Assisi holiday villa rental, Armenzano with walking, internet access, telephone, rural retreat, TV, DVD

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La Casa Piccola (villa)

Home description

La Casa Piccola is set on the wooded lower slopes of the Mt Subasio regional park. Its peaceful surroundings make it perfect for a relaxing summer holiday yet it is only 7 kilometres from ancient, pink-stoned Assisi. With beautiful views over vineyards, olive groves and green valleys, it is ideal for experiencing the delights of the Italian countryside while still being in easy reach of the wonderful restaurants, markets, fashion shops and art-filled historic hill-towns of unspoiled Umbria.

Sit and read under the pergola in the delightful garden, to the background buzz of crickets and birdsong or go walking on the well-marked tracks that criss-cross the mountain itself, where you will rarely sight another walker. You may even see some of the wildlife like badgers, deer or porcupine that make their homes in the woods. The villa is part of a tiny hamlet of houses where the friendly Italian neighbours will make you feel welcome and where you can buy farmer Lorenzo's own olive oil.

Front of the house	Part of garden
Sitting Room	Bedroom 1

To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/97588

The Umbria region

Umbria is known as 'the green heart of Italy' because it manages to be lush and green even in the middle of the hottest of summers. Its wooded slopes and valleys and its mediaeval hilltop towns of pinkish-grey stone boasting churches and museums full of art works, add to its gentle beauty. Its people manage thoroughly modern lives while preserving the best of their ancient traditions.

Perhaps the most famous Umbrian of all is St Francis, known as the Little Poor One, and now patron saint both of Italy and of the international ecological movement. Many believe his presence can still be felt in the serene atmosphere of the streets and squares of his birthplace Assisi. Those who wish can visit the many sites associated with this gentle 12-century saint and even see the tree where he is said to have talked to the birds.

Umbrians love their food, drizzling their own home-produced olive oil -- among the best in Italy -- over chunks of toasted bread, grilling their meat over wood fires, slicing truffles over their pasta, savouring their red and white wines grown from grapes ripened on hillside vineyards. You can enjoy their regional specialities in local restaurants where you will be made most welcome -- or you can join in at a summer festa in any one of dozens of small villages, where the food is local, the atmosphere lively and to which everyone is invited.

Go anywhere in Umbria and you will be surrounded by beautiful countryside with views that take in olive groves, vineyards, lakes, rivers and mountains. On Lake Trasimeno at Umbria's heart, there are beaches with pedaloes and ferries to the islands in its centre. In towns like Perugia, Spoleto, Gubbio, Assisi, Todi, with their lively bars and restaurants, the history might be pre-Etruscan but the fashions in the boutiques or gracing the local women will be the very latest. Yet you will also find villages and farms where the old ways and the old styles are still upheld.

Every summer, the Umbria Jazz festival and the Trasimeno Blues Festival attract many top musicians but there are also many classical performances to be found throughout the area. Dominating central Umbria is Mount Subasio, a regional park , and it is here you will find La Casa Piccola, right at the heart of all that is best in ancient Umbria.

Assisi / Armenzano area

Only seven kilometres from La Casa Piccola is historic Assisi, one of the most beautiful towns in Italy with its magnificent 12thc. basilica housing frescos by Giotto. As well, there are the various sites associated with St Francis and St Clare to explore, including the humble monks' cells in the woods on Mt Subasio where St Francis spent much of his time and the beautiful convent of St Damiano founded by Clare. Nearby Santa Maria degli Angeli, down on the plain in front of Assisi, has its own magnificent basilica devoted to St. Francis.

In Assisi you can wander through the ancient streets, past pink-stoned houses with their overflowing window boxes full of colourful geraniums and petunias, choose from a dozen or more flavours of ice cream at one of the bars or sit at a table in the square to drink coffee and watch the passing parade. You can visit the many fascinating museums and art galleries or simply soak up the atmosphere in this beautiful Umbrian city, the spiritual heart of Italy. As well as small supermarkets and gift shops, restaurants serving dishes at reasonable prices abound. Assisi and nearby Spello both have attractive town swimming pools. In early May Assisi holds the Calendimaggio, a mediaeval celebration with songs, dances, flag-tossing and drumming as well as torchlit processions with beautiful costumes. In August the week-long 'palio' of San Rufino is held in the town, with a mediaeval market and displays and processions. In fact, hardly a summer's day goes past without some form of entertainment in the main piazza ,to be enjoyed in the warmth of the evening.

Even closer to La Casa Piccola is the mediaeval walled village of Armenzano, a fascinating example of the way people of the past often lived in hill towns fortified against outsiders. Both Assisi and Armenzano are on the slopes of Mt Subasio whose woods and untouched spaces have been preserved unspoilt since the area was declared a regional park. The mnountain, which dominates the local area, is criss-crossed by trails and walks where there is seldom another soul. to be seen. The woods are home to creatures like deer, porcupine, hares, pine martens and birds. Some visitors have even spotted the wild boar who still roam these peaceful forests, usually staying well away from human beings. The more adventurous visitors can go hang-gliding from close to the summit of 1,200-metre Mt Subasio or go pony-trekking on the lower slopes. For many, however, the peaceful atmosphere of sitting in the garden at La Casa Piccola, enjoying a glass of wine and reading a book while the crickets chirp and the birds sing, is activity enough.

As for other towns within easy reach, Perugia, the regional capital and a university town renowned for its fashion boutiques, Spello, Spoleto, Montefalco, Gubbio, Arezzo, Corciano, Sienna and Orvieto are all within easy reach.

How to get there

From the UK, the closest airport to Assisi is Perugia (St Egidio), which is 30 minutes by car from the house. Ryanair flies to this airport from Stansted 5-6 times a week. The main car hire firms represented here are Avis, Hertz, Maggiore, Europcar, Easy Car and Budget. It is also possible to fly to Rome, Pisa or Ancona with both Ryanair and EasyJet. Each of these airports is approximately three hours drive from the house.

There's also a regular train service from Rome to Assisi, from where it's possible to take a taxi to the house. Some visitors like to fly to Rome, then take the train to Peurgia station (rather than Assisi), where the main car hire firms are represented. Some visitors also like to drive down from the UK (a journey of two days) and the owners can advise on the best route. It is recommended that visitors to La Casa Piccola have a car in order to go shopping and sightseeing as transport in the area of the house is limited.

Activities near Assisi

Facilities

Further details indoors:
The white-tiled bathroom has a shower unit with door, a handbasin, toilet and bidet. All towels and linen are provided.

All bedrooms are equipped with bedside tables, bedside lights, wardrobe and chest of drawers. The house is recommended for five persons, however the single sofa bed located on an inner balcony floor, usually used as a studio, can accommodate a sixth person. A child's cot can be made available if required.

There is a bread-making machine in the kitchen. The washing machine is shared with the owner and located in a separate utility room . The floors throughout the house are tiled with the exception of the inner balcony room, which has a wood floor. The walls are white and hung with attractive art works. There is a good stock of books in the house as well as CDs, DVDs and videos. There is Sky television. The living room looks out over the garden and the kitchen window looks out over the wooded valley behind the house.

Further details outdoors:
The garden, with its roses as well as fig, olive, walnut, lilac and bay trees, looks out on the surrounding wooded slopes, farms and valleys. Potted geraniums and other plants give a colourful display. Garden table and chairs, shaded by a vine-covered pergola, are provided and barbecue equipment is supplied. The pergola is ideal for sitting out and eating on a warm summer's evening. Off-road parking space is available. The garden is for sole use of the holiday-makers, although the clothes line is shared with the owners.

Further details

All rooms have heaters and there are electric blankets on all beds for the cooler months. Windows have fly screens. May not be suitable for very young children (toddlers) as there are stairs between living room floor and ground floor and also between living room and inner balcony room. Otherwise, children are welcome. Babies are also welcome and there is a cot available.

Conditions

The owners of La Casa Piccola are sometimes in residence next door and can provide helpful information about the local area, restaurants, shopping, markets etc etc, if required. The house is located in a small hamlet of half a dozen houses where the neighbours are friendly local Italian people. If you wish, you can buy neighbour Lorenzo 's own production olive oil.

Rental rates

Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
High Season	1 Aug 09	4 Oct 09	525£ 525	7575	7575	3 Nights
Mid Season	4 Oct 09	29 Nov 09	450£ 450	6464	6464	3 Nights
Low Season	29 Nov 09	28 Mar 10	300£ 300	4242	4242	Flexible
Mid Season	28 Mar 10	1 May 10	450£ 450	0-	0-	Flexible
High Season	1 May 10	2 Oct 10	525£ 525	0-	0-	Flexible
Mid Season	2 Oct 10	27 Nov 10	450£ 450	0-	0-	Flexible
Low Season	27 Nov 10	1 Jan 11	300£ 300	0-	0-	Flexible

The property's weekend rates apply to: Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights

NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.

The weekly rates are calculated on the basis that the rental will begin and end on a Saturday. However, other start and end days can sometimes be arranged with the owner.

The house would be available for long lets at a discount of 15%, negotiable.

A deposit of 25% is required at the time of booking. The remainder should be received two months before the start of your holiday. Payment can be made through Paypal of by cheque, made out to Mrs M K Fletcher. The deposit is non-refundable. Once the final amount is received, you will be sent full instructions for finding the house, arrangements for keys etc.

Guestbook for La Casa Piccola

"Nothing but compliments regarding the house, the area and the owners. La Casa Piccola is a lovely house and Mary and Brian are excellent hosts." Peter , Annaliese and Eva Knies + Desmond, Arnhem, The Netherlands, July, 2009.

"Umbria Jazz was fantastic and the area has many delights to explore and enjoy. Mary and Brian are superb, accommodating and friendly hosts and La Casa Piccola is extremely comfortable. We will be recommending it to friends." David and Roey Barr, Kent, UK, late July, 2009.

"Spending our hoiday at La Casa Piccola was a really good choice. Our two weeks there were wonderful! It was a happy time we will never forget.' Elisabeth, Ton and Pepjn Franssen, The Netherlands, early August, 2009.

"We loved our time at La Casa Piccola, especially sitting out under the pergola eating our meals while looking out over the hills. It was a joy to explor the beautiful mediaeval streets of Assisi. Thank you to Mary and Brian for being so welcoming, friendly and helpful." Phil and Anne White, Leicester, UK, late August, 2009..

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Availability

See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here

Availability notes:

Send Enquiry

To contact this advertiser please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/97588

Contact details for the advertiser of home 97588
Name:	Mary Fletcher
Mobile:	+44 (0)7973 751259
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Advertiser joined: Sep 2009