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 the 155 acres of the Alta Bella estate it can sleep a total of thirteen people, though there are options in the low season to rent this lovely property for fewer numbers at a reduced price..

La Pietra has recently been restored using the traditional materials of local stone, chestnut wooden beams and terra cotta bricks. It is equipped with modern appliances, central heating and gourmet style kitchens and the furniture has been carefully selected from nearby antique fairs or specifically made by local craftsmen using old designs. With attractive towels, linen and other soft furnishings La Pietra provides a very special standard of comfort and intimacy.

An external stone staircase leads to the front door of the upper part of the house via a covered loggia with table and chairs from which there are spectacular views. The front door opens into a spacious living room with a dramatic high ceiling. The easy chairs, comfortable sofa and a raised open fire place make this is a lovely cosy room at any time of the year.

Three bedrooms lead off from this central living room. One with two single beds and another with a double bed share a spacious bathroom with large shower, loo, and basin. The third bedroom with king size double bed has its own ensuite bathroom with large bath with shower, loo, bidet and basin.

The spacious kitchen with a range of modern appliances including dishwasher 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!

In the low season this upper floor of La Pietra with its three bedrooms sleeping six people can be rented independently from the ground floor at a lower price.

A wisteria covered terrace with table and garden furniture leads into the private and independent entrance to the ground floor accommodation.

On this floor there are three further bedrooms that sleep a total of seven people and an independent kitchen/dining room

One bedroom with a king sized double bed has a delightful raised open fireplace and sitting area with French windows that lead outside to the pergola covered terrace.

Another double bedroom has a large double bed with French windows that lead outside to the other side of the property.

The other bedroom with three single beds also has access via French windows to the outer pergola covered terrace. There are two large bathrooms on this ground floor of the property.  Both have a shower, basins, bidet and loo and one 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 private meadow on one of the lower terraces is the elegant 7 x 18 metre swimming pool.

There is an extensive terrace and garden immediately surrounding the pool with a plentiful supply of outdoor furniture. The numerous secluded areas allow you and the guests of the other two properties on the Alta Bella estate to enjoy this superb pool with some privacy.

Summary
Location
In north western Umbria in the Niccone valley on the borders with Tuscany near Lago Trasimeno.

Accommodation
Maximum Numbers of People: Total of 13 people with  rental options for smaller groups at various times of the year

Upper Floor
Maximum Numbers of People: Total of 6 people.
Bedrooms:  3 doubles.  One with king sized double bed, one with queen sized double bed and the other with two single beds.
Bathrooms:  2.  One ensuite with bath tub with shower, heated towel rail, loo, bidet and basin. The other has a separate shower, loo, bidet and basin.
Kitchen:  4 ring gas hob, electric oven, fridge, single sink, microwave and dishwasher and open fire for grilling.
Heating: Central heating and open fireplace.
Laundry Facilities: Washing & drying machine.

Ground Floor
Maximum Numbers of People: Total of 7 people.
Bedrooms: 3 doubles. One with king sized double bed, one with queen sized double bed and the other with three single beds.
Bathrooms: 2.  Both shower, loo, bidet and basin. One caters for disabled people.
Kitchen: 4 ring gas hob, electric oven, double sink, dishwasher, fridge/freezer.
Heating:  Central heating
Laundry Facilities: Washing & drying machine

Facilities & Supplementary Information
Swimming Pool: Breadth 7 metres. Length 18 metres. Roman steps at shallow end. Shared with guests at La Pietra (max 13) and Casa Carina (max 2). Open at beginning of May; closed at end of September.
Broadband Internet Service.
VOIP Phone Service with SKYPE Access.
Mobile Phone Reception:  Very good.
Windows: All the windows are double glazed and have fly screens
Approach Drive: A 3 km gravel track leads from the asphalt surface public road. It is quite steep in parts, but quite manageable.
Parking: There is plenty of space for cars to park on the premises.
Animals / Pets on or near Premises: None
Linen & Towels:  All linen and towels are provided.
Towels for Swimming Pool Use:  Yes.
Linen Change:  All linen will be changed every 6 or 7 days.
Laundry.  You have free use of the washing machine.  A charged laundry service is available on request.
House Cleaning:  The house will be cleaned every 6 or 7 days.  Extra house cleaning is available on request.
House Book: A comprehensive house book is provided.
Assistance: The key holder lives close-by and is on call to help for those unusual events and circumstances that cannot be resolved by reading the house book.

Rental Facts
Currency for Payment: Euros.
Weekly Rental Price: Detailed prices are available on request from Italian Encounters.
Price Grading: Higher for whole house. 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. The upper and ground floors are available independently during the autumn and winter.
Rental Restrictions: No Pets.
Included in the Rental Price: The rental price includes all taxes, the consumption of electricity, gas and water, including the use of central heating, the use and laundry of bed linen & towels and final cleaning.
Not Included in the Rental Price:  The use of the following services will be charged and payment will be due locally.

• Broadband internet access and VOIP phone service.
• Additional house cleaning if requested.
• Laundry if requested.

Breakage/Cleaning/Security Charge: None.  All breakages should be reported to the key holder.

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: 8 to Mercatale.
Approx Distance in kms to Closest Restaurants: There are 10 restaurants with a 20 minutes drive.
Approx Distance in kms to Nearest Motorway Exit: 16 to Umbertide exit of E45. 41 to Valdichiana exit of autostrada A1.
Approx Distance in kms to Major Cultural Towns: 19 to Cortona. 20 to Citta di Castello. 31 to Gubbio. 36 to Perugia. 41 to Assisi. 90 to Siena. 120 to Florence. 200 to Rome.

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