Giardino

Giardino provides quiet secluded privacy and comfort for six people that are looking for somewhere really special. The owners have lovingly restored and tastefully furnished this old farmhouse and have also created a magical garden ~ the whole place has a warm and welcoming atmosphere. It retains all the charm of the original house with terracotta tiled floors and ancient wooden beams and also has all the comfort you are looking for. With central heating and an open fire Giardino is a special place at any time of the year.

The entrance to the main house is at the top of a flight of stone steps ~ a classic entrance to old Italian farmhouses ~ and this leads directly into the main living room with easy chairs, sofa and a huge open fireplace as its focal point.

A door from this room leads into a large well equipped kitchen with all modern facilities including a double oven, large stove, washing machine and dishwasher. There is a spacious dining table in this kitchen which allows the whole family to gather, gossip and dine!

Another door from the main living room leads into a large bedroom with double bed and its own ensuite bathroom. The bathroom includes a bath with hand shower and double basins.

On the lower floor of the house, with its own private and independent external entrance, there is another double bedroom with two single beds and its own ensuite bathroom with bath & hand shower and double basins.

This bedroom leads through into another room, in which there is a single sofa bed, to the back of the house and small outside terrace which faces east and catches the morning sun ~ an ideal spot for your quiet morning cup of tea or coffee.

On the other side of the terrace which lies in front of the main house, there is a small wisteria bedecked guest house which has accommodation for two people. The room on the ground floor has a single bed with ensuite bathroom which includes a bath with hand shower.

An open sided wooden staircase leads up to the first floor and directly (there is no door) into the other bedroom which has another single bed. This upper bedroom has lovely windows with views overlooking the garden and also has its own independent external entrance from another level of the garden. This guest house is not available during the winter months.

The mature and extensive garden surrounding Giardino is an absolute delight.

Small, almost secretive, pathways lead you enticingly through a carefully planted maze of plants, shrubs, trees and flowers.

Throughout the garden there are gazebos and beautiful wooden furniture all sited in special places with views and vistas that allow you to linger and dream ~ and be glad you came to Italy and Giardino in particular!

Within this magical garden lies the swimming pool that shares the great views over the surrounding countryside which you can enjoy from everywhere in the garden. A water spout protruding from a tiled wall trickles water gently into the pool.

The driveway up to Giardino is approximately 2 kms of strada bianca (uneven in parts, but easily negotiable) from the tarmac road where there is a small store that stocks all the basics.

Giardino is the owner’s country home in Italy and it contains many of their personal belongings and books. This creates a really cosy atmosphere to the place which many of our guests have welcomed. Please take this aspect into account if you should feel that such a homely feature would not suit you.

Summary
Location.
Umbria in the Niccone valley on the Tuscany Umbria borders

Accommodation
Maximum Numbers of Accommodation: Total 6 in the summer months and 4 at other times. It is possible to accommodate one extra person on a sofa bed.
Bedrooms:
Main house. 2 double bedrooms. One with double bed and the other with two 2 single beds.
Guest House. 2 single bedrooms both with single beds.
Extra Bed: A sofa bed is available in the Main House. (The use of this may attract an additional charge)
Cot. A fold up cot is available.
Bathrooms:
Main House. 2 ensuite with bath/shower, loo and basin.
Guest House. 1 ensuite with bath/shower loo and basin.
Kitchen: Double oven, gas hob, fridge, dishwasher, washing machine.
Heating. Central heating and open fire.

Facilities & Supplementary Information
Swimming Pool: Breadth 5 metres. Length 12 metres. Shallow End 1.5 metres. Deep End 2.5 metres. Metal steps at shallow end. Exclusive use. Open at beginning of May; closed at end of September.
Laundry Facilities: Washing machine.
House Telephone. Yes
Mobile Phone Reception: Good
TV & DVD: Yes.
Radio/CD Player: Yes.
Approach Road: There is a 3.5 km long white track that leads up the hill from the asphalt surface public road. It is quite steep and uneven in parts, but quite manageable. It is not suitable for low slung sports cars or large people carrier cars.
Parking: There is plenty of space for cars to park on the premises.
Animals / Pets on or near Premises: No.
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.
Assistance: The key holder lives close-by and is on call to help for any unusual events and circumstances.
Extra Cleaning Available: On request when reservation is made. Price on application.

Rental Facts
Currency for Payment: Euro.
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.
Rental Periods: Available all year round for a minimum of 7 nights with changeover on Saturday.
Rental Restrictions: From the beginning of October to the beginning of May the small guest house for two people is not available, so the total accommodation for these winter months is only 4. (with an option for I extra person)
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.
Not Included in the Rental Price: Telephone, central heating, or any other requested services.
Breakage/Cleaning/Security Charge: A cheque for Euro 200, or the equivalent cash in Euros, is payable on arrival. This will be returned to you on departure less any necessary deductions.
Extra Costs:
- Central Heating: Euro 160 per week.
- Telephone: At cost.

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: 6 to Mercatale. 12 to Umbertide.
Approx Distance in kms to Closest Restaurants: There are 10 restaurants with a 10 minute drive.
Approx Distance in kms to Nearest Motorway Exit: 14 to Umbertide exit of E45.
Approx Distance in kms to Major Cultural Towns: 26 to Cortona. 29 to Gubbio. 36 to Perugia. 39 to Assisi. 90 to Siena. 120 to Florence. 200 to Rome.

---