Location: Montecchio, Umbria, Italy, Europe (11.5mi S Orvieto,1.5 Hrs Drive N of Rome 2 Hrs S of Florence) View Map
Accommodations: Apartment, 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths (Sleeps 2-4)
Casa Vista Verde is a two level unit in a wonderful old stone attached country house, lovingly restored to a rustic beauty with modern conveniences. Every window overlooks olive trees or a valley of wooded hills and distant mountains. The unit has a terrace suitable for breakfast or dinner outdoors. The top floor with a wooden beam ceiling has a large bedroom with a master bathroom including a claw foot tub and a separate shower and another large bedroom, each with a double bed, accommodating four persons. The bedrooms are full of light with lovely views from all windows. The first floor has a small bathroom with shower, and an open floor plan with kitchen, dining area, and a living area near the wood burning fireplace.
Casa Vista Verde is located at the edge of the tiny village of Tenaglie with its Renaissance castle/fortress set into the hill, part of which has been converted into a charming three-level hotel and intimate restaurant with original stone walls and period furnishings. A short walk north is the lovely medieval hill town of Montecchio with shops, three cafe bars, two superb restaurants, post office, bank, and open market every Friday morning.
You will be delighted with the many beautiful hill towns in this “little Tuscany”: Baschi, Giove, Alviano, Lugnano in Teverina, Amelia, and Civitella del Lago. Orvieto is 11.2 miles northwest (18 kilometers) and Todi is 18.6 miles (30 kms) northeast. Lago di Bolsena, 45 minutes by car, is the purest lake in Europe, where you can enjoy a day of swimming and picnicking. Nearby the lake are the hill towns of Montefiascone and Capodimonte to add to your pleasure. Florence is 2 hours drive north through beautiful countryside, and Rome is 1 ½ hours south by car or 47 minutes by train from nearby Attigliano (which is 25 minutes by car).
A charming second unit on the ground level also overlooks the valley and is available to rent for 60% the cost of the upper unit. Pictures and information available upon request.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer
- Linens Provided
- Wood Fireplace
- Beds
- Queen Bed (2)
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- CD Player
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Outdoor Features
- Deck/Patio
- Balcony
- View/Location
- Mountain View: We are not really in the "mountains", rather we are within the green rolling hills of Umbria with lovely views of vineyards, olive groves, woods, and old ruins.
- Communications
- WiFi (Wireless Internet): Local WiFi is supposed to be available in our area at some point, but as of now the plan is not completed. However, we are told that one can purchase a "card" for your laptop at varying costs for specific amounts of time, similar to buying calling time on a cell phone card. Please ask for further details if you are interested and we will get more specific information for you.
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Kid Friendly
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Swimming
- Biking
- Hiking
- Museums
- Horseback Riding
Rate Details (In US Dollars, and Euros)
Casa Vista Verde:
Nov 01-Apr 30 .. €500/week .. €1400/month .. €1100/month(8 weeks stay)
May 01-Oct 31 .. €600/week .. €1600/month .. €1300/month(8 weeks stay)
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2006
Why the Owner Chose Montecchio
We chose the Montechhio area because of the natural beauty all around, the string of "undiscovered" (by hoards of tourists, that is), charming hilltowns of Umbria within easy driving or biking or hiking distance, and the easy access to the famous cities of Rome and Florence by train or car. The people in this area are very warm, friendly, and helpful. Umbria has many things in common with the terrain of it's neighbor, Tuscany, but it is a bit less "manicured" and more natural, in our opinion. In any case, for those wanting to venture into Tuscany, after passing through Orvieto heading north by car you are immediately across the border into Tuscany and ready for lunch in Montalcino within an hour from our place. Also, Lago di Bolsena, the cleanest lake in Europe, beautifully situated below other hilltowns, is just a 45-minute drive into the province of Lazio from Montecchio.
The Unique Benefits at this Apartment
We enjoy taking the train into Rome (one-hour ride from Orvieto) and being car-free to visit the city liesurely and then make the short return home (you can park your car in the huge lot at the back of the Orvieto station for free). There is also a train to Florence which takes about 1.5 hours. We frequently like to walk through the hills to enjoy the views and also walk into Montecchio to do some shopping, visit the bank or post office, buy the local foods in the small shops, and enjoy a delicious espresso or cappucino, or home-made gelato! There are also two wonderful restaurants in Montecchio and a very romantic restaurant in a restored fortress in our tiny village of Tenaglie. For longer day trips by car, we like to go to Perugia (capitol of Umbria), Spello, Gubbio, Assisi, and Spoleto - all beautiful old towns with wonderful architecture. Shorter trips bring you to the equally lovely hilltowns of Amelia, Narni, Todi, Orte, Giove, and Lugnano in Teverina. We have picnics at Lago di Bolsena and also
Montecchio has a public swimming pool operational during seasonal weather for which you pay a nominal fee to use.
We also enjoy doing next to nothing - reading, sketching, and dining on the terrace or below on the picnic table under an umbrella beside the olive grove. Sunsets can be deeply colorful and magical. In the cool of the summer evenings we walk the road above Tenaglie for the panoramic view below of the Val di Amerina and the Tuscan hills beyond. Or we walk the other direction to Montecchio for an espresso or delicious gelato and sit among the residents who gather in the piazza. The frequent evening flight of small bats and later the glow of fireflies sparkling among the fields and olive groves indicate a very high level of clean, fresh air. Our place is a haven from the stresses and constant noise of the busy outside world.
Owner's Map of Montecchio
Merritt and Kate would very much like to have you enjoy staying in one of our beautiful units in this renovated farmhouse with spectacular views of the olive groves, vineyards, and sunsets within the rolling green hills of Umbria. Just a 2-kilometer walk or drive to the medieval hilltown of Montecchio and only 11 miles by car to the world-renowned hilltown of Orvieto.
Merritt is a multi-talented guy, working currently as an Episcopal Priest, a Life & Work Counselor, and a real-estate agent! Kate is an Associate Professor and Instructional Designer at a Health Sciences College. We have an adorable West Highland White Terrier who brightens our every day. Merritt enjoys reading history and playing chess. Kate is an avid reader and would-be artist (work gets in the way too much). Both Merritt and Kate continue to study and love the Italian language.
Property Photos
- West view across garden - Umbria Travel
- kitchen Casa Vista Verde - Umbria Travel
- stairway to second floor - Umbria Travel
- fireplace and siting area Casa Vista Verde
- master bath (also has shower stall)
- master bedroom (spacious)
- guest bedroom Casa Vista Verde
- balcony/terrace and entrance Casa Vista Verde
- West view from balcony/terrace
- View toward studio and garden
- Montecchio view from our street
- Spectacular skies and sunsets
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #165264
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Date last modified - October 07, 2009
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