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 Home > Italy > Umbria > Torre Bianca |
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The low mountains on the banks of the Tiber between Orvieto and Todi are dotted with medieval hamlets. Todi, perched dramatically on the hillside and encircled by three sets of ancient walls, is just 15 minutes' drive. Its inspiring beauty, historic charm and wonderful restaurants make it a favorite among artists, actors, screenwriters and movie producers. Orvieto, famous for its fine white wine and striking cathedral, is just thirty minutes away. From there, once can catch a fast train to Florence or Rome. Assisi, Spoleto, and Perugia are within an hour's drive. Torre Bianca is perfectly situated to offer guests a taste of the best of Umbria. The surrounding hills and valleys leave no doubt as to the origin of Umbria's nickname, the "green heart of Italy." Torre Bianca, originally a 14th century farmhouse that has been added onto over the centuries, has been charmingly decorated with an eye for the unique. The tower dates back before the time of Dante. Over the centuries, the house grew around it, and today it is a charming country home set around a plant-filled atrium. Since it was not pre-planned, part of the charm of the house is the unusual disposition of the rooms. Inside its thick stone walls the book-filled, artistically decorated rooms still have their old beams, terracotta floors, and fireplaces. The large living room has a comfortable sitting area around the fireplace. In the other half of the room are a hammock and a baby grand piano. The owners (he is a journalist, she has a Ph.D. in art history) have bookcases in every room of the house. The windows open onto a beautiful view of the hills and fields around Corbara Lake. A flagstone courtyard full of flowes and herbs leads to a large table for al fresco meals. The large kitchen/dining area is bright and inviting and the kitchen is well equipped and includes a dishwasher. Separated from the kitchen by a stone counter built out from the wall ages ago is the dining room, with a long table and a fireplace. There are two bedrooms on this floor, a single and a twin with bunk beds . They share a bathroom with shower. The stairs leading up to the second floor are in a covered "atrium," a central courtyard (within the house) filled with hanging plants-reminiscent of some of our houses in Seville, Spain. A corridor borders this area on the second floor and along the corridor are three more bedrooms. Through the first door one enters the large master bedroom with double bed and fireplace. Outside this room is a bathroom with shower, which is shared with the next bedroom, a double. The next room, a small sitting room with a sofa and a wardrobe, leads to the last bedroom (with a double bed), which has its own bathroom with shower. The house is equipped with a washing machine, telephone, and wireless high-speed internet access. (It is possible to buy a prepaid phone card at any tobacco shop to use for calls both local and international.) Views are lovely. Outside are a thirteenth century watchtower, beautiful gardens, patio, and a large (fenced) swimming pool. There is separate portion of the house that the owners have reserved for their personal use. They live in their apartment in Paris but occasionally use their Todi house, much to the advantage of their guests. They are multilingual and have lived in the U.S. as well in many other parts of the world, and are willing to share their considerable knowledge of the area with their guests, if they are in residence and if the guests like to socialize with their neighbors. If guests prefer privacy, the owners will hardly be seen because they have a separate entrance, parking area and garden and do not use the pool. |
TORRE BIANCA
