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Cuculaia
Cuculaia is a delightful old hunting lodge located in the hills overlooking the historic hilltop Tuscan town of Cortona. Positioned within its own private olive grove this enchanting property can sleep a total of ten people with eight in the main house and two in a small detached cottage close to the pool. There is a rental option for the main house only to be hired during the summer months. Cuculaia is private and quiet and is ideally located for access to the cultural delights of both Tuscany and Umbria.
The front door to the main house opens into a spacious and elegant entrance hallway.
To the right of this hallway and through an archway there is a sitting room with a stone fireplace as its focal point.
There are comfortable sofas and chairs which make this room a cosy retreat for those occasions when you are not lazing outside or around the pool.
Another archway at the other side of the sitting room leads onto the dining room and the kitchen.
The small dining room can cosily accommodate all ten guests staying at Cuculaia. It is conveniently positioned close to the kitchen.
The well appointed kitchen has an oven, 4 ring gas hob, fridge/freezer, double sink and washing machine. French windows from this kitchen lead out to the side of the house and onto a lovely pergola covered terrace.
The morning sun pours onto this terrace and it provides an ideal spot for those lazy morning breakfasts and other al fresco meals.
At the other end of the house, to the left of the entrance hallway, a corridor leads past a bathroom with small bath tub/shower and loo to a double bedroom with two single beds.
The corridor then continues onto another bedroom with double bed and its own ensuite bathroom with bath + shower, loo and basin. French windows open directly from this bedroom out into the garden at the end of the house.
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From the entrance hallway internal stone stairs lead up to the top floor in the central part of the house. |
The two other bedrooms are located on this floor. One of the bedrooms has two single beds.
The other bedroom has a double bed. Both these rooms have lovely views over the surrounding garden and countryside.
Both bedrooms on this floor share a spacious tiled bathroom with bath +shower, loo and basin. |
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The main house can accommodate eight people. If required the property also has this small little cottage situated some 50 metres away, close to the swimming pool, that can accommodate a further two people. If this Cottage and its additional accommodation are not required it will be locked and will not be made available to anybody else.
The cottage has a bedroom with two single beds and a bathroom with shower, basin and loo. It is simply furnished and is really more suitable as an overflow for children than adults. There is no heating in this cottage, so it is not available during the winter.
The swimming pool is positioned a short distance away from the house in a quiet corner of the mature garden. The small garden gate between the house and the pool provides a degree of security, but definitely not total security, for small children who might wander unaccompanied down to the pool.
The pool measures 5 x 10 metres and has a shallow and a deep end. There are two ladders and also some internal steps that all make it suitable for children and toddlers in particular. The pergola provides a welcome shady spot while lazing here at the pool.
Cuculaia is surrounded by its own private olive grove and with the vineyard lined driveway that leads up to the property, you really are in the middle of those two essential ingredients of life in Tuscany!
The village of Ossaia, which is about a 25 minute walking distance away, has some small shops and a locally renowned restaurant. This village has its own ancient historical connections with Hannibal and the Bloody Battle of Trasimeno! Terontola, the railway station on the main line to Florence and Rome, is only a 10 minute drive away. Altogether you could not be better placed for access to culture right on your doorstep or a short train ride away. To cap it all there are these great views of the medieval town of Cortona which is only a few kilometres away. Cortona has a mass of great restaurants, musical festivals, open air cinema & opera, art galleries, museums and everything one could want from an Etruscan hill top town!
Cuculaia is a children friendly, cosy and delightful Tuscan house. The caretaker is a charming Italian lady who is available to do cleaning and babysitting and as an accomplished cook will be happy to prepare meals for you ~ altogether a real treat for parents with children!
Summary
Property Name: La Cuculaia
| Item | Detail |
Remarks |
| Location | ||
| Region of Italy | Tuscany |
In the hills overlooking Cortona which is 5 kms away |
| Accommodation | ||
| Toal Max Numbers of People | 10 in the summer; 8 in the winter | |
| Main House | ||
| Max Numbers of People | 8 |
|
| Bedrooms | 4 |
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| Bedroom 1 | Ground Floor. Double bed, ensuite bathroom, French doors to garden | |
| Bedroom 2 | Ground Floor. 2 single beds which can configure into a double bed |
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| Bedroom 3 | 1st Floor. 2 single beds which can configure into a double bed | |
| Bedroom 4 | 1st Floor. Double bed with ensuite bathroom | |
| Bathrooms | 3 |
Bathroom 1 | Ground Floor. Ensuite to bedroom 1; bathtub with shower, basin, loo |
| Bathroom 2 | Ground Floor. Small bathtub, walk in shower, basin, loo |
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| Bathroom 3 | 1st Floor. Bathtub with shower, basin, loo | |
| Cloakroom | No |
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| Sitting Rooms | 1 |
Open fireplace, large corner sofa and arm chairs |
| Kitchen / Appliances | 1 |
Electric oven, 4 ring gas hob, fridge/freezer, double sink, dishwasher |
| Dining area | 1 |
|
| Other Rooms | Yes |
Utility room with washing machine and dryer |
| Additional Sofa / Fold Up Beds | No |
|
| Cots | Yes |
2 travel cots. Bedding available on request |
| Suitability for disabled access | No |
Downstairs bedrooms might be suitable |
| The Cottage | ||
| Max Numbers of People | 2 |
Not available in the winter |
| Bedrooms | 1 |
2 single beds which can be configured into double bed, ensuite bathroom |
| Bathrooms | 1 |
Walk in shower, basin, loo |
| Suitability for disabled access | No |
Garden steps lead down to Cottage |
| Facilities & Supplementary Information |
| Interior | ||
| Heating | Yes |
Gas-fired central heating in main house |
| Open Fireplace | Yes |
Main house only |
| Air Conditioning | No |
|
| Fans | Yes |
1 portable |
| Mosquito Nets / Screens | Yes |
Retractable screens on all windows |
| Linen & Towels | Yes |
Changed at the end of each week |
| Additional Towels for Pool | Yes |
Changed at the end of each week |
| Washing Machine | Yes |
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| Spin Dryer | Yes |
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| Iron | Yes |
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| Dishwasher | Yes |
Hairdryer | No |
| TV | No |
|
| DVD player | No |
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| Video player | No |
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| Radio Cassete | Yes |
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| CD Player | No |
|
| Telephone | Yes |
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| Fax | No |
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| Mobile Telephone Reception | Yes |
Good |
| Internet access | No |
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| SKYPE/VOIP facilities | No |
|
| High Chair for Children | Yes |
2 |
| Toys for Children | Yes |
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| Safe Box for Valuables | Yes |
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| First Evening Meal | Yes |
On request, at extra cost |
| Other Meals | Yes |
On request, at extra cost |
| Welcome Food Pack | Yes |
On request, at extra cost |
| Reading Books & Board Games | Yes |
|
| Extra Cleaning | Yes |
On request, at extra cost |
| Smoking Policy | Smoking is permitted. As with commonly accepted polite practise this should be restricted to outside the property |
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| House Book | Yes |
|
| Reception on arrival | Yes |
Provided estimated arrival time is known and confirmed |
| Assistance | Yes |
The keyholder lives locally and is on call to help for those unusual events and circumstances that cannot be resolved by reading the house book. She is available on request for cleaning, cooking, meals, baby sitting |
| Exterior | ||
| Swimming Pool | Yes |
Size in mts. Breadth: 6, Length: 12, Shallow: 1.25, Deep: 2.5 Access: 2 sets of metal steps + corner steps Cleaning System: Chlorine Open: May to Sep (inclusive) Usage: Exclusive Facilities: Loungers, chairs, shaded area |
| Garden | Yes |
Approx 0.5 hectare. Unfenced with some steep banks and an extensive olive grove |
| External Terrace | Yes |
Shaded pergola with large dining table |
| Sporting Facilities | No |
|
| BBQ | Yes |
|
| Pizza Oven | No |
|
| Nearest Neighbour | 150 metres. Not overlooked | |
| Animals Close to Premises | No |
|
| Approach Drive | A 300 metre private gravel track leads from an asphalt/tarmac surfaced public road. There are a few very steep corners and it is a bit rough in places, but is quite manageable with care. It is definitely not suitable for low slung sports cars. | |
| Garden Security | No |
|
| Covered Car Port | No |
|
| Car Parking | Yes |
Space for up to 5 cars |
| Water Source | Private well, drinkable (Even if the water is classified as drinkable we always advise our guests that if they have any concerns at all to buy bottled water for drinking purposes and use the house water for all other matters) |
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| Rental Facts | ||
| Rental Basis | Self catering | |
| Rental Options | The whole property will be for the exclusive use of just one group and if the Cottage is not rented it will be locked and will not be made available to anybody else |
|
| Price Grading | Medium |
See Properties Home Page for the definition of this grading |
| Breakage/Security/Deposit | No |
Breakages to be reported to the owner’s representative before departure |
| Rental Restrictions | Yes |
No Pets |
| Rental Periods | Available throughout the year for a min of 7 nights with changeover on Saturday. The Cottage is not available during the autumn/winter months |
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| Included in the Rental Price | Local taxes Electricity, gas and water (for normal general usage) Use and laundry of bed linen & towels Final cleaning |
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| Not Included in the Rental Price (Payment to be made locally) |
Excessive use of utilities Central heating Telephone Firewood Meals Welcome pack Extra cleaning |
Approximate Driving Times in Minutes/Hours
These driving times, which are based on local knowledge, provide a more pertinent indicator than merely distances
Airports
Perugia (Ryanair) 45
Florence (Meridiana) 1.5 - 2 hours
Ancona, Forli (Ryanair), Bologna (BA), Rimini (EasyJet) 2 - 2.5 hours
Rome Ciampino (Ryanair, EasyJet), Rome Fiumicino (World airlines), Pescara (Ryanair) 2.5 - 3 hours
Pisa (BA, Ryanair, EasyJet, Jet2, Thomson) 3 hours
Milan (World airlines) 4 - 5 hours
Main Line Rail Station
Cortona Terontola (Rome - Florence line) 10
Nearest Villages with Food Shops
Camucia 7
Restaurants
Ossaia 5
Camucia 10
Many more in and around Cortona within 15 min drive
Motorways
Bettolle exit of A1 (Roma-Firenze autostrada) 25
Cultural Sights
Cortona 10
Arezzo, Assisi, Montepulciano, Perugia, Spello. 30 - 45
Pienza, Orvieto, Siena. 45 – 60
Florence 1.5 hours
Rome 2.5 hours
Wine Centres
Montepulciano 40
Montefalco 55
Montalcino 1.10 hours
Sporting Locations
Golf. Antognola 30
Boating/Sailing. Lago Trasimeno 15
Fishing. Umbertide 23
Beaches
Lago Trasimeno - Castiglione del Lago. 20
West Coast. 2.5 hours
East Coast. 3.0 hours
Some Comments From Previous Guests
“ . ….. We had a fabulous holiday at Cuculaia. We were very impressed by the quality of the house, how well it was equipped and how clean it was. If anything its charms were undersold. The professionalism of your own service was as immaculate as the house and by far the best house rental service we have encountered over the years of taking houses throughout France and Italy.” S P
“ . …….. We had a fantastic holiday. We loved Cuculaia, both its situation and the property itself. The booking arrangements were excellent and helpful, especially the detailed notes sent with the final confirmation. No problems finding it thanks to your directions, and a good welcome at the property, considering we were slightly later than hoped, and very tired by then! ………. an extremely enjoyable holiday and, should we be fortunate enough to return to Italy in the future we would hope to use Italian Encounters again.” D & W Families
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