It is not just Hardcore Italians who think that Italy is the most amazing country ever; there are many visitors to this country that love Italy so much that they want to spend more time there. People who have visited for a vacation may later decide to buy a second home or even make a permanent move. Italy is fast becoming one of the most desirable places for celebrities to buy a home and here are five who have done just that.
1) George Clooney
Clooney owns a property on Lake Como, one of the most popular locations in Italy for the rich and famous. He bought Villa L’Oleandra in 2001 and spends as much time there as possible. He even brings along his friends and co-stars from ‘Oceans Twelve’ to spend time in this spectacularly beautiful area. The villa was once owned by the Heinz family and needed a lot of restorative work when Clooney made his purchase.
2) Leonardo DiCaprio
Perhaps it was his Italian roots that inspired DiCaprio to buy a property in Italy. The Romeo & Juliet star bought a loft apartment in Venice in 2011. The property overlooks Verona Arena and his neighbors include a long list of A-List celebrities.
3) Sting
Located in Tuscany, the 16th-century estate owned by Sting is more than just a holiday home for his family and himself; it is actually a working farm. A variety of different produce is grown or made here, including wine, honey, and olive oil. Sting also rents out six farm cottages on the estate at a cost of €7,000 per week.
4) Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt purchased the hole with Angelina Jolie. Although the couple managed to keep their property purchase fairly low-key, they do actually own a stunning Italian home in Valpolicella, Verona. Pitt and Jolie are rumored to have paid €47 million for the 15-roomed home. One of the features of the property is the six bathrooms, enough for one each of their brood of children.
5) George Lucas
The Star Wars director is keen to retain his privacy and the villagers near his Italian property are respectful of this. However, he does like to pop to the local village for an ice cream every now and then. Lucas has spent approximately €10.5 million on buying and then restoring the 16th-century convent. His home is located in Passignano sul Trasimeno, Umbria.
6) Richard Branson
As one of the world’s richest men, Richard Branson can afford properties all over the world. His Italian home is Villa La Cassinella. The estate covers half of the ‘Punta di Lavedo’ peninsula, with Villa Balbianello covering the remaining portion. Once the flamboyant entrepreneur had bought this villa, he had to arrange extensive restoration work on the house, which was built at the end of the 19th century. The home was not completed until 2008.
As Italy has so many outstanding locations and impressive properties, it is little wonder that the rich and famous are so keen to purchase second homes in this country. It is likely to remain a popular destination for celebrities who want a holiday home in the years to come.
Sources
- Main Image: Kirk Fisher from Pixabay
