lifestyle

Some Sundays are made for going slowly.

Starting directly from Villa Silvestri in Reana del Rojale, we took our bikes and followed the cycle path that runs right past the house, setting off to discover the seven historic mills along the Roggia.

The route follows the water through a landscape of small paths, old trees, fields and quiet corners that seem to belong to another rhythm of life. Again and again, the Roggia appears beside you — sometimes calm and transparent, sometimes moving quickly over the old channels and weirs that once provided energy to the mills.

The mills are part of the history of this landscape. Some still preserve their old structures and water wheels; others reveal themselves more discreetly among gardens, trees and waterways. Cycling between them becomes a way of discovering not only the buildings, but also the relationship between water and the countryside that developed around them.

What we particularly love about this ride is its simplicity. There is no need to drive anywhere or organise an excursion. You leave Villa Silvestri by bicycle and, within minutes, you are surrounded by greenery, following the sound of running water.

It is a route to enjoy without hurry: stopping on a small bridge, looking into the clear water, resting beneath the trees or simply continuing to see what appears around the next bend.

And beyond the mills, the landscape opens towards the Friulian countryside, with the mountains visible in the distance.

For us, this is part of the pleasure of being here: leaving the house on a Sunday morning and discovering that a small journey can begin just outside the door.

Bring a bicycle, take your time, and follow the water.

Last week, Villa Silvestri felt particularly alive.

For the Udine Oriental Fair, a group of Thai exhibitors booked all our rooms and, for a few days, the house became their home.

They arrived with luggage, boxes, work to do — and, above all, with a wonderful sense of cheerfulness and friendliness.

Mornings began together in the garden, around the table, sharing breakfast before leaving for another busy day at the fair. There was conversation, laughter and that particular energy that appears when people who have travelled a long way suddenly feel comfortable in a new place.

For us, this is one of the pleasures of opening Villa Silvestri to guests.

A house changes when people inhabit it. Different languages are heard around the table, unfamiliar foods appear, stories are exchanged, and for a few days people who had never met become part of the same small world.

Our Thai guests brought a little of their world to Friuli, while discovering a little of ours.

And then, almost as quickly as they arrived, it was time to pack the van, load the suitcases and continue their journey.

There were smiles and waves before leaving — and the feeling that Villa Silvestri had been more than simply a place to sleep between days at the fair.

This is how we like to imagine the villa: a house where people arrive as guests, share a little piece of their lives with us, and leave behind a memory.

Thank you for bringing a little bit of Thailand to Villa Silvestri. We hope to see you again.

Sometimes the nicest compliment is simply coming back.

A Dutch family recently stayed with us at Villa Silvestri while travelling through Friuli. We enjoyed having them here, and apparently they enjoyed the villa too — because just one week later, they returned to spend another two days with us.

This time there was already a feeling of familiarity: breakfast around the table, children moving through the house and garden, and the relaxed atmosphere of guests who already knew the place.

These are the moments we love most at Villa Silvestri. When someone returns, even after only a few days, the villa feels a little less like a place to stay and a little more like a home to come back to.

We hope to see them again — perhaps for a third visit.