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View from the roof terrace
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The living room
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Casa Felice stands on the edge of hills looking over the small lakeside towns of Gravedona and Dongo to Lake Como and the mountains beyond. It began as a blacksmith’s workshop built in to the hillside, on top of which a more modern house was built in the typical Italian way. We have added a terraced garden and have renovated and modernised the house to make best use of its wonderful views. Rewired and retiled throughout, it now has central heating and brand new bathrooms and kitchen. The views from the roof terrace and the full-length balcony to the 25 ft long living room are magnificent. The house is bordered by small fields and vineyards with the hamlet of Vanzonico nearby. There are several bars and restaurants (including traditional cave “crotti”) within about 10 minute's walk. The lake, a bank, a supermarket and other shops are about 5 minutes away by car or bus. A perfect centre for relaxation, walking, watersports, exploring Lake Como or winter skiing.
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The double bedroom
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The kitchen
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 Rental periods |

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| 22 September - 22 December 2007 |
£360 |
| 22 December 2007 - 5 January 2008 |
£450 |
| 5 January - 15 March 2008 |
£360 |
| 15 March - 29 March 2008 |
£465 |
| 29 March - 24 May 2008 |
£370 |
| 24 May - 5 July 2008 |
£465 |
| 5 July - 30 August 2008 |
£670 |
| 30 August - 27 September 2008 |
£465 |
| 27 September - 20 December 2008 |
£370 |
| 20 December 2008 - 3 January 2009 |
£465 |
| 3 January - 28 March 2009 |
£380 |
Notes on prices
Prices are in UK pounds sterling per week but we are happy to accept other currencies. We ask you to pay a 25% deposit to confirm your booking. This is non-returnable except in exceptional circumstances. The balance is payable 6 weeks before arrival together with a returnable £100 security deposit. There is a final cleaning charge of £50 per let, and a central heating charge of £50 per week between October and March. Other utilities are included in the price.
Changeover day
Our usual changeover day is Saturday, but we are happy to consider Sunday or other days if they can be fitted in. We ask you not to arrive before 4pm and to leave by 10am so that the house can be properly cleaned between guests.
| Accommodation |
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| Bedrooms: |
Double bedroom with bedside tables, wardrobe and chest of drawers. Twin bedroom with bedside table, wardrobe and chest of drawers. Space for occasional bed or cot. Lake view. |
| Bathrooms: |
Bathroom with bath and shower over, wc, basin and bidet. Second bathroom with shower, basin and washing machine. Separate wc. |
| Kitchen: |
Well-equipped kitchen with oven, gas hob, microwave, toaster, coffee machine, kettle, refrigerator and ample cupboard space. Cooking utensils, crockery, glasses etc for 8. |
| Utility Room: |
Store room for clothes drying rack, iron and ironing board, hammock, sun loungers, cot, high chair and 2 folding occasional beds. |
| Living Rooms: |
Spacious 25ft living room with magnificent lake view and full-length balcony. Sideboard, dresser, dining table and chairs for 8. Corner double sofabed with 2 additional easy chairs. Space for 2 occasional beds. Satellite TV, DVD, radio and CD. |
| Other: |
Roof terrace with panoramic views, including covered area with table and chairs for alfresco eating. |
Cleaning/towels/
linen/maid service: |
Towels (except beach towels) and bed linen are included and changed weekly. The property is cleaned with each change of guests. |
Notes on accommodation
The house has central heating, though this is only needed from October - March. There is a garage and parking space for a small/medium car, with further parking nearby.
| Amenities/Facilities provided |
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| hob/stove |
oven |
fridge |
microwave |
| washing machine |
iron/ironing board |
satellite tv |
central heating |
| room fans |
cot |
high chair |
pets accepted |
Accessibility
Cars can stop by the front gate, but the area is hilly and there are 8 steps up to the front door, which unfortunately makes access difficult for someone with mobility problems.
Outside
The house has a fenced and terraced garden with lockable gate, bordered by small fields and vineyards and with views over the lake. There is a table and chairs, space for sunbathing and a hammock which can be hung under the cherry tree. Footpaths and cycling tracks lead to local villages and down to the lake.
Coast/Beach
Lake Como beaches tend to be of shingle and the water clean and clear. The nearest beaches are about 1 1/2 miles away (10min by car) on the lakeside path from Dongo to Gravedona. There are other beaches in Gravedona, Domaso and elsewhere, a swimming pool about 3 miles away and smaller lakes to drive to. If you like watersports you can hire sailing and motor boats, wndsurfers and canoes - or you could eg try kite-surfing. For something quieter you can hire rods and boats for fishing.
Golf
Golfers will enjoy the 18-hole, par 70 course 10 miles away near Menaggio (open from March to November) with its British design and traditions. Or you could try the 9-hole, 1000ft high mountain course in Lanzio Intelvi (about 25miles). There are 4 other courses in Como province, some open all the year round.
Skiing
Northern Lake Como is ideal for those who wish to combine skiing or snowboarding with other activities. The lakeside roads are quiet and snow-free and a range of centres is within easy reach. Large resorts like Madesimo and Barzio/Bobbio/Valtorta are just over 30 miles away - there's a coach to Madesimo - and there are smaller local centres like Margno-Betulle (7 pistes), Giumello-Paglio (good for cross-country) and Valgerola ("Snowboard Valley"). Locals also go to resorts like Chiesa and Caspoggio in Valmalenco (40 miles) and St Moritz (55m). There are some internet links on our own website.
Travel
It is possible to reach Casa Felice by public transport, but for convenience we strongly recommend a car. The nearest airports are Milan Bergamo (50 miles, used by Ryanair and Jet2), Milan Malpensa and Linate (60/63 miles, used by Easyjet, FlyBe and the major airlines}. Driving time from all three is 1hr30mins to 2hrs depending on traffic. Driving time from the Channel ports (almost all motorway) is about 11hrs (Calais 662m, Rotterdam 642m). The nearest railway station is Colico (11m).
Distances
Nearest hamlet: Vanzonico (50yds). Nearest village: Stazzona (500yds, 10mins walk). Nearest bar/restaurants: Crotto Isadoro (300yds), La Trave (500yds, 10mins walk). Nearest lakeside towns: Dongo (1+miles, 5mins drive), Gravedona (3m), Domaso (5m), Menaggio (10m). These have tourist offices, banks, shops & supermarkets,bars, restaurants, watersports, bike hire, tennis courts, museums etc. Nearest cities: Lugano (Switz) (24miles), Como (30m; 80mins by hydrofoil!), Bergamo (45m), Milan (75m).
Further details
Less crowded than further south, the area is an ideal centre for exploring Lake Como’s magnificent scenery, and its mild and sunny microclimate encourages outdoor activities. For those looking for relaxation there are beaches, boat trips, interesting churches and beautiful villas, good food and romantic strolls along the lakeside. For mountain lovers there are hiking paths and mountain bike trails through the tranquility of woodland and the dramatic vistas of mountain and lake. For lovers of water the area is one of the best in Europe for water sports of all kinds, while in winter skiers have resorts like Madesimo and St. Moritz within easy reach. There are tennis courts, horse-riding stables, tree-walks, even guided canyoning and seaplane flights. Everywhere you are surrounded by Italian life and culture, especially in the festival season of July and August. Please see our own website for more details. We leave you an information pack in the house.
Booking notes
Please email, ring or visit our own website to book or if you would like more information. We ask you to pay a 25% deposit to confirm your booking. This is non-returnable except in exceptional circumstances at our discretion. The balance is payable 6 weeks before arrival. together with a returnable £100 security deposit which will of course be returned in full provided there are no problems with damage etc.
Guest comments
'Just to say how much we all enjoyed your lovely place on lake Como - the view was an absolute joy every single day and we thought you'd really excelled in your comprehensive tips and suggestions for day trips. The garden is lovely and we enjoyed the fresh herbs whenever we cooked. Thank you for all your advice and instuctions - they never failed us once! We simply had a wonderful holiday there.' (Liz,Mikhil and Samir,Ella,Ingi, Prestwich)
'We would like to tell you what a wonderful time we had and found the villa to be lacking in nothing. You have a lovely home and it is a wonder you can tear yourself away from it...We would highly recommend it to anyone.' (Jill & Mike, Edinburgh)
'We really enjoyed our stay at Casa Felice, such a lovely setting and the views were great. Also, I was very impressed by how clean it was...Your information came in really useful... we hired a boat and did several other excursions...all round glowing tributes, I would say.' (Leah, London)
House swap
House swap considered.
For booking and further information
Richard Coates Tel: (UK) + 44 (0)161 796 8535
Email: Click here
Owners Website: Click here
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This advertiser joined Owners Direct in January 2007,
and has advertised this property with us since January 2007.
Property Ref IT1063
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