Villa in Todi, glorious views & private pool

"Friends of Tuscany Ltd." manage all aspects of your villa booking with tailored information to get the most from your holiday. Villa Gelsomini is a charming family home only 5 miles from fairy-tale Todi and just a little over an hour’s drive from Rome airport. Set on the very edge of the tiny hamlet of Fiore, you are just a couple of minutes' walk from Fiore's excellent restaurant “La Rosa dei Venti”. From an early morning coffee to a chilled afternoon beer or a brimming bowl of pasta in the evening, they'll welcome you whatever the hour! The view from their panoramic terrace is almost as lovely as Villa Gelsomini's, so you can enjoy watching the sun go down by your pool or linger on their terrace for a meal after a busy day sightseeing. The bar is close enough (and the area so safe!) the young will love being able to wander up the road to buy a coke and lounge on the terrace with the laid back locals. Villa Gelsomini is a little over 100 years old, set in a garden of mature olive trees. The villa has been newly refurbished in good taste, using traditional Umbrian materials. There's a pretty suite at one end of the lower floor accommodation. By simply closing the door in the corridor, those who occasionally need a quiet retreat, will be delighted with the comfort and privacy offered by their very own sitting room with dining area and kitchen. There are three kitchens in total at Villa Gelsomini, so even a large group will never feel under pressure when it's time for a cup of tea. After a heavy day sightseeing or soaking up the sun, you may decide to stroll down the road to eat out at the trattoria if Giselda isn’t cooking for you. Didn’t I mention Giselda? Well, she’s a wonderful asset to the house. Giselda not only maintains the house in good order - she calls two mornings a week to clean (included in our price) - she’s also an outstanding cook. She may You can book her to prepare authentic Umbrian dinners during your stay (please enquire about her availability). If you want to sample her home-grown, home-cooked food, nothing could be simpler. Giselda transforms her ingredients, fresh from her farm, into meals that positively zing with flavour. There are endless wonderful sights to be seen from your villa. Orvieto, with its cathedral as fancy as a tiered wedding cake, its fascinating Etruscan museum, glorious art and wine cellars offering some of Umbria’s best wines is a must. Perugia is Umbria’s capital city and bursts with fine art, enticing shops and handsomely sophisticated bars. Both Orvieto and Perugia are within an hour’s drive. Assisi (twinned with Jerusalem) is about the same distance and is another absolute must for your sightseeing list! Saint Francis rests in the beautiful cathedral of this important hill town. Pilgrims from the entire world drop by to pray for peace in this imposing, but nevertheless homely feeling place. The splendid frescoes of Giotto and the three dimensional marquetry on the choir stalls are well worth seeing for those who have no wish to pray but who will still enjoy marvelling at the soaring arches and cerulian blue ceilings decorated with golden stars. The southern Umbrian towns of Spoleto, Amelia and Narni all make happy, easy day trips too. In short, Villa Gelsomini is the perfect spot to chill in beautiful surroundings - and it’s also the perfect base to explore Umbria, land of mystic saints, medieval hill towns, glorious wines, stunning art and warmly welcoming Italian charm. Lower floor: - 3 double bedrooms (1 small) - 1 bedroom with two beds - 4 bathrooms (3 with shower, 1 with spa bath tub) - 2 sitting rooms with open fireplaces - dining room - kitchen with dishwasher - laundry room with washing machine Upper floor with separate access: - 2 double bedrooms - 1 bedroom with two beds - 3 bathrooms (2 with shower, 1 with bath tub) - sitting room - kitchen Domestic help twice a week, broadband (wireless), TV, pool towels, barbecue, insect screens, washing machine, 2 mountain bikes. Cookery classes, shopping service, babysitting and personal wine tours can all be arranged Authentic Umbrian meals available Pool info: Private pool, large 14 x 5 metres