Description
Villa Almira is a beautiful, centuries-old farmhouse located just outside the small Umbrian town of Ficulle (population 1700) and eight miles north of the Umbrian town of Orvieto. The property is accessed via an unpaved road of 4km and is set on a hill overlooking a picturesque valley. The nearby quaint hill village is within hiking distance and offers basic amenities such as cafes, restaurants and grocery stores. Guests are eight miles from Orvieto (located about halfway between Rome and Florence), where there is a large free parking lot and from there the train to Rome (1 hr.) This is the main line between Florence and Rome, so either is within reach for a day trip.
The Villa sleeps a total of 16 people; 12 adults and 4 children. It has six spacious bedrooms with six large ensuite bathrooms (four with Jacuzzi tub and walk-in shower, all with hairdryers). Every bedroom has its own fireplace, private safe, quality mattresses and linens, plus elegant and luxurious fabrics. The entire villa has central air conditioning – but really only needed in August. Outside there is a large, covered patio for dining al fresco and includes a large table, chairs, fireplace, sink, BBQ and views over the countryside. The fenced infinity swimming pool features an elevated Jacuzzi tub with cascading water into the pool. The Jacuzzi\'s water can be heated on request at the expense of guests. In addition, guests can enjoy the beautifully stocked \"honesty\" wine cellar, vegetable and herb garden, a wood-burning pizza oven with jasmine-covered pergola and rustic table, and an outdoor Foosball and Ping Pong table.
The owner is warm and welcoming. She lives on the adjacent private property, enhancing guests\' experience with her vast knowledge of the area and her friendly hospitality. She is a professional travel guide and can arrange just about any service requested, including cooking lessons, babysitting, car/van rental, private driver, chef service, wine tasting, massage, grocery delivery, etc.
Villa Almira consists of two floors.
GROUND FLOOR (sleeps seven guests): The gourmet kitchen is large and fully-equipped with every tool a cook needs to have, including two refrigerators, an ice-maker, dishwasher, microwave and coffee maker. The spacious and comfortable living room is decorated with family antiques and offers sofas, chairs, fireplace, a large flat screen TV, CD, etc. There is an office with an extensive English library and, nearby, is a laundry room with a washer and a dryer. The elegant dining room features a table that can seat up to 20 guests. The sleeping quarters consist of three double bedrooms (one with private terrace) each with ensuite bathrooms.
SECOND FLOOR (sleeps nine guests): Three double bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms (two with Jacuzzi tubs) and an extra loft that can sleep two young people.
Umbria is a quiet area right in the heart of Italy, just north of Rome and southeast of Tuscany. Ficulle is near the Tuscan border, and places like Pienza, Montalcino, Montepulciano, and Siena are just over the border in Tuscany. Umbria is known for its rolling hills and Chestnut and Elm groves. The Tiber River originates in Umbria at Monte Fumaiolo. Umbria is also known for its hand-made ceramics and hand-made linen. Ficulle has some great terracotta shops, but a town called Deruta is the ceramic center. Orvieto is a classic Italian town with one of the best duomos in Italy. The \'Slow Food Movement\' originated here as well. Assisi is a small Umbrian town of 3000 people, but with annual tourists of several million – it is still a must see for the frescos of Giotto. One of the largest Italian lakes is in Umbria, Lake Trasimeno. This is where Hannibal won a major battle against the Romans in the II century BC. Spoleto is another well-known Umbrian town (famous for its wine festival in June, its art and music festival, called Due Mondi, in June-July, and its Jazz festival held in the summer and in December) as is Perugia (famous for its chocolate, which is celebrated in an annual festival in October and its jazz festival in July).
Included in the rental price: Final cleaning, daily cleaning 3 hours/day (Mon to Sat), towels changed twice weekly, bed linen changed Saturday, pool towels, Internet Wi-Fi
