Villa to rent in rural Italy on the border of Lazio and Umbria, with large swimming pool

1 hour from Rome
30 Minutes from Orvieto
5 Bedrooms sleeps up 12 comfortably
Table tennis and table football
15 x 5m private swimming pool
Outside wood burning pizza oven
Tennis, horse riding, fishing, waterskiing

Price - £1,100 to £2,500 per week (approx)

The Yellow House, Civitella d'Agliano

Image:

More photographs of the house and surrounding area can be found on the page titled "photographs" to your left

Accommodation

Image: Front garden with two tables, one under the oak tree and one outside kitchen table

2 twin bedrooms, 2 double bedrooms
One family bedroom (for 4 people) with 1 bunkbed and 2 singles
4 bathrooms (2 en-suite)
Sitting room with open fire
Large modern kitchen with 3m dining table for 12
Large patio by pool

Amenities include

Large American style fridge-freezer
Dishwasher, washing machine, iron and ironing board
Two travel cots and a high chair
Linen (including smimming towels)

Large garden table with 14 bistro garden chairs, 8 pool loungers
Outside wood burning pizza oven and barbecue

This secluded, converted farmhouse in rural Italy is situated in the heart of wine-making countryside, it is the perfect place to relax and because of its unique location can be used as a base to explore Umbria, Tuscany and Lazio.

The house was restored in 2005 and is set within its own 10 acres of land, from the house there is a beautiful view of the valley below. The house has its own 15m swimming pool built into the hillside and a pizza oven outside.

The house stands on 3 floors, it has kept many of its original features including terracotta floors and the roof constructed with exposed beams and terracotta tiles. It is simply decorated and is furnished with a combination of rustic and modern Italian furniture and is centrally heated. The property houses a maximum of 12 guests.

Ground Floor

Living room with large stone fireplace. Comfortable seating for 12.

A large modern kitchen and dining area with a 3m dining table and seating for 12.

A hallway leads to one twin bedroom.

Next to the the bedroom is a bathroom with bath, sink and W.C., a shower room with shower, sink and W.C. and a utility room with washing machine.

First Floor

The central staircase made of the local stone Basaltina, leads first to a small landing with a balcony overlooking the a field and then to two double bedrooms and en-suite shower rooms with shower, sink and W.C. one bedroom with a double bed and the other a family bedroom with one bunk bed and 2 single beds.

Second Floor

The central staircase continues to the two, second floor double bedrooms, one with a double bed and the other with two single beds.

Keeping the house cool

There are no room fans, the house can be kept cool in the summer by keeping the indoor window shutters and the doors closed during the day.

Bathrooms

We request that guests to not put sanitary wear in the loos.

Outside

Image: 15 meter pool in secluded and peaceful surroundings

The large private swimming pool (5m x 15m) gently slopes from 5 foot at the deep end to 4 foot at the shallow end. The pool is secluded and peaceful, it is situated on the side of a hill with the winding valley below. Around the perimeter of the pool is a mature rosemary hedge providing a beautiful perfume in the evenings and fresh herbs for cooking. The marble patio is spacious with plenty of room for the 8 sunloungers.

Most of the area around the pool is unshaded and there are no parasoles but for those who prefer not to sunbathe there is some shade in the afternoons by the pool under the oak tree.

The pool is unfenced so non swimmers and young children must be supervised.

Image: Pizza cooking in oven

There is a large pizza oven which is great fun to use for cooking pizzas, joints of meat etc.
If you want to try your hand at cooking pizza, you can order pizza dough from the local bakers at least 24 hour in advance.
We have tried various methods of making pizza but our most successful attempts so far involve baking the pizza in disposable aluminium foil trays, lightly oiled.
Kalle will be happy to give you a few tips on how to light the fire.

Image: Large stone table under the oak tree

The garden is informal and the area around the house has space to park several cars. There are plenty of places to explore on the land including a stream at the end of the bottom field from where, if you are lucky, trout can be caught. We have one neighbour but neither of the houses are overlooked.

There are 2 large garden tables, one in the dappled shade under the oak tree that comfortably seats 12 and which has a lovely view of the valley, another just outside the kitchen window that seats 6. Also, stored in the pump room are 2 large tressel tables. There are 14 alluminium "bistro" chairs for use in the garden - see picture. In the oak tree is a lantern in which provides the perfect light for intimate suppers or large parties in the evening.

Image: View of valley from garden table

Services provided

Food and drink "Starter packs"

Often one arrives late in the day or during the hours when the shops are closed, 1pm-5pm, the shops open again from 5 until 8pm. Times vary slightly with each season and shops are closed on Sundays.

If you would like some food and drink left at the house for your arrival, please e-mail Kalle and Mariella a list of what you would like, a few days before you arrive. Payment to be made locally to either Kalle or Mariella.

Linen

The house is provided with bed linen and towels (including swimming towels).

If you are staying for more than one week and would like a change of linen during your stay (sheets and towels), please contact Mariella or Kalle before your arrival and this can be arranged at a charge of 20 Euro per person and paid locally.

Bins

Large bins are provided by the council in front of the supermarket Sosty. We recommend that you dispose of your rubbish regularly to discourage infestations.

Glass and plastic bottles can be recycled in the appropriate bins situated in the car park of Civitella d'Agliano.

On leaving the property we ask that guests do not leave any rubbish or bottles at the house.

Car hire and transfers

It is easy to hire a car from either Rome Fumicino or Ciampino airports and the journey takes approximately one and a half hours.

If you would prefer not to drive from the airports, you can take a direct train from Rome Termini station to Orvieto station and Kalle can arrange for you to pick up a hire car from Orvieto station.

Or you can arrange to be collected from either of the Rome airports or Orvieto train station, driven to The Yellow House and a hire car will be available for you at the Yellow House.

If you would prefer not to drive at all, Kalle can arrange local transfers during your stay.

Parties large and small

(1) Roast pork or lamb on a spit or steak

Image: Spit roast on the way to the table

For large parties it is possible to order roast pork or lamb cooked on a spit or beef steak. The meat is roasted on site and is accompanied by local dishes and wine. If you prefer to organise some of the party yourself, for example providing your own accompanying dishes and or wine, Kalle is happy to accommodate this. It is advisable to book the spit roast early to avoid disappointment.

Image: Kalle preparing the steaks

(2) Pizza parties

Pizza dough is brought to the house and fresh pizzas are prepared at the house and cooked in the pizza oven by local cooks. Bookings are through Kalle and if you have pizza topping preferences the cooks will be happy provide these.

Image: Cooks relaxing at pizza party

(3) Local cuisine

If you prefer a selection of local dishes this can also be provided, it is prepared at the house and served to you at the table. The cooks are very flexible and you can request what you like and the level of formality you prefer. Wine can be provided if required.

(4) Cookery demonstrations

Learn how to make traditional dishes prepared in The Yellow House kitchen by a local chef. Guests can be involved in the preparation or just watch the experts at work. Enjoy the fruits of your labour accompanied by regional wines.

The selection of dishes will vary depending on the best ingredients available. Contact Kalle and Mariella for details of choices and price.

The Town Civitella d'Agliano

The villa, despite being in the heart of rural Italy, is close to a quiet, medieval village Civitella d’Agliano, only 15 minutes walk from the villa. It has two supermarkets, several other small shops, a petrol station, a Banca di Roma (with cash point machine) and Post Office. There is a very good restaurant in the Hotel La Tana dell’Istrice (the porcupine’s lair), there are two pizzerias and several small bars. There are facilities for playing tennis, horse-riding, fishing, walking and cycling, information can be found in the Town Hall (Comune).

Image: Civitella d'Agliano

Click here for more information about Civitella d'Agliano (in Italian)

Train Stations

Alviano is 20 minutes drive away, it takes approximately one hour to Rome and 2 hours to Florence, however trains leave more frequently form Orvieto which is 40 minutes drive away.

Eating and Drinking out

There are a wide variety of very good restaurants within driving distance of Civitella d’Agliano, and cater for all needs including families. See the page titled "local restaurants" for more details.

Wine tasting with Sergio Mottura

Image: Wine tasting with Sergio Mottura

There are many local wines but the best known is the organic wine made by Sergio Mottura and his family. The Motturas own the beautiful hotel "La Tana dell’Istrice" in the old town of Civitella d'Agliano. You may like to spend an evening with the Mottura family and their guests tasting wine, visiting the impressive wine cellars and finishing off with a delicious meal in their restaurant.