Beautiful and secluded setting

Swimming pool and garden

Nestled in a secluded, natural sun trap to the south of the peaceful medieval village of Montefino half way between the Adriatic and the Gran Sasso range of the Apennines. Ideal location to explore Abruzzo’s 133km of beaches and the highest mountain range south of the Alps. The house is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the area having been restored to create a luxurious home from home in a tranquil and relaxing setting far from the crowds. Designed for all year round living with outside barbecue, dining and seating areas or inside dining by an open fire under stunning brick arched ceilings. Nearby farms and villages provide a wide variety of restaurants and shops offering the very best of local produce including fresh pasta, highly rated wines, olive oil and hand made cheeses. You have exclusive use of the swimming pool & gardens and free access to the woodland and olive groves of the adjoining farm where you can walk or picnic among ancient olive groves.

Kitchen

Entrance to kitchen from west terrace

 

Prices Currency Conversion

 

Notes on prices
Prices are for the property per night / week in UK pounds. We charge a fuel surcharge between September and April based upon the number of units of gas used. There is no charge for electricity.

Changeover day
Saturday in high season but flexible for the rest of the year.

Accommodation

 

Notes on accommodation
Casa Cichella is fully centrally heated and has two open fires. We charge a fuel surcharge between September and April but only for the central heating gas on an 'as used' basis.
The house is ideal for children. We provide a cot, high chair and playpen, a selection of toys and there is a full sized bath.

Accessibility
Not suitable for wheelchair users.

Outside
The large West terrace is an outdoor room with a covered barbecue kitchen including lighting and a sink, a dining area and a gazebo covered outside lounge. The in-ground swimming pool is for the exclusive use of guests at Casa Cichella.

Coast/Beach
Abruzzo boasts 133km of beaches and most of these are sandy. Teramo province has 7 blue ribbon resorts that are all in easy reach of Montefino, the nearest is 27km. Pineto and Scerne, the 2 nearest offer the contrast of a developed resort with shops, bars and restaurants and a very quiet pebble beach with a single bar and plenty of space. Further south Pescara and Chieti provinces have plenty more clean sandy beaches and some pebble beaches in quiet, more secluded locations.

Golf
There are golf courses at Miglianico and L'Aquila. Both are approx 1 hour's drive.

Skiing
Being centrally located Casa Cichella is a great base from which to explore many different resorts it is between 45 and 60 minutes drive to the cross country ski tracks at Campo Imperatore. Further afield there are many ski resorts offering downhill skiiing including Prato di Tivo, Prato Selva, Campo Felice and Roccaraso. Abruzzo offers a wide range of winter sports including ski mountaineering, cross country, snowboarding, snowrafting, tobogganing and dog-sledding.

Special interest holidays
If you are a large group or are looking for two properties close together Casa Cichella is on the same farm as a second beautifully restored old farm house. This house called is Fonte Monache, and is also advertised with Owners Direct as property IT3659. The two houses share the same 15 acre farm but are approximately 300 metres apart at either end of the main olive groves so you will be near enough to join up as a large group but not near enough to mean that you sacrifice any of your privacy. Fonte Monache also has its own swimming pool, private garden and great views and sleeps up to 6 people in comfort.

Travel
The nearest airport is Pescara at 40km. Ryanair have a daily service in the summer. It is an easy drive to Rome (2 hours) or Ancona (2 hours) for further flight options. Ferries run from both Pescara and Ancona to Croatia. A car is essential.

Distances
Casa Cichella is 2km outside Montefino where you can find two bars, one of which serves food if you book the day before. There is a baker, butcher, mini-market and fresh pasta maker in the village. Within 15 minutes drive there are many restaurants, supermarkets, a marvellous winery selling exceptional local wine, large butchers and two fresh fruit and vegetable shops. The medieval cities of Penne and Atri are 20 minutes away where regular markets and a wider variety of shops are available

Further details
Abruzzo has the lowest population density of anywhere in Italy and with a third of the region protected as National or Regional Park it is often referred to as the ‘Green Heart of Italy’. It is a bastion of traditional values and traditional food and the home to friendly and welcoming people who are passionate about their region.

The Gran Sasso range of the Apennine mountains start 30 minutes from Montefino and include the highest peaks in Italy south of the Alps and offer some of the best walking in Italy. The mixture of high plateau and majestic peaks offer something for nearly everyone. You can take a gentle stroll through green river valleys or trek up to the summit of Corno Grande at 2,912 metres. You can also mountain bike, ski, and horse ride in the park. Wolves, bears and chamois still live here and eagles soar above hundreds of acres of wild flowers in the spring.

To the north are the Monti della Lago mountains and to the south the Maiella range which is one of the most remote highland environments in Europe. There are beautiful towns and cities to explore, 80 castles and a wide range of archeological sites that are all set against the backdrop of the deep blue Adriatic and the towering mountains. It really is possible to spend the morning in the mountains and the afternoon on the beach. Abruzzo is famous for traditional festivals and food and throughout the year there are events running in towns and villages ranging from the truly unique Coculla snake festival to wine festivals and jousting tournaments. In summer you can guarantee that there will be several food festivals or village parties happening on any given weekend. Our guests are provided with a comprehensive guide to the area and the owners, who live in the village, are pleased to help you plan your excursions.

Booking notes
We ask for a non refundable 20% deposit on booking with the balance payable 8 weeks before you take up occupancy.

Guest comments
FL from Sussex said 'Our stay at Casa Cichella has exceeded all expectations. The accommodation is wonderfully luxurious with superb attention to detail'

LM from Kent said 'A beautiful home from home, very hard to leave.'

JM from the UK Midlands said 'What a fantastic house, everything sorted to the last letter. Superb area to visit, beaches, mountains, Abruzzo has everything including cheap and excellent wines'.

DC from NW England said 'superb villa, excellent facilities. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would highly recommend it.'

TM from Gloucestershire said 'Your house is wonderful in such a beautiful area, the pool was fantastic and all of our family have had good fun'

For booking and further information

 

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This advertiser joined Owners Direct in February 2008,
and has advertised this property with us since February 2008.

Property Ref IT1962
When contacting the owner please mention that you saw this property on Owners Direct Website.