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La Pietra
La Pietra is a classically restored stone farmhouse situated high in the Umbrian hills with panoramic views over the Niccone valley and the border with Tuscany. Located within a large private estate it can sleep a total of thirteen people. La Pietra has been lovingly restored using the traditional materials of local stone, chestnut wooden beams and terra cotta bricks. It is equipped with modern appliances, central heating, internet access and gourmet style kitchens and with attractive towels, linen and other soft furnishings La Pietra provides a very special standard of comfort and intimacy.
Like many old Italian country properties there is an external stone staircase which leads to the front door of the upper part of the house. This part of the property can accommodate 6 people in three double bedrooms.
At the top of the stairs is this covered loggia with table and chairs.
The views from this terrace over the Umbrian hills to the distant skyline of Tuscany reveal the magnificent setting of La Pietra.
The front door opens into a spacious living room with raised fireplace.
With a dramatic high ceiling, easy chairs and a comfortable sofa this is a lovely cosy room at any time of the year. There is a computer with unlimited broadband (for a small weekly charge) for use by guests in this room
The spacious kitchen has a range of really modern and professional appliances that can cater for extensive culinary feasts. It has a large oak dining table made from one of the huge beams from the original house and this provides a natural meeting place for all guests at La Pietra to gather, eat and gossip!
The three bedrooms on this floor lead off from the sitting room. The master bedroom, with double bed and ensuite bathroom, is at the rear of the house.
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The ensuite bathroom has a bath tub with shower. |
The second bedroom also has a king sized double bed.
The third bedroom has two single beds.
The 2nd & 3rd bedrooms share this spacious bathroom with large shower, loo and basin. |
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The lower part of La Pietra can accommodate a total of 7 people in three double bedrooms. All the rooms on the lower floor have their own individual doors that lead outside to the garden.
One of the external doors leads into the kitchen which is extremely well equipped with 5 ring gas hob, electric oven, sink, dishwasher, fridge/freezer and a large dining table.
On the other side of the house French widows lead into two of the bedrooms from this wisteria bedecked terrace with table and garden furniture.
The master bedroom has a king sized double bed.
There is an integral sitting area in this bedroom which has a delightful raised open fireplace.
More French windows from the terrace lead into this other large bedroom with 3 single beds
At the other side of the house the third bedroom with double bed also has access to the outside through French windows.
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There are two large bathrooms on this ground floor of the property. Both have a shower, basins, bidet and loo. One bathroom is specially designed to cater for disabled people with ramps into the bathroom and easy access into the shower.
Surrounding the house the mature terraced garden has a mass of herbs for cooking and other delightful plants and shrubs.
Located in a lovely meadow on one of the terraces below Casa Carina is this elegant 7 x 18 metre swimming pool.
There is an extensive paved terrace and grassed garden with flowers and shrubs immediately surrounding the pool and a plentiful supply of outdoor furniture. The numerous secluded areas allow you and the guests of the two other properties on the same estate to share and enjoy this superb pool with some privacy. A brief description of these other two properties follows.
This is Casa Carina which is located some 10 metres to the side of La Pietra. It sleeps two people and can be rented independently or together with La Pietra. The front door and the terrace of Casa Carina face away from La Pietra so there is some degree of privacy between the two properties, though the driveway and entrance into the garden are shared between them.
This is La Quercia which sleeps eight people and is set some 200 metres away below and on the other side the pool from Casa Carina and La Pietra. It is largely out of sight.
For large family gatherings these three properties together can accommodate a total of 23 people and the owners are able to provide a comprehensive programme for such family gatherings
Summary
Property Name: La Pietra
| Item | Detail |
Remarks |
| Location | ||
| Region of Italy | Umbria |
On the southern slopes of the Niccone valley on the Tuscany border |
| Accommodation | ||
| Total Max Numbers of People | 13 |
|
| Upper Floor | ||
| Max Numbers of People | 6 |
|
| Bedrooms | 3 |
|
| Bedroom 1 | King size double bed with ensuite bathroom | |
| Bedroom 2 | Queen sized double bed |
|
| Bedroom 3 | 2 single beds | |
| Bathrooms | 2 |
Bathroom 1 | Ensuite with bath + shower, basin, bidet, loo |
| Bathroom 2 | Shower, loo, basin |
Cloakroom | No |
| Sitting Rooms | 1 |
Open fire |
| Kitchen / Appliances | 1 |
Restaurant quality electric oven with 5 ring gas hob, a second electric oven and 4 ring gas hob, fridge, double sink, microwave, dishwasher, open fire for grilling in living room |
| Dining area | 1 |
Large table in kitchen |
| Other Rooms | No |
|
| Additional Sofa / Fold Up Beds | Yes |
Double fold-out couch in living room. |
| Cots | Yes |
On request, but maximum numbers of people is not to exceed 6 people |
| Suitability for disabled access | No |
|
| Ground Floor | ||
| Max Numbers of People | 7 |
|
| Bedrooms | 3 |
|
| Bedroom 1 | King size double bed, open fireplace | |
| Bedroom 2 | Queen size double bed |
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| Bedroom 3 | 3 single beds | |
| Bathrooms | 2 |
Bathroom 1 | Shower, basin, bidet, loo |
| Bathroom 2 | Shower, basin, bidet, loo. Designed for use by disabled |
Cloakroom | No |
| Sitting Rooms | No |
|
| Kitchen / Appliances | 1 |
5 ring gas hob, electric oven, sink, dishwasher, fridge/freezer |
| Dining area | 1 |
Large table in kitchen |
| Other Rooms | No |
|
| Additional Sofa / Fold Up Beds | Yes |
Double fold-out couch in bedroom 1 |
| Cots | Yes |
On request, but maximum numbers of people is not to exceed 7 people |
| Suitability for disabled access | Yes |
| Facilities & Supplementary Information |
| Interior | ||
| Heating | Yes |
|
| Open Fireplaces | 2 |
|
| Air Conditioning | No |
|
| Fans | Yes |
On request |
| Mosquito Nets / Screens | Yes |
Most windows and doors have retractable screens |
| Linen | Yes |
Changed at the end of each week |
| Towels & Pool Towels | Yes |
Self laundry |
| Washing Machine | Yes |
A laundry service is available at cost |
| Spin Dryer | Yes |
|
| Iron | Yes |
|
| Dishwasher | Yes |
Hairdryer | Yes |
| TV | No |
|
| DVD player | No |
|
| Video player | No |
|
| Radio / CD Player | Yes |
Both floors. MP3 player compatible |
| Telephone | Yes |
|
| Fax | No |
|
| Mobile Telephone Reception | Yes |
Good |
| Internet access | Yes |
Computer with broadband internet access on upper floor. Broadband outlet for laptop use on ground floor. WIFI reception on both floors. Unlimited broadband access for a weekly fee. |
| SKYPE/VOIP facilities | Yes |
VOIP phone service with Skype access charged at cost |
| High Chair for Children | Yes |
On request |
| Toys for Children | No |
|
| Safe Box for Valuables | Yes |
Both floors |
| First Evening Meal | Yes |
On request at cost |
| Other Meals | Yes |
On request at cost |
| Welcome Food Pack | Yes |
On request at cost |
| Reading Books & Board Games | Yes |
|
| Extra Cleaning | Yes |
On request at cost |
| Smoking Policy | Smoking is permitted. 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 |
An extensive concierge service is provided by the owners for shopping, transport, guided tours, cooking, baby sitting, restaurant reservations and lots of other things. Details and costs of all the assistance that can be provided will be sent when the final payment of the reservation is made |
| Exterior | ||
| Swimming Pool | Yes |
Size in mts. Breadth: 7, Length: 18, Shallow: 1.25, Deep: 2.5. Access: Large Roman steps at shallow end, metal steps at deep end Cleaning System: Reduced chlorine and salt filtering system Open: Mid-May to Sep (inclusive) Usage: Shared with guests at La Quercia (max 8) and Casa Carina (max 2) Facilities: Covered pergola, loungers, tables, chairs, shower |
| Garden | Yes |
An extensive mature garden with a mass of plants, shrubs and herbs for cooking |
| Terrace | Yes |
Loggia on upper floor, pergola on ground floor both with garden furniture |
| Sporting Facilities | No |
|
| BBQ | Yes |
|
| Pizza Oven | Yes |
|
| Nearest Neighbour | Casa Carina at about 10 metres. The footpath access to Casa Carina runs in front of La Pietra. The entrance and terrace for Casa Carina are both on the other side of the house and set away from La Pietra. La Quercia at about 200 mts and largely out of sight |
|
| Animals Close to Premises | Yes |
Outdoor friendly, farm cats |
| Approach Drive | A 3 km gravel track leads from the asphalt surface public road. It is uphill in parts, but well-maintained and quite manageable. |
|
| Garden Security | No |
|
| Covered Car Port | No |
|
| Car Parking | Yes |
Shared with Casa Carina. Plenty of space for cars |
| Water Source | Two wells and a large underground cistern. (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 | There are rental options for different numbers of people. 13 / 11 in summer; 6 (either floor) / 8 / 11 / 13 during rest of year |
|
| Breakage/Security/Deposit | No |
All breakages should be reported to the key holder immediately and payment in Euros made to the keyholder before departure. If appropriate an invoice for damages and extra costs will be raised for subsequent payment within 7 days. |
| Rental Restrictions | No |
|
| Rental Periods | Available all the year around for a min of 7 nights with changeover on Saturday |
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| Included in the Rental Price | Local taxes Electricity, gas and water (for normal general usage) Central heating, but guests are liable to cost if use is excessive and unreasonable Use and laundry of bed linen & towels Final cleaning |
|
| Not Included in the Rental Price (Payment to be made locally) |
Internet/Telephone/VOIP Extra cleaning/Laundry Concierge services ~ details and prices will be sent final payment is made |
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
Ancona, Forli (Ryanair) 2 - 2.5 hours
Rome Ciampino (Ryanair, EasyJet), Rome Fiumicino (World airlines), Pescara (Ryanair), Bologna (BA), Rimini (Easy Jet) 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) 25
Nearest Villages with Food Shops
Mercatale 10
Niccone 11
Umbertide 15
Restaurants
Sant’Andrea di Sorbello 3
Mercatale 10
Ten more restaurants within 25 min drive
Motorways
Umbertide exit of E45 (Orte-Cesena dual carriageway) 18
Bettolle exit of A1 (Roma-Firenze autostrada) 40
Cultural Sights
Cortona, Citta di Castello, Sansepolcro. 25 - 40 mins
Arezzo, Assisi, Deruta, Gubbio, Montepulciano, Perugia, Pienza, Orvieto, Spello, Spoleto, Todi. 40 - 60 mins
Siena. 1 hour
Florence. 1.5 hours
Rome 2.5. hours
Wine Centres
Wine Tasting @ Molino Vitelli 10 & Umbertide 15
Montepulciano 50
Montefalco 55
Montalcino 1.10 hours
Sporting Locations
Golf. Antognola 25
Boating/Sailing. Lago Trasimeno 25
Fishing. Umbertide 20
Tennis. Mercatale 10
Horse Riding. San Pietro a Monte 25
Beaches
Tuoro sul Trasimeno. 20
West Coast. 2.5 hours
East Coast. (Portonovo) 2.0 hour
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