mélanie & jean-baptiste

Guest: Mélanie (Rennes, France)
Date of Stay: 07/30/11 Review Submitted: 01/03/12

Peacefull place. Extraordinary view from the hills, up to the old Campello, very nice place with its church. The house is wrapped by nature. Small road to feel the quietness. The house is very simple, clear with nice materials. Everything is available for good stay (kitchen, bathroom, outside...) We enjoyed our stay a lot. Karen and Martin are friendly and very welcoming. We liked a lot Ombria with its small villages, warm people and full off arts and cultures (Trevi, Montefalco, Bevagna, Spoleto !... and, of course, Assisi and Perugia !! ). For sure, we will come back !

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, romantic getaway, age 55+.

A wonderful meeting with Umbria for two!

Guest: Driekje (New York, NY)
Date of Stay: 08/22/11 Review Submitted: 12/13/11

This beautiful dream house was our perfect get-away place in the mountains of Umbria this summer, with easy access to everything, it allowed for absolute peace and quiet when we wanted it. The descriptions of the property were accurate, the owners were more than helpful with questions and with guidance to get to the property, the house is beautiful, clean and very well maintained. We felt totally welcome in a new place! It was the first meeting with Umbria and it won't be the last!

Owner response:Thank you for your thoughts, we appreciate them. Until the next time. Sincerely, Karen and Martin

Recommended for:Sightseeing, romantic getaway.

Just Fantastic!

Guest: Tom (Carmel, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/13/11 Review Submitted: 12/11/11

The House: Architecturally cool and well equipped. The owners: laid back, warm and gracious. The location: Gorgeous! Centrally located to everything you would want to see in Umbria. Definitely go and see the local butcher. His prociutto ...is like nothing you've ever tasted before. And his sausages as well. The best food we had in Italy. The man is doing God's work, old school, traditional, close to the land and product. Food the way God meant it to be. Read Karen's recommendations in the welcome folder. After a day of exploring, returning to the Atelier is like returning to a chic little nest, perfect for respite, romance and relaxation.

Owner response:What is so interesting to me is that everyone has their own take on our place, there are the generalities but also the specifics of their responses let me know that we are doing our job well, thank you Tom and Lourdes!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, tourists without a car.

Magical hideaway

Guest: Contented Canadians (Nova Scotia, Canada)
Date of Stay: 06/25/11 Review Submitted: 12/11/11

When the local store owner opened up specially for us, and his 12 year-old daughter picked our bread, cheese and wine for us, we knew we were in for a good time. When we finally set foot inside the Atelier we knew our stay would be magical. Rocciaviva is the perfect hideaway for anyone seeking a little tranquility. Nestled between woods above and olive groves below, the compact but stylish Aletier peeps out over a wonderful vista that reaches out to Spoleto on the other side of the valley. It's a great place to just hunker down and be creative; it's equally handy as a base to explore the treasures of Umbria. Just don't rent a very wide car - the hairpin bends up the mountain through the olive groves don't leave too much room for error. But that's just another excuse to stay in the sanctuary of the Atelier and open another bottle of wine recommended by our new friends in the village store.

Owner response:It is so wonderful to read each person's response to our property, we know it is a bit challenging to get here the first time but know that it is well worth it. Thank you Neil.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, romantic getaway.

Whitby lass, England

Guest: Whitbylass (York)
Date of Stay: 06/09/11 Review Submitted: 11/22/11

My husband and I stayed here in June 2011. We had an amazing time. Karen was really helpful when we arrived minus wine and milk on our first evening. I can't begin to describe how stunning the views are, especially from the bedroom. We never grew tired of looking at it. It was different every day and in different light. Stunning!! The atelier is very well equipped.The only thing lacking is a washing machine but this isn't a huge issue when only staying for a week. The journey up the mountain side is a bit hair raising but the end result is well worth it. If you want a honeymoon (1st or 2nd) hideaway then this is the place but it's not for the faint hearted or people with any mobility problems. Would not hesitate to recommend!

Owner response:It is so wonderful to read each person's response to our property and how different they are, we know it is a bit challenging to get here the first time but know also that it is well worth it once you arrive. Thank you Karen for your thoughts.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, romantic getaway.

A dream come true

Guest: Axel+Andrea (Stuttgart / Germany)
Date of Stay: 05/22/10 Review Submitted: 11/25/10

We have been staying at the Atelier several times now and will always find a reason for coming back. After decades of traveling all over Italy, we have finally found the most beautiful place to stay. And it's just what it says on the tin - only a bit more perfect. The views are spectacular - Campello Alto glittering at night, basking in the sun or hovering in the fog, Spoleto in the distance and the Valle Umbra down below - and they make you feel like you are living in an eyrie, just much more comfortable. You feel right in the middle of nature, but with all modern amenities (and good water pressure, comfortable beds and central heating are not always easy to find in Italy). The whole place is carefully thought out, the design is simple but elegant and just fits. The kitchen is fully equipped, the bathroom is small but has everything it needs (plus lovely tiles). And the most beautiful moment of the day is when the glowworms descend the hill soon after dark, glimmering between the trees - just like A Midsummer Night's Dream. The location is spendid for outdoor activities (hiking, biking, paragliding) and cultural / art historical tours as well as for scouring the countryside for culinary delights. Spoleto, Montefalco and Trevi are just a stone's through away, and places like Assisi, Perugia, Todi and Norcia are within easy reach. On a rainy day, you can comfortably hop on the train in Spoleto and go shopping in Rome, and when the weather is fine you can explore the Valnerina and the Piano Grande. The final bonus (last, not least) are the owners - hosts in the best sense of the word, who do everything to make you feel welcome and comfortable. They are incredibly nice and will furnish you with all the insider information that will help you to discover highlights off the beaten track. Don't hesitate to ask them where to shop for vegetables and pasta, dine out, go hiking or how to find wild asparagus, their tips are much better than your guidebooks. Note: The access to the Atelier and the stairs within are steep, you should take this into account when packing - better take several smaller bags than one big suitcase.

Owner response:We are delighted by this caring and subtle review from guests that have returned several times which goes to prove that we are doing something right! We have extensive welcome notes and a compilation of restaurants (with good descriptions written by someone that loves food as much as anyone) that I think help our guests get a sense of focus upon arrival. The issue with access to the Atelier is clearly and realistically stated, though we have had people ranging from 21-75 years of age staying there, it isn't for people who don't enjoy a little walk up from the parking lot below. If anyone is concerned about this, we are happy to supply photos that will enable one to see if there is a potential problem.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, romantic getaway.