Farmhouse in the Wild Heart of Italy
Comfort and peace in a rural retreat, with salt purified pool
Sleeps 4 - 7 (2 or 3 bedrooms)
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Typical stone-built farmhouse, charming and colourful, surrounded by fields and olive groves. The garden has grass, meadow and trees (mostly fruit) and salt-chlorinated pool. Lovely views - a rolling landscape of green valleys, 'calanchi' (the distinctive local geological formation) and hilltop villages. There is plenty of outside space here to tuck yourself away and to enjoy the tranquility of the setting. Rent the 1st floor apartment in Jun/Sep, or the whole house in Jul and Aug. Abruzzo is known as the 'wild heart' of Italy and it's home to three national parks. Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga is our nearest - a 42km drive takes you up to Campo Imperatore (1500m), a vast plateau ringed by mountain peaks which include the highest in the mainland Apennines (Corno Grande 2912m), and Europe's southernmost glacier. It's a fantastic place for walking, climbing and exploring some of the traditional medieval villages, ancient castles, Roman remains and fortified towns.
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| Rental Period | Per Night | Per Week | Per Month | Min. Stay (Nights) |
| 2 June 2012 - 30 June 2012 | £500 | 5 | ||
| 30 June 2012 - 1 September 2012 | £975 | 5 | ||
| 1 September 2012 - 29 September 2012 | £500 | 5 |
Notes on prices
In July and August the first floor and ground floor are available to rent as one unit (3 bedrooms), at the price shown for that period. The first floor apartment only is available in June and September (2 bedrooms).
We think it's important that you have some necessities when you arrive, so we provide soap, toilet paper, kitchen paper, salt and pepper, olive oil, coffee, tea bags and sugar/sweetners. You'll also find fresh milk and bottled water in the fridge.
Special offer
10% off all our summer prices if you book during February! Save up to £97 per week.
Changeover day
Changeover day is flexible, as are arrival times. Departure is normally by 10am.
Accommodation
| Bedrooms: | Bedroom 1 with superking bed. Large, south facing. Bedroom 2 with twin beds. West facing, lovely little balcony. Bedroom 3 (ground floor) with double bed. A sofa bed for one in the ground floor living area or an extra single upstairs is available. |
| Bathrooms: | Both the first floor and ground floor have a funky, colourfully tiled and wood paneled wet room with lovely efficient shower, wc and non-slip floor and a view across the fields. |
| Kitchen: | Both kitchens have gas hob, fridge/freezer, electric oven/grill, stone sink. Very well-equipped with everything we think you'll need during your stay. Lots of crockery and glassware, plenty of cutlery and sharp kitchen knives for food preparation. |
| Utility Room: | If you rent the whole house in July or August you have use of a washing machine. If you are renting the first floor apartment only we provide a personal laundry service. Clothes airer, pegs, iron, washing bowls and buckets are also provided. |
| Living Rooms: | Charming, characterful and comfortable living/dining areas with ample comfy seating, plus dining area and lots of cupboard space. Satellite TV, VCR/DVD, portable radio/CD player. We have a collection of DVDs, videos, CDs and books. Wireless internet. |
| Other: | The ground floor rooms have exposed stone walls, tiled floors, and direct access to a sunny, vine-covered eating area. There are small changes in floor level, with a maximum of one step up or down, which makes it more suitable for anyone less mobile. |
| Cleaning/towels/ linen/maid service: |
All linen and towels, including tea towels and dish cloths are included, and are of high quality. Bedlinen is changed weekly. The property is thoroughly cleaned before and after each letting. Pool towels are also provided. |
| Amenities/Facilities: | hob/stove oven fridge/freezer dishwasher washing machine iron/ironing board satellite tv tv internet access room fans cot barbecue private pool (for sole use of guests) |
| Location Type: |
Notes on accommodation
We are offering the whole house to rent as one unit for the months of July and August. This provides ample accommodation for up to 7 people, with three double bedrooms and a sofa bed, plus 2 kitchens, 2 bathrooms and two lounge/dining areas. During June and September we can offer you the first floor, two bedroom apartment, which comfortably sleeps four people. If you need any further information please don't hesitate to get in touch with us. Please talk to us if you want to bring children under 6. We can provide a travel cot for babies if required.
Accessibility
Due to the fact that access is via an external staircase, the first floor accommodation isn't suitable for people with limited mobility. Access to the ground floor is via a single step and there is another step up into the main room.
Outside
The level garden around the house is mostly laid to grass, sheltered by trees and has lovely views of the countryside and farmland. There is a mini terrace, with seat, on the staircase to the first floor, which is a fantastic place to have your morning coffee in the sun. There are several outside tables and chairs, plus other areas around the garden and pool where you can sit and enjoy the views and tranquility of the location. We have a range of outdoor furniture for your use. The property is surrounded by fields/ open farmland and is not enclosed. You are free to wander! The oval pool is 3.5 metres by 6.5 metres and uses a salt chlorination system that gives the water a beautiful silky feeling, and is less irritating to eyes and skin. It is 1.5 metres deep. It's got a great view and is tucked in beside some old stone buildings that formed the original house. More seating areas here on the decking area for lounging and alfresco dining, and nearby is our rustic barbecue.
Coast/Beach
Abruzzo has over 130 km of clean, mostly sandy beaches all along the Adriatic coastline, offering a wide range of facilities to suit your preference or mood - from lively resorts popular with the Italians, where you can hire sunbeds and umbrellas, to secluded beaches, fishing ports and nature reserves. Our nearest beaches are at Montesilvano, Silvi and Pineto.
Golf
Pescara Golf Club is at Miglianico, south of Pescara (about an hours drive). There is another course near L'Aquila (also an hour away).
Skiing
Abruzzo has several ski resorts, with facilities for downhill skiing, snowboarding, toboganning and cross-country skiing. Our nearest facilities are at Campo Imperatore (45 minutes). Slightly further afield are the bigger resorts of Prato di Tivo, Campo Felice, Roccaraso and Prato Selva.
Travel
Ryanair flies from London Stansted and Frankfurt Hahn to Pescara (26 miles away). Roma Ciampino offers extensive flights from all over the UK and Europe via carriers such as Ryanair, Easyjet, Jet2 and British Airways. Roma is only a two and a half hour drive. We recommend hiring a car if you fly here, as there is limited public transport available locally.
We are a days drive from the channel ports of Dunkerque and Calais.
Distances
Many towns of interest are within easy reach: Penne, Atri, the beautiful regional capital at L'Aquila, with a daily market; the potteries at Castelli; Ovid's birthplace and the home of confetti (sugared almonds) at Sulmona, and of course Roma is only a 2 and a half hour drive or bus trip from here.
Pescara is a large modern town with vibrant fishing port and thriving beachfront. It houses several interesting museums and offers some good shopping, as well as very good seafood restaurants.
Further details
The farmhouse is in the hamlet of Selva, but close to the handy local amenities provided by Castiglione Messer Raimondo - within a few kms radius there are plenty of bars and restaurants/pizzerias, 2 small supermarkets, butchers and other useful shops such as greengrocers. Recently opened is a fresh pasta shop, which also sells cakes and pizza. Olive oil and wine production is important here, and we’re lucky to have an award-winning local winery nearby where you can buy the regional Montepulciano and Trebbiano wines by the litre or the bottle. Guests can buy cold stone pressed extra virgin olive oil via our local producers.
Abruzzo itself is a region of contrasts, both geographically and culturally. With a long history of isolation from the rest of the Italy, it has retained many of its traditions (and a reputation for witchcraft) along with its wilderness. More than a third of the region is protected as national park or reserves, and the whole region is the most unpopulated in Italy. We think it's perfect for a 'get away from it all' holiday that will introduce you to part of Italy that is still over-looked by most visitors.
Abruzzo was chosen for it's stunning locations in the George Clooney film 'The American' (released in 2010), and filmed in Castel del Monte, Sulmona and Castelvecchio.
There are festivals around the region throughout the year, but particularly during the summer - and in August many businesses close for at least a week while the Italians take their holidays. Most nights there are parties and food festivals in even the smallest villages, with the inevitable fireworks to round off the night. Traditional music and dance, food and wine are all celebrated, as well as local saints.
Booking notes
We ask for a 20% deposit (non-refundable) on booking, with the balance payable 8 weeks before your holiday. Please contact us if you have any queries.
Guest comments
The accommodation has been excellent, everything you need is here, we have all really loved the pool, especially with the fantastic weather ... plus the beach only 30 minutes away.
This place is a haven of rest, recuperation and peace. We quickly relaxed and submitted to Jane and Sue's care and thoughtfulness. I cannot think of better hosts. (Sayers, Cheltenham)
Many thanks for making our stay such a relaxed one. We could ask for no more from the apartment, extremely well equipped and clean. (Alderton, Guernsey)
We have had the most amazing time in the most wonderful setting with fantastic hosts. Thanks once again. We will certainly recommend your fantastic home to to all our friends. (Burzio, N Wales)
The apartment has been superb-fantastic outlook over the surrounding countryside so we got to see some beautiful sunrises and sunsets. The setting really touches the heart. Special thanks to Jane and Sue for all their kindness and careful preparation. (Millband, Swansea).
Owner profile
About the owner
My partner and I live here in Abruzzo, Italy with our three cats and two dogs. We made the decision to stop full-time work and change our lifestyles in 2002, and after travelling around Europe in our camper van we decided on moving to Italy. We sold our cottage in the wilds of the Brecon Beacons, Wales and came to the wilds of Abruzzo! I work part-time as a freelance administrator and book-keeper, Sue does some carpentry and the cats do a lot of sleeping. Perfetto!
Year purchased: 2004
Why the owner chose an apartment in this location
We both knew we wanted somewhere with lots of privacy and peace. This house was perfect - tucked well away in the countryside and rooms with a lovely sunny aspect - so we felt immediately sure about buying it. When we wake up to the quiet, and see the beauty of the changing seasons in the flowers and wildlife, we are constantly enchanted.
We have been met with nothing but kindness by our neighbours, and are continually warmed by the friendliness of the locals. Here there's still a sense of the rural tradition; people farm their land on a small scale, grow their own vegetables, keep some animals and follow the old agricultural lore. Does that sound too idyllic? Well, of course the modern Italy is here too, with the convenience of airports, beaches and great shopping too if you want it.
Unique benefits of the property
The house is in a beautiful position and it's truly tranquil. You arrive at the house down a private track, just off a tarmac road that only continues on to our neighbour's house. In fact, if you walk up the hill from here you'll find yourself right out into fields with superb views of the mountains. So you have all this sense of peace and privacy yet everything you need on a day to day basis is only a short drive away. Every season has it's highlights, whether it's poppies and wild flowers in the spring, or sunflowers in July, or all the festivals in August, there's always something going on around you. We particularly love the fact that the mountains are so close, with all their sense of wilderness, and that this region is so rich in natural beauty.
For booking and further information
Property Ref IT2767
Contact Name:
Jane Minton
(ITALY) +39 3931655821
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Property Ref IT2767
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