Emma KershawWeekend Editor
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Cast your mind back to episode three of season two of “The White Lotus“. Daphne (Meghann Fahy) and Harper (Aubrey Plaza) head off on a girls’ trip to Noto, where they stay the night at a striking Italian villa.
The villa in question is Villa Tasca, and you can stay there in real life. Located in Palermo, Italy, the family-run property has been passed down through six generations and is now owned by Count Giuseppe Tasca — who actually made an appearance in the series during the episode where the women stay at the villa, playing the character of Peppe.
Built in the 1500s, Villa Tasca features a rich history, with stories told through its unique design and setting.
“Villa Tasca is among the most prestigious private historic residences in Palermo, still belonging to the Tasca family,” Count Giuseppe told Apartment Therapy. “What makes the villa special and unique is the sense of peacefulness and home that it conveys to all who visit or stay in the residence,”
Inside the villa, most of its rooms and suites — including the room where Fahy and Plaza filmed in — have been designed with 18th-century majolica tiles that add depth and character to each space. These tiles, Count Giuseppe notes, have become one of the guests’ favorite elements of the home, and are safeguarded by staff members. His personal favorite room in the villa is the music room, which is said to have inspired some of history’s greatest musicians.
“The music room, with its frescoes and piano, is certainly one of the most beautiful rooms in the historic residence. Inside the room you can find traces of different musicians such as [German composer] Richard Wagner, who performed there during his stay in Palermo. He was also was inspired by the atmosphere of Villa Tasca to write the third act of Parsifal,”
Villa Tasca is no stranger to being showcased in film and television. Reminiscing over his childhood, Count Giuseppe remembers Sofia Loren and Richard Burton shooting “The Journey” in 1970.
For “The White Lotus,” he said that he was first approached by series director Mike White in Dec. 2021, who had shown interest in using Villa Tasca as a filming location. While the filming look place, the Count was present during almost all of the scenes, whether it was to act or be immersed in the atmosphere.
“We were all working hard, having fun, cheering happily after each single scene, and I truly cannot find words to describe the energy coming out from the well-managed chaos created,” he recalled. “Filming with Aubrey and Meghann was very nice, too,”
Throughout its history, Villa Tasca has hosted many famous faces for events, weddings, and overnight stays. To experience their own slice of Italian history, guests can book a stay at the villa through vacation websites such as Expedia. There’s also the option to rent the entire villa.
“A visit or a stay in Villa Tasca is a unique experience in time and in history,” notes Count Giuseppe. “It leaves the guests enchanted by a distant world still full of charm.”
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