A self-catering holiday cottage & apartment in Umbria: the green heart of Italy
Casa Alloro, an old stone farmhouse dating from the 16th Century, stands in three-quarters of a hectare of land at the edge of the quiet village of Collesecco, in the heart of Italy, midway between Rome and Florence.
The restored farmhouse comprises a self-contained, private, secluded, well-furnished apartment and an attached cottage with open views to the south over rolling hills, olive groves and woodland. Bars, restaurants and shops are close by.
The charming cottage, on two floors, sleeps up to five.
The ground floor has a farmhouse kitchen, a small living room with single sofa-bed. Wide sliding doors open onto a private shaded patio and garden area.
The first floor consists of double bedroom, a bedroom with bunk beds and a shower room.
The ground floor apartment sleeps up to four.
It has a large open-plan kitchen, dining and sitting room with double sofa-bed. Double glazed doors open onto a private terrace overlooking the garden. There is a twin bedroom with en-suite bath and shower room.
Self-catering cottage and apartment in a country house.
Rural, village in the heart of the Umbrian hills half-way between Florence and Rome.
Nearest international airports:
Perugia; 25 miles / 40Km. Direct flights from London Stansted by Ryanair.
Rome (Ciampino & Fiumicino), Florence and Ancona; all about 100 miles / 160Km).
Rail services at Perugia, Spoleto and Foligno.
Coach services to Rome and Florence.
All apartments with fridge, gas hob, oven. TV & DVD player. Shared washing machine. Towels and bed linen.
Central heating, wood-fired stoves.
Wireless broadband connection.
Large lawned garden with fruit trees and pond.
Private and secluded patio and terrace with garden furniture.
Ample parking.
Swimming, tennis, walking, horse riding.
Quiet recreation. Easily accessible, historic and artistic locations.
The apartment is all on one floor so it is suitable for the elderly or infirm and with wheelchair access.
Allowed by prior arrangement.
Casa Alloro is a traditional Umbrian farmhouse restored to provide three self-contained residences.
Each apartment has its own large private balcony, terrace or patio providing open views to the south over farmland, olive groves and woods. The horizon is dominated by Monte Martana some 1,000m (3,000 feet) high to the south and the Apennine mountain chain to the east. The house nestles in the lee of the hillside above the ancient village of Marcellano. The altitude of Collesecco, at some 490m (1,500 feet), tempers the extremes of the Italian summer weather.
Eating outside can be very pleasant most of the year round. In the winter the house is sheltered from the north winds.
Both apartments are fully furnished and comprehensively equipped, and each has a cheerful glass-fronted wood-burning stove for cosy winter evenings. The large garden is available to all guests.
Phyllis Thompson, who owns the house, is permanently resident and able to offer much local advice and help with Italian. The house and grounds are well cared for and welcoming.
The village of Collesecco, although small, has a good selection of shops for day-to-day needs. These include a small, very well-stocked, supermarket, a first class butcher, a baker who bakes on the premises, several small clothes shops, post office, service station (all fuels), electrical supplies and repair shop, and a car repair garage. There are also two bars.
About 4Km (2.5 miles) down hill is the small town of Bastardo which has a more comprehensive range of shops, services and a weekly market.
The local food is good, and regional specialties include wild boar, roast lamb, and wild mushrooms of which the most important are truffles. Local wines are excellent, especially those from our local wine-making co-operative at Todi. Several good restaurants and pizzerias are nearby.
Collesecco (map») is almost at the geographical centre of Umbria, and therefore the centre of Italy (careful when map reading as there is another Collesecco over to the west near Acquasparta.)
The location puts it within easy reach of a ring of historic towns, many founded by the Etruscans who lived in the area several centuries before the arrival of the Romans. Within a 45 minutes drive, these medieval towns include Perugia, Assisi, Spoleto, Todi, Orvieto and Orte; the list seems endless.
Throughout the year many of the small towns and villages stage festivals; our own is famous for its 'living nativity play' enacted for a week over Christmas.
Rome and Florence are within easy reach, about 160km (100 miles), with a journey time of approximately two hours by car or using rail or coach services.
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