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Casa Cristina
Only 5 miles outside historic Spoleto, nestled in a hidden valley in the foothills of the Apennine Mountains, lies the tiny village of Vallocchia. A village of approximately twenty homes, it is a quiet and friendly outpost where one can enjoy the peace and beauty of the mountains. Vallocchia offers a serenity and a way of life long forgotten in most parts of the world today.
The house itself, located in the heart of the village, offers the utmost privacy. The house was originally an old farmhouse/tower that was lovingly restored by an Academy Award winning Italian art director a decade ago. The top floor of the tower is the master bedroom, with the second bedroom a floor below, at street level.
The kitchen and living room are on the ground floor (one floor below street level) and both open onto their own terraces. Only Gioia and A.D., the village horses grazing in the pasture, impede the idyllic view of this stunning valley and the mountains surrounding it. In the basement is a third bathroom with shower and laundry facilities. The kitchen and bedrooms are connected by a circular staircase. The house has thick walls that keep it cool in the summer. You can also opt to close the shutters to keep out the heat of the day and then open them to let in the cool evening breezes.
Vallocchia offers many wonderful hiking opportunities, from treks to the nearby ancient chestnut forest - Vallocchia is legendary for its chestnuts - to spectacular hikes up into the mountains offering breathtaking views of this glorious mountain region. Also, the beautifully preserved medieval town of Spoleto is just ten minutes away by car. Here, one is centrally located for day trips to all the wondrous history, art and nature Umbria has to offer. |
