Italian Villa Le Terrae

http://www.leterrae.com

Italian villa: One hour from Rome, two from Florence - Ideally located to explore Umbria, Lazio and Tuscany - rent directly from an Italian family

Dreaming of the Etruscan Sun?

Situated one mile from a delightful medieval town of Etruscan-Roman origin, famous through the centuries for the production of terra cotta pottery, amidst the vineyards, oak forests, and sunflower fields of the valley bordering Umbria and Lazio, villa Le Terrae is a haven of unspoiled beauty.
In the territory of the ancient Etruscans: within half an hour to one hour distance from Rome, Spoleto, Orvieto, Assisi, Perugia, Todi, Viterbo, Civita di Bagnoregio, Tarquinia, Bolsena, and Vico lakes. Two hours from Florence.
The villa, with its spaciousness and grand location, provides a quiet and luxurious respite from busy travel, while remaining superbly connected to points of interest. Whether you are interested in the art cities or medieval hill towns, in Roman or Etruscan archaeological sites, in the art of the Renaissance, or in the dramatic and lush volcanic landscapes, hot springs, and lakes of the Tuscia region, you can use Villa Le Terrae as a base for your explorations.

Description

The villa, unseen from the paved road, suddenly appears, nested high on the side of a declivity, and the view opens down towards a gorgeous system of valleys and creeks. This territory is part of the protected natural environment and watershed of the Tiber Valley, which eventually converges at the Tiber River, at about 3 km distance. The view is unobstructed, and you can see the lush vegetation and the dramatic tufo walls of the archaeological area of Palazzolo in the foreground.

Completely private, with no other houses or buildings on its grounds,
the villa boasts proud views of the surrounding hillsides and neighbouring towns. A rustic white road on a gentle slope turns off the paved road connecting the two nearby hill towns and, after about 300 meters, leads to the front of the villa.

Le Terrae, on three levels, can comfortably accommodate six to eight people, but can be wonderfully spacious for a couple. Well furnished, entirely floored with terracotta tiles and finished with hand-painted ceramic tiles in kitchen and bathrooms, the villa has all the warmth and comfort to make you feel at home.

A spectacular round staircase in the heart of the villa features a spiralling wrought iron handrail, painted in a very Mediterranean shade of blue. Windows on the staircase allow light to flood the steps and play geometric games on the cool terra-cotta floor.

On the second floor a living area with fireplace opens up onto covered terraces all around facing the landscape; two sofas, one converts to double bed. One half bathroom.

First floor

• On the first floor, a spacious living room with fireplace, two dining tables and two sitting areas, kitchen-dining room, 2 bedrooms (a double and a single), and bathroom with shower and a washing machine. The kitchen is fully equipped with a large refrigerator, gas stove, oven and dishwasher.
• An outdoor traditional wood oven to cook pizza and other typical dishes from the area.

Third floor

The third floor has three bedrooms: a master suite with king size bed and ensuite bathroom with tub, one room with double bed (or two twins, depending of the guests preference), one room with small double bed (European size), and a bathroom with shower.

The Grounds

• On the property there is a beautiful centuries old oak, among the largest ones in the area. Under the oak tree a swing, a large table for outdoor dining and nearby a bocce-ball court.
• The windows open wide onto a serene and lush landscape where vineyards and hazelnut groves alternate with wild woodland.
• Stunning sunsets behind the hills and the silhouettes of distant hill towns. Dark and clear night skies for spectacular star watching.

• Central heating
• Phone
• Wireless internet access
• TV
• Washing machine
• Oven
• Dishwasher
• Iron and ironing board
• Hair dryer
• Linens and towels provided
• Cook and additional maid services can be arranged

The Landscape

Le Terrae (earth or lands) is the name of the parcel of land where the house sits. The name comes from the fact that in the past it was here that the local artists (among these, our great-grandmother and her brothers, who ran one of the local kilns) took the clay used for the production of the earthenware.

From the villa there are beautiful views on the hills and towns and on the surrounding woods. The landscape of the region, Tuscia, from the name the Romans gave to the land of the Etruscans, is characterized by the warm colours of the underlying volcanic rocks, lush vegetation and dramatic land forms.

These strong and unique features distinguish the area from the neighbouring Umbria and Tuscany. What at a first sight appears to be flatland is in actuality rugged territory with high plateaus of soft tufo rock, through which the abundant waters of the Tiber tributaries have carved deep gorges and canyons, delimited by high perpendicular walls.

In this natural scenery the ancient hill towns seem to be spontaneously rising from the natural fortifications of the volcanic cliffs. The fertility of the soil and the richness of the water produced lush vegetation, dominated by oaks (Quercus robur). The vegetationof the Etruscans Ciminian Forest was famous in ancient times, and said to be so thick and mysterious to be feared by the Romans. Ciminia erat silva tum magis invia atque horrenda...Haud fere quisdam praeter ipsum ducem audebat intrate eam...Livy, 1st Century, B.C.

This is a relatively unknown part of Italy, in the heart of a territory characterized by natural beauty, and an extremely rich historical and artistic legacy: Etruscan - Faliscan and Roman necropolis and sites, Medieval hilltowns, Renaissance palazzi, and gardens.

A description in the words of our guests:

"The house is architecturally beautiful with many terraces from which to choose for sun or shade. The nicely appointed bedrooms, modern bathrooms, lovely furnishings, American style kitchen (with a full size fridge), fireplaces and many personal touches make it a pleasure to visit....The basics: There's a lot of water, the fridge makes copious amounts of ice; the phone works; the house is spotless; the shower is uniquely European; the locals are charming, friendly and helpful; and the countryside looks like Eden"

View bedrooms...