Genoa (Genova) holiday farmhouse: Rapallo

The mill is a beautifully restored 15th(?) century mill. Some of the walls have been plastered, and others have been left with the bare slate stonework. The floors are solid wood, with marble floors in the basement. On the top floor is a kitchen/diner (massive cooker and fridge), with steps up to a very large sitting room with a sofa-bed. Downstairs is a very large master bedroom on one side, and a smaller bedroom with two single beds and the bathroom (very stylish, but sadly the shower is prone to flooding) on the other.

You can still see the remains of the old mill pond in the top garden, and the mill race along the back of the building, and if you peek in the utility room (washing machine) the gears and mill stones are still in tact.

The toys and DVDs were a big hit with the kids (aged 3 and 10).

The garden outside is largely unmade and has uneven paths and lots of steps and drops, so would not be suitable for small children, however there are gates so you can stop the children from wandering from the terrace.

The overall impression is a secluded, spacious and well equipped holiday home.

In an unseasonably damp May the mill was a little damp, making it difficult to dry clothes, but in the height of summer it would just be pleasantly cool (or probably also OK with the central heating on).

The location is down a little just outside Rapallo, beyond the autostrada viaduct, which sounds a bit dodgy, but you can neither see nor hear the autostrada from the mill. The track to the mill is probably less than 500m, but is very narrow with a wall on one side and a drop on the other - we managed to get the Fiat Bravo up and down it, but you would struggle with anything larger.

You could conceivably stay in this property without a car - certainly there is enough for a week within easy reach on public transport. There are good train links to Genoa (aquarium good for a wet day), cinque terre and La Spezia; there are occasional buses up the hill from Rapallo (or you could get a taxi with bags), and it’s about a 20 minute walk. There is a very good bus service along the coast between the resorts up to Portofino.

The (English) owner was very relaxed and helpful and gave us lots of pointers to local bars and restaurants, and the local representative was also friendly and helpful

Highlights were probably cinque terre and snorkelling, although look out for the jelly fish!