Sere nel Borgo Castè | Authentic Italy Travel Blog

Sere nel Borgo Castè: Discover Places that Deserve to be Lived

Welcome to my official blog, Sere nel Borgo Castè. My name is Serenella, but my friends simply call me Sere. Through this digital space, I want to welcome you into my world.
In fact, the name of this blog holds a special double meaning. In Italian, “Sere” is my nickname, but it also means “Evenings”. Therefore, this blog is an invitation to experience the magical evenings here in the ancient village of Castè.
 

I have lived in Liguria for over ten years. Through these pages, I want to share the secrets of this beautiful region. Furthermore, I will guide you through our cozy Stay Hamlet holiday homes. You will discover the wonderful experiences you can enjoy by choosing a different kind of tourism.First of all, however, I want to introduce myself. I want to tell you who I am and share my deep commitment to making our properties welcoming. Ultimately, we dream of transforming your journeys into unforgettable memories

From the TV World to the Ligurian Village of Castè: My Story

Serenella Messina with her dachshund Mario - Sere nel Borgo Castè
As I mentioned, I am from Milan and I work in communication. In fact, I worked in television for 25 years as a TV producer and showrunner.
During my career, I produced many historic shows for major Italian networks. Furthermore, I worked on world-famous international formats. For instance, I produced Top of the Pops, Miss Universe, and famous hidden-camera prank shows.
Historically, I collaborated with many celebrities and VIPs. I will certainly dedicate a full blog post to my television career in the future.
However, in 2014, my life changed radically. Together with my husband Simone Lucchesi and our beloved dachshund Mario, we decided to make a big move. We left Milan to move permanently to Castè. Today, we live happily in this enchanting Ligurian village, where we have loved spending our holidays since 2010.
 

Art and Design at Stay Hamlet

Simone comes from Trieste and he is a talented illustrator and comic book artist. Furthermore, he creates beautiful, custom-designed interior fabrics.
In fact, he is the creative mind behind the design projects of our properties. Therefore, you will discover his unique paintings and bespoke furniture inside every Stay Hamlet apartment.
His art gives each home a distinctive, authentic atmosphere. If you wish to discover more about his work, you can visit his official website, Castèstyle Illustrations.
 

The Stay Hamlet Project: Our Journey into Hospitality

Simone and I started our tourism business in 2017. We began this journey simply for the pleasure of welcoming travelers from all over the world.
In that year, we bought Castè Style, an ancient manor house located right in the center of Castè. We carefully restored the property. Later, Simone painted and decorated the spaces with his unique artwork.
In 2019, we transformed my family home in Milan into the holiday home The Artist’s Garden. By 2025, I began managing our properties with a fully entrepreneurial approach.
Consequently, I took another step forward by becoming a professional property manager. Today, I also manage the homes of a dear friend. One is located in the beautiful village of Riomaggiore, and the second is right here in Castè. You can explore the entire Stay Hamlet collection directly on our Homepage or booking page.
 

 

The CastèVive! Association: Art and Community Spirit

In addition to my work as a host and property manager, I actively dedicate myself to protecting and promoting our village. Indeed, I serve as the President of the CastèVive! Association, which we founded in 2014.
Historically, Castè was a semi-abandoned village in the early 2000s. However, we refused to let our heritage disappear.
Thanks to an ambitious project based on art and sustainable tourism, the village has completely transformed. Today, it is a vibrant international destination cherished by travelers seeking authentic journeys.
I recently documented this incredible adventure in a book chapter. I had the honor of writing for Cittadini Ospitali (Hospitable Citizens), published by Vivere di Turismo. In the future, I will certainly dedicate a special blog post to this project.
Vivere di Turismo is Italy’s leading community for alternative hospitality. Most importantly, they promote an ethical vision of travel. Therefore, we share the same core value: viewing hospitality as a social act that regenerates local territories.

Holiday Homes with a Soul: Our Vision of Authentic Travel

As I mentioned, Simone and I bought our first beautiful historic property in 2017. This was Castè Style near Cinque Terre, located right in the center of the village.
Step by step, we renovated and furnished it like a real home. It is warm, welcoming, and filled with the fascinating charm of a late 18th-century building. Later, in 2019, I transformed my family home in Milan into The Artist’s Garden For this property, we combined modern functionality with the traditional warmth of Italian homes.
Having traveled extensively for work, I always disliked staying in cold, standardized apartments without any identity. That is why I decided to create holiday homes that feel like true family dwellings.
Our properties are enriched with paintings and unique design details. Therefore, they are ideal for families, groups of friends, or professionals seeking a corner of total relaxation.
Take a look at the photos of the Stay Hamlet collection to see what I mean. For instance, you can have fun discovering the bespoke furniture and the funny characters designed by Simone. Let me know if you love them!
 
"Evenings in the Village of Castè," illustrated by Simone Lucchesi. A décor that contrasts the antique with the modern makes the Castè Style Holiday Home—located in the Ligurian hinterland near the Cinque Terre—unique and welcoming

Join the Change: Experience Sere nel Borgo Castè

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In conclusion, I invite you to follow our blog, Sere nel Borgo Castè. Together, we will discover local secrets, the best authentic restaurants, and hidden gems located far away from traditional mass tourism.
Similarly, I will share how tourism can become a powerful tool for community development. Therefore, I want our guests to feel like an active part of our story.
By staying with us, you help support the rebirth of these fragile, historic places. Ultimately, your journey protects unique traditions and local biodiversity.
 

By filling out the online booking form below, you agree to be redirected to the “Octorate” booking engine at: https://book.octorate.com

where you can securely complete your booking.

So, what do you think? Do you want to be part of the change? Check our available dates and book one of our Stay Hamlet apartments for your next holiday.
I truly hope to meet you in person. Then, we can share a wonderful, magical evening together in the ancient village of Castè. I am waiting for you!
 

Follow Our Journey on Social Media

Additionally, do not forget to follow us on our social media channels.
Our Instagram profile, @serenelborgocaste, is a visual diary of our Stay Hamlet apartment collection and our local events. In fact, it is the perfect place to find inspiration for your next trip.
Furthermore, you can follow us on Facebook. There, you can discover all the dates of the summer festival that brings life to every sere nel borgo Castè. I am waiting for you!
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