La Passionata/Dining rm/16C fresco/fantastic views

Sit by large 16C stone fireplace in Winter

This very pretty part of a 16C convent comprises 2 elegant apartments that retain many original features. Both apartments are equipped with WiFi/Broadband internet access. The private entrance, by way of its original and impressive iron gates, leads to the heart of the convent where the library and the prayer rooms used to be – hence its 8 huge arched windows through which the nuns would contemplate the stunningly natural beauty all around. On one side of the Convent is an olive grove. Up the lane is Bazzano’s main and very beautiful church. On the other side of the Convent, live an Italian family. So, at any one time, you may hear roosters crowing, Italians chattering and bells ringing – a cacophony of Mediterranean sounds. At other times, silence! Living in the convent is not like living in a make-believe picture postcard version of Italy. What you are about to experience is as real as it can get.

La Passionata/Kitchen/Breakf rm/Built around rocks

La Passionata - sitting room/16C stone fire-place

 

La Romantica (Sleeps 2/3) Prices Currency Conversion

 

La Passionata (Sleeps 4) Prices

 

Changeover day
Changeover day is flexible depending on availability. Arrival should be between 2pm - 4pm (4pm - 6pm on Sundays). If your arrival is expected to be later than 4pm, then, please phone our mobile on 349 739 3501 to make special arrangements.

Accommodation

 

 

Notes on accommodation
Included in the rental rate is unlimited gas central heating and wood for the cosy stove in La Romantica and for the grand fire-place in La Passionata.

Neither apartment intrudes on the privacy of the other in any way. Each apartment has its own terrace. The large garden is shared but is easily big enough to ensure sufficient privacy for everyone.

The garden is lit throughout allowing its use any time of the day or night - a BBQ is situated by the pergola.

While both apartments are very stylishly furnished, we haven't compromised on comfort. No oppressive iron or dark, ugly furniture and no cheap put-you-ups or bed-settees here. Instead, expensive rattan, many cushions and comfy, unusual wood furniture sets the scene! We want you to look forward to returning to base after sight-seeing for your well-deserved glass of Orvieto.

A cantina houses the washing machine and 7 bicycles for the use of guests.

Each apartment has its own ironing facilities.

Outside
The garden is just for the guests and is easily big enough to accommodate everyone and retain some privacy. Here, there are sun-beds, garden furniture, a shower and a large, ancient pergola that guests can eat beneath in the shade. Fruit trees and large bushes also provide shade for those who enjoy sitting outside but wish to minimise their exposure to the sun. There are also areas to sunbathe.

It is possible to park outside the Convent but there may not always be space because the hamlet is so tiny. However, a minutes walk up the lane, there is plenty of parking in front of Bazzano’s main church.

Coast/Beach
The Convent is between 1hr 30 mins and 2hrs to Lake Bolsena and Lake Trasimeno by car. It is 2 hours from the Adriatic coast. Both these drives take in fantastic scenery from beginning to end ! Though, in my view, the drive to the coast takes some beating as it heads up past Norcia along the famous Valnerina. On the way, I recommend a detour left to the Gran Piano, the most spectacular plain in the whole of Italy.

Travel
Rome is the nearest airport and it is about a 2 hour drive to the Convent. Or, you can take the train to Spoleto and make arangements to hire a car in Spoleto. There are 5 local busses a day to Bazzano, but, none on Sundays. And, we can't be sure of the exact time-table. So, while it is not absolutely imperative to have a car here, if you are intending to be without a car, you should be an extremely independant, fit type, who can understand Italian bus time-tables and have a mobile phone.

Distances
Bazzano is in the middle of Italy - just slightly to the left, between the Appenines and Sibbiline mountains. The nearest ocean is the Adriatic. By car, it's 8 mins to Spoleto, 75 mins to Rome, 20 mins to Assisi, Bevagna, Montefalco and Trevi, 40 mins to Perugia and Orvieto, 2 hrs 30 mins to Florence and Siena, 3 hrs 30 mins to Naples, the Amalfi coast and Pompei. Castellucia, the famous Gran Piano (with fantastic natural flower displays across its gigantic plain at Easter) is just over 1 hour.

Further details
Just 10 mins outside of central Spoleto, Bazzano is a wholly Italian enclave and heaves with a history reflected in many of its wondrous old buildings, its awesome church and its grand palace nestling amidst the olive groves. Bazzano is famous locally for its walking territory. Albeit untouched by tourism, it's a little more sophisticated than its neighbouring villages, particularly regarding its small country roads that meander up and down the surrounding hills and join the upper part of Bazzano with its lower part. Strolling back down to the Convent with the stunning panoramic views changing at every twist and bend in the road and enjoying a glass of cold Orvieto at the end of your walk can best be described as a dream-like experience. Apart from visiting all the famous towns and villages nearby, not to be missed is a drive across the Sibbiline mountain range or through the Apennines to the sea-side on the Adriatic coast (about 2 hours), or to Norcia and the Gran Piano (about 1½ hours) – like driving through heaven! Another huge advantage that Bazzano-di-Spoleto has over the other tiny villages in Umbria is its local bus that goes between Bazzano and Spoleto five times a day between 8.00am and 8.00pm and stops just a mins walk from the Convent. The bus terminates at the bus-station in Spoleto, quite close to the train station. From here, you can get to anywhere in Italy. The Italian train-service is fantastic and so cheap! Note that the bus doesn’t operate on Sundays. There are also 2 very economically priced restaurants, Due Querce and Il Ristorante Antico, that are within walking distance from the Convent – between 1 and 2 miles - a wonderful walk or bike-ride (bikes are included in the rental) on beautiful country roads that weave through olive groves and poppy fields. Here you can often spot the occasional celebrity enjoying an evening away from the bright lights.

Booking notes
Discounts up to 50%.

On receipt of an enquiry, you will automatically receive the general booking procedure, which includes the cancellation policy.

We do take bookings for less than a week for an extra daily tariff.

I do not fill in availability charts because the bookings come in too fast to keep up with them. But, I will try to get back to you immediately.

Guest comments
I send out a list of references automatically in response to an enquiry.

For booking and further information

 

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This advertiser joined Owners Direct in March 2004,
and has advertised this property with us since April 2004.

Property Ref IT96
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