I am in the most wonderful location in Colletta, Italy in Massimo’s Restaurant having a wonderful lunch.

Colletta di Castelbianco is a medieval hill-top village restored as an internet e-village. Nestled a few kilometres from the coast of the Italian riviera in the lush green mountainous hinterland of the Pennavaire valley, Colletta was gradually abandoned by its traditional inhabitants, it had fallen into picturesque ruins by the mid 1900′s. Today, the stone houses and narrow streets have been totally restored and the windows look out once more over the olive and cherry terraces of the valley.

The restoration of the village has been quite unique in Italy, as it combines both a respect for the aesthetics of the ancient stone arching staircases and vaulted ceilings whilst discreetly incorporating contemporary high technology. The apartments are entirely cabled for high speed broadband internet and digital TV, enabling residents and guests to access the latest technology for telecommuting or entertainment.