La Contessa

INTRODUCTION

Region

Umbria, Todi area

Location

The private villa of a noble family, with amazing views, near Todi.

Summary

This handsome and romantic, old stone farmhouse, masterfully restored and furnished, is a five bedroom private home, the owner's own, never before rented out, at ten minutes from Todi, one of the loveliest towns in Umbria. The house stands on a hundred acre estate which belongs to a well-known noble family. About thirty years ago they fell in love with this place with its views spanning over the town of Todi and the surrounding hills, some of the most beautiful countryside imaginable. They have spent the intervening years lovingly restoring the farmhouses, planting the gardens, orchards and olive groves, growing wheat, barley and fields of sunflowers on the estate.

Behind the house is a twelfth century tower, now a romantic ruin forming a dreamy scenery to the swimming pool. There is also a private family chapel built in the 1300's, still in use on special feast days, while the house itself was built in 1798. The owner's taste is impeccable, a supreme elegance that never makes you feel uncomfortable, contriving to be both chic and cozy at the same time. The bedrooms are lovely, white and coolly inviting after a day's sight-seeing in the area, while the kitchen is every cook's dream - equipped with every possible pot and pan. It is also a large room, ideal for hanging out as well as creating gourmet cuisine. The kitchen opens onto a loggia running the length of the house and a courtyard for dining or just foregathering outside.

For more pictures, click here.

Why this is Special Umbria

Here one feels part of the history of this amazing villa!

BOOKING INFORMATION

Pricing

June and September: EUR 4.200; July and August, Christmas through New Year and Easter: EUR 4.900; all other months: EUR 3.700.

Procedure

Deposit: 30% upon booking, balance 30 days before arrival; 
cleaning 3 hours a day is included in the rental price;
security deposit: EUR 500.

Changing

Saturdays arrival as of 4 PM and departure latest 10 AM; day of arrival and departure flexible in case of availability in preceding and following week.

ACCOMODATION

Bedrooms

In total there are 5 bedrooms. On the first floor one will find the master bedroom: a large room with king size bed, ensuite bathroom, bathtub and shower, toilet and bidet, private loggia off bedroom with wonderful views. Bedroom 2: large room with 2 large twin beds, small fireplace, ensuite bathroom with tub shower, toilet and bidet. Bedroom 3: Queen bedroom. Bedroom 4: Children's room with 2 twin beds that can come together as a king size one. Bedroom 5: Guest bedroom with handicap bathroom, shower and toilet.

Bathrooms

4 bathrooms and a powder room.

Kitchen

Large kitchen with kitchen table and cooking isle. Large stove with oven, 2 refrigerators and freezer, microwave and lots of space for preparing foods. Antique (good working) pizza oven next to the kitchen.

Livingrooms

On the ground floor are a large square library/living room with comfortable sofas and fireplace which opens through French doors onto the large loggia.

Other rooms

Cleaning

Included is a daily 3 hour maid service.

Amenities/Facilities

Amenities: Hob/Stove, Oven, Fridge, Fridge with freezer, Microwave, Dishwasher, Washing machine, Tumble dryer, Iron+board, Satellite tv, Television, Internet access, Central heating, Air conditioning, Room fans, Barbeque, Private pool, all in good condition.

Accessibility

The house is accessible for people with less mobility. The groundfloor apartment is ideally suited for this.

Outside

The kitchen accesses the large outside dining area with a large table for 10 guests with a large umbrella. Very nice cosy terrace with many pots with flowers. A lovely pool with the old tower as backdrop! An enourmous oak tree which gives a lot of shade. There is also a bocci court (jeu de boules). The whole house is surrounded by a beautiful mature garden with lots of antique roses, flowers, trees and hedges. It's a joy being outside. Outside one will find a charcoal grill as well.

Notes

The family house keeper, Annamaria, will be available every morning for 3 hours for cleaning, assistance with breakast etc. Upon request she may also cook in the evenings at EUR 15 per hour.

SURROUNDINGS

The majestic hill top, walled town of Todi is approximately 20 minutes drive from the villa. A study by Richard Levine, Professor at the University of Kentucky, concluded that Todi is one of the best places in the world to live on the basis of its environment, housing and lifestyle. Cars can be parked at the foot of the town from where a funicular lift ascends to the centre in couple of minutes. The views are breathtaking and an extensive range of restaurants, shops, historical and cultural attractions are on hand.

LEISURE

Leisure

A golf course is in Ellera Umbra (28 km) at Golf Club Perugia (18 holes).

Special Activities

All kind of activities can be arranged at request (separate prices).

Festivals

World famous Umbria Jazz (July) and Eurochocolate (October) in Perugia.

GETTING THERE

Nearest airports are Umbria International Airport Sant'Egidio near Perugia (55 km), Rome Fiumicino (177 km) and Ciampino (160 km) International Airports and Florence International Airport (210 km); the nearest E45 Motorway exit is in Todi (10 km) for Rome, Perugia and Florence; the train station of Todi is near and in Todi also car rentals are available.

Distances

The most important cities in Umbria and Tuscany with all facilities for shopping, culture and art are within reach: (wine in) Montepulciano (90 km), Castiglione del Lago (95 km), Cortona (100 km), Siena (150 km), Florence (190 km), Perugia (55 km), Gubbio (90 km), Orvieto (35 km), Spoleto (83 km), Montefalco / Bevagna (55 km), Deruta (35 km), Assisi (66 km) and of course Rome (155 km).