Sant’Oliva is a small, rural Italian town located within the heart of Italy's Lazio region. Nestled within the pristine valley of Liri surrounded by majestic mountains, the small town of Sant’Oliva remains to be one’s of Italy’s hidden treasures untouched by modern civilisation and preserved by timeless Italian culture.

This small country town of only a mere 800 people, is part of the region called 'Ciociaria' located between Rome and Naples and just inland over the mountains from the Tyrrhenian Sea. The town is located within a basin of neatly laid out crop field, divided by a channelling river and cradled by magnificent golden mountains. Part of the comune di Pontecorvo, Saint’Oliva is surrounded by historical neighbouring towns such as Monticelli, Esperia and Pico, which also share the enchanting valley.

Residents here live their lives unfazed by the daily chores of walking their sheep, working endlessly in their veggie gardens or busy making seasonal preparations for home-made wine, olive oil and passata (tomato sauce). Stray kittens and puppies play in the driveways of their adopted owners, while men religiously congregate outside the local bar to play cards during aperitivo hour.

As if almost paused in time, this community has now become my family away from home. From its agricultural practises, reginal food to its holy festivals, I aim to show you all that is unique and magical about this wonderful place I now call home...