Those tuning in to Hulu and BBC Three’s Normal People may be wistfully dreaming of the moody architecture and cultural delights of Dublin where much of the show plays out. However, a later episode will transport those daydreams to Italy as the main characters take their troubles to the Mediterranean – in a rustic villa that also features on Airbnb for less than €50 ($55) per night.
Normal People is the new TV obsession of the moment. Moreover, in addition to offering a tender portrayal of young love, this 12-part drama series based on Sally Rooney’s bestselling novel is fueling our wanderlust. With ongoing global travel restrictions, viewers have been swept up in the striking settings almost as much as in Marianne and Connell’s love story.
While the series is mostly set in Ireland, episode eight plays out entirely in Italy when the main characters retreat to Marianne’s family’s holiday home in Trieste. Marianne comes from money, so the villa is a quintessential Italian farmhouse framed by mountains, meadows, and a striking blue pool.
In reality, the onscreen villa is located in Sant’Oreste in Lazio, about a 40-minute drive north of Rome. Consequently, it is listed on Airbnb, allowing visitors a peek inside.
Visitors have left five-star ratings, describing the villa as an “unspoiled old country house in the Roman countryside” with ample space for six guests. According to the listing, the villa has been in the same family for 150 years and has appeared in various films and commercials, including the 2010 film Eat, Pray, Love starring Julia Roberts.
The villa features two spacious bedrooms, a dining room, kitchenette, bathroom, and living room. Although it is equipped with modern amenities, many period furnishings have been preserved, including timber-framed windows, clay-tiled floors, and exposed brickwork and beams.
Typical rates for the villa average €47 ($51) per person per night. However, with borders closed in Italy and international travel restricted, we may have to settle for a virtual vacation for the time being.
