Italy. La Posta Vecchia.

Palo Laziale, near Rome.

A 17^th century villa that was once the holiday retreat of John Paul Getty, La Posta Vecchia is one of the grandest hotels in Italy. Indeed, it was the multi-millionaire who deserved the credit for the villa’s lavish restoration and who was responsible for enhancing it with all the modern conveniences of twentieth century living. Overlooking the Mediterranean and surrounded by a World Wildlife Foundation Park, it ranks as a private and exclusive seaside retreat, perfect after sightseeing or business trips to Rome, just 45 minutes away. Both the public and private rooms are remarkable. The ground floor comprises of a sweeping array of salons for relaxation and reflection, each one appointed with furniture and ‘objects’ gathered from around the world. The priceless ceramics, original art, hand-woven French tapestries are almost all museum pieces. The inviting sofas, glossy magazines and flower arrangements add warmth and comfort. Each of the 17 private rooms and suites have their own distinctive style (some appointed with furniture from the 16^th and 17^th centuries), yet boasting up-to-the-minute comforts such as satellite televisions and telephones. The views are either of the sea or the surrounding parklands. A la carte meals, with the emphasis on traditional Italian dishes and seafood are immaculately served in the elegant dining room and as might be expected gentlemen are requested to wear a jacket for dinner. Guests can spend their days here in a variety of ways. Swimming in the 50ft × 16ft indoor pool is a popular choice, as are walks through the lush ‘tropical’ gardens. Horseback riding and tennis can also be easily arranged, with two golf courses readily available within a 40 minute drive. Interesting excursions by car include those to Cerveteri and Tarquinia, with Rome just 40 minutes away. La Posta Vecchia is the perfect choice for an elegant, luxurious and romantic weekend break.

EXERCISES:

1. Translate and match the two halves of the word combinations correctly.

1 7^th century conveniences

holiday villa

modern retreat

business floor

ground ceramics

sweeping trips

priceless art

original pieces

museum sofas

inviting arrangements

glossy televisions

flower parklands

up-to-the-minute array

satellite drive

surrounding pool

a la carte choice

indoor comforts

popular magazines

horseback excursions

golf choice

40 minute riding

interesting rooms

perfect meals

public & private courses

2. Translate and match the three words given below correctly.

v illa’s Italian tapestries

t wentieth French restoration

hand-woven distinctive style

own century dishes

elegant lavish gardens

lush weekend retreat

traditional dining break

exclusive seaside living

luxurious & romantic ‘tropical’ treats

3. Translate and match the four words given below correctly.

W orld rooms and suites

public and private rooms

p rivate Wildlife Foundation weekend break

luxurious and romantic Park

4. Insert the missed words in the sentences:

1) A ______ ______ ______ that was once the ______ ______ of John Paul Getty, La Posta Vecchia is one of the grandest hotels in Italy.

2) Indeed, it was the ______-______ who deserved the credit for the ______ ______ ______ and who was responsible for enhancing it with all the ______ ______ of twentieth century living.

3) Overlooking the Mediterranean and surrounded by a World Wildlife Foundation Park, it ranks as a ______ and ______ ______ ______, perfect after ______ or ______ ______ to Rome, just 45 minutes away.

4) Both the ______ and ______ ______ are remarkable.

5) The ______ ______ comprises of a sweeping array of ______ for relaxation and reflection, each one appointed with ______ and ______ gathered from around the world.

6) The ______ ______, ______ ______, ______-______ ______ ______ are almost all museum pieces.

7) The ______ ______, ______ ______ and ______ ______ add warmth and comfort.

8) Each of the 17 ______ ______ and ______ have their own distinctive style (some appointed with furniture from the 16^th and 17^th centuries), yet boasting ______-______-______-______ ______ such as ______ ______ and ______.

9) The views are either of the ______ or the ______ ______.

10) ______ ______ ______ ______, with the emphasis on ______ ______ ______ and ______ are immaculately served in the ______ ______ ______ and as might be expected gentlemen are requested to wear a jacket for dinner.

11) ______ can spend their days here in a variety of ways.

12) Swimming in the 50ft × 16ft ______ ______ is a popular choice, as are walks through the ______ ______ ______.

13) ______ ______ and ______ can also be easily arranged, with two ______ ______ readily available within a 40 minute drive.

14) ______ ______ by ______ include those to Cerveteri and Tarquinia, with Rome just 40 minutes away.

15) La Posta Vecchia is the perfect choice for an ______, ______ and ______ ______ ______.