Click image for all photos

About The Experience

A large family or group of friends can enjoy Umbrian life as it was 1,000 years ago, yet with all the conveniences of the 21st century. The villa is cradled by vineyards and olive groves in a walled hamlet high above Orvieto, one of Italy’s most beautiful hill towns. The meticulous restorations add warmth and comfort to its stone walls, exposed wooden beams and terracotta floors. Guests also enjoy high quality American standard beds, beautiful Italian antiques, and air conditioning.

Location Description

This Umbrian villa is located in the medieval hamlet of Benano, on the borders of Umbria, Tuscany and Lazio. Benano offers a stunning panoramic view of Orvieto, one of Italy's most beautiful hill towns. Guests can enjoy a peaceful village pace yet be in the heart of Orvieto in just 20 minutes. Orvieto's position on the main north-south rail network and autostrada makes it a perfect jumping-off point for day trips to many popular tourist venues in central Italy. A lO-minute drive from Benano will take you to Torre Alfina, recently selected as one of Italy's'most beautiful small towns.Twenty minutes fufther along quaint back roads is the splendid vacation area of Lago di Bolsena, Europe's largest volcanic lake with fishing, sailing, swimming and sunbathing. A half-hour in another direction takes you to the four gems of southern Tuscany: Pitigliano, Sorano, Sovana and the spa town of San Casciano dei Bagni. Benano is close to another jewel, Civita di Bagnoregio, which travel expert Rick Steves calls his favorite Italian hill town. Equally convenient to Benano are the many acclaimed towns that have attracted travelers to Umbria and Tuscany for centuries - Umbria's ceramic towns, Gubbio and Deruta; Tuscany's wine meccas, Montalcino and Montepulciano; Italy's chocolate capital, Perugia; Pienza, home to Tuscany's finest cheese; Norcia, a must for lovers of Italian meats and sausages; and the renowned thermal springs and spas of Chianciano, San Filippo and Saturnia. Although there are no permanent services in Benano, daily vendor trucks stop in the piazza to sell bread, vegetables and other necessities. Viceno, only a mile from Benano, has both a market and a caf6. One can either walk along the very quiet road or take the pedestrian pathway. The nearby villages of Castel Viscardo, Castel Giorgio and Torre Alfina also have groceries, bakeries, cafes, gelaterias and pharmacies.

Nearby Attractions: Castel Viscardo (restaurants, markets, cafes, hotel with pool privileges), Torre Alfina (restaurants, markets, cafes, gelateria, annual festivals), Orvieto (ancient caves, train station, renowned church), Lake Bolsena (wine tasting, horseback riding, hiking, boat rentals), Perugia (ancient churches, cathedrals, shops, restaurants, chocolate festival in October, cooking classes, museums)

Florence: 175 km/109 mi
Siena: 136 km/84.5 mi
Assisi: 100 km/62 mi
Perugia: 87 km/54 mi
Montepulciano: 78 km/48 mi
Pienza: 63 km/39 mi
Lake Bolsena: 26 km/16 mi
Civita di Bagnoregio: 25 km/15.5 mi
Orvieto: 12 km/7 mi
Torre Alfina: 8 km/5 mi
Castel Giorgio: 5 km/3 mi
Castel Viscardo: 3.5 km/2 mi
Viceno: 1.5 km/0.93 mi

Exterior Description

(1200m2)
The property is the principle house of a medieval hamlet that served as a defensive outpost. Only 25 people live in the hamlet full time. The external wall of the house actually forms part of the old rocca, or fortress. The house’s back door opens to a private terrace overlooking an olive grove and neighboring villages. The back of the house has a large stone terrace overlooking the property’s olive trees and neighboring farms. There is also a table seating for 8-10 people, a brick pizza oven, and Italian barbecue. Free parking is available at the village entrance which is 50 meters from the property’s front door. Paved walkways lead from the parking area and through the hamlet to the entrance of the house. Guests may use the pool at a nearby hotel (3 km away) free of charge.

Interior Description

(275 m2)
Ground Floor: There is a living/family room with chairs, satellite TV, a game table with chairs, and access to the terrace. Also on this floor is a private wine cellar, a laundry room with a washing machine and dryer, and one bedroom. The bedroom has two twin-beds, an armoire, dresser, and a bathroom with a sink, toilet, and shower.

First Floor: An internal staircase leads up to a kitchen equipped with a cook-top, oven, microwave, toaster, American coffee maker and dishwasher. The living room has a fireplace, couch, and chairs. There is a dining room with seating for 10 that offers views across the valley. There is one bedroom with a queen-sized bed and one bathroom with a sink, toilet, and shower.

Second Floor: An internal staircase leads up to one bedroom with two twin-beds and two bathroom, each with a sink, toilet, and shower.

Third Floor: An internal staircase leads up to two bedrooms. The first bedroom has a king-sized bed and the second bedroom has a queen-sized bed.

Features Description

Extra Services: The following are listed as an aid for trip planning; the services and prices are approximate and cannot be guaranteed by Rentvillas. All extra services are payable locally in cash.

• Cook Service: Upon request
• Housekeeping: 10 Euros per hour
• Laundry Service: 10 Euros per hour

Please Note:

• A complimentary welcome dinner will be prepared by an acclaimed chef (Simona Fabrizio).
• The wine cellar is stocked with wine from the nearby and award-winning Palazzone winery.
• There are multiple levels in this house, so care must be taken with the very young and those with climbing and walking difficulties.
• Air conditioning is independently controlled in each bedroom and living room.
• Heating is independently controlled in each bedroom and living room.
• 2 Italian Pay-as-You-Go Cell Phones are included. Credit can be purchased at local shops and bars.
• Pre-programmed GPS with local restaurants, grocery stores, museums, and other important places is provided.
• Guests of the property can use the swimming pool at Hotel La Pergoletta three kilometers away for free.

Features and Amenities

Walk To Town Independent Villa Outside Area - Private CD player DVD player TV - English Channels Available Internet Internet - Wireless Mobile Telephone Available - Extra Cost Telephone - Incoming & Outgoing

American Coffee Maker Clothes Dryer Dishwasher Hair Dryer Iron and Board Microwave Oven Toaster Washing Machine Air Conditioning Fans Available - Upon Request Fireplace - Indoor Firewood Available - Included Heating - Whole House Window Screens - Whole House Portable Baby Crib/Play Pen - Upon Request Concierge Service Available - Extra Cost Cook Service Available - Extra Cost Housekeeping Available - Extra Cost Welcome Basket

Arrival Times

Please note: Official Arrival Times:

• Fri 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Conditions *