The film was shot in Italy, in the Tuscany region. The main character, successful businessman Eric, travels to Italy to convince his daughter to abandon plans to restore a semi-ruined villa in Tuscany. Two key locations were chosen for filming: the town of San Quirico d'Orcia, where the main character arrives, and the villa Locanda Le Piazze. Scenes with the villa were filmed directly on its grounds, capturing its unique architecture and the surrounding Tuscan landscapes. In addition to Tuscany, some scenes were filmed in Rome. Filming on location allowed the filmmakers to create a film that combines the romance of Italian landscapes and city life. Moreover, filming in Italy added cultural and geographical accuracy to the film, making it more believable and appealing to viewers.

Filming Locations:

Town in Tuscany

In the Film

Scene where Eric arrives in a small Italian town in Tuscany. His daughter meets him at a small railway station, after which they move through picturesque streets to the central part of the town, to a square with a large beautiful church. Eric looks around and notices old ladies resting and warming themselves in the sun, sitting on a small fountain in the square. He greets them in Italian, and the Italian ladies chuckle at his accent and say he is a typical American.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at Piazza e Chiesa della Madonna in the Tuscan town of San Quirico d'Orcia. This picturesque corner of Italy is known for its ancient beauty and scenic landscapes, located in the province of Siena with a population of about 2,460. Piazza e Chiesa della Madonna is one of the central squares of the town, surrounded by historic buildings and churches. The choice of this location allowed the filmmakers to capture the beauty and atmosphere of the Italian countryside.

Villa

In the Film

Scene where Eric is with his daughter at the villa she decided to restore. Eric, a successful American businessman, comes to Italy intending to dissuade his daughter Olivia from buying and restoring a semi-ruined villa in Tuscany. The villa was bought for a symbolic sum of 1 euro but requires significant investment for restoration. However, instead of simply dissuading Olivia, Eric himself becomes enchanted by the beauty of Italy and the magical atmosphere of the place.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at the villa Locanda Le Piazze, located in Castellina in Chianti, Tuscany, near Siena. Locanda Le Piazze was built in 1540 and was a farm estate, but later restored and transformed into a charming boutique hotel offering guests a luxurious stay with views of the Tuscan fields. The hotel is famous for its picturesque setting amidst the vineyards and olive groves of Chianti Classico and offers a unique blend of traditional Tuscan architecture with modern amenities. In the film, the villa becomes a symbol of transformation and personal growth: it represents not only a physical place but also a metaphor for the changes that happen to the main character. The restoration of the villa parallels Eric's inner transformation as he finds new love and meaning in Italy.

Main Square of San Quirico d'Orcia

In the Film

Scene where the three Antonias practice the "sweetness of doing nothing" at a prop fountain in the center of the fictional town of Montesar, while everyday life passes through the square: chance encounters, conversations, a café where locals gather in the evenings, and the bar Da Cesare, which is actually called Bar Centrale.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in the charming medieval hilltop town in the province of Siena, Tuscany, located in the heart of the Val d'Orcia landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where the central square features Bar Centrale and historic buildings around, and nearby runs the Via Francigena pilgrimage route leading to the Romanesque Collegiate Church and the Renaissance Orti Leonini garden.

Casale del Sellaretto in Parco degli Acquedotti

In the Film

Scene where the exterior shot of a semi-ruined house being sold for one euro, when a piece of roofing suddenly falls off the roof, emphasizing the terrible condition of the building and the absurdity of buying a half-collapsed estate, while the shot creates a comedic effect that sets the tone for the entire plot.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a historic farmhouse located inside the famous Parco degli Acquedotti — a public park on the southeastern outskirts of Rome, known for its impressive remains of ancient Roman aqueducts, where the building originally served as a station building on the old Rome–Frascati railway line built in the mid-19th century, and the park itself is now a popular area for walks and recreation with green meadows crossed by the remains of seven ancient aqueducts.

Il Torrino dei Gelsi (House from 'La Dolce Villa')

In the Film

Scene where the exterior of the house that Francesca offers to Olivia is shown — the very property for one euro around which the plot about renovation and the emotional line of the film are built.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a magnificent historic farm between Tivoli and Palestrina, in the locality of San Gregorio da Sassola, about thirty minutes from Rome. It is surrounded by mulberry trees, olive groves, and green hills; on the property, three simple rustic apartments are rented, and the entire venue can be booked for events, including weddings. In the film, this is where the exterior of the dream house that Olivia buys is shown.

Casale del Sellaretto — Park of the Aqueducts

In the Film

Scene where the abandoned house for one euro ages, from which a piece of the roof falls off during Olivia's first inspection. The dilapidated facade of this historic farmhouse immediately creates a sense of almost hopeless renovation, around which the main conflict of the film is built.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a historic farmhouse located in the Park of the Aqueducts — a public park on the outskirts of Rome, known for well-preserved ancient Roman aqueducts. The building once served as a station for the old Rome-Frascati railway, built in the mid-19th century. The park itself is part of the Regional Park of the Appian Way and is popular for walks and picnics.

Casale del Sellaretto (Parco degli Acquedotti)

In the Film

Scene where the dilapidated house for one euro, from which a piece of the roof falls in the film. This neglected historic farmhouse is shown as the facade of the future home and immediately makes clear how much work and money will be required to restore the building bought for almost a symbolic price.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a historic farmhouse located in the famous Parco degli Acquedotti, a public park on the outskirts of Rome, where several ancient Roman aqueducts are preserved. The building originally served as a station on the old Rome–Frascati railway, built in the mid-19th century. The park itself is popular with runners and picnickers, and around it rise the impressive ruins of ancient aqueducts.

Roma Trastevere Railway Station

In the Film

Scene where Eric arrives by train in Rome, and from this moment his journey to the fictional town of Montezara begins, where his daughter has already made an unexpected real estate purchase.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a major railway junction in the Trastevere district of Rome, which serves regional and some long-distance trains. The station is located on the historic western bank of the Tiber, next to the lively Trastevere neighborhood, known for its narrow cobblestone streets, cafes, and vibrant nightlife. In the film, this is where the first scene of arrival by train was shot.

Casale del Sellaretto — Park of the Aqueducts

In the Film

Scene where the dilapidated house for one euro, from which a piece of the roof tears off before their eyes. This old farm played the role of the neglected property that initially frightens Eric when he sees the condition of the building his daughter bought for renovation.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a historic farm located inside the famous Park of the Aqueducts, a public park on the outskirts of Rome, where the remains of several ancient Roman aqueducts are preserved. Originally, this farm served as a station on the old Rome–Frascati railway, built in the mid-19th century. The park itself is an expressive landscape with green fields crossed by the monumental arches of ancient aqueducts.

Il Torrino dei Gelsi (House La Dolce Villa)

In the Film

Scene where Francesca offers Olivia this house as the property she bought for one euro, and the exterior of the farmhouse becomes the main villa around which the entire story of renovation and renewal is built in the film.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a magnificent historic farm between Tivoli and Palestrina, in the municipality of San Gregorio da Sassola, about 30 minutes east of Rome. The estate stands among mulberry trees, olive groves, and soft green hills, and offers three simple apartments for guests; the entire complex can also be rented for events, including weddings.

Il Torrino dei Gelsi (House from 'La Dolce Villa')

In the Film

Scene where shows Olivia this farmhouse as a property for one euro that she can buy and restore, and it becomes the key location around which most of the plot is built; the exterior shots show the cozy countryside and the simple but very expressive beauty of the building itself.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a majestic historic farmhouse between Tivoli and Palestrina, in the small town of San Gregorio da Sassola, about 30 minutes east of Rome. It is surrounded by mulberry trees, olive groves, and green hills; three rustic apartments are rented here, and the venue itself can be booked for weddings and other events. The picturesque setting made this place ideal for the main house in the film.