1-Bedroom Apt in Historic Palazzo Fiumi-LaPlaca in hill town of Bettona

Located in the historic center of Bettona, a small hill town 15k south of both Assisi and Perugia, with easy access to the E45. Palazzo Fiumi-LaPlaca is run by a Week in Umbria and offers the quintessential Slow Travel vacation — a week (that is not to say you can’t stay for 3 days or a month for that matter) in a small town where you can settle in and relax, enjoy a good meal or stroll to the bar for a cappuccino. AND your stay at the beautifully restored and furnished Palazzo Fiumi-LaPlaca is the perfect base from which to discover Umbria. The historic palazzo may date from the 16th century and was the home of the Fiumi. (St. Clare's mother was a Fiumi.) The nobile family was one of the largest landowners in the area and one of their principle activities was growing olives. To this day Bettona is surrounded by olive groves that once belonged to the family. In fact, the house contained an olive mill and three presses as well as a stable on its ground floor when I purchased it. Cologero Fiumi, the last count to live in the palazzo, died in 1963 and the house had fallen into ruins by the time I discovered it in 2005. It has been great to breathe life back into this wonderful place. I am your host and live on the piano nobile so please don't hesitate to ask for help when you are here. I think one of the things that is special about staying with me is to experience the rhythm of life in a small town. With only 350 people living within our walls, Bettona is the perfect get-away from larger more ‘discovered’ hill towns. The people are friendly, the streets quaint, and the views spectacular. Guests often comment on how our little town works its charms on them. Yet, there’s always something to do — from strolling to the central piazza for a coffee or gelato to dining in one of our lovely restaurants. In the summer there are often concerts or dance performances within the walls. Trips to some of the nearby towns offer all the cultural and art experiences you'd expect without the crowds and at a particularly Umbrian pace. The apartment is on the top floor of the palazzo and called 'Assisi' because there are views out over the Spoleto Valley toward Assisi. It has its own entrance and contains two bedrooms, a bathroom, full kitchen with marble counters, dining area, and living room. The furniture is a mixture of antique or in the Mission Style and goes beautifully with the rustic stone walls beneath the white washed beamed ceilings. There are wonderful breezes and the apartment is air conditioned as well. A small terrace is just perfect for sitting in the sun and relaxing. A special welcome goes out to the LGBT community. Know that you are extremely welcome to discover Umbria and come back to relax in the comfort of my home. As your host, I am happy to help with recommendations on what to see, how to get there, or great places to eat. If you are interested in cooking lessons — for a day or week or just to learn how to make gnocchi or fresh pasta — we are happy to accommodate you. COOKING LESSONS: A special cooking lesson package with professional chef is also available. Package costs 2250 euros and includes: accommodations at Palazzo Fiumi-LaPlaca; five 3-hour lessons followed by a 5-course lunch. Lessons are taught by Chef Andrea Sposini and take place at his cooking school in Perugia. TOURS: Make that wedding trip, special birthday, or a much deserved week away with friends or family, even more extraordinary with a customized tour package. Full or half day tours available. a Week in Umbria will help you explore Umbria at a relaxed pace and treat you to a sampling of what this wonderful region has to offer. Special tours of The Saints of Umbria, with special attention to St. Francis of Assisi (San Francesco di Assisi) is offered for a minimum of 4 people. Flexible itineraries allow you to customize your vacation or you can simply spend a week here discovering Umbria on your own. Oh, I almost forgot, if you'd like home cooked meals, I'd be happy to accommodate you no matter what your dietary needs are. Most guests choose to have a meal prepared the first night of their stay here. It gives us a chance to get to know each other a bit and to talk about what you'd like to see in Umbria. (Coast is 25euro per person and includes wine.) SPECIAL PARTIES: Palazzo Fiumi-LaPlaca has a beautiful cantina and dining hall on the ground floor which is perfect for special events. Cocktails and Buffet to sit down banquets are available.