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San Nicolo
San Nicolo is a beautifully restored old traditional Umbrian farmhouse located in the Niccone valley on the Umbria Tuscany border. It provides the quintessential Italian property for a family holiday and sleeps 8 people in great comfort. A lovely pool and unique features in the garden that provide stunning views of the surrounding countryside makes this a memorable and special place to stay.
The main entrance to the house leads from this gravel courtyard into a small hallway.
A door from here leads into the elegant dining room that has a lovely old wooden round table with seating for all guests, just in case the weather precludes eating alfresco.
The sitting room is an enchanting, light, airy and gracious room that historical research has revealed used to be a chapel for the local priest! The room is cleverly split into two levels. The lower level has a lovely wood burning stove and great views over the Niccone valley.
The upper level contains a satellite television and music centre ~ all in all the perfect place for the gathering of a family of all ages.
The kitchen is positioned in the centre of the lower floor of the house, close to the dining room. It has an external door leading into the small courtyard and the garden. There is a small breakfast table and it is well equipped with oven, hob, dishwasher and fridge/freezer. A small utility room alongside the kitchen houses the washing machine.
This bedroom is located on the ground floor. It has two single beds and an adjoining bathroom with bath/shower, basin and loo. There is access to this bathroom from the outside as well, for use as required when at the swimming pool.
A wooden staircase leads to the first floor and the other three bedrooms. The blue bedroom with large double bed has lovely south facing views over the Niccone valley and the morning sun pours through these windows. This bedroom has its own ensuite bathroom with bath/shower, basin, and loo.
The orange bedroom with two single beds shares the same glorious views over the valley.
The green bedroom, also with two single beds, has equally great views over the courtyard at the front of the house and surrounding garden. The green and orange bedrooms share a bathroom with bath/shower, basin, loo and bidet. All the bedrooms are beautifully decorated with wooden floors and tasteful furnishings. There are screens on some of the windows in all the upper bedrooms.
At one end of the first floor where these bedrooms are located there is an external door that leads out onto a small covered terrace with steps down into the garden. This delightful spot is a perfect place for a quiet read or for gazing at the views.
The 10 metre long swimming pool is positioned a short distance from the house within the mature garden. There is a plentiful supply of comfortable sun loungers here for those lazy hot summer days.
This delightful tiled pagoda is tucked into the corner of the pool garden. It provides a shaded spot for those al fresco lunches and also houses a table tennis table for family ping pong competitions!
The garden is full of enchanting surprises which makes San Nicolo a very special place. A unique belvedere with wooden deck built on stilts over the slope of the garden provides dramatic views of the Niccone valley ~ a magical spot for those romantic dinners or evening drinks. Many of our guests have lingered here to dream and be glad they came to Italy and to San Nicolo in particular!
Food and wine are an important aspect of life in Italy and this shaded pergola with table and chairs near the front courtyard provides guests with yet a further choice of place to gather, gossip, wine and dine!
After such an occasion you can retire to this hammock with a view!
……………. Or to this garden dondolo!
The garden is fenced and secure and these gates lead into the private driveway where there is space for cars to park.
The fields surrounding the property contain ancient olive trees and meadows of wild flowers and allow you to step directly into some lovely country walks.
San Nicolo is located in the celebrated Niccone valley which has become one of the most sought after holiday destinations in this magical part of Italy.
This magical valley forms the border between modern Tuscany and Umbria, but in previous centuries it was also the boundary between The Papal States & The Grand Duchy of Tuscany as well. This Valley of Castles, with innumerable inhabited and ruined ancient castles on both sides of the valley, is testimony to the ancient rivalries that existed here and the historical significance of this fascinating part of the country.
The location betwixt Tuscany and Umbria means that it is close to the cultural gems of both these fabulous regions of central Italy. Assisi, Citta di Castello, Gubbio, Lago Trasimeno, Montefalco, Montone, Orvieto, Perugia, Spello, Spoleto and Todi in Umbria and Arezzo, Cortona, Lucignano, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Pienza and Siena in Tuscany to name just a few of the lovely sights, are all close by. Both Florence and Rome are easily accessible as well.
Today the valley boasts a number of great restaurants and there are small bucolic villages with their churches, piazzas, shops, open air markets, musical festivals & concerts. The landscapes and views of the valley are quintessentially Italian with rows of cypress trees marching along ridges and the approaches to numerous farmhouses, many of which have now been restored and renovated into gracious country houses and villas. Wild oak and chestnut woods and vineyards cover the valley sides and a mass of wild flowers compete with fields of sunflowers, poppies, corn and tobacco on the broad fertile valley floor. The warmth and generosity of the local people have endeared themselves to countless recent holiday makers.
This is a charming, scenically stunning, entrancing and very special place. You will be delighted that you chose a holiday in this valley at San Nicolo.
Summary
Property Name: San Nicolo
| Item | Detail |
Remarks |
| Location | ||
| Region of Italy | Umbria |
South facing side of the Niccone Valley on the Tuscany border |
| Accommodation | ||
| Max Numbers of People | 8 |
|
| Bedrooms | 4 |
The single beds can easily be pushed together if required. Electric blankets & duvets |
| Bedroom 1 | 1st Floor. Double bed with ensuite bathroom |
|
| Bedroom 2 | 1st Floor. Orange bedroom with 2 single beds with shared bathroom |
|
| Bedroom 3 | 1st Floor. Green bedroom with 2 single beds with shared bathroom |
|
| Bedroom 4 | Ground Floor. 2 single beds with adjoining bathroom |
|
| Bathrooms | 3 |
Bathroom 1 | 1st Floor. Ensuite with bath + shower, bidet, basin, loo |
| Bathroom 2 | 1st Floor. Bath + shower, bidet, basin, loo |
|
| Bathroom 3 | Ground Floor. Bath + shower, bidet, basin, loo | |
| Cloakroom | No |
|
| Sitting Rooms | 2 |
Split levels, TV, wood burning stove. |
| Kitchen / Appliances | 1 |
4 ring gas hob, electric oven, fridge/freezer, double sink, dishwasher, breakfast table |
| Dining area | 1 |
Round table with seats for 8 |
| Other Rooms | Yes |
Hall with desk/internet access point |
| Additional Sofa / Fold Up Beds | Yes |
1 |
| Cots | Yes |
1 |
| Suitability for disabled access | No |
| Facilities & Supplementary Information |
| Interior | ||
| Heating | Yes |
Central heating (metred) |
| Open Fireplace | Yes |
Log burning stove |
| Air Conditioning | No |
|
| Fans | Yes |
|
| Mosquito Nets / Screens | Yes |
One window in 3 of the bedrooms |
| 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 |
|
| Spin Dryer | No |
|
| Iron | Yes |
|
| Dishwasher | Yes |
Hairdryer | Yes |
| TV | Yes |
|
| DVD player | Yes |
Approximately 300 DVDs |
| Video player | Yes |
|
| Radio / CD Player | Yes |
|
| Telephone | Yes |
Local calls only |
| Fax | No |
|
| Mobile Telephone Reception | Yes |
Good |
| Internet access | Yes |
Broadband internet connection is available with the use of your own laptop |
| SKYPE/VOIP facilities | Yes |
Skype through internet access |
| High Chair for Children | Yes |
|
| Toys for Children | Yes |
|
| Safe Box for Valuables | No |
|
| First Evening Meal | No |
|
| Other Meals | No |
|
| Welcome Food Pack | Yes |
A selection of food basics, including wine, will be provided. |
| Reading Books & Board Games | Yes |
|
| Extra Cleaning | Yes |
On request at cost |
| Smoking Policy | The owners have requested no smoking indoors. As with commonly accepted polite practise this should be restricted to outside the property | |
| House Book | Yes |
Very comprehensive. Extensive details of local information |
| Reception on arrival | Yes |
Provided estimated arrival time is known and confirmed |
| Assistance | Yes |
The keyholder is call to help for those unusual events and circumstances that cannot be resolved by reading the house book |
| Exterior | ||
| Swimming Pool | Yes |
Size in mts. Breadth: 5, Length: 10, Shallow: 1.25, Deep: 2 Access: Corner steps in shallow end/metal steps in deep end Cleaning System: Chlorine Open: May to Sep (inclusive) Usage: Exclusive Facilities: Loungers, umbrella, table, chairs, shaded pergola |
| Garden | Yes |
Surrounds house |
| Terraces | Yes |
Belvedere and many other places with garden furniture |
| Sporting Facilities | Yes |
Ping pong/badminton |
| BBQ | Yes |
|
| Pizza Oven | No |
|
| Nearest Neighbour | 400 metres shielded by trees and not overlooked |
|
| Animals Close to Premises | Sheep sometimes in neighbouring olive groves. Occasional cat in the garden. |
|
| Approach Drive | A 300 metre private gravel track leads from an asphalt surface public road to the entrance of the property. It is suitable for all types of car |
|
| Garden Security | Yes |
Good perimeter fence with hedge and entrance gate |
| Covered Car Port | No |
|
| Car Parking | Yes |
Space for 2/3 cars |
| Water Source | Private well (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) |
|
| Rental Facts | ||
| Rental Basis | Self catering | |
| Breakage/Security/Deposit | No |
Breakages are to be reported to the keyholder before departure |
| Rental Restrictions | Yes |
No Pets |
| Rental Periods | Available throughout the year for a min of 7 nights with changeover on Saturday |
|
| Included in the Rental Price | Local taxes Electricity, gas and water (for normal general usage) Use and laundry of bed linen & towels Final cleaning |
|
| Not Included in the Rental Price (Payment to be made locally) |
Excessive use of utilities Central heating. Charged by meter reading Telephone. Euro 0.25 per unit Firewood |
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) 35
Florence (Meridiana) 1.5 - 2 hours
Forli (Ryanair) 1.5 - 2 hours
Ancona (Ryanair) 2 - 2.5 hours
Rome Ciampino (Ryanair, EasyJet), Rome Fiumicino (World airlines), Pescara (Ryanair), Bologna (BA), Rimini (Easy Jet) 2 - 3 hours
Pisa (BA, Ryanair, EasyJet, Jet2, Thomson) 2.5-3 hours
Milan (World airlines) 4 - 5 hours
Main Line Rail Station
Cortona Terontola (Rome - Florence line) 30
Nearest Villages with Food Shops
Spedalicchio 6
Niccone 10
Umbertide 15
Restaurants
Molino Vitelli 5
Niccone 10
Mercatale 15
Ten more restaurants within 30 min drive
Motorways
Umbertide exit of E45 (Orte-Cesena dual carriageway) 18
Bettolle exit of A1 (Roma-Firenze autostrada) 45
Cultural Sights
Cortona, Citta di Castello, Sansepolcro. 20 - 30 mins
Gubbio, Perugia, Deruta, Assisi, Arezzo, Spello, Pienza, Orvieto, Todi, Spoleto. 30 - 60 mins
Siena. 1 hour
Florence. 1.5 hours
Rome 2.5. hours
Wine Centres
Wine Tasting @ Molino Vitelli 5 mins
Montepulciano 55
Montefalco 55
Montalcino 1.10 hours
Sporting Locations
Golf. Antognola 30
Boating/Sailing. Lago Trasimeno 35
Fishing. Umbertide 20
Tennis. Niccone 10
Horse Riding. San Pietro a Monte 30
Beaches
Tuoro sul Trasimeno. 35
West Coast. 2.5 hours
East Coast. 3.0 hours
Some Comments From Previous Guests
“ …… our stay in San Nicolo was everything we wished for and we would not hesitate to go back there given the chance. We loved the garden in particular and all the places to sit outside and read or relax with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.” J H
“ … I found the booking, and support and the villa were all great, and would use Italian Encounters again. The property was as advertised and lovely + +.” S E
“ …. We had a lovely stay at San Nicolo and were very impressed with the whole experience of using Italian Encounters, especially the quality of the property – it lived up to the pictures on the Website! Will definitely recommend Italian Encounters to others and intend to use you again in the future.” M & A P
“ We had a thoroughly enjoyable two weeks at San Nicolo. It has by far the best location and facilities of any of the villas we have stayed in and the garden with its various sitting areas was a delight and I particularly enjoyed a number of walks in the vicinity. As with previous Italian Encounters experiences, the reality surpassed the already favourable impressions given by your website. Score; 11/10!! ” S & J
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