SAN MARTINO CILIEGO

Description:
Between Rome, Florence, Siena, Perugio, Orvieto, Arezzo and Cortona lies this fantastic lake, the Lago di Trasimeno, surrounded by hills and lots of romantic little towns and villages, like Castiglione del Lago, Magione, Passignano, Città delle Pieve and Panicale. The Italian authorities declared this region to be a nature park, thus ensuring visitors of clean air, water and some peace and quiet, necessary for quite a many of those who want to escape, at least for the duration of a holiday, from all the hectic of modern living. You can walk or bike around the lake and visit the picturesque villages and towns around it, with small museums full of beautiful paintings, and inviting little restaurants with delectable menu choices. And a must: Take, preferably on a Sunday, a ferry-boat from Passignano to the Isola Maggiore, the biggest island in the lake. The most popular and best-known Italian saint, Franciscus (Frances) of Assisi spent time there during Lent in the year of 1213. You might say, that is too long ago, but not so for the Italians. You can still see the piece of rock where he prayed, after a stormy boat-trip.

And whether or not you want to see this rock, you might do worse than to settle at restaurant Da Sauro for a most delicious fish lunch. Especially on a Sunday, lots of Italian families go there for their lunch and you can partake in their joy of living and their, more often than not, boisterous family life. No need for expensive wines – just ask for the local specialities. You will not be disappointed, and you are sure to mark such an outing as special, for the remainder of your life.

We, of Elisabeth Travel, know this region very well, but we keep a constant check in order to be sure that all we say is still valid. So, when we parked the car and noticed a couple of new kiosks, we went to have a look. We immediately noticed a well-endowed Italian lady, in clothing which did not leave much to the imagination. She sold wine and sandwiches, but we felt that was not all she was selling…Oh, you come from Olanda, she exclaimed, after having asked what we were doing there outside the tourist season. She had good memories of that country; she had worked there for some years. As the weather was still very mild, although it was the month of November, we were dressed in blouses with a mild, yet relatively low neckline. The lady seemed to hope we were “business” relations and we felt a bit sorry to have to disappoint her. We had, however, quite a many packages of tulip bulbs with us and after her initial regret, she was very pleased with a package and we parted as good friends. She might not have been the most proper Italian-to-talk-to, and she assuredly misjudged what we were. But still, we admired her joy of living. That, too, was very Italian!

This small example is just to show you that Passignano is full of life yet absolutely not glamorous. Lots of lovely little restaurants during high season, and quite a many shops with majolica earthenware, of which you might think that the tourists will have to pay through their noses, but absolutely not. The most lovely wanna-haves for quite reasonable prices. Go spend your money; you will not be cheated.

Close to the small town of Passignano you will find the Residence San Martino, which exists of two, completely restored, Umbrian farmhouses. The lake – alas, no real beach here – lies at about 150 m. distance, in the luscious green valley around the lake. All apartments are completely adapted and furnished according to all modern comfort, in the old farm-style of yesterday-year. There is an old bread-oven, once used by the farmers, still intact. In case you want to try it out you are very welcome. Moreover, there are lots of fruit-trees on the premises. Guests are welcome to pick apples, pears, figs or Sharon-fruit. All apartments have their own table/chairs outdoors. Lots of possibilities for walks whilst still remaining within the boundaries of this residence. And not further than 2,5 km. from Passignano.

Facilities:
Reception, garden, large swimming pool (fenced with shrubs) with sundecks, outside shower and toilet, wood oven, communal usage of washing machine. Sufficient parking facilities. All 12 apartments vary in size, but all have a large living-dining room with sofa bed and a kitchen corner with 4 pits gas-stove, oven, refrigerator with freezing compartment, heating, 1 to 4 bedrooms and bathroom with basin, toilet, bidet and shower. The swimming pool (10 x 5 m., depth 1,40 – 2 m, surrounded by shrubs and a gate, is for communal use, and the complex is surrounded by the afore-mentioned fruit trees in a well-maintained garden with flowers and shrubs.

The building called “San Martino”, comprising the apartments Giuggiolo, Limone, Mandorlo and Vite, is at about 700 m. distance from the other building, called Le Pedate with the apartments Arancio, Ciliego, Diospiro, Melograno, Ulivo, Susino, Pesco and Noce, closest to the swimming pool.

There are two so-called “snakes in paradise”: At more or less on a distance of 100 meters from the building Le Pedate there is a railroad. You might hear the occasional train passing by, but it is not a busy through-line. And if you choose an apartment in the building San Martino, it is possible you hear the traffic making use of the road behind. But, all guests, please remember, you are, however rural and quiet, not in the middle of “absolutely nowhere”. The accommodation is to be reached by a short unpaved road.

Lay-out of the apartments:
Le Pedate:
Arancio 1st. floor, 4 + 1 pers.: Living/-dining room with kitchen corner, 1 pers. sofa-bed, 2 double bedrooms, bathroom with basin, bidet, toilet and shower.
Ciliego 1st floor, 7 + 1 pers: Living/-dining room with kitchen corner, 1 pers. sofa-bed, 2 double bedrooms, 1 bedroom with 3 beds, 2 bathrooms with basin, bidet, toilet and shower.
Diospiro 1st floor, 8 + 1 pers: Living/-dining room with kitchen corner, 1 pers. sofa-bed, 3 double bedrooms, 1 bedroom with 2 beds, 2 bathrooms with basin, bidet, toilet and shower.
Melograno ground floor, 4 + 1 pers: Living/-dining room with kitchen corner, 1 pers. sofa-bed, 1 double bedroom, 1 bedroom with 2 beds, bathroom with basin, bidet, toilet and shower.
Noce ground floor, 4 + 1 pers: Living/-dining room with kitchen corner, 1 pers. sofa bed, 1 double bedroom, 1 bedroom with 2 beds, bathroom with basin, bidet, toilet and shower.
Pesco ground floor, 4 + 2 pers: Living/-dining room with kitchen corner, double sofa-bed, 1 double bedroom, 1 bedroom with 2 beds, 2 bathrooms with basin, bidet, toilet and shower.
Susino ground floor, 4 + 1 pers: Living/-dining room with kitchen corner, 1 pers. sofa bed, 1 double bedroom, 1 bedroom with 2 beds, bathroom with basin, bidet, toilet and shower.
Ulivo ground floor, 4 + 1 pers: Living/-dining room with kitchen corner, 1 pers. sofa bed, 1 double bedroom, 1 bedroom with 2 beds, bathroom with basin, bidet, toilet and shower.
San Martino:
Giuggiolo, 1st floor, 4 + 1 pers: Living/dining room with kitchen corner, 1 pers. sofa bed, 2 double bedrooms, 1 bathroom with basin, bidet, toilet and shower.
Limone 1st floor, 4 + 1 pers: Living/-dining room with kitchen corner, 1 pers. sofa bed, 1 double bedroom, 1 bedroom with 2 beds, bathroom with basin, bidet, toilet and shower.
Il Mandorlo ground floor, 6 + 1 pers: Living/-dining room with 1 pers. sofabed, kitchen, 3 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms with basin, bidet, toilet and shower.
Vite ground floor, 6 + 1 pers: Living/-dining room with kitchen corner, 1 pers. sofa bed, 1 double bedroom, 2 bedrooms with 2 beds, bathroom with basin, bidet, toilet and shower.

Possibilities for sports/excursions:
Riding school at about 2 km. from Passignano. Golf-course close to Perugia, tennis at about 5 km. distance. Of course, swimming etc. in the Lago di Trasimeno.

Distances: (approx. kms)
Perugia 20 km, Assisi 49 km, Arezzo 49 km, Siena 79 km. The little town of Passignano, at about 2,5 km. distance, has quite a lot of restaurants and moreover shops, bank, postal office etc. Nearest super-market at about 800 m.