Olive Tree Hill

We loved our time at the Olive Tree Hill with Ivano and Tehri. We were treated like family right from the initial drink spritzer to the lovely breakfasts, helpful suggestions and pasta making class, it felt like we were visiting cousins.

Updating our past review to add that our family took a fantastic guided tour with Ivano this past June. We toured through the Calabria region and on up to Paestum, finishing up at their lovely bed and breakfast in Zagarolo. Ivano worked with us to develop our itinerary, focusing on the extensive Greek history in the settlement of Italy. A few of the highlights included the famous bronze statues in Reggio Calabria, the charming little town of Bova, the seaside of Cirò Marina (including a beautiful vineyard and winery tour) and Paestum, with ruins of massive temples rivaling the Acropolis and Roman Forum. Ivano is so patient, a great driver, and just fun to hang out with!
We have stayed with Ivano and Terhi six times now and plan to return next year. I can't say enough good things about their beautiful property and warm hospitality. It really feels like we have found some long-lost Italian relatives and we get to stay with them. I love visiting Rome, but this is absolutely the best way to stay. Only 30 minutes by train into the heart of Rome and no worries about parking or driving in crazy traffic. In addition to Rome, Ivano can tell you about many interesting towns nearby, including Tivoli, Castel Gandolfo, Nemi and Palestrina (and of course Zagarolo. ) Rich with history and lots of hidden gems off the beaten path so you can discover the real Italy.

Eleven years ago I came to Italy with my 80 year old mom to celebrate the fact that she had finally decided to retire. The last stop on our European tour that year was Zagarolo. I had carefully planned tours in Rome that would take into account the fact that mom couldn't spend long days on her feet in the hot Roman summer sun. We concentrated on the major things — the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Forum. We had an amazing time, but it was just a taste of what Italy has to offer and I always swore I would return. Mom and I stayed at Olive Tree Hill in 2013 and you can find my review of that stay here on tripadvisor — either scroll through the reviews for Olive Tree HIll or go to my profile and scroll through my reviews there.
I finally returned to the Roman countryside this year and true to my allegiance I contacted Ivano and booked my stay with him again. Olive Tree HIll does not disappoint. The cottage is quiet and private, but don't expect television — because there is not one. Instead there is a peaceful setting looking over an olive grove and quiet walks on the local back roads. The water in the shower is hot and the room is clean. Every morning there is a simple beakfast of bread and meats and cheese, farm-grown jams and jellies, yogurt, granola, and cereal.

A nice almost rural stay in a rustic finnish cabin amongst an olive grove. Kind Hosts with helpful advise in what to do while there. If you come by car be aware the road in, is in fact a road and not a driveway. They offer to drop you off and pick you up at train station which is especially handy if you venture into Rome. Thank you Ivano and Terhi for your hospitality.
We wish the hosts well for getting council to fix the roads sometime soon.

We stayed with Ivano and Terhi for a few days after completing a tour of southern Italy ending in Napoli. We felt like family right at the start. Ivano picked us up from the Zagarolo train station, an easy journey on the Italian train system. The cottages on their peaceful pastoral property are simple and charming. We had a classic Italian homecooked meal (Ivano makes an awesome Spaghetti carbonara) with homemade wine and delicious olive oil that he had just pressed on the morning of our arrival. Ivano’s tour of the Castelli Romani area is exceptional. His knowledge of the history, culture and food of the region is matched only by his wonderful story telling style. We have enjoyed several trips to Italy, but this was an authentic and unique experience of a region of Italy without swarms of sightseers, queues or frenzied tour guides. Unfortunately, rain prevented us from his walking tour of Rome at night, but we hope to return in the future.

Ivano and Terhi were very welcoming and lovely hosts. We had a wonderful time staying with them.
The room we stayed in was very clean and inviting. Ivano took time out of his day to help us plan our Rome trip and even the hidden gems on the outskirts of Rome.
We had a car which we were able to park at the property with no hassle. Ivano took us to the train station when ever we were ready to go and sorted out getting our tickets for us. The train in to Rome is so simple and only takes 30 mins. Ivano then picked us up when ever we were ready to return.
The only regret would be we didn’t stay long enough!
We would definitely recommend staying with Ivano and Terhi.

We stayed one night, on our way to Rome airport. Which is about an hour's drive. We were not really impressed with the room, which was actually a small, rustic cabin. Nice walk over to the main house, though, through the olive orchard. The room was reasonably comfortable and the bathroom small but OK. The owners were VERY helpful and friendly, and we wished we had had time to take one of their tours. We were disappointed when the owner cancelled our dinner booking there, but at least he gave us a list of altenatives. We found an excellent place in the old town. So it turned out OK. Breakfast was basic. Underwhelming.

Great B&B, great company, great advice and ask Ivano to make you his chicken specialty dish. If you want a space away from the bustle of Rome but close enough to travel daily ;after a great breakfast gets you started), then this is the place! Thank you Ivano and Terle! Amazing stay.

This is a rustic gem in the heart of the Roman country side and yet only 20 minutes by train to Rome central. Zagarola center and the train station are both a ramble from the premises for those of us who like a walk. Getting a lift to and from the station is never a problem.
I had a double room which was simple but very clean and comfortable.
Although I was sick for my stay, chopped and changed things accordingly, Ivano and Terhi were so patient and kind. The tour and lunch we did was local and amazing. Different to an experience of Rome and the joy here is being able to have both, pop into Rome in 20 mins and live like a local in the beautiful countryside, overlooking Rome. Even the train out is a joy, scenerywise.
But it’s the kind hospitality that makes Olive Tree Hill different. Warm and gentle hospitality in abundance. Amazing food and lovely company, with other guests or with Terhi and Ivano, it is always full of comradery and fun.
As a solo traveller, it was serenity when I needed and fun company when I needed that too. I learned loads cookingwise.
If you book the excursions with Ivano, they are not just interesting and knowable but they are passionate, local and sometimes places where you would otherwise never have found yourself. It was a joy. I was only sorry I couldn’t participate more and so I have to go back for my night tour of Rome and my big cooking class. Ivano, the list of cooking wishes can only get longer with time!

Away from the crowds of Rome but just a short hop on the train. The hosts were amazing. Evening meals around the family table were a feast of authentic Italian dishes with fun conversation. The hosts also were incredibly knowledgeable about local history and places to explore outside the city. We had a fantastic time.

We had the best of stays here. A family feel holiday, with amazing food, in a quiet rural location. WE hopped on the train into Rome for a couple fo days, but we enjoyed our days out, closer to 'home', around Zagarolo and Palestrinia the most. It is a quieter place to stay than in Rome and we appreciated it as a friendly place to relax and unwind. The hosts are way beyond being super-hosts. They are amazing-hosts.

Wonderful home from home away from the crowds, but just a hop into Rome on the train. The hosts made this stay exceptional. They were a source of local information that led us to beautiful places off the beaten track. The evening dinners around the family table with other guests from around the world were delicious. Authentic Italian meals with great conversation in a peaceful setting.

Super hosts Ivano and Terhi, made us feel so welcome. Their property is a little off the beaten track but ideal for visiting Rome and the surrounding area which is full of history and places to visit. Ivano has a wealth of knowledge and experience in guiding tours around Rome and we took advantage of his offer to do a nighttime tour of Rome which was excellent — we saw all the sights with none of the crowds, queues and heat of the day, and had the benefit of Ivano’s guidance. We also visited the nearby town of Palestrina and Lake Nemi. We had traveled in our own car but know that Ivano provides a shuttle to and from the railway station at Zagarolo fit those wanting to get the train into Rome.

Olive Tree Hill is a hidden jewel just 25 minutes train ride from the centre of Rome. The tranquil location is perfect for anyone who wants to see the sights of Rome, but also completely relax when you return from the hustle and bustle of the city. We stayed in the wonderful chalet which is set in the middle of an Olive Tree Grove and surrounded by nature. Our hosts Ivano and Terhi could not have been more welcoming, particularly when we joined them and other guests for Ivano’s amazing Italian cuisine. Ivano’s knowledge of Rome, its history and the surrounding area is unsurpassed and matched only by his passion for all things Italian. Despite the weather forcing us to cancel the planned midnight tour, we are so glad that we managed to rearrange it for our last night there. It is the only way to see the true Rome without thousands of other tourists. Moreover, Ivano and Terhi’s recommendations for sightseeing away from Rome were well worth following, including Zagarolo itself which is steeped in history and has the best Gelato we have ever tasted. We have made some wonderful memories here and hope to return someday soon.

Incredible hospitality. Ivano and Terhi are super hosts! The inn is very convenient to Roma and the town of Zagarolo was well worth our several visits. The Gelato in Zagarolo was amazing. Ivano’s night tour of Roma was fabulous. See Rome without the crowds is a must see! At Ivano’s recommendation we attended the tour after midnight the day we arrived. The nap/early morning tour/post tour sleep completely eliminated our Jet lag.

Thank you Terhi and Ivano❤️ I had a wonderful and relaxing week in your beautiful place. Hope to come back soon again 😍