Our family of 3 rented and apartment house (La Stalla) on this gorgeous farm for two weeks in June. Perched in the middle of the Umbrian countryside among vines, olive trees, sheep and wheat fields, we felt we'd arrived at a secret, peaceful oasis after the hectic trip out of Rome following a long flight from the U.S.
The proprietor (Anna) greeted us with a warm welcome and we were settled into a beautiful 2 bedroom home. The house is simply and tastefully furnished with a comfy sofa, a king bed and two twin beds. All very comfortable. The bathroom is modern (great shower power!!) and the kitchen has a stove/oven - ample space for preparation and a working fireplace for cold months. The house was immaculately clean.
We dined in most nights and enjoyed the patio and table just outside the door. Surrounded by flowers and burgeoning cherry tree, we couldn't have had a more lovely spot. Dinners were preceded by a leisurely swim in the (huge!) swimming pool. Again, surrounded by beautiful plantings, towering cyprus and a view to the olive groves. Our gracious hose Anna provided us with many generous gifts! Unlimited cherries from the tree, farm fresh eggs, olive oil from her farm, lamb chops for the grill and lovely bottle of wine. Truly amazing and generous.
The home is very easily accessible to far less touristed towns such as Narni, Todi, Orvietto, Amelia and one can hop a train and be in Rome within 40 minutes. We chose the Orte train station for our trips to Rome - It was an easy 35-40 minute drive and has continual service into the heart of the city. Very easy and relaxing. And what a treat to return to the farm after a day in hectic Rome!! The home is also situated very close (8 K) to the cute and bustling town of Giove where you can find a Coop grocery store, a pharmacy and a fabulous local pizzeria where the wood fired oven serves up beautiful grilled meats and rosemary focaccia in addition to pizzas!
If you are looking for a peaceful retreat - off the beaten path though easy access to less touristed sites in Umbria, this home can not be beat.
For travelers who are comfortable surrounded by town noise and do not like to drive off main roads, this would not be a suggestion for you. There is a 2K trip off the main road to access the farm on an unpaved road, While it feels distant at first - it is actually only 10 minutes into the main town. Do be certain to get good directions or keep the phone number of the proprietor to call for directions as it can be tricky to locate.
We hope to return one day soon and in the meantime, will have to settle for pictures and fond memories.