exists an inebriating concoction of respect and true know-how. 

Mariano, and not just him may I add, in this wonderful land, looks proudly back to his past, his roots and understands the blessing of these values, because this is where life begins, this is his energy, that drives him now and will also in the future. With solid roots you can build a solid future completely in line with your ancestors teachings which sadly in city life doesn't seem to exist any more. 

"I am what my parents taught me, my grandparents and each generation before that" he humbly tells us, "if it hadn't been for them, I wouldn't be here today and I wouldn't have what I have" 

Century old trees have large and deep roots and don't forget where they came from, never underestimate the true value handed down from our ancestors or from these roots and to me is totally fundamental.

It is a great honour to know people like Mariano; living with such energy these priorities but with a simplicity that will leave you completely speechless.