Casa Carina

Casa Carina is a perfect romantic hideaway for two people set high in the hills of Umbria overlooking the Niccone valley. Located within the 155 acre Alta Bella estate this lovely small house was originally a stone barn, but has recently been restored using the traditional materials of local stone, chestnut wooden beams and terra cotta bricks.

It is equipped with modern appliances, central heating and gourmet style kitchens and the furniture has been carefully selected from nearby antique fairs or specifically made by local craftsmen using old designs. With attractive towels, linen and other soft furnishings Casa Carina provides a very special standard of comfort and intimacy.

The front entrance to the house leads from a pergola covered terrace with table and garden furniture ~ the ideal spot for those al fresco meals ~ directly into the gourmet style kitchen which is equipped with all modern appliances and dishwasher.

The ceiling of the luminous living room with easy chairs and sofa extends right up to the roof of the house and with large picture windows this is a delightful sunny room. A wood burning stove, central heating and double glazed windows make Casa Carina an enchanting and cosy place in the winter months as well as the summer. A door from this room leads into the bathroom with full-length bath with shower, bidet, loo and basin and heated towel rail.

 

Stairs lead up to a split level floor which creates a loft style bedroom with king size double bed. There are views from the windows on all four sides of this room.

Surrounding the house the mature terraced garden has a mass of herbs for cooking and other delightful plants and shrubs. Located in a lovely private meadow on one of the lower below Casa Carina is the elegant 7 x 18 metre swimming pool. There is an extensive terrace and garden immediately surrounding the pool with a plentiful supply of outdoor furniture. The numerous secluded areas allow you and the guests of the two other properties on the Alta Bella estate to enjoy this superb pool with some privacy.

Some fifteen metres to the side of Casa Carina lies La Pietra, a classically restored stone farmhouse that sleeps thirteen people which can be rented independently or together with Casa Carina. The positioning of Casa Carina and its front door and its terrace allows almost totally privacy, though the driveway and entrance into the garden is shared between the two properties.

Summary
Location
In north western Umbria in the Niccone valley on the borders with Tuscany just north of Lago Trasimeno.

Accommodation
Maximum Numbers of People:   Total of 2 people.
Bedrooms:  1 with king sized double bed.
Bathrooms:  1 with bath tub and shower, heated towel rail, loo, bidet and basin.
Kitchen:  4 ring gas hob, electric oven, double sink, dishwasher, fridge/freezer.
Heating:  Central heating and ceramic wood burning stove.
Laundry Facilities:  Washing & drying machine.

Facilities & Supplementary Information
Swimming Pool:  Breadth 7 metres. Length 18 metres.  Roman steps at shallow end.  Shared with guests at La Quercia (max 8) and La Pietra (max 13).  Open at beginning of May; closed at end of September.
Broadband Internet Service.
VOIP Phone Service with SKYPE Access.
Mobile Phone Reception:  Very good.
BBQ.
Windows:  All the windows are double glazed and have fly screens.
Approach Drive:  A 3 km gravel road leads from the asphalt surface public road to the property.  This is quite steep in parts, but quite manageable.
Parking:  There is plenty of space for cars to park on the premises.
Animals / Pets on or near Premises:  None.
Linen & Towels:  All linen and towels are provided.
Towels for Swimming Pool Use:  Yes.
Linen Change:  All linen will be changed every 6 or 7 days.
Laundry.  You have free use of the washing machine.  A charged laundry service is available on request.
House Cleaning:  The house will be cleaned every 6 or 7 days.  Extra house cleaning is available on request.
House Book: A comprehensive house book is provided.
Assistance: The key holder lives close-by and is on call to help for those unusual events and circumstances that cannot be resolved by reading the house book.

Rental Facts
Currency for Payment: Euros.
Weekly Rental Price:  Detailed prices are available on request from Italian Encounters.
Price Grading:  Medium.  Please see Properties Home Page for the definition of this grading.
Rental Basis:  Self-catering.  The whole property will be for the exclusive use of just one group.  The upper floor is available independently and in these circumstances the ground floor will be closed.
Rental Periods:  Available all year round for a minimum of 7 nights with changeover on Saturday.
Rental Restrictions:  No Pets.
Included in the Rental Price:  The rental price includes all taxes, the consumption of electricity, gas and water, including the use of central heating, the use and laundry of bed linen and final cleaning.
Not Included in the Rental Price:  The use of the following services will be charged and payment will be due locally.

• Broadband internet access and VOIP phone service.
• Additional house cleaning if requested.
• Laundry if requested.

Breakage/Cleaning/Security Charge: None.  All breakages should be reported to the key holder.

Distances
Approx Driving Time in hour / minutes from Local Airports:  3 from Pisa. 2.5 from Rome, Pescara & Bologna.  2 from Ancona & Forli. 1.5 from Florence. 40 minutes from Perugia.
Approx Distance in kms to Nearest Town or Village with Shops:  7 to Mercatale.
Approx Distance in kms to Closest Restaurants:  There are 10 restaurants with a 15 minutes drive.
Approx Distance in kms to Nearest Motorway Exit:  15 to Umbertide exit of E45. 40 to Valdichiana exit of autostrada A1.
Approx Distance in kms to Major Cultural Towns:  18 to Cortona. 19 to Citta di Castello. 30 to Gubbio. 35 to Perugia. 40 to Assisi. 90 to Siena. 120 to Florence. 200 to Rome.

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