Location: Casperia, Latium (Lazio), Italy, Europe (Quick and easy access to Rome, an hour's commute away) View Map
Accommodations: Apartment, 2 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 1.5 Baths (Sleeps 4-6)
Keywords: Apartment, flat, casa vacanze
Resting on a hilltop on the edge of the Sabina Mountains, in the Province of Reiti, in Lazio, the medieval village of Casperia strikes many perfect balances. Less than an hour north of the wonders and bustle of Rome, Casperia combines easy access to the Eternal City with it's own quiet serenity. One of the few towns in Europe prohibiting automobiles from it's centro storico, or historical center, Casperia retains the authentic charm of its ancient heritage in an enchanting setting so close to Rome that many of its residents commute to work there daily. Not only is Casperia well situated for easy day-trips into Rome and northern Lazio, which includes the unspoiled charm and beauty of the Sabina, much of Umbria and southern Tuscany are only a short drive away. Tivoli, Viterbo, Trevi, Orvieto, Spoleto, Todi, Assisi, Perugia, Deruta and Montepulciano, to name but a few, are all within an hour and a half drive or less.
Il Sogno, an elegant and meticulously restored 12th to 15th Century apartment in the heart of Casperia’s centro storico, offers guests the opportunity to share in the delights of Casperia and its strategic location in a relaxed setting as ancient and elegant as Casperia itself. Although tastefully furnished with antique furniture and wonderful Persian carpets, in keeping with its ancient roots, il Sogno was designed with comfort in mind, including a well-appointed kitchen, separate dining and living areas, a large, modern full bath on the main level and a half bath below, and two double bedrooms, one carved out of the living rock, on which Casperia is built, the other boasting a fireplace and a wonderful view over the Sabina mountains.
In clement weather, guests can enjoy a glass of wine and a bit of cheese outside on the adjacent terrazza, shaded by a pergola covered by a 150+ year old grapevine, taking in sights and scents of the newly-restored garden, planted with antique roses, lavender, rosemary and plumbago. If the lemons are ripe, feel free to pick one for your own use, or to use any of the herbs in our ever-expanding herb garden in cooking up a batch of something savory for dinner.
With its many period antiques and persian rugs, and replete with many of it's original wooden beams, wooden ceilings and stone and stucco walls, il Sogno is the embodiment of the perfect Italian hide-away. Luxury and practicality, ambiance and comfort, history and convenience are all available at an affordable price. With the sleeper sofa, il Sogno can accommodate up to 6 persons.
GUEST COMMENTS:
"Our trip … was fantastic. The house and Casperia were everything we needed, very relaxing and peaceful. We are ready to move there ourselves." T. Abendroth – Illinois
"A hotel room is just a hotel room, but to stay at ‘Il Sogno’ in Casperia is truly a unique experience! This "appartamento" has been lovingly restored with exquisite details that capture the tone and feeling of medieval Italy. I felt I had time-traveled back to the fifteenth century and it was hard to return to the modern world after my glorious week in Casperia!" M. Bryan - New York
"Our stay at Il Sogno made our Italian adventure the trip of a lifetime…convenient to Rome by train, it was easy to spend the day in that bustling city and then come home to a quiet friendly town. Every day I seemed to discover some new treasure, …but the crown jewel was il Sogno — all the conveniences I hoped for yet I felt like I was living in an ancient palace." M. C. Sadler - Texas
We had a fantastic week in Casperia. Your home is beautiful and extremely comfortable, with everything we could have needed, not to mention the wonderful views. Casperia itself is stunning, and certainly the prettiest and best-preserved of the towns in the area, and the locals were very friendly. We don't think you should do anything differently - it's perfect the way it is, and it was a real pleasure to stay there. B. Coane - Edinburgh, U.K.
"We had a wonderful time. One does not have to spend much time in Il Sogno to understand where its name came from. It truly is a dream. We enjoyed looking through your photo journal describing the renovation. What an impressive amount of work! Thank you for going above and beyond by providing all the tips and information that made our stay extra special. We quite appreciated all the personal touches and details. At the start of the week, our goal was to discover new restaurants in the area to add to the book, but your favorites turned out to so good, we couldn't resist going back to them!" A. Mills - California
"We arrived home this afternoon. [My husband] commented, 'I can't believe I woke up today in Casperia ... seems like a dream.' Il Sogno WAS a dream, a lovely, comfortable, enchanting getaway. You have done a gorgeous and thoughtful job of renovating." B. Swec - Connecticut
"My family and I would like to thank you for our wonderful stay in Casperia. Il Sogno was a fabulous retreat – tasteful and comfortable. I enjoyed the pictorial depiction of the original shell and marveled at the transformation. We had everything we needed, except more days there to enjoy it!" R. Cohen - North Carolina
"Who needs Tuscany?" A. Cody – New Jersey
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer
- Linens Provided
- Off Street Parking : Free parking is available in the parcheggio just outside the walls of Casperia's centro storico
- Wood Fireplace
- Beds
- Queen Bed : The Master Bedroom has a wonderful view across Casperia to the Sabina Mountains, a cozy fireplace and is equipped with a comfortable Memory Foam mattress. The Camera Vecchia, or old bedroom, has a Queen bed, and is graced with the flat's original, massive chestnut beams and ceiling and a private half-bath.
- Convertible Bed : Sofa in Living Room converts to comfortable Queen Bed.
- Entertainment
- DVD
- CD Player
- Music Library : il Sogno has a CD player and a few CD's. The CD player also allows guests to play their iPods thru the system.
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen : The well-equipped kitchen has Persian Marble countertops, a dishwasher, a stainless gas oven and cooktop, a large refrigerator with freezer, and a large, antique marble sink.
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Outdoor Features
- Deck/Patio : Il Sogno's owners recently bought and restored a lovely garden immediately adjacent to their property. Here, a century old grape vine has been lovingly nurtured back to life, providing luxurious shade over a newly constructed pergola. There is ample space for a group to dine al fresco, or for guests to relax with books or a glass of wine at the end of a busy day of sightseeing. Antique roses, lavender, and rosemary provide an immediate vista and the town and hills beckon beyond.
- Gazebo
- View/Location
- Mountain View : Casperia is set in the historic Sabina region with wonderful views of the Sabina Mountains and the Tevere (Tiber) Valley.
- Communications
- Cell Phone : A Pay-As-You-Go cell phone is available for guests for a nominal fee.
- WiFi (Wireless Internet) : Free WiFi
- Other Amenities
- Located just outside of Rome, in the well-preserved medieval village of Casperia (Casperia prohibits automobiles, so it has retained it's medieval character and is quiet and safe to wander about), il Sogno is within walking distance of many shops and restaurants. It's Sub-Floor Heating system keeps il Sogno warm in Winter and the two-foot thick walls and Casperia's 400 metre elevation keep il Sogno comfortably cool in the warmer months. A Swimming/Tennis Club is located 2 kilometres from Casperia. Guests at il Sogno may join the club for a nominal fee. Cooking lessons may be arranged at a local agriturismo (ask the owner).
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Not Suitable for Children
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters : Due to the nature of Casperia and il Sogno, children under 10 generally are not allowed.
- Smoking Not Allowed : Il Sogno is a non-smoking facility.
- Activities
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Swimming
- Biking
- Downhill/Alpine Skiing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Antiquing
- Zoo/Wildlife Park
- Restaurants
- Rafting
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Museums
- Other Activities
- Casperia is located near a Commuter Rail line to Rome, so that il Sogno's guests can easily enjoy the wonders of that magnificant city and return to the beauty and peaceful serenity that is Casperia. Northern Lazio and much of Southern Tuscany and Umbria is within easy Day Trip reach. More information is available on il Sogno's web site.
Rate Details (In Euros)
mid-April thru mid-October, Christmas & New Year .. €975/week (High Season).
Other Periods .................. €675/week (Low Season).
Each rental is assessed a One-time Cleaning/Administrative Fee of €60.
10% Discount for Multi-Week rentals.
Weekly Rentals Only - Saturday to Saturday
Long Weekend and alternate arrival dates may be available during off season
Valid Credit Card number required upon booking.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2005
Why the Owner Chose Casperia
Meg and Chris have loved Italy for years, and decided in 2004 that they would explore the possibilities of buying and restoring a second home there. When they found Casperia and the hovel that became il Sogno, they stopped looking. Now they visit once or twice a year, intending to spend much more time there when they retire.
The Unique Benefits at this Apartment
We love the beauty and serenity of the Sabina area and Casperia in particular. Il Sogno's proximity to Rome and to other day trip venues is a wonderful plus.
Owner's Map of Casperia
Meg Phillips was born and raised in Garden city, Long Island; Chris in Austin, Texas. They met in Boston while in college and have lived in Austin since they got married in 1970. Chris is an attorney and Meg is a school counselor. They are the parents of four wonderful children, now all adults, and grandparents of five super grandchildren.
Property Photos
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- Dining Room - Casperia Apartment Rental in Italy
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- Dining in the Giardinetto - Casperia Apartment Rental in Italy
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- The Master Bath - Casperia Apartment Rental in Italy
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- Stairs to Lower Level and the Camera Vecchia
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- il Sogno's well-equipped kitchen
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- Village of Casperia
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- Ready for an easy afternoon
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- Master Bedroom
Traveler Reviews (3)
A magical place
Guest: lunasolai
(Oxford, UK)
Date of Stay: 05/18/11
Review Submitted: 06/10/11
My husband, in laws and a 16 month baby spent a whole week at il sogno last month. It was absolutely magical. You can read a lot about the hill towns of Italy, research, ask, buy the books, but nothing compares to the beautiful walk from the bottom of the town to the amazing property for the very first time. It was breath taking, not only because the amount of steps, but because you feel like you just went back to time quite few centuries. In Casperia the time has not past ... it was just perfect. The buildings, the scenery, the people, the house gives you a full medieval experience. Roselle was very nice to us and helpful. The house was VERY comfortable for grandparents who did not want to leave the house, and the baby who had plenty of walks and places to go and explore in town. We had no problems at all. I completely recommend this property for families. I have rented many properties all around the world, but no one has been as professional, reliable and actually show concern for our comfort and safety as Phillip did. it was a pleasure to deal with him and we hope to go back one day to this amazing home.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, families with young children.
A Lovely Week at Il Sogno
Guest: Louisa
(San Diego, CA, USA)
Date of Stay: 04/02/11
Review Submitted: 05/03/11
After staying a week at Il Sogno, we can't wait to go back. It is so beautiful and felt like home to us. The apartment is clean, spacious, well furnished and comfortable. The master bedroom has beautiful views, the most comfortable bed, plenty of closet and storage space. The living room is perfect for sitting and reading or listening to music. The kitchen is well equipped and we cooked many of our meals and were able to enjoy them in the garden, which was beautiful. The main bathroom is spacious and luxurious with plenty of towels at hand. The tub is huge and the rain-type shower head was very nice. There is a washer available and a drying rack, our clothes dried overnight. The second bedroom and half bathroom was private and had a special feel that starts with the spiral staircase that leads into the room. The whole apartment was so special and quite an experience. It feels like you are staying at a friend's house, not a rental. We loved staying in Casperia. Our Italian is limited, but we got by nicely. We spent a lot of time just walking around Casperia, it is so captivating. We enjoyed eating at L'Asprese several times, the pizza was fantastic. We were able to go to Johnny Madge's one evening and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We rented a car in Rome and enjoyed driving around Lazio and found driving in Italy not as difficult as some say. The free parking lot outside the walls of Casperia was convenient. The caffe at the Petroccia bar was the best we had in Italy. Can't wait to go back!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, families with young children.
Guest: James Johnstone
(Vancouver, BC)
Date of Stay: 06/03/09
Review Submitted: 06/03/09
Italy and the words “dream vacation” are inextricably linked for me. My first visit to Italy was in 1999. I fell in love with the country, the people, the food, the wine and culture. What’s not to love? Highlights from that trip included a day wandering the Roman Forum, a visit to the Pantheon, and two unforgettable side trips: one to the Umbrian hilltop town of Orvieto, and the other to Byzantium’s outpost on the Adriatic, Ravenna, with all its dazzling mosaics. Ten years later, we wanted to experience a different side of Italy—something slower paced, more restorative—something with a base in the hills outside the city, but still close enough and connected to Rome for us to be able to hop on a bus or train and head there, or north to Orvieto, if we pleased.Through an online search of hilltop towns in Lazio, we came across a picture of Casperia. There was just something about it that grabbed our attention and captured our imagination. The more pictures we saw and the more we read about the town we realized that “this is the place”. At first we considered staying in a bed and breakfast, but we discovered the website for “Il Sogno” and opted for a house rental. We are sure glad we did. The photos on the website can only hint at the character and charm of the Phillips’ house. The moment we came through the door we were in love with the place. For one glorious week in April Il Sogno was our home away from home.We love cooking, so we used the kitchen a lot at Il Sogno. The little alimentari outside the walls had everything we needed, from the delicious local campagnolo cheese, to a good selection of local wines, prosecco, and even grappa. There is a butcher shop and great little pasticceria at the gate as well. We highly recommend treating yourself to a weekend meal at the nearby agriturismo, Gusto Al Borgo. From Farfa Abbey to the winding streets of Roccantica to the Archeological Museum in Magliano Sabina, you’ll love exploring the backroads of the Sabine Hills. Orvieto and the delights of Umbria is little more than an hour’s drive away. We found that, in Casperia, every day trip departure had a promise of adventure that was always amply rewarded. But equally rewarding was our down time at Il Sogno.Just inside the city gate, situated on a picturesque little piazza with a beautiful view of the surrounding Sabine countryside is the Friends Bar. It’s a great place for your morning brioche and cappuccino, but this is also going to be whe
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #108310
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