We stayed for 3 months in this property, to write. Chosen for its location and facilities, it has has been a resounding success. The house is spacious and traditional, with plenty of homely touches, and our hosts were the most welcoming and kind.
Within less than an hour's drive there are literally dozens of hill towns to visit (like Montepulciano, Perugia, Assisi, etc., etc.), and the railway in the nearby village meant we could take the train to Florence, Orvietto and Rome. 10 minutes away is a most beautiful town, Cortona (made famous by Frances Mayes' book and film "Under the Tuscan Sun" and who we bumped in to in Cortona!), with plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from. Down below Cortona is Carmucia with its market and shops. The nearest village is Terontola, 3 minutes away, which has a weekly market as well as supermarkets, post office, railway station, hairdresser (Marco the barber is highly recommended!). In the other direction 10 minutes away is Castiglione del Lago - a beautiful fortified hill town and a great place to take walks along the lake (Trasimeno), eat out or take an aperitif. Every weekend when we were not working was a new adventure.
The house is located in the south-west facing hill, surrounded by olive groves, and receives the afternoon sun (we worked outside in the sun until early November!). From the house you can see the valley, the lake (Trasimeno) and Montpulciano in the distance. One of our hosts, Estelle, lives next door and is so kind and helpful - you can ask her for anything - and Martine and Emilio will come round to check or to fix anything. They set up fast internet access, baked cakes, fixed a dripping shower, brought a Christmas tree, provided logs for the fireplace, advised on where to go and what to see, etc. We couldn't have asked for more, and they have become friends - we miss them already and we hope to visit again soon!
We had friends and family come for short stays, and the house was perfect for that - it very easily accommodated 4 people and could have taken 6. It has a comfortable living space with fireplace, a dining area for 6, a study corner, a kitchenette, two showers and two WCs, two double bedrooms, and an annex with larder area, second fridge, washing machine and clothes line/drying area. Outside there are two terraces (one catching the morning sun, the other for the evening), a covered area in the afternoon sun, and a fenced off gravelled area (great for our dog).
We loved it!
