if you book before 1 march 2015, early birds discount 10%
The cottage/gîte is located in a romantic park of 2 ha.(5 acres) on a historical site, which is named by the owners 'al settimo cielo' (in seventh heaven). Traces of the Etruscans who lived here 3000 years ago are still around, and their caves on the premises remain in use, for example as communal kitchen.
The site is perfect for relaxing, reading, thinking, dwelling around, playing and cooking together. Beloved by families, who want to strengthen the family ties, which suffer from the daily rush of working life. It is quite the opposite of Disneyland or some busy camping. On the site itself you will find a heavenly peace and quiet. Are you looking for more bustle and the activity of the city, many possibilities are at disposal.
The site inspires your creativity in a compelling way. If you are not yet a fine arts practitioner, your career will start here! The owners will gladly provide you fine arts materials and, upon request, an art teacher, if available.
Price to be agreed in advance.
For many of our guests, our personal and extremely flexible approach is a compelling reason they choose to stay with us.
As for meals e.g., you can take care of your self or enjoy our care. In the latter case, we provide fresh bread in the morning. Twice a week you can subscribe for our table d'hôte with heavenly home cooked meals, and wine from the barrels of Bacchus(25€ per person).
By the way the name of the cottage/gite 'Vista Sul Mare' is a real misnomer nowadays because – funnily – since ages there is no sea in sight in Umbria. However, during the glacial period there used to be sea in this area. Now stunning views of a fantastic landscape and some walls on the property consisting of 'sabbia di mare' (seasand) are the relics of this period. You can see the famous cathedral of Orvieto .
Although the cottage/gite can lodge 4 to 6 people it is cosy enough for only 2 persons.
Things to do:
Sightseeing & shopping, e.g. Orvieto, Città della Pieve, Todi, Parrano. Rome and Florence are 1 and 1,5 hrs away by train. The nearest shops and restaurants are at 4 km / 2.5 miles distance.
Bathing and swimming in two big lakes and several thermal baths in the vicinity.
Walking / hiking and biking.
Loads of art and culture. The owners will gladly take you to hidden places that you will not easily find on your own. Apart from admissions, pay us what our tour guide service is worth to you. If you prefer to go on your own, there are many small towns and villages nearby as well as Etruscan excavations, museums, churches, sculpture parks etc.
Further details
* welcome pack provided on arrival; welcome meal on request
* 'table d' hôte' twice a week; 25 euro per person and you will get a heavenly Italian meal. modest wine consumption included; subscription one day before
* private garden, but the whole park is at your disposal, shared with the owners of the house, who reserve a part of the ' upper' garden for themselves
* gas and electricity will be charged separately based on consumption.
* for many of our guests, our personal and extremely flexible approach is a compelling reason they choose to stay with us.
As for meals e.g., you can take care of your self or enjoy our care. In the latter case, we provide fresh bread in the morning, heavenly home cooked meals, and wine from the barrels of Bacchus. Pay what it is worth to you.
* the owners will gladly take you to hidden places that you will not easily find on your own. Apart from admissions, pay us what our tour guide service is worth to you.
* we speak English, French, German and Italian to answer any questions.
* the entire casetta degli angeli, consisting of 2 gîtes (6-8 persons) is for rent as well. Weekly prices low-. mid- and high season resp. 650, 1050 and 1350 euro. Nightly prices 100, 175 and 200 euro.
* also on offer our wooden lodge that has a double bed, bathroom and small terrace with stupendous views, for an additional 200 E (mid season) and 250 E (high season) per week.
* if you would like to stay for an extended period, please contact us. Al Settimo Cielo is a truly heavenly and perfect spot for writing a book, composing music, concentrating on other creative work like sculpture, ceramics, painting etc.
We'll give you some reviews:
- "Dear Edith and Willem,
We had been very much anticipating our return to Alsettimocielo (and this time from April 19 to May 3, 2014) we brought friends with us), and we were not disappointed. The accommodations were as comfortable and well-designed as we remembered. We all loved having Easter pranza with you and Willem at Paesemio da Matteo in Ficulle, and introducing our friends to the beauty of the city.
Our first week was fun-filled as we took advantage of your proximity to Orvieto to visit that beautiful, historic city. Then we were off to Firenze for an overnight adventure visiting the Uffizi galleries, the Duomo, Santa Maria Novella, Santa Croce, Piazza Signoria, and the Ponte Vecchio.
After so much activity, we were happy to return to the peace and quiet of Alsettimocielo. Our friends left to visit other sites in Italy, and Gerry and I, blessedly, had a week to ourselves to do nothing but relax. The weather wasn't great that week which gave us an excuse to huddle with a glass of wine before the roaring fireplace. Wireless access to the Internet allowed us to keep in touch with family and friends while we were away.
As always, you were gracious hosts, and we enjoyed our last dinner at the restaurant that wasn't a restaurant.
We had a great time, and look forward to returning.
Best regards,
Ron Roberson and Gerry Schoffelen
Arnhem"
- "We stayed at Alsettimocielo over the winter 2011/12 period for three and a half months. If there was a heaven on earth then this is the place to be. A stunningly tranquil setting to structure my book disturbed only by the wildlife. Observing nature through the seasonal changes (even through one of the harshest winters of recent years!) we found meditative, spiritual and rewarding. We left here with a new language, a love of Italian food and a refreshed zest for life.
Edith and Willem have made us both feel welcome and have been both helpful and accommodating since the day we arrived. As tour guides, they are informative and passionate towards sharing their knowledge and love of this beautiful area of Italy. As multi linguists they possess a wicked, dry sense of humour!
We hope to return to 'Seventh Heaven' in the near future.
Alice and Leslie Pearson x
Redcar, UK (but always travelling around the world) "
- ""...Once in heaven you are warmly welcomed by the celestials, Willem en Edith. They offer you a good glass of wine, delicious coffee and gorgeous meals in a superb Italian atmosphere. This paradise is a nice place to stay: enjoyable, relaxed, lay-back, lots of fun and good company...
Joanne Schroder Zwolle, the Netherlands"
- " This place is worth every bit of its name 'alsettimocielo' (= in seventh heaven). I have been there in June 2010 and I have enjoyed the thorough hospitality of Wim&Edith. They do their utmost to secure everybody a pleasant and enjoyable stay [...] I highly recommend a stay in seventh heaven.
Doke Vemer Dordrecht, the Netherlands"
- "" 'al settimo cielo' is a fantastic estate in the Umbrian hills. Orvieto, Todi, Perugia and Arezzo are in the very vicinity. Rome, Siena and Florence are less than one hour away. Excellent accommodations and sanitation.
The piazza between the main house and the Etruscan caves is highly worth mentioning. A wonderful kitchen is made in one of the Etruscan caves. In the splendid climate of Umbria you can enjoy deligthful meals on the piazza till late at night. Absolutely highly to reccomend. Availability of transport is essential.
Elder couple from Rotterdam (anonymous), the Netherlands"
Further details indoors
* Vista Sul Mare is perfect for 4 persons but can accommodate two more.
*livingroom with kitchen
*2 bedrooms
*2 bathrooms.
* it is furnished in a personalized way with a mix of modern & vintage furniture. Some art is present as well.
* amenities: central heating, wood stove, 4 single beds (which can be turned into two double beds), well equipped kitchen, plenty of crockery.
* music equipment
+Internet, wifi.
Optional upon request:
* 2 extra beds on the mezzanine
* child's bed/cot, high chair etc.
Further details outdoors
* plenty of garden furniture
* chairs and table for your dinner al fresco
* the whole park is at your disposal. So you can take a deck chair to sit at the pond; it is amazing what is going on there: fishes jumping, frogs quacking
* parking is available on site
* please keep in mind that July and August (in 2012 even June) are possibly extremely dry months in Umbria. Water is scarse; it is forbidden to use drinking water for the garden. The sources mostly do not give enough water in high summer. So we cannot irrigate every corner of the park in case of drought.
