The walled hamlet of Benano
Location: Orvieto, Umbria, Italy, Europe (8 miles from Orvieto's train station and historic center) View Map
Accommodations: Villa, 5 Bedrooms + No additional sleeping rooms avail, 4 Baths (Sleeps 10)
Keywords: Villa
Overview
“Rocca di Benano” is a five-bedroom, four-bathroom villa that offers you the finest accommodations and location in the heart of Italy. It’s ideally situated near the border between Umbria and Tuscany and easily accessible to Rome, Florence, and many of Italy’s classic hill towns. Set amid lovely vineyards and olive groves overlooking Orvieto, one of Italy’s most beautiful hill towns, this meticulously restored home features original stone walls, exposed wooden beams, terracotta floors, and a wine cellar carved out of bedrock. At Rocca di Benano, a large family or group of up to 10 friends can enjoy Umbrian life as it was 1,000 years ago, yet with all the conveniences of the 21st century, including comfortable furnishings, high-end American beds, beautiful Italian antiques, and – rare for Italian homes – air conditioning. More than offering you just a place to stay, we strive to make your stay at Rocca di Benano the carefree experience of a lifetime. Long before your arrival, we are available to answer all your questions and offer personal help in designing your vacation. We can help you set up a driver who can bring your group straight from the airport to the villa; refer you to local chefs who can prepare and serve meals at the villa; connect you with guides in towns and cities you might visit; and suggest day-trips, attractions, restaurants, and shopping throughout the region and beyond. Our helpful caretakers live nearby and offer additional services such as grilling out on the terrace, laundry, and extra cleanings.
The Villa
Rocca di Benano is the principal dwelling in the walled medieval hamlet of Benano, which sits on the edge of a valley, high above the ancient hill town of Orvieto. Its five bedrooms are spread over four levels. Each bedroom can accommodate 2 people. A full bathroom is convenient to each bedroom. The photos below show each bedroom and bathroom.
Ground Floor: There is a lovely bedroom on the ground floor with twin wrought-iron beds, a hand-made armoire and dresser, with a full bathroom with a shower across the hall. This floor includes a family room with satellite TV and access to the terrace. It also features a medieval cistern, well-lit and under glass, so that guests can literally peer into history. From this floor, guests can descend forty feet to the villa’s beautifully preserved wine cellar. There also is a laundry room with a washer and a dryer on the ground floor. An internal staircase connects the ground floor to the first-floor kitchen.
First Floor: The first floor includes a comfortable living room, a well-lit dining room with seating for 10 and a spectacular view across the valley, and a professionally-appointed kitchen already stocked with the basics. The kitchen is equipped with a four-burner gas stove, electric oven, dishwasher, refrigerator, freezer, American coffee maker, and a large collection of professional cookware. The living room’s original large stone fireplace is fitted with an iron wood-burning stove for easy, smoke-free fires. There also is a bedroom on the first floor, with a queen-size wrought-iron bed, antique armoire, and rich imported upholstery and linens. The bedroom, dining room, and living room have independently-controlled air conditioning. There is a full bathroom with a shower on the first floor. The internal staircase connecting the first floor to the ground floor descends from the kitchen.
Second Floor: There is an internal staircase of original terracotta tiles leading up to the second floor. The large bedroom, with an exposed stone wall, has twin wrought-iron beds, an antique armoire, and an antique dresser. The bedroom has independently-controlled air conditioning. There is a full bathroom with a shower across from this bedroom.
Third Floor: The third floor also has an internal staircase of original terracotta tiles leading up to it. This floor has a stunning panoramic view across the Benano Valley to Orvieto. Its main bedroom, with restored beamed ceilings and exposed stone walls, features a king-size wrought-iron bed, built-in clothes cupboards, and rich imported upholstery and linens. The other third-floor bedroom features a queen-size bed (European dimensions), an antique dresser, and rich imported upholstery and linens. Both bedrooms on the third floor have independently-controlled air conditioning. Offering another breathtaking view, the bathroom for the third-floor bedrooms is accessible off the internal staircase and also includes a shower.
Terrace: The villa’s back door (off the ground-floor family room) opens onto a private stone terrace overlooking the property’s 25 olive trees, a prolific fig tree (always a guest favorite in late summer), neighboring farms, and a nearby hill town. A beautiful hand-painted ceramic table and wrought-iron chairs provide outdoor dining space for 8-10 people. There is a brick pizza oven and Italian barbecue on the terrace, with firewood stored on a second terrace immediately below. Guests may use the pool at a hotel 2 miles away, free of charge.
The Village
Once a defensive outpost, Benano dates back at least 1,000 years, although the villa retains features possibly from an earlier time, including its wine cellar and a recently uncovered cistern from the middle ages. The villa sits on a tiny piazza facing a small, 16th century church, and its external wall forms part of the old “rocca,” or fortress. Benano is home to about 25 year-round residents. Join the small crowd that gathers to meet the bread truck each weekday morning and the fish, meat, and produce trucks that come each week. Or take in the inevitable gathering of locals chatting in the piazza each summer afternoon. Cars and motorcycles are not permitted in the center of the village, so guests are spared the street noise common throughout Italy. Guests can park for free just outside the village gate, 100 feet from the villa's front door.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Linens Provided
- Washer
- Dryer
- Off Street Parking
- Wood Stove
- Beds
- King Bed
- Queen Bed (2)
- Twin/Single Bed (4)
- Crib : Available upon request.
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- Video Library
- CD Player
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Catering Available
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio
- View/Location
- Mountain View
- Communications
- Telephone
- Free Long Distance
- Cell Phone
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- Complimentary house wine, English-language satellite TV, onsite washer and dryer, a GPS pre-programmed with the locations of local restaurants, ATMs, grocery stores and popular tourist sites, two pay-as-you-go Italian cell phones, free landline calls to the US, window screens, a bread/pizza oven on the terrace, and pool privileges at a hotel in Castel Viscardo (see map).
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities
- Hiking
- Restaurants
- Boating
- Swimming
- Hunting
- Antiquing
- Horseback Riding
- Museums
- Other Activities
- Cooking classes, olive harvesting and pressing, gliding, and truffle hunting (depending on the season).
Rate Details (In U.S. Dollars)
$2,940 - $3,780 per week (Saturday to Saturday).
Rates vary depending on the time of year.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2008
The Unique Benefits at this Villa
Benano is the perfect location for exploring Tuscany and Umbria. It overlooks Orvieto, offering stunning views of one of Italy’s most beautiful hill towns. Guests can enjoy a peaceful village pace yet be in the heart of Orvieto in just 20 minutes. Orvieto’s position on the main north-south rail line and autostrada makes it a perfect jumping-off point for day trips to many popular tourist destinations in central Italy. A 10-minute drive from Benano is Torre Alfina, recently selected one of Italy’s “most beautiful small towns,” which features a picturesque castle, good restaurants, and the best gelato in the area. Twenty minutes further along quaint back roads is Lake Bolsena, Europe's largest volcanic lake, which offers fishing, sailing, swimming, and sunbathing. Driving thirty to forty-five minutes in another direction, you reach the four gems of southern Tuscany – Pitigliano, Sorano, Sovana, and the spa town of San Casciano dei Bagni. Benano is close to another jewel, Civita di Bagnoregio, which travel expert Rick Steves calls “Italy’s classic hill town” and his personal favorite. Equally convenient to Benano are the many acclaimed towns that have attracted travelers to Umbria and Tuscany for centuries – Umbria’s ceramic towns, Gubbio and Deruta; Tuscany’s wine meccas, Montalcino and Montepulciano; Perugia, the capital of Umbria and Italy’s chocolate capital; Pienza, home to Tuscany’s finest cheese; Norcia, a must for lovers of Italian meats and sausages; the renowned thermal springs and spas of Chianciano, San Filippo and Saturnia; and Monticchiello, a tiny gem in the Tuscan hills. Viceno, only a mile from Benano, has a small store and a place for coffee. The nearby villages of Castel Viscardo (2 miles), Castel Giorgio (3 miles), and Torre Alfina (5 miles) also have restaurants, groceries, bakeries, cafés, gelaterias, and pharmacies.
Owner's Map of Orvieto
Can two college friends and their wives find la dolce vita in the "green heart of Italy," Umbria? Of course they can. You can too.
Property Photos
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- The walled hamlet of Benano - Orvieto, Italy - Vacation Villa near Tuscany, Umbria and Rome
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- Ground-floor bedroom - Orvieto, Italy - Vacation Villa near Tuscany, Umbria and Rome
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- Ground-floor bathroom - Orvieto, Italy - Vacation Villa near Tuscany, Umbria and Rome
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- First-floor bedroom
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- First-floor bathroom
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- Second-floor bedroom
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- Second-floor bathroom
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- Third-floor bedroom (King)
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- Third-floor bedroom (Queen)
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- Living room
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- Dining room
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- Kitchen
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- Family room
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- Dining Room
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- Terrace
Traveler Reviews (14)
Even surpasses the great reviews.
Guest: Westy
(Cincinnati, Ohio)
Date of Stay: 10/08/11
Review Submitted: 10/30/11
We have just returned from a week at this remarkable villa in Umbria. While the hamlet of Benano and the villa are 1000 years old, every modern convenience makes the stay easy and pleasant. the first morning we were greeted with a sumptuous breakfast prepared and served by Alex and Olga who were available to meet our needs but in no way intrusive. We took day trips most days to nearby Tuscan and Umbrian sites, and took long walks around Benano each morning. We were with a crew of friends - 10 of us - yet the house never felt crowded. The location is a bit remote but nearly everything you'd want is within a 10 or 15 minute drive. Highly, highly recommended!
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing, age 55+.
Bella Benano
Guest: Finn
(Cincinnati)
Date of Stay: 10/08/11
Review Submitted: 10/19/11
This villa is truly extraordinary. We would recommend it for families with teens or adult children, good friends, college reunions, etc. Has an old world feel but modern accomodations. The tiny walled village is beautiful and extremely tranquil. At night there is the quiet of the country side and and the sky is clear and full of stars. Gorgeous vistas of olive groves, vineyards and other walled towns. The villa itself is very comfortable and well-equipped. Th beds were firm and linens of high quality plus the bedrooms were very quiet and private. We slept on the first level and had access to a lovely bathroom, a family room and the stone patio. We walked to nearby Viceno and visited an artist who works in terra cotta and porcelain. We took a cooking class in Orvieto and consumed the delicious results. We visited Pitigliano and its old Jewish quarter. We spent an afternoon at Hadrian's Villa near Tivoli which was fascinating. And we ate delicious meals at local restaurants including La Pergoletta. A car is a must but most of the driving is on pretty backroads.
Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with teenagers, sightseeing, age 55+.
The perfect combination of rustic and comfort!
Guest: Jonathan28
(-)
Date of Stay: 04/21/09
Review Submitted: 09/30/11
Wild beauty to the horizon does grow. A setting capped with a fine Brunello; The perfect vacation, It's pure relaxation: Don't miss Umbria's Rocca di Benano! I can't say it clearly enough: Rocca di Benano was the perfect week vacation. The villa was amazing, the scenery was postcard-esque, the food was to die for, and the comfort and ease were ideal. It was a great chance to get away into the rustic Italian countryside and it was a vacation that my wife and I will do everything we can to repeat!
Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, families with young children, sightseeing, age 55+.
Still Dreaming about Benano
Guest: Agfam7
(Houston, Texas)
Date of Stay: 06/25/11
Review Submitted: 09/20/11
My girlfriends and I and my two children spent one blissful week in this breathtaking home. Home is an accurate word to describe this one-of-a-kind villa in Umbria. Thank you Benano owners for sharing your labor of love with us. The attention to detail and thoughtfulness in the little touches to enhance our stay just blessed us tremendously. You set the bar high for hospitality and it would be such a privilege to return to this magical place again. Future guests will not regret staying in this house nor making the acquaintance of it's owners and keepers. Truly splendid. Molto Gratzie!
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, families with young children, sightseeing, age 55+.
Rocco de Benano
Guest: Kim
(Midlothian, VA)
Date of Stay: 08/06/11
Review Submitted: 08/27/11
This trip and stay in Benano was a memory that will last a LIFETIME! One of the owners was easily accessible by phone and e-mail to answer the logistical questions prior to our arrival and during our stay. The villa was beautiful...we stayed in the top floor smaller room and we awoke to the most breathtaking views! We did many day trips - Florence, Civita, La Torba, Rome, Sienna, Cortona, Orvieto, Lake Bolsena and a 2 day trip to Cinque Terre. We ate at a fantastic restaurant twice in Acquapendente and sampled food in ALL the neighboring towns/day trips. We are in love with Italy. We've never travelled outside of the US (except the Caribbean) but we can't imagine anywhere that is as great as Italy! The pictures don't begin to describe how beautiful the villa, Benano and the country are. We took our children and they will never forget the trip...my son turned 13 and I turned ?? while we were there. 10 famly members fit very comfortably in the villa. The free wine in the wine cellar was an unexpected extra! Rocco di Benano's local caretakers were only a phone call away for any issues that came up. Italy's got it all - beaches, mountains, rural flatlands, hill towns, large cities...and SO much history! The villa location allowed us to relax or cook at home, soak up some local color with the neighbors, and experience many of Italy's wonders. We can't wait to go back!
Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, families with young children, sightseeing, age 55+.
Marty and Friends
Guest: Marty
(Durham NC)
Date of Stay: 09/11/10
Review Submitted: 07/20/11
I stayed at this villa with three female friends and it was one of the best, maybe even the best, travel experience of my life. The hamlet gives you the experience of stepping back in time. Architecturally, you step back 1,000 years. With the people and the simplicity around you, it's like stepping back into the 1950's. It is quiet, there is little traffic, electronics are not all around you, but people are, and they are friendly. Karen met us at the villa and we knew right away that our comfort was very important to her. She made sure we knew where to find the best wine, cheese and bread. Who does that these days? The villa is beautiful and we had everything we could think of. The beds are very comfortable, the linens are the kind you want to roll around on - it was all about creature comfort. Speaking of creatures, there is even a hamlet cat who is willing to hang out if you miss your own pets. Karen even helped us plan our day trips, gave us dining suggestions, found out about a mineral springs spa not too far away (it was cool) and got us involved in the gelato wars. I know that I am raving about this villa, but honestly, I have travelled a lot and it doesn't come any better than this. When we left the villa, we went to a pensione in Cinque Terra. We immediately felt the difference in comfort. From Cinque Terra, we went to an apartment in Rome where the owner didn't care at all. The difference between the two places was pretty striking. If you want a great experience - stay at Rocca di Benano.
Recommended for:Girls getaway, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, families with young children, sightseeing, age 55+.
Fantastic villa and great location.
Guest: Fran
(Freehold)
Date of Stay: 07/02/11
Review Submitted: 07/13/11
I booked this villa for myself and 8 adults both family and friends. Everyone of us loved this house.The villa is exactly as mentioned and far more. Everything about this home is exceptional. You will not be disappointed. We had a wonderful breakfast our first morning that was delicious. Olga and Alex out did themselves. Karen was so helpful before our stay answering and catering to all my questions. I thought this was too good to be true, but it was perfect! The location was great we took a day trip by train to Florence and drove to vineyards and hill towns and a beautiful lake to relax. The town of Benano was charming and we felt right at home among our italian neighbors. We really got a feel of italian culture in Benano and in the small towns near by. One of my main concerns was having air-conditioning but being so high up in the mountains we did not even use it once and we visited in July. The villa was spotless, the wine delicious, and the views to die for. My fellow travelers loved sitting on the patio at night with the candles and a bottle of wine and just taking in the beauty of the stars. You will not be disappointed if you visit, a traveler from New Jersey.
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, sightseeing.
We yearn to return!
Guest: Mr & Mrs Mustard
(Maine)
Date of Stay: 08/27/10
Review Submitted: 01/13/11
To write a review of our The Villa: Rocca di Benano experience is easy. You will love it. Why? The hospitality, the architecture, the interior decorating, the ambiance, the views from each window, the friendly courtyard, the villagers, the delicious wines, the vistas, the in-house library of books, the well equipped kitchen and appliances, with every gadget and knife (Julia Childs would have loved). Even recycling made easy, A cave carved into the hillside in the villa was well stocked with wonderful red and white wines that our hosts provided. We traveled the countryside dined out for lunch mostly and prepared the most delicious dinners in the evenings with very fresh vegetables, herbs, cheeses, pastas and meats purchased during the day at the market. We retreated for a marvelous good nights sleep to our beautiful bedroom that had the most beautifully selected linens. As an artist their was so much to paint and so overwhelmingly beautiful. We had a wonderful vacation and yearn to return.
Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, families with young children, sightseeing, age 55+.
Sue . Reston Va
Guest: Sue
(Reston Va)
Date of Stay: 08/21/10
Review Submitted: 09/13/10
This was my first visit to Italy , and what a fabulous start to a fantastic trip. Entering the beautiful walled hamlet of Benano was like stepping back in time. Of course we were awed by the fact that this villa is 1000 years old , it is like nothing I have seen before. The warmth that eminates from inside is amazing, all the decorations are just perfect, from the rustic tables to the paint color on the walls, there was plenty of room for all seven of us not to trip over each other and to have our own space. The beautiful vistas from the dining room and the patio were enough to make you want to stay and just look forever. Everthing was immaculate, anything we needed we were amply provided with , the cell phones and gps that come with the villas are a great help. We have already mentioned the villa to friends and relatives , we would most certainly come back to stay.
Recommended for:Girls getaway, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, families with young children, sightseeing.
Outstanding Location & Property!!
Guest: Chellie
(Northern Virginia/USA)
Date of Stay: 08/21/10
Review Submitted: 09/13/10
I recently spent a week at this fantastic villa with friends - the only bad thing I can write is that we only booked one week in this lovely property. This villa embodies all of my "must-haves" for an overseas vaction, including: * Location, location, location! Benano was the perfect jumping-off point for day trips to other hill towns in Umbria and Tuscany. In particular, Orvieto, which was only 15 minutes away, had treats for the historians, gastronomists and shoppers in our group. Also, the town of Benano has a lot of charm - don't miss taking walks around and in the town and interacting with the residents. Senora Mara is a treat! * The views. The pictures on this website are what you see! The vistas from the dining room and my 4th-floor bedroom were stunning. * It was clean! I don't know about you, but I am a nut about cleanliness, and this place was spotless. * A fully-appointed kitchen. I loved that we had a choice of eating out or cooking our own meals. The kitchen included lots of little amenities like a coffee grinder & maker, heavy-duty cookware, pantry and refrigerator staples (milk, eggs, cereal, a full range of spices), a dishwasher . . . and a basket of fresh fruit & veggies from the garden. * Excellent support before and during the trip. Questions were answered by the owners promptly and accurately; once in Benano, Sasha & Olga, the caretakers, were available if needed. I would definitely consider having them cook at least one meal for you. * A good night's rest. The beds were fabulous, with soft sheets and mattresses that are possibly more comfortable than the ones in my own home. * Outdoor living. The terrace was the perfect place to sip wine at the end of a busy day of touring or a lazy day of reading. * A myriad of other little details. Having access to a GPS, cell phones, wifi, lots of hot water, a washer & dryer, etc., made it feel like home. I can't wait to find time to go back for a second week and am already looking at the calendar - thank you for providing such a wonderful home away from home for us!
Recommended for:Girls getaway, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, sightseeing, age 55+.
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #257105
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