Bellissima 12

Villa Bellissima is an old farmhouse (300 years old at least!) located just outside the small Umbrian town of Ficulle (population 1700) and eight miles north of the Umbrian town of Orvieto (population 21000). Orvieto is about halfway between Rome and Florence.
The property is accessed via an unpaved road of 4km/2.5 miles. The nearby quaint hill village is in hiking distance. Guests are eight miles from Orvieto, where there is a large free parking lot, and from there the train to Rome (1 hr.) This is the main line between Florence and Rome, so either is within reach.
The villa is available exclusively for long-term residential leases for foreigners and is not offered for short-term rentals.

The Villa sleeps a total of 16 people, 12 adults and 4 children. It has 6 spacious bedrooms with 6 large en-suite bathrooms. Four of these have a Jacuzzi tub and a walk-in shower. Two of the bedrooms have an airy walk-in shower but no tub. Every bathroom has its own hair dryer. Each bedroom has a fireplace. Four bedrooms have a king-size bed, and two of the bedrooms will have twin beds that can be made into king-size beds. One of these bedrooms also has a wonderful small loft for children. Good quality mattresses and linens, plus elegant and luxurious fabrics. Each room has a private safe.

The whole house has central air-conditioning – but it's only really needed in August.

The owner is a professional travel guide and can provide any service. She owns two Mercedes vans that guests can use, or she can provide the driver.

As a member of the Experience Villas Collection, Bellissima will be very pleased to offer its guests a unique archaeological experience: the local head of archaeology (a good friend of the villa manager) will take the guests on a tour of a closed-off archaeological dig, where they will be able to see 5000 years of continuous history, starting with the stone age and finishing with the Romanesque. The team will gladly take its time and explain the varied and storied history of Orvieto, while the guests will be standing just mere feet from the main street, 10 feet underground, and 2500 years back in history... an unforgettable experience! PLEASE NOTE THAT: The Experience Villas Collection, is based on the availability of the archeologist.

The gourmet kitchen is large and fully equipped with every tool a cook needs to have, including two refrigerators and an ice-maker. There is a spacious and comfortable living room with a large flat-screen TV, CD, etc. There is an office with an extensive English library. There is a laundry room with a washer and a dryer. The staff will do laundry for you.

The owner has taken special care to furnish the villa; the furniture in Villa Bellissima is a collection of family antiques. There is a large dining room (with a table that seats 20) plus a large outdoor covered patio where you can dine al fresco. This outside area has a sizable table with terracotta and marble tiles and a grill for steaks. There is also a wood-burning pizza oven and an old fountain! There is also a vegetable garden, which will be producing fresh tomatoes and basil, etc.

An infinity pool overlooks a beautiful and peaceful valley. The pool is about 18 by 36 with an elevated Jacuzzi with cascading water.
There is a maid service, every day for 3 hrs. Babysitting is also available, and there will be a 'baby package' with crib and highchair, etc.
The staff of the International Wine Academy in Rome helped the owner to create an extensive wine list (stored in a specially-made cool cellar). The Director of the International Wine Academy himself has agreed to come to villa Bellissima and lead wine tastings (if he is available- if not there are plenty of excellent staff members at the Wine Academy who speak perfect English whom you will love as well).
A chef to come down to cook a gourmet meal, or to teach a cooking class can be arranged.

Amenities: central air conditioning, telephone, satellite TV, stereo/CD, Wi-Fi, washer & dryer, hairdryers, fireplace, and guest safe in each bedroom.

Two minivans are available for rent — a Mercedes Sprinter with 9 seats and new leather upholstery and air-conditioning, and a Mercedes Vito Automatic that seats 8-9. Please inquire for details of having a driver pick you up at the airport, drive you to the villa and then rent a van. Or you can arrange for a driver for day trips, dinner, or wine tasting.

The owner lives on the adjacent private property, enhancing guests' experience with her knowledge of the area and her friendly hospitality. She can organize babysitters, grocery deliveries, massages, chef services, wine tastings, or special visits tailored to her guests.

Other features: Bocce Court, Fussball table, the pool is FENCED OFF.
Outside wood-burning pizza oven with table.

Outdoor

Large covered patio for dining al fresco with a large table, fireplace, sink, BBQ, and views.

Beautiful sheltered courtyard with views.

Fenced infinity swimming pool (20x46 ft) Jacuzzi tub with cascading water into the pool. The water can be heated on request at the expense of guests. This also can warm the pool.

Constant temperature, beautifully stocked honesty wine cellar.

Vegetable and herb garden for guests.

Outdoor wood-burning pizza oven with jasmine-covered pergola and rustic outdoor table Football and Ping-Pong. Bocce Court.

Attractions

Distances:
Ficulle is the closest village it can be reached by a 20 min walk
Rome Airport: 177km/ 112mls / 1 hr 45 min
Orvieto: 24 km/15 ml / 20 min
Rome: 148km/ 92mls / 1 hr 35 min
Cortona: 64km/ 40mls/ 1 hr
Assisi: 78km/ 49mls/ 1 hr 23 min
Perugia: 83km/ 58mls/ 1 hr 30 min
Florence: 149 km/ 92mls/ 1 hr 41 min
Siena: 94km/ 58mls / 1 hr

The surrounding area:
Umbria is a quiet area right in the heart of Italy, just north of Rome and southeast of Tuscany. Ficulle is near the Tuscan border, and places like Pienza, Montalcino, Montepulciano, and Siena are just over the border in Tuscany. Umbria is known for its rolling hills and chestnut and elm groves.
The Tiber River originates in Umbria at Monte Fumaiolo. Umbria is also known for its handmade ceramics and handmade linen. Ficulle has some great terracotta shops, but a town called Deruta is the ceramic center.

Orvieto is a classic Italian town with one of the best duomos in Italy. The 'Slow Food Movement' originated here as well. Assisi is a small Umbrian town of 3000 people, but with annual tourists of several million – it is still a must-see for the frescoes of Giotto. One of the largest Italian lakes is in Umbria, Lake Trasimeno.

This is where Hannibal won a major battle against the Romans in the II century BC. Spoleto is another well-known Umbrian town (famous for its wine festival in June, its art and music festival, called Due Mondi, in June-July, and its jazz festival held in the summer and in December) as is Perugia (famous for its chocolate, which is celebrated in an annual festival in October and its jazz festival in July).

These are just some of the events going on in Umbria - the list is endless, and that is why I’ve supplied some links with some more information on this site. There is something for everyone in this beautiful region.

A car rental for trips to and from town for supplies can be arranged, and for those not wishing to drive, it is possible to hire a driver, car/van/bus, and guide for trips around Umbria and Tuscany, or elsewhere.

Swimming Pool

Jacuzzi tub with cascading water into the pool. The water can be heated on request (at the expense of guests). This can also warm the pool slightly.

Interior Description

Ground floor (sleeps 6 + 1):
Spacious and elegant living room with fireplace & comfortable seating, large flat-screen TV.
Dining room (seats 20).
Country kitchen with two refrigerators, ice-maker, dishwasher & microwave.
Office with PC and library in English.
2 king bedrooms, each with en-suite bathrooms with showers and tub. One has a private terrace. The other opens onto the lovely courtyard.
1 twin bedroom with 2 twin beds + an extra daybed (bedroom sleeps 3) and en-suite bathroom with shower, door to the garden. This room can be either a queen/king size bed or 2 twin beds.
1 powder room.
Laundry room. The staff will do laundry for you.

Second floor (sleeps 6 + 3)
2 king bedrooms, en-suite bathrooms each with a shower and separate Jacuzzi tub.
1 twin bedroom with extra loft that can sleep 2 young people, extra daybed and en-suite bathroom with shower.
This can be either a queen/king size bed or 2 twin beds.

• SwimmingPool
• Near Village
• Weddings
• Baby Bed
• Internet
• Maid
• View Hill
• Chef
• Farm Products
• Enclosed Property
• Garden
• Breakfast
• Welcome Dinner
• Tours & Activities
• Cooking Lesson
• Parking
• Internet Wifi
• Air Conditioning
• SwimmingPool
• Child Ok
• Heating
• Garden
• Garden Furniture
• Barbecue
• Fridge
• Well-equipped Kitchen
• Gourmet Kitchen
• Washing Machine
• Dishwash
• Dryer
• Iron
• Patio
• Veranda
• Fireplace
• Pre-arrival Grocery
• Extra Bed
• Satellite Tv
• Microwave
• Stereo Hifi
• Television
• Kitchen
• Independent Unit
• Panoramic View
• Freezer
• Jacuzzi Bathtub
• Toaster
• Coffee Machine
• Stove
• Hairdryer
• Al Fresco
• Oven