Near Orvieto, Umbria
Property 5359
10 Guests
5 Bedrooms
5.5 Bathrooms
375 square meters indoor
2 Hectares outdoor
Il Molinazzo is an optimal base for an Italian Villa Vacation including both rest and relaxation as well as a curated itinerary of day-trips oriented to experiencing Umbrian culture and history. The house enjoys a central, accessible position, comprehensive amenities and an appealing layout for groups of 10 to 14. This is a casual, family - style home accompanied by the services a local maid/cook who is flexible, available and helpful. Il Molinazzo offers an excellent value for extended families or couples as it works well in all seasons, being equipped with both good air conditioning and heat. Plus, the setting is a delight.
Il Molinazzo enjoys an open, spreading view in most every direction, especially from the pool on a rise behind the house, and from the Upper Level bedrooms. You see the handsome 12th century Castello di Guardea, once a part of the patrimonio of the Doria Pamphilj family and well worth a visit, to the east. Dominating the western view is Castiglione in Teverina, with its August celebration of local wines offering tastings and open cantinas in various locations throughout this Medieval 'borgo' or community. Fields of either sunflowers, tobacco or wheat animate the nearby hillsides and create a quilt-like vista running up and down the surrounding hills. To the south, the countryside falls away to the valley below and the mountains beyond. This is a sensual, textural landscape unchanged for centuries, its quiet, rural way of life still present in the old towns and villages. Visitors, while still noticeable, are warmly welcomed as the friendly people are happy to share their enthusiasm for the rich beauty of this land.
Il Molinazzo is designed to invite guests to slow down and enjoy the sheer pleasure of a country home with no chores to do. At the same time, it is understood that foreigners on vacation have a natural thirst for exploration. There is much here that quenches that thirst, whether in the soul, the palate or the intellect. Southwestern Umbria is home to this region's major towns in an area where topography has inspired a long and complicated history of war and patronage. The result is a wonderful variety of influences on the art, architecture and culture of the region making for an incredible mix of touring options. Umbria may not be as famous as Tuscany, but here lie the seeds of the Renaissance, the birthplace of Piero della Francesca and an astonishing range of important sacred art. Umbria is blessed with a lively commitment to the arts; a famous and important Jazz Festival, Spoleto for music, dance and theatre plus small exhibitions and festivals in virtually every town. For outdoor enthusiasts, renting bicycles and the nearby roads are relatively quiet and relatively accessible for even amateur cyclists. Experienced guides are highly recommended for both cycling and the more generally accessible hiking and itineraries can be tailored to those destinations of greatest interest. Umbrian food -- either at home or in restaurants -- is generally understood to be better than in Tuscany with a greater emphasis on contemporary tastes, biological production, '0 kms' and the maintenance of traditional products and truly creative menus. In other words, there is plenty to enjoy for all ages, interests and energy levels.
Il Molinazzo is particularly well-thought out in terms of warm-weather vacations with multiple outdoor spaces to enjoy and both large pool and tennis court. All this is surrounded by a garden of roses, lavender, hydrangea, peony with horse-chestnut trees and two slim cypresses as accents here and there. . The main house lies across the hill, the front door facing due west. Along this facade of the house, facing Lake Alviano (a World Wildlife Federation-protected park) and enjoying the setting sun, is a covered terrace, a 'summer living room', fully furnished in handsome modern iron-frame furniture with thick cushions for lounging and conversation. Full length white cotton drapes can be closed for shade from light or heat. Around the perimeter, before the lawn and olive trees begin, are pots of lavender and yarrow and young roses. Two additional gracious outdoor rooms, defined by straw-covered pergolas shade the sun but let the year-round breezes flow across the property, a lovely byproduct of the setting at 500 feet above sea level. There is a hedge-trimmed, north-facing outdoor living room plus an adjacent dining terrace for 14 at a long table with benches, accented by lemon trees in their traditional cotta pots. A wood or charcoal-burning barbecue is available for grilling enthusiasts. An paved terrace sits open to the dreamy morning sun, particularly ideal for your first unhurried cup of coffee. Remember, you are on vacation.
These outdoor rooms provide a seamless transition from the Farmhouse for 10 and the Cottage for four. The rooms are all equivalent, ensuite and of good dimension, with room for one or two cribs as needed.
Shallow staircases bring you up through the surrounding olive grove to the pool (15 x 7 meters with stairs) and tennis court, set in their own gardens. A teak stand holds a comfortable rope hammock, wide enough for two, with pillow for afternoon naps. The panorama from these higher elevations are even more stunning.
Price information available upon request.
Homebase Abroad, Ltd.
Two Hooper Street
Marblehead, MA 01945
Phone: (781) 639-4040
UK: +44-20-7084-6374
Fax: (781) 639-3050
© May 2013 by Homebase Abroad, Ltd. All rights reserved.