Long term lets (over 1 month) Short-breaks (4 days or fewer)
Changeover day:
Flexible
Access:
Car not necessary Nearest amenities: 0 km
Notes:
May take pets - please enquire Suitable for children Not suitable for elderly or infirm No smoking at this property Self-catering
Home description
A unique house - classified as an historic monument, built in 1242, in the town of Gualdo Tadino. The house is under new ownership and being offered as a vacation rental for the first time in 2009. Be one of the first to rent out this gem of a house!
The house has all new furniture and has been newly decorated. Light and airy, it boasts spectacular views and a glimpse into the past while still enjoying modern comforts.
The picturesque lane running under the house, which now has minimal traffic, was in medieval times an important entrance into the town. Follow it for a short walk to shops, restaurants, historic architecture, museums, old churches, etc. Yet just a short drive out of town brings you to the Park of Monte Cucco, where you can enjoy many mountain sports, including hiking, cross-country skiing, gliding, canyoning in gorges and ravines, and visit subterranean caves, view fascinating fossils, or just spend hours communing with nature. Or visit other beautiful nearby towns, such as Assisi, Gubbio, Spello, Perugia, Spoleto, and many others.
Porta San Donato front view
view from bedroom windows
Porta San Donato back view
master bedroom
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/53609
The Umbria region
Umbria is one of Italy’s “unspoiled” regions, often referred to as the “Green Heart of Italy.” It truly looks like a post card perfect world. Small villages, romantic medieval castles, and beautiful historic old hilltowns dot the countryside of gentle rolling hills and woodlands. Separating the eastern border of Umbria from nearby Le Marche is the Appenine mountain region, offering wonderful skiing and other winter sports.
While the beautiful countryside does a great deal to draw tourists to Umbria, it is its art and history that captures the imaginations of people from distant lands. Umbria is the host to many wonderful artistic and historical relics. Beautiful examples of medieval and Renaissance art can be found in nearly every small town. Wonderful frescos such as those in the famous St. Francis basilica are well preserved and lovingly adored by the people of the region. Churches, governmental buildings, and theatres from the Roman Empire to the High Renaissance still stand virtually unchanged by time.
Tourists may also enjoy a visit to any number of ceramic, pottery, and artisan studios in the region for a glimpse of old world hand crafting techniques still in use today. Umbria is also home to many museums and cultural centres that cater to the educational interests of visitors.
Gualdo Tadino area
GUALDO TADINO
According to local legend, when the gate Porta San Donato was originally built into Gualdo Tadino's city wall in 1242, the arch was narrower. In 1292, Pope Nicholas IV decided to visit Gualdo Tadino. He would be entering through the arch at Porta San Donato, but it would be too narrow for his carriage. So the arch was widened to what it is today to accommodate the pope's carriage in 1292.
On the back side of the house you can see a faint square in the middle, to the right of the kitchen window. That is the papal coat of arms.
The gatehouse has survived for so many centuries due to its incredible strength. The walls in many places are over 3 feet of solid rock.
There's lots to enjoy in this old Umbrian hill town at the foot of the Appenine mountains! Destroyed three times, it was built for the last time in 1237, and although most of the old walls have disappeared, a large part of the old town still exists today, including one of the four original gates, our Porta San Donato. Stroll through old streets that have preserved their intimate character and are enhanced by arches between the houses on either side, by cascades of steps and climbing plants and flowers.
Opposite the cathedral, which has preserved its 13th century façade with a rose window, see an intriguing apothecary shop that is more than a century old and features decorative motifs in Art Nouveau style. Stop for a bite to eat or for a glass of wine at a restaurant or bar, browse in the shops - don't miss the distinctive ruby and gold metallic-coloured pottery for which Gualdo is famous, in the craft shops that still adopt muffle kilns, as well as the Modern Pottery Museum. Discover the exquisite and unique handcrafted jewellery of Elisabetta Lupi, in her little shop across from the Emigration Museum, where you can find information about Italians who emigrated from various regions.
Visit the Rocca Flea, the grand museum fortress with the Permanent Pottery Fair and paintings Matteo da Gualdo. Gualdo Tadino is also famous for its delicious mineral water, La Rocchetta, which it bottles, and which flows from the tap at Porta San Donato. Go a short distance uphill from the town to the shady La Rocchetta Park
Gualdo Tadino is not overloaded with tourists, and the friendly locals will enthusiastically welcome you!
EVENTS
The biggest event of the year in Gualdo Tadino is "I Giochi de le porte". They say in Gualdo Tadino, “You’re an ass if you don’t go to the festival of the Four Gates. But if you do go, you see many asses!" This town in Umbria has a three-day event in which asses are the stars. The festival starts on the Friday of the last weekend in September and gets underway with ringing bells, rolling drums and a procession of a thousand locals dressed in 15th-century costumes that are lovingly created during the year. On the first day the asses, which are raised just for this occasion, drag carts around the more than 2,500 foot-long city walls.On the last day jockeys ride the asses bareback in a race. The winner then ignites an effigy of a witch who supposedly betrayed Gualdo Tadino to its enemies in the legendary past. In between, there are flag-throwing, slingshot, bow-and-arrow, crossbow and other contests. During the festival, the town’s population of 15,000 is more than doubled by visitors.
The countdown during the one hundred days preceding the event is signaled by changing numbers on a board put up on the front of the town hall. The contest celebrates the rivalry between the four quarters of the town, named for the original four gates: Porta San Benedetto, Porta San Marino, Porta San Facondino, and our very own PORTA SAN DONATO!
PARCO DEL MONTE CUCCO; BEACHES, OTHER ACTIVITIES
Mt. Cucco (1,566 m, or 5138 ft.) is part of the ridge of the Appenines, between Umbria and Le Marche. Gualdo Tadino and Gubbio are the most important nearby towns to the Mount Cucco Park. In the territory of the Park Municipalities you can visit several small handicraft and manufacturing activities and some welcome structures and restaurants. There are subterranean waters and mineral springs, uncontaminated watercourses, intact big beech tree woods, karst caves where visitors are not admitted in large groups, historical centres, minor but rich in cultural and artistic ruins, and charming hermitages of the Benedictines. And for the sports enthusiasts, there is cross-country skiing, hang gliding, spelunking, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and much more! See all that this wonderful park has to offer on their website: http://parks.it/parco.monte.cucco. Also check out the following site: Gruppo Speleologico Gualdo Tadino (including great videos!): http://www.gsgt.it/.
The nearest beaches to Gualdo Tadino are on the Adriatic coast, 60 miles to the east, and at Lake Trasimeno, 40 miles to the west. The nearest golf course is the Golf Club Perugia, 36 miles (www.golfclubperugia.it.)
NEARBY TOWNS
Gualdo Tadino is well situated as a base for visiting other areas: Assisi (of St. Francis' fame) is only 20 miles away. Beautiful ancient Gubbio, rich in monuments, lies 16 miles to the northwest. In May check out its "Racing Silk of the Crossbow" and the "Ceri Race Festival". Gubbio also boasts the "biggest Christmas tree in the world", every year on the evening of Dec. 7. The end of October - beginning of November every year brings "The National Exhibition Market", celebrating local truffles, exquisite foods, and local handicrafts (ceramics, wrought steel, embroidery, wood, leather, stucco...) Perugia, 29 miles southeast, the capital of the province, is a notable artistic centre of Italy. Enjoy the art, music, architecture, shopping, University, and famous chocolate all year round! (Check it out at www.perugiaonline.com.) Enchanting Spoleto (famous for its "Festival of the Two Worlds") is only 37 miles south. Spello, one of my personal favourites, is known as the little sister of Assisi, and is only 24 miles from Gualdo Tadino. Many other beautiful towns, Umbertide, Bevagna, Trevi, Montefalco, Foligno, Citta di Castello, Arezzo, Cortona, Todi, Citerna, Anghiari, Deruta, are all within reach for day trips from Gualdo Tadino - a new one each day!
Since Gualdo Tadino has its own railway station, as well as good bus connections, a car is not necessary. However, if you are staying for a longer period of time and want greater freedom to see as much as possible, a car is advised. Parking is available on the street right outside Porta San Donato.
* antiquing * museums * historic churches * music and art * local medieval pageantry * shopping * wineries * scenic drives * restaurants
For a lot more information on area activities and events and more photos of Porta San Donato, as well as nearby towns, please visit our website.
How to get there
BY CAR (parking on street right outside house) From Perugia: about 45 minutes From Rome: about 3 hours From Florence: about 2 3/4 hours
Car Rental: We always use www.kemwel.com to book our car rentals in advance. They have always had the best rates, and we have never had a problem with them. Car rental pickup points: Perugia airport: hours are M-F 8 am - 1 pm, 3-7 pm, Sat. 8 am - 12:30 pm, closed Sundays. Rome airports: Fiumicino: 7 am - midnight, 7 days Ciampino: 8 am - midnight, 7 days Florence Peretola Airport: 8 am - 11 pm, 7 days
TRAIN Take the train to Gualdo Tadino. The house is about 1.5 km. from the station, from where you can take a taxi or ride the bus. From Perugia: 1 1/4 - 2 hours (train goes to Foligno first). Take the shuttle from Sant'Egidio Airport to the Perugia train station. From Rome: 3 1/4 - 3 1/2 hours from airports From Florence: 3 1/2 - 5 hours (depending on the train you take) You can buy tickets online at www.trenitalia.com. Please note, however, that tickets for Gualdo Tadino cannot be purchased from this source more than a week in advance of travel. (This is not a problem, however.)
AIRPORTS Perugia's Sant'Egidio Airport is only 63 km from Gualdo Tadino. Rome airports are about a 3 hour drive from Gualdo Tadino. Florence Peretola Airport is about a 2 3/4 hour drive from Gualdo Tadino.
Sofabeds (1), Double beds (2), Cots (1), Dining seating for 4, Lounge seating for 5, Sleeps maximum of 4
Other:
Linen and towels provided.
Further details indoors: Have dinner out or cook up your own gourmet meal in the adorable eat-in kitchen, and then enjoy a DVD or a book from our library in the comfortable lounge in front of the fireplace. Ideal for a family or couples sharing a holiday, the relaxing bedrooms offer respite after an active day of sightseeing. The views from the windows are nothing short of fabulous, with the mountains on one side and views of the old town on the other. The first bedroom has a queen size bed. The second bedroom has two beds made up as a queen (with a comfy lambs wools mattress pad and queen size sheets connecting the two beds), but can be separated if requested in advance.
* DVD library * CD library * Library of travel books, novels and other interesting books * Board games * Book exchange shelf (take a book or leave a book for other visitors) * Welcome pack
The property is suitable for winter bookings, as it has central heating and log fireplace, and cross country skiing is nearby.
Further details outdoors: Parking on street near house.
It's not necessary to have a car in Gualdo Tadino, since there is public transportation as well as trains to nearby towns, and all amenities are available in the town, including an internet shop just a 5 minute walk away. However, having a car gives you more freedom to take day trips on your own schedule and drive wherever you want. Safe parking is usually always available on the street outside the house. The only time it is difficult to find parking later in the day is when there is a festival in the town, and then you'll be wanting to stay where you are and join in the fun!
Conditions
25% non-refundable deposit required on booking, remainder due 6 weeks before the booking. If you are booking less than 6 weeks before arrival, we require full payment at time of booking. Payment can be made by cheque or wire transfer or through Paypal. Details provided on booking. There are no hidden extra costs. All is included in the rental price.
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: American $
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
October through May
1 Oct 09
1 Jun 10
500£305
9558
11067
3 Nights
June through September
1 Jun 10
1 Oct 10
675£412
11067
11570
3 Nights
October through May
1 Oct 10
1 Jun 11
525£320
9055
11067
3 Nights
21
The property's weekend rates apply to: Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.
These are rates from 1 - 4 persons.
Guestbook for Porta San Donato
What a charming place to stay. I just loved staying in your beautiful historic gatehouse. The accommodations were superb. You have tended to every detail and have done an excellent job decorating the house in a style that fits the dignity of the structure. I also enjoyed meandering through the cute town of Gualdo Tadino and visiting the other charming hill towns close by. - B.C. (Provo, Utah, USA)
We're thrilled with your home. It is much more than we even dreamed of. All provisions are fantastic. We have continued to enjoy the ambiance of your house enormously. It is just such a delight. I just love the colours in the house and especially the amazing sunny light your clever yellows in the cucina throw up. Today is our first dull day in 2 weeks and it still makes the room look sunny. As I find different shelves and nooks and crannies I keep admiring different things. We were drawn to the larger bedroom - the bed there is to die for. Just sumptuously comfortable and the lovely new satiny sheets just beautiful. - G.H. (Sydney,Australia)
Availability
See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here
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To contact this advertiser please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/53609
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