Luxury Villa on the Tuscan/Umbrian Border, Idyllic Setting, Sleeps 10
- Minimum stay:7 nights
- Internet:Yes
- Pets allowed:No
- Wheel chair accessible:No
This charming rustic family farm house, sits on a property of 15 Acres with 180 degree south facing, spectacular views over sweeping Umbrian & Tuscan hills. Surrounded by 600 olive trees & woodland in the valley, there is a mature landscaped garden with extensive lawn areas to relax in the sun or shade, a large private pool, set amongst the olives on a plateau overlooking a picturesque 13th Century chapel. The rose colored medieval town close by has many restaurants, bars, a local market, theater, hospital; the churches are filled with artwork by Perugino & Savini. There are classical & jazz concerts + a medieval Palio in the summer. The house has 4 large bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, a study with a sofabed, large sitting room + TV area. Dining/kitchen area leading to an outdoor portico & 2 large terraces with scenic views overlooking Mount Cetona for coctails at sunset & a round of ping pong. A main line train station is 15mins away & makes day trips to Florence, & Rome very easy.
The farm house is less than 2 km from the town off a quiet country lane. Contessa Kyra del Balzo di Presenzano nè Parker has been living here now for 11 years and has many useful tips to share with her guests. She is happy to organize upon request, Italian cooking demonstrations or a days visit to a wine cellar, for some wine tasting and a tour of wine cellars with the producers, or organise a guided tour of Citta della Pieve.
Her home was completely renovated in 2006, using the original materials to maintain its initial charm. The interior has been architecturally open planned & delicately incorporates all up to date equipment & fixtures at the same time as conserving the characters typical of this region. (old oak beams, stone/brick fireplaces/ terracotta floors & oak wood latched interior doors). There are outdoor shutters to semi close out the summer days heat, and inner shutters to keep the morning light out.
Ground floor: There is a large sitting room with a cosy TV area which was designed to resemble an open planned 3 arch portico & boasts views over the stunning valley beyond. The modern fully equipped kitchen/dining room with an open fireplace, is divided by a breakfast bar & opens onto a portico of Jasmin and geraniums, where one can enjoy meals in the shade during the summer heat. The Kitchen is super equipped with a large fridge/freezer, a microwave/grill, marble tops and a 5 ring gas cooker. Also on this level there is a double bedroom with ensuite bathroom with a large shower, basin, bidet & mosquito net fixtures on the windows. There is also a study/Utility room on the ground floor with a queen sized sofabed in, & also the back kitchen entrance hallway, with a stairway leading to:
First Floor: Main double bedroom. South facing with a large ensuite bathroom incorporating shower, bath, double basins, bidet, mosquito net fixtures on the windows, parquet flooring & a delightful terrace overlooking the rolling hills & the valley, not forgetting the rose coloured 13th Century chapel. Bedroom 2. North facing, with views over an old well with a backdrop of buxus, white roses and agapanthus growing randomly. There is a double bed, which can be made up as 2 singles, and the ensuite bathroom comprises of a bath with overhead hand shower, single basin & bidet. Parquet flooring, mosquito net fixtures on the windows + TV. Bedroom 3. South facing with stunning views across the rolling hills towards Tuscany. There is a double bed and a built in wardrobe. The ensuite bathroom comprises of a bath with an overhead hand shower, a large single basin and bidet and mosquito nets on all windows.
The adrenaline and personal input into the design & detail of this family home with its surrounding garden gives it a feeling of openness and tranquility. The entire property is fenced off & has an electric, remote control main gate, giving one complete privacy and seclusion, for a relaxful holiday.
The swimming pool: 12 x 6 metres (steps external) Built in 2007 is about 50 linea metres from the house & is accessed by terracotta steps leading to a grassed avenue flanked with pink & orange roses, lavander, rosemary, vibrant violets mixed with blue & white agapanthus, leading onto a landscaped terrace of grassed & paved areas surrounding the pool area, with ample space for football enthusiasts. There is an outdoor shower, a diving board, 8 sun loungers, 4 side tables, & a large sun umbrella. A pool house with a cloakroom/changing area & a further fridge/freezer to store refreshments, is discreetly positioned near the pool for easy access. For those who enjoy a dip in the pool during the long hot summers evenings, one can manually light the avenue to the pool & the up lighters under the old olive trees surrounding the pool. There are lights in the pool as well.
With the main town so close by, this gives one easy access to shop & take an early mornìng cappuccino, or to pass an entertaing evening, dining under the stars and enjoy the warmth of the ancient rose coloured medieval historic center. Take an aperitivo at the well known Bar Pippo, or an after dinner glass of limoncello or grappa at Cafè des Artistes, and breath in the local atmosphere.
From the 12th to the 20th of August an impressive staging of life back in the Medieval times takes place, with 'borgo's', taverna's, nightly battles and exhibitions between the 3 neighbourhoods of the town, all competing to stage the most elaborate show in their colourful costumes Many tourists, even Italians visit Città della Pieve during this period. They fill the streets, wine & dine in true Palio style.
Property Type
- Farmhouse
- 300 m²
Accommodation Type
- Vacation Rental
Meals
- Self-Catering
Onsite Services
- Housekeeper Optional
Suitability
- Long-Term Renters Welcome
- Wheelchair Inaccessible
- Suitable For Elderly Or Infirm
- Pets Not Allowed
- Children Welcome
Bedrooms
- 5 Bedrooms, Sleeps 10
- Bedroom 1
- 1 Large Double Bed
- Bedroom 2
- 1 Large Double Bed
- Bedroom 3
- 1 Large Double Bed
- Bedroom 4
- 1 Large Double Bed
- Study/Bedroom 5
- 1 Sofa bed/Futon
Bathrooms
- 4.0 Bathrooms
- Bathroom 1
- Toilet, Bath with Shower, Shower Enclosure, Bidet
- Bathroom 2
- Toilet, Bath with Shower, Bidet
- Bathroom 3
- Toilet, Shower Enclosure, Bidet
- Bathroom 5
- Toilet, Bath with Shower, Bidet
- Pool house Bathroom 4
- Toilet, Outdoor Shower
Other Amenities
Entertainment
- Television
- Radio
- Ping Pong Table
- Satellite / Cable
- DVD Player
- Video Player
Theme
- Romantic
- Historic
Attractions
- Live Theatre
- Restaurants
- Museums
- Cinemas
- Winery Tours
- Library
- Churches
- Water Parks
Car
- Recommended
Leisure Activities
- Horse Riding
- Walking
- Sight Seeing
- Scenic Drives
- Bird Watching
- Outlet Shopping
local services and businesses
- Babysitter
- ATM/Bank
- Groceries
- Medical Services
- Fitness Centre
- Laundrette - Serviced
- Hospital
Location Type
- Rural
sports and adventure activities
- Mountain Biking
- Tennis
- Golf
- Cycling
- Sailing
- Swimming
- Equestrian Events
- Wind-Surfing
- Fishing
- Golf Pass Optional
Arrival Day
- Saturday
catering options
- Self-Catering
Dining
- Dining Room
General
- Towels Provided
- Wireless Internet
- Mosquito Magnet
- Iron & Board
- Wood Stove
- Local Restaurant Guide
- Internet
- Telephone
- Heating
- Living Room
- Local Activities Guide
- Washing Machine
- Linens Provided
- Filtered Water
- Parking Off Street
- Clothes Dryer
- Fireplace
house cleaning
- Housekeeper Optional
Kitchen
- Freezer
- Dishwasher
- Coffee Maker
- Hob
- Microwave
- Toaster
- Refrigerator
- Oven
- Cooking Utensils
- Dishes & Utensils
Outside
- Tennis
- Balcony
- Golf
- Garden
- Deck Chairs
- Barbecue
- Small Cooler
- Veranda
- Patio
- Boat
- Terrace
- Barbecue
- Terrace
Pool / Spa
- Private Pool
- Outdoor Pool
property descriptor
- Detached
Reviews
Write a review-
One of the best houses I have ever visited.
Guest comment entered by ownerOne of the best houses I have ever visited.
- Guest Federica & Co
- Date of stay 08/11/12
- Review Submitted 02/10/13
Dear Kyra, I am writing directly via email as we don't know where your advertisement is on the web, seeing we booked our holiday through an agency. We have to Thank you! We spent a wonderful week, peaceful and relaxing.. amongst wonderful natural as well as human enviorment.. Your house is one of the best houses I have ever visited (and I assure you I have been travelling around the world since when I was very young!!) It is very important for me (and for my kids) to have great respect of other's properties.. especially when one sees the great care and love of their owner.. Thank you so much again... I wish you all the best for your future... Sincerely Federica & CoDid you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1
-
The perfect escape!
The perfect escape!
- Guest Fiona B.
- Date of stay 05/05/12
- Review Submitted 08/29/12
We spent 5 glorious days here, enjoying the wonderful views, beautiful gardens and spacious house. The charming little town of Citta della Pieve is close by for all ones shopping needs, including local Italian delicacies. We made several other excursions to surrounding towns and villages, one is spoilt for choice. We also made a day trip to Florence by train. The house is tastefully furnished and extremely comfortable, the kitchen is very well equipped. Wandering through the olive groves and the stunning gardens is a real joy. The swimming pool with its fabulous views is a great luxury! The whole family had a wonderful holiday and we will be back soon!Owner response: Thank you for your enthusiastic review! I too enjoyed so much meeting you and your family.You were wonderful guest, and I hope someday you'll find the time to return.. it would be a pleasure for me above all. Maybe you would all enjoy the olive picking.. (in November) so I can treat you to a special day or two of hand picking the olives.. visiting the 'frantoio' (mill who press the olives)! and tasting the first fruitful rewards of a days hard work... with 'bruchette' dribbiling in 'Madonna degli Angeli extra virgin olive oil' just pressed, and a typical Umbrian barbecue to follow. Umbria is full of stunning small towns to visit as you saw, fillled with historic and artictic treasures not to be missed.. half way from Roma and Florence it is so easy, as you did, to take a train, or go by car to spend a day there and return to see the sun set behind Monte Cetona while enjoying a refreshing glass of the local Umbrian vino. A presto spero..!
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1
-
Fantastico !
Fantastico !
- Guest Dianne P.
- Date of stay 09/02/11
- Review Submitted 03/20/12
We had been travelling ( from New Zealand ) in the UK & Europe and were fortunate enough to have Madonna degli Angeli recommended by friends who had stayed there previously. We enjoyed the local restaurants and bars immensely, all so typically Italian ! Citta della Pieve is a delightful village, with a busy market every Saturday selling local produce. We enjoyed tasting many specialities especially the crispy roasted pork cooked on a spit, a tradition still today. Kyra kindly arranged a cooking demonstration where we were really involved, we ate like kings ! She also arranged a day with in a typical Umbrian fashion with a family and tasting their locally produced ' vino ' and this particular vineyard supplies the Vatican...very special ! After our busy days it was a welcome return to the house, to relax and take a dip in the full-sized pool before preparing dinner ( very well-equipped kitchen ), and to sit on the terrace and drink some of our spoils. It could not have been better to watch the sun set and breath in the stunning views across the valley ( very romantic ). Again we would like to thank Kyra for the use of her house, the quality of decor and amenities are exceptional and we couldn't recommend her home more, or the area as there are many places to visit. Dianne Plow, Auckland, NZDid you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
-
Picture Perfect!
Picture Perfect!
- Guest Emma d.
- Date of stay 08/10/11
- Review Submitted 03/08/12
Words cannot describe how wonderful Madonna Degli Angeli is! The Villa is beautiful, spacious and welcoming and the setting is quite simply breathtaking! You are surrounded by olive groves and flowers and the view looks like it comes right out of a Renaissance Painting! Magical! We truly had a fun holiday, sunbathing by the pool, enjoying the delicious local food (loved the barbeques in the garden) and exploring the region. As the Villa is located on the border in between Umbria and Tuscany we did some great day trips. We enjoyed wine tastings and olive oil tasting, making pecorino cheese and exploring the lovely towns of Montepulciano, Pienza, Perugia and Siena to name only a few! We also really enjoyed lago trasimeno and got to spend a day in both Rome and Florence (the train from "chiusi chianciano terme" is great value and it only takes about 2 hours to reach these main cities!). The town of Citta' della Pieve, 5 minutes drive from the house, is also really charming and offers everything one might need! We will return at the very first opportunity! Thank you for such a memorable holiday!Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1
-
Absolutely gorgeous!
Absolutely gorgeous!
- Guest Rachel W.
- Date of stay 08/10/11
- Review Submitted 03/06/12
Simply wonderful! Delightful house, stunning scenery, true Tuscan atmosphere and surrounded by all the beauty of this famous part of the Italian countryside. We have so many happy memories of relaxing inside this fabulous house, eating outside, overlooking the lovely scenery, bathing in the pool and thoroughly enjoying every moment. We had a perfect stay in Madonna Delgi Angeli. Our only wish was that we could have stayed longer! Rachel WalshOwner response: Rachel Walsh and her friends were very friendly and great guests to have. They were so entusiastic and it was a pleasure to have them stay here. The babecue obviously was a big hit, as roasts and the delicious local sausages were grilled by the chilo most nights! She wrote to me afterwards to say how much they had loved their stay.. and will not forget the stunning views, or the fabulous pool and also how much they had enjoyed the festive summer outdoor concerts in the town and night life. Come back soon Rachel!!
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
-
A Real Discovery
A Real Discovery
- Guest HUGH & VICKY F.
- Date of stay 07/09/11
- Review Submitted 03/01/12
Madonna Degli Angeli seems an entirely appropriate name for this wonderful corner of paradise. Located a short drive from the delightful and little known gem of Citta della Pieve, the house sits on a gentle hillside with breathtaking views across the valley. The gardens are a profusion of lavender, rosemary and roses, interspersed with a series of grass paths leading down to the glorious pool. The whole property is surrounded by the owner's olive groves which provide thier own delicious olive oil. The house itself has been sensitively restored to a very high standard, with a modern and well equipped kitchen. The spacious and elegant living & dining rooms are both comfortable and furnished to a very high standard. The bedrooms are also very comfortable and the bathrooms well appointed. This was our first visit to Madonna degli Angeli and we look forward to returning very soon.Owner response: Its always very rewarding when one has guests who truly appreciate the romantic and warm settings of Madonna degli Angeli. It was a priviledge for me to have Hugh, a well known and established english artist and his terrific wife, who runs her own sucessful business in Interior decoration in London, to stay here. They were entusiastically interested to know more about my olive production! The hectres of olive trees in and surrounding my property not only are highly productive but asthetically appealing, a painters paradise. The November harvest is traditionally followed up by a celebratory picnic, sitting under the gray silvery leafed olive trees feasting on our new healthy production fresh from the mill, generously dribbling, pure green extra virgin olive oil over barbecued grilled slices of bread with a touch of salt and adding the occasional rubbing of raw garlic.. better known in Italy as 'Bruschetta'. Its pure heaven! I hope one day to be able to offer the rental of my house during this season, so guests could participate, and join me in picking, visit the mill to see the first pressed oil arrive, and enjoy a dinner of the best bruschetta imaginable! Thank you Hugh for your review!
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
Rates
| Dates | Nightly | Wknd Night | Weekend | Weekly | Monthly * | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Late Spring May 4 - May 31, 2013 7 night min stay |
€2500 | |||||
| Early Summer Jun 1 - Jun 28, 2013 7 night min stay |
€3000 | |||||
| Summer Jun 29 - Aug 31, 2013 7 night min stay |
€3500 | |||||
| Late Summer Sep 1 - Sep 14, 2013 7 night min stay |
€3000 | |||||
Payment is usually accepted in the quoted currency (€) unless the currency and the amount is specifically agreed in advance with the owner / advertiser.
Additional information about rental rates:
Before paying contact the owner to confirm payment details.
Call the owner directly to confirm reservation details and pay with an approved method (credit card, check, or bank transfer), to protect your payment up to $1,000.
Location
Owner info
Why the Owner Chose Citta della Pieve:
I first came to visit Città della Pieve in 1987 & was struck by the Umbria countryside's breathtaking landscape. The house where I was staying was no exception, one could see the hill tops of Orvieto and beyond. The stunning amount of cultural sites to visit, all within an hours drive, filled me with curiosity, joy & a big wish to have my own special spot here, where I could hop into my car, when I felt the need to go somewhere & visit time & time again the spectacular surrounding sights & endearing art works hidden around. Often one comes across art works one has read about in the past in tiny local villages. (A village near by, is where Perugino ((Born in CdP)) died returning from Perugia to flee the plague hoping to avoid the illness, & today is buried there, some 15 chilometers from CdP).
Umbria is no exception, to the rest of Italy, for its rich culture, & above all its so well positioned for day trips. Even after a two week holiday you'll have too much still, to see, & like me will have to come back time & time again. I have lived around the world for many decades, always returning to bella Umbria. Hence I decided to buy & make my home here! When I finally set eyes on Madonna degli Angeli, she was a complete ruin, but the views & surroundings said it all! From there on I continued to build my incredible home, which I enjoy so much! The fun & energy this property gives me, you can't imagine. I look to the south west at night to watch the sun descend behind Monte Cetona with its vibrant rich red sunset & happily allow it to engulf me, while enjoying a glass of locally produced wine. Every morning on opening the shutters, I breath in the joys of the surrounding Umbrian landscape, multicoloured & vivid, while the birds sing. In the spring & autumn, morning landscapes sometimes become a lake of misty hovering clouds, floating between the hills tops in the valley beyond. Its a picture paradise as one reviewer wrote.
Contact us
- Primary: +39 3387703306 mobile
- Click Here to see All My Rental Listings
Photos
-
Overlooking the pool & valley beyond
-
South side of the house
-
Cocktail Terrace with view over valley
-
Open plan dining & kitchen
-
Sitting room with cosy TV area
-
Main double bedroom
-
Study/Bedroom 5
-
Bedroom 2
-
Ensuite bathroom 2
-
Ground floor double bedroom
-
The swimming pool
-
-
The Main facade of the house
-
Shaded portico, main outdoor dining area
-
Large grassed plateau surrounding the pool
-
Fully equiped open plan Kitchen
-
2nd view of the sitting room
-
Ensuite bathroom, Main bedroom
-
Back entrance hallway with stairway
-
Bedroom 3
-
Ensuite bathroom 3
-
View over the Tuscan hills
-
Floral avenue leading to the pool in June/July
-
View from the pool towards the house April/May