The House
Set on the edge of a small cluster of buildings this carefully restored farmhouse retains charming original features, such as beamed ceilings, arches, a large kitchen fireplace and external bread oven. It was divided into two apartments and restored in 1992 by the owner who continues to occupy the ground floor. As the house is on a rarely used lane which leads only into a vineyard it is very secluded and safe for children and pets. A car is essential and there is ample car parking. The garden which blends into the countryside has spectacular sunset views.
The Apartment
The 1st floor rental apartment is accessed by an external staircase entering into the country style kitchen. In addition to the usual appliances there is an large wooden cupboard, table and stools plus a chefs trolley.Through an archway the dining room has a 1930s oak dining suite and a desk. It is well equipped for six person dinner parties. Through a second arch the sitting room has a comfortable settee and matching armchair and foot stool. There is a woodburning stove. The bathroom has a toilet and bidet, a full size bath with shower attachment and a large wash basin. There is an alcove with washing machine/tumble dryer, electric water heater, clothes dyer, ironing board etc. Towels and bed linen are supplied and changed weekly. Both large double bedrooms are well furnished and have nets over the beds. The second bedroom has an additional single bed and is suitable for children sharing. The bedrooms have doors leading onto the large roof terrace which has external lighting, dining furniture, sun loungers and an umbrella. The complete privacy of the terrace offers an unrivalled opportunity for sunbathing and relaxing. All windows have nets and shutters. This apartment is tastefully furnished with lots of thoughtful finishing touches which makes it very welcoming and comfortable.
The Area
This is an area of exceptional artistic and cultural interest.From Etruscan burial grounds to medieval castles, splendid cathedrals and religious works of art. Where to begin? To enjoy the rural setting it is essential to have a car. At one km Petrignano on the Umbrian border is the nearest village. It has a good shop and a bar. Valiano, three km uphill, has an excellent restaurant and a nice old village centre. Nearby Cortona and Montepulciano are just two of the renowned hilltop towns in the area. These townships all have their own distinctive charm and host concerts, festivals and markets which create a very lively atmosphere. Castiglione del Lago and Lake Trasimeno have a wide range of tourists attractions and restaurants with the smaller lakes of Chiusi and Montepulciano being much less known. Lake Montepulciano is hidden oasis with facilities for bird watching. Other local activities include swimming, fishing (with a licence), cycling, walking, horse riding and of course wine tasting! Vino Nobile di Montepulciano cantinas are in very scenic settings and open daily for tasting and direct sales. The Via della Stella has three noted fattorias plus "my local man" who sells very good but inexpensive wine and oil. Using the autostrada or superstrada Siena, Perugia, Assisi and Orvieto are reached in about an hour. Day trips by train to Florence and Rome take about 1.5 hrs from Terontola station, which is ten mins drive from the house.