La Quercia

La Quercia is a remarkable property situated high in the Umbrian hills with panoramic views over the Niccone valley and the border with Tuscany. Located within the 155 acre Alta Bella estate it can sleep a total of eight people, though there are options in the low season to rent this lovely property for four people at a lower price.

La Quercia 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 Querciaprovides a very special standard of comfort and intimacy.

La Quercia has been cleverly divided into two so that each floor of the house has it own separate entrance with two double bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, kitchens and living rooms on each floor. This makes it particularly suitable for four couples or groups of friends who may want to keep different hours.

Guests have the choice of their own privacy in the evenings, but are also able to share some of the living space together when required. A large outdoor dining table and a similarly sized indoor kitchen table enable all eight guests to dine together with a choice of locations!

The independent front door into the ground floor accommodation leads from a lovely covered outside terrace with large table and garden chairs and furniture into the kitchen equipped with all modern appliances. A striking stone archway provides the entrance into the living room where there is a raised open fireplace with sofa and easy chairs.

A door from this room leads into the two double bedrooms one with single beds and ensuite bathroom with shower and the other with double bed and ensuite bathroom with bath and shower.

French windows lead directly out into the garden from one of these bedrooms.

The front door to the upper floor is via an external stone stairway and terrace directly into a very spacious kitchen with large refectory dining table.

This kitchen is equipped with all modern facilities and with marble and granite worktops and a delightful corner fireplace for cooking grilled meats this is a luxurious haven for serious cooking.

An archway leads into the living room with open fire place, sofa and easy chairs. There are lovely views from all the windows.

A door from this room leads into the two double bedrooms both with double beds and ensuite bathrooms. One of the bathrooms has a shower, the other a bath and 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 8 people. Option to rent the upper or lower floors for 4 people independently during the autumn & winter.

Ground Floor
Maximum Numbers of People: Total of 4 people.
Bedrooms: 2 doubles. One with queen sized double bed, 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 large separate shower, heated towel rail, loo, bidet and basin.
Kitchen: 4 ring gas hob, electric oven, double sink, dishwasher, fridge/freezer.
Heating: Central heating and open fire place.
Laundry Facilities: Washing & drying machine.
Upper Floor
Maximum Numbers of People: Total of 4 people.
Bedrooms: 2 doubles. One with queen sized double bed, the other with two single beds.
Extra Bed: There is a double fold out couch available.
Bathrooms: 2. One ensuite with bath tub with shower, heated towel rail, loo, bidet and basin. The other has a separate shower, heated towel rail, loo, bidet and basin.
Kitchen: 5 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.

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: Medium for ground or lower floor only. 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 15 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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