Photos and Description of this Monterchi holiday house
As featured in the San Francisco Chronicle, Casa Verde is a charming, rural, pri
As featured in the San Francisco Chronicle, Casa Verde is a charming, rural, private, independent (not attached) country house nestled high in the chestnut forests on the Tuscan/Umbrian border. The old stone construction and exposed beam ceilings afford the charm of yesteryear in this beautifully restored, two-story, two to three bedroom, non-smoking home.
The furnishings include antiques and wonderful reproductions. Other furnishings are tasteful and appropriate to the simple elegance of an Italian farmhouse. The kitchen contains a typical gas stove/oven and a wood-burning oven, and you will find all the tools necessary for you to prepare your own Tuscan cuisine.
The home features all the modern conveniences, including a washing machine and central heating. This home is perfect for two couples, or a family of four or five. In a pinch it can sleep six (there is a small Den/Third bedroom [six and a half feet by ten feet] overlooking the pool that has a sofa which folds down on the sides to serve as a single bed -- and there is a sofa (not sofa bed) in living room which does not fold down).
The house itself is approximately 150 sqm (1500 square feet). Outside and attached to the main living area, a classic pergola of burnished wood construction offers shade and comfort for a relaxing breakfast while you plan your daily activities, or take a quiet afternoon nap as you escape the wondrous Italian sunshine.
Better yet, sip a glass of limoncello in the night air before bed. There are also a number of outdoor seating and lounging areas spread across the property, vineyard, grove and pool area, including a hammock -- all for your private enjoyment.
Nearby are friendly Italian neighbors and working farms, allowing you to enjoy the sights and sounds of rural Italy. You will be amazed at the incredible flavor of the chestnut honey produced on the adjacent farm, and the wonderful fruit and nuts (grapes, cherries, apples, figs, plums, persimmon, almond, chestnut and hazelnut) growing on your own acreage.
There is even a vegetable garden and herbs galore. Don't be surprised if you spot roosters, ducks, geese, guinea hens and bee hives on the closest neighbor's property. They have the most wonderful produce, which they may even be willing to sell to you. Imagine, fresh eggs and chestnut infused honey delivered to your door for your morning breakfast!
Take hikes in the pristine countryside along a beautiful mountain stream to a renovated mill, or up Mount Civitella to find a view of the entire province. Visit perfect hill towns nearby such as Citerna, Anghiari, Montone and Monte Santa Maria Tiberina.
You are only eight kilometers minutes from Monterchi, the Tuscan town famous for Piero della Francescas Madonna del Parto, and an important stop on the Piero della Francesco trail. Listed by Thames & Hudson's 'The Most Beautiful Villages in Tuscany,' it is truly a gem and has a number of nice stores and restaurants. And the closest town of all (and most picturesque, we think) is Lippiano (just three and a half kilometers away) which boasts perfect Italian architecture, a sweet piazza and an imposing castle.
Also nearby (30 minutes) is Caprese Michelangelo, birthplace of the world's most renowned artist. Visit his home and the church where he was baptized (which are both open to the public). Also within 15 minutes from your door is Sansepolcro and Citta di Castello (home of the gorgeous actress Monica Bellucci). Just 25 minutes away is Arezzo, the county seat, where 'Life is Beautiful' was filmed and home of the largest antique market in the country (the first weekend of every month.)
Sample the olive oil, the local vintages, and visit some of the outstanding restaurants and museums located in the nearby hill towns. You will be amazed at the taste of the wonderful grapes (white and red), olives and fruit and nut trees (cherries, apples, figs, pear, plums, persimmon, almond, chestnut and hazelnut) all growing on your own property. Oh yes, and did we mention the incredible views? The Private Pool? It is 3m x 6m (12 x 20 feet). Quite large by Italian standards. And it is all yours. No sharing with other families. Very few, if any independent villas in Tuscany have a private pool, incredible views and acreage at this price! We haven't found any. That's why we bought the place for our eventual retirement.
From Casa Verde, you are only 15 kilometers minutes from the provincial city of Citta di Castello (population 30,000). Take a break at one of the open-air cafes that grace the piazza, and you will have the pleasure of people watching as you participate in a centuries old Italian tradition. For recreation, beautiful hiking trails abound in your own backyard. Golf, horseback riding and tennis are also within 10-12 kilometers of your home. It doesn't get any better than this!
Touring Ideas In The Area of The Villa
Sansepolcro/Citta di Castello - 15 minutes
Arezzo - 25 minutes
Cortona - 45 minutes
Umbertide - 25 minutes
Gubbio - 45 minutes
Assisi - 1 hour
Florence - 1.25 hours
Siena - 1.5 hours;
all within easy reach for a day trip! Casa Verde - Sleeps five to six maximum, but six is not recommended
Second Floor: There are two beatiful bedrooms on this floor ( both queen beds- cannot be made into twins). There is also one bathroom with shower, commode, washing machine and bidet. The bedrooms and the bathroom have exquisite views over the oak and chestnut forests and Tuscan/Umbrian hills.
First Floor: The first floor is done with an open floor plan, so that the kitchen, dining area and living area all have views of the very large fireplace. There is also a very bright but small (six and one-half feet by ten feet) private den with 20 foot vaulted ceilings (which can become a private single bedroom with a sofa that folds down on the sides to make a single bed). This bedroom/den has beautiful views out to the pool, hillsides and a gorgeous hilltown.
A second bathroom with shower rounds out the first floor. This bathroom (toilet, sink and shower) can be accessed from the outside (but not from the inside) for convenience to the pool. Since you will be (hopefully) spending much of your waking hours outdoors, the floorplan and easy access to the bathroom from the pool and yard is ideal.
The dining room table can be expanded to seat as many as six people and the living area has a reclining chair, TV, satellite dish, VCR and sofa (not sofa bed ) that sleeps one person in a pinch.
Amenities: Fireplace, Satellite TV, VCR and dozens of videos, Stereo, CD Player and dozens of CDs, Full Kitchen, Refrigerator, Cooking Utensils provided, Linens provided, Washer & Private Pool, No Smoking
Pet Friendly
Activities (on site or nearby): Hiking, Biking, Golf, Tennis, Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife Viewing, Horseback Riding, Restaurants, Live Theater, Cinemas, Museums, Sightseeing, Swimming, Boating, Sailing, Water-skiing, Windsurfing, Rafting Actual prices are billed in euros, the prices displayed are for reference only.
