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.  There is a rental option for the whole property to be hired exclusively for eight people during the summer months.  Cuculaia is private and quiet and ideally located for access to the cultural delights of both Tuscany and Umbria.

The front door to the main house opens into a spacious entrance hallway.

To the right of this hallway and through an imposing archway there is a large and comfortable sitting room with a stone fireplace as its focal point.

Another archway from the sitting room leads to the small separate dining room and then onto 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, loo and basin.  This bedroom has French windows that open directly out into the garden at the end of the house.

From the entrance hallway internal stone stairs lead up to the top floor in the central part of the house.

On this floor two other double bedrooms are located.  One of the bedrooms has two single beds.

The other bedroom has a double bed.  All these rooms have lovely views over the surrounding garden and countryside.  There is a spacious bathroom on this floor with bath/shower, loo and basin.

The main house can accommodate eight people.  If required the property also has a small little cottage situated some 50 metres away, close to the swimming pool, that can accommodate a further two people.

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 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 simple 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.

Cuculaia is a children friendly, cosy and delightful Tuscan house.  Included in the cost of renting Cuculaia there is a daily maid service for 2 hours per day by a charming Italian lady.  She is available to do extra cleaning on request and is also an accomplished cook and will be happy to prepare meals for you ~ altogether a real treat for parents with children!

Summary
Location
In south eastern Tuscany near Cortona and Lago Trasimeno.

Accommodation
Maximum Numbers of Accommodation: Total of 10. Option of 8 for lower price.

Main House
Bedrooms:  4 doubles. Two with double beds and two with single beds.
Cots:  There is a cot and also a travel cot available.
Bathrooms: 3.  1 ensuite, 2 separate.  All with bath/shower, loo and basin.
Kitchen:  4 ring gas hob, electric oven, fridge, double sink and dishwasher.
Heating:  Central heating & open fire.
Laundry Facilities:  Washing machine.
House Telephone:  Yes.
Mobile Phone Reception:  Good.
Radio/CD Player:  Yes.
Hairdryer:  Yes.

Cottage
There are some steps down to the Cottage and the decoration is simpler than in the main house.
Bedrooms:  1 with two single beds.
Bathrooms: 1 with shower, loo and basin.

Facilities & Supplementary Information
Swimming Pool:  Breadth 5 metres.  Length 10 metres.  Two sets of metal steps and some internal corner steps.  Exclusive use . Open at beginning of May; closed at end of September.
BBQ:  Yes.
Approach Drive:  A 300 metre white track leads from an asphalt surface public road.  There are a couple of steep corners and it is a bit rough in places, but quite manageable.  It is not suitable for low slung sports cars.
Parking:  There is plenty of space for cars to park on the premises.
Animals / Pets on or near Premises:  None.
Linen & Towels:  Linen and towels are provided and these will be changed for clean ones at the end of each week.
Towels for Swimming Pool Use.  Yes
House Book:  A comprehensive house book is provided.
Assistance: Maid service for 2 hours per day is provided. The key holder is on call to help. Cooking and meal preparation is available on request.

Rental Facts
Currency for Payment: GBP sterling.
Weekly Rental Price: Detailed prices are available on request from Italian Encounters.
Price Grading:  Medium for 8 people.  Higher for 10 people. Please see Properties Home Page for the definition of this grading.
Rental Basis:  Self-catering.
Rental Periods:  Available all year round for a minimum of 7 nights with changeover on Saturday.
Rental Restrictions:  The Cottage is not available outside the summer months as there is no heating.  No Pets.
Included in the Rental Price:  The rental price includes all taxes, the consumption of electricity, gas and water (for normal general usage), the use and laundry of bed linen & towels and final cleaning.  The maid service for 2 hours per day is also included in the rental price.
Not Included in the Rental Price:  Telephone, central heating, or any other requested services.

Breakage/Cleaning/Security Charge:  None.  All breakages are to be reported to the key holder.
Extra Costs:  Central Heating & Telephone: At cost.

Distances
Approx Driving Time in hour / minutes from Local Airports:  2.5 from Pisa, Rome, Pescara & Bologna. 2 from Ancona & Forli. 1 from Florence. 40 minutes from Perugia.
Approx Distance in kms to Nearest Town or Village with Shops:  3 to Ossaia.
Approx Distance in kms to Closest Restaurants: 3 to Ossaia. 4 to Camucia. Lots of restaurants in Cortona.
Approx Distance in kms to Nearest Motorway Exit: 25 to Valdichiana exit on A1.
Approx Distance in kms to Major Cultural Towns: 6 to Cortona. 18 to Arezzo. 25 to Perugia. 30 to Assisi. 40 to Gubbio. 65 to Siena. 95 to Florence. 180 to Rome.

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