Near Orvieto, Umbria
Property 5359
14 Guests
7 Bedrooms
7.5 Bathrooms
375 square meters indoor
2 hectares outdoor
Il Molinazzo is a companion home to La Rosaccia, owned by the same owners, who seem to take particular joy in bringing a house back from ruin. From La Rosaccia, you can see Il Molinazzo clearly on an open hillside to the west. What is immediately noticeable is that the house enjoys equally spectacular views, encompassing the Castello di Guardea to the east, fields of either sunflowers, tobacco or wheat to the north and west. To the south, the countryside falls away to the valley below and the mountains beyond. This is a sensual, textural landscape unchanged for centuries, its quiet, rural way of life still present in the old towns and villages. Visitors, while still noticeable, are warmly welcomed as the friendly people are happy to share their enthusiasm for the rich beauty of this land.
Il Molinazzo is designed to invite guests to slow down and enjoy the sheer pleasure of a lovely home with no chores to do. At the same time, it is understood that foreigners on vacation have a natural thirst for exploration. There is much here that quenches that thirst, whether in the soul, the palate or the intellect. Southwestern Umbria is home to this region's major towns in an area where topography has inspired a long and complicated history of war and patronage. The result is a wonderful variety of influences on the art, architecture and culture of the region making for an incredible mix of touring options. Umbria may not be as famous as Tuscany, but here lie the seeds of the Renaissance, the birthplace of Piero della Francesca and an astonishing range of important sacred art. Umbria is blessed with a lively commitment to the arts; a famous and important Jazz Festival, Spoleto for music, dance and theatre plus small exhibitions and festivals in virtually every town. For outdoor enthusiasts, renting bicycles is easy even when the roads are not, and there are plenty of ways to enjoy hiking. Remember, the food and wine here are at least as good as in Tuscany, with perhaps a greater presence of truly creative menus and traditional products easily available for the tasting.
A lovely country drive from Baschi brings you to Il Molinazzo, down a winding dirt road to an open hillside, newly planted with 100 year old olive trees and terraced to add further interest to the landscape. The owners are busily working their same magic on the garden, banking beds of roses as they did at La Rosaccia. Here, however, they are specifically choosing species that will bloom well into December. Flanking the front door are three young horse-chestnut trees and two slim cypresses. The main house lies across the hill, the front door facing due west. Along this facade of the house, facing Lake Alviano (a World Wildlife Federation-protected park) and enjoying the setting sun, is a covered terrace, a 'summer living room', fully furnished in handsome modern iron-frame furniture with thick cushions for lounging and conversation. Full length white cotton drapes can be closed for shade from light or heat. Around the perimeter, before the lawn and olive trees begin, are pots of lavender and yarrow and young roses. Passing along the north side of the house, an external staircase brings you directly to a bedroom on the upper level. Just beyond, three additional gracious outdoor rooms have been created, defined by straw-covered pergolas. One is an intimate seating area at wood and iron loveseat and side chairs. Adjacent is a dining terrace for 14 at a long table with benches, accented by lemon trees in their traditonal cotta pots. Simple barbeque for grilling enthusiasts. The Dependence is set to the east and is linked to the house by the shade of a larger straw pergola furnished with long teak benches and tables for conversation. The garden opens out to the southeast, with an immaculate lawn accented again by olive trees and bordered by terrraced beds of red and white roses. A fourth casual grouping of cafe chairs sits open to the dreamy views in the sun, and is particularly ideal for the first slow cup of coffee in the morning. Shallow staircases bring you up through the terraces to the pool (15 x 7 meters) and tennis court, set in their own gardens. A beautiful teak stand holds a comfortable rope hammock, wide enough for two, with pillow for afternoon naps. The views from these higher elevations are even more stunning.
Saturday - Saturday rentals only.
Cleaning for up to 10 ppl; 3 hrs/day, 6 days/wk included: up to 14 ppl, 5 hrs/day, 6 days/wk. Additional cleaning and personal laundry services on request by direct payment to maid, at E. 10.00/hr.
Welcome dinner with wine included. Additional cooking and shopping services available on request at E.10.00/hour plus food and beverages.
Air conditioning in bedrooms, individually controlled.
Two cribs available.
Fax machine and computer. Wireless internet access.
Pool can be opened early and kept open later at guest's request, some extra charges may apply; please inquire.
Price information available upon request.
Homebase Abroad, Ltd.
Two Hooper Street
Marblehead, MA 01945
Phone: (781) 639-4040
Fax: (781) 639-3050
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