CASA LUCIA UNO

Description:
As long as Elisabeth Travel exists, we are trying to convince those who like holidaying in Italy of the fact that there is so much more beauty to discover outside Tuscany. Umbria is at least as “beautiful but different”, and daytrips to the famous Tuscan culture cities are easily possible; Umbria is not that far!

The area around the Lake Trasimeno has its own splendour, for example in spring, when the blossoms of the fruit trees look like snowflakes on the trees, the peace (no traffic jams!), the many lovely villages and the Umbrian people offer you a perfect combination for a fantastic holiday. All day long, you make trips, discover all you want, and towards evening you get back to your home for the time being to be absorbed in the local “dolce far niente”.

We are always looking for special accommodations where you can feel perfectly at home and cosseted. Once we left the motorways, on our way to Casa Pinelli, we almost immediately got under the spell of the rural serenity. We do not want to refrain from telling you what we experienced. Not far from Fontanaro we saw an elderly lady sitting in front of her house plucking a chicken and we stopped to ask directions, just in case. She liked the distraction especially when she found out we could communicate (a bit!) in her own language. About five minutes later yet another car stopped. A young, Japanese couple got out. They gave a polite little bow, both clicked their digital cameras and bowed again. The old lady made a gesture, meaning: "what on Earth…"? The young couple misunderstood, hastily gave her a banknote of ten Euro’s, bowed again and drove off.

The old lady got the giggles, very infectious! “Stay a few more minutes”, she ordered. “Let’s drink a glass of wine. Ooh, Madonna, gli stranieri". We enjoyed the wine, made by her son and wondered why the young couple made the pictures. Colour locale, probably? But in the end, none of us cared and we were pleased to be driving in Italy where the police can be more understanding of those driving after having consumed two glasses of delicious Italian wine than in our own country. At least, we hoped they would, but we were fortunate enough not having to find out.

Amidst this rural paradise we found another paradise, a real jewel. We would not know how else to describe this oasis between lots of flowers and greenery. Casa Pinelli is a two-storied stone farmhouse in Umbria, on the border of Tuscany, existing of the living quarters of the owners and two cottages adjacent to the main house. The view is breathtakingly beautiful: about 1000 olive trees, vineyards, and in the garden trees, shrubs, plants – especially many roses and kitchen herbs, such as rosemary shrubs. There is a kitchen garden, too (an “orto”), and guests are welcome to pick for their own use, from “figs to tomatoes”. The farmhouse is situated at about 1 km. from the walled little town of Paciano, dating from the 13th century, perfectly restored. Paciano is on the “top ten” list of idyllic Italian towns where life is still good.

The farmhouse was built in 1893, completely restored and fitted out with all modern comfort and lies very peacefully surrounded by a large lawn, pots with small lemon trees and an enormous collection of old English roses. There is an outdoor bread oven, a barbecue and a large swimming pool for use of the guests, with comfortable sun chairs and parasols. The cottages form part of the house. Both have their own, private patio with garden and garden furniture, a large living room with satellite tv and CD-player, kitchen corner with fridge, freezer, 4-pits gas stove, oven, microwave, dish washer, open fire place, large bedroom with king size bed and comfortable, modern bathroom with shower. Each cottage has a library of English books, maps and a lot of information on things to do and visit.

And there is more to tell: The cottages have been beautifully and tastefully furnished. Special care for the well-being of the guests is obvious everywhere such as, to give an example, the bathroom towels. These are of a really good quality and not only nice and soft, but with tastefully embroidered borders as well. A welcoming gift of a bottle of extra virgine olive oil as well as some honey, both produced on the premises, awaits you. And the owners have taken care that a little supply of sugar, coffee, dish washer liquid and lavatory paper is present, too.

All guests are welcomed personally by the owners and will feel surrounded by special care and attention during their stay. Everything possible will be done to make your holiday a special one and a memory to cherish. You are guests here, but also at home. Our conclusion: We can recommend these cottages most cordially!

Facilities:
Casa Pinelli lies on a terrain of 40 acres in a fenced garden with electronic gate, fruit trees and kitchen garden of which the guests can make use of, parking space, outside bread oven, barbecue, common use of the swimming pool (14 x 6 m, depth 1,50-2,50 m.) with garden furniture and parasols, common use of the washing machine. Cell phone present. Upon request, excursions and a wine tasting can be arranged. Sale of own, organic products.

Possibilities for sport/excursions:
Golf club at about 8 km. distance, watersports on the Lake Trasimeno, also about 8 km. Many excursions possible. Both Umbria and Tuscany have lots of interesting sights dating back from Etruscan times.

Distances: (approx. in km.):
Paciano, with several shops, restaurants, coffee bar, Internet point and a really good English bookshop at 1 km, Assisi 42, Chanciano Terme 25, Chiusi 11, Cortona 25, Perugia 35, Orvieto 50, Pienza 40; Rome 170, Florence 130, Lake Trasimeno 8, Montalcino 60, Montepulciano 30, San Casciano dei Bagni 35, Siena 80, Spoleto 80.

Description of the two cottages (both 60 m², 2 pers.):
Ground floor: Living-/dining room with kitchen corner (satellite tv, CD-player), large double bedroom with king size bed, bathroom with basin, toilet, bidet, shower and hair dryer. Terrace with garden furniture.