Marilena and Loredana's Retreat

An 11th - 12th c. medieval defensive "Castello" characteristic of the Umbrian hills, a village among fields of sunflowers and wheat 10 minutes by car from Todi, in the center of the "Green Heart of Italy." An artist's paradise of color, light, atmosphere. A gourmet's paradise of Italian cuisine. An architect's masterpiece combining the spare medieval with modern convenience, tastefully "rustico" with the flavor of "once upon a time." Ideal for 2 couples, + two "sportivi." Castello 7/a is a special ---rather magical---retreat. It is quiet, it fosters contemplation and serenity. The 21st century requires that it have wi-fi. You must be able to climb stairs to reach the living area and the views. The master bedroom is reached by 5 medieval steps! You will have access to the apartment and its "cantina" at the bottom of the steps where there is the washing machine, drying rack and space for bikes, luggage, etc. Loredana will be your hostess, who will be there to greet you or, if she is not available, she will leave the keys is designated locations. You will be able to call or text her if necessary. Her parents live across the walkway. Izzalini is a feudal village centered around its "Castello." It has a big piazza in the front, a friendly "bar" owned and managed by Rodolfo. During summer months local and vacationing children run around freely in this idyllic, safe environment. It is an ideal "playground" for a child to get a taste of delicious rural, Italian life. Down the road (5-minute walk) is the local bakery. Shopping for food can be at the local "alimentari" in Collelungo (5-minutes by car) or at the various supermarkets in Todi (15-minute scenic drive). During the summer, Todi's municipal (almost Olympic-size) pool, just minutes away, is a haven of water, a bar, a restaurant, trees, a space to pass warm summer hours and gaze at the beauty of Todi above on the top of its hill. (Swimming lessons are a available, and "easy" given Italian is both a spoken and gestured language! ) Todi's bustling small hill-town city life--- its Piazza, its dining, its artistic and musical events, its festivals--- is but a brief drive. To enjoy Umbria, you need a car. There is a bus that passes through Izzalini, but it won't take you where you want to go, when you want to go, easily. Hill towns, the main points of interest in the region require that you drive or cycle. Please note that, unfortunately, the exorbitant prices for utilities (water, electricity, gas) in Italy make it necessary to add Euro 62 per week (Euro 8.85 per day) to our daily rate. For your convenience, we have included this in to the rate, such that there are no additional fees. If this seems high, IT IS ! 70% of this cost goes to financing the taxes levied for the war in Ethiopia (WWII !) and the various floods, earthquakes and other disasters of the past 50 + years! In Italy, taxes are always added. They are never removed! So you ---and we--- are obliged to participate in the Italian tax system. :-(