Description:

CASALE GIRASOLE and CASA SAN PIETRO are two houses located next to each other (can be rented separately or together) in the beautiful Tuscan countryside about 10 minutes from the medieval city of Cortona, and conveniently located for day-trips and travel across Tuscany & Umbria.

CASALE GIRASOLE (3 bd/2 ba farmhouse flat with rustic charm): Sleeps at least 6 adults with three separate bedrooms, two bathrooms (one large and one quite small), and large common room with dining area and kitchen space, all on one floor. Two bedrooms with queen-size beds (160 cm), and one bedroom with two twin beds that can be put together. Additional double sofabed in the living room, and additional futon in small loft perfect for children. High quality beds and mattresses in all rooms. One large bathroom with tub and shower. One small bathroom with in-room shower only. Although an historic structure, the farmhouse was completely renovated 10 years ago using original materials and maintaining the charming and rustic style (exposed wooden-beamed ceilings, original terracotta tile & wooden floors). Furnished with stylish country-charm and all the modern comforts.

CASA SAN PIETRO (2 bd/2 ba unique and contemporary house converted from a 200-year-old noble-family chapel and carriage-house, with independent entrance and private garden): Across three floors, Casa San Pietro sleeps at least 4 adults with two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, living room, and separate modern kitchen & dining space. One bedroom with a 160 cm wide bed under the chapel's cupola or dome; and one smaller bedroom with two twin beds that can be placed separately or put together to also create one queen-bed (160 cm wide). Additional sofabed in the living room. High quality beds and mattresses in all rooms. Two full bathrooms: One bathroom with tub and shower. One bathroom with rain-shower. Completely renovated in 2009 using the highest-quality materials, this "chapel-house" blends history and elegance with a modern and functional residence. Furnishings have been selected with great care and excellent taste.

Both houses have high quality modern kitchen appliances and equipment throughout. Dining table for 6 or more people. Stone fireplace. Private garden terrace and lawn space with garden furniture for relaxing and dining outside.

The houses are a pleasant walk to the small village center with minimarket, café and pizzeria. There is abundant walking, jogging and biking routes in the adjacent countryside. Other sports facilities are within easy driving distance (golf courses, tennis, horseback riding, boating on Lake Trasimeno).

Location Information:

5km (2.5 miles) from Cortona in the quiet rural plain surrounded by beautiful green hills. Cortona is in southeast Tuscany, about 2.5 hours drive north of Rome and 1.5 hours drive south of Florence. With the houses bordering on a small vineyard and agricultural fields of tobacco and sunflowers, the surrounding countryside is ideal for walking and biking. Located on a private road only a few minute walk from the village center, both houses are secluded enough without being isolated. The farmhouse is part of a small "borgo" with two other stone farmhouses closeby, but each is private to itself with garden/lawn space and no walls or fences. You can reach the local village center by foot where you will find a grocery store, café, pizzeria and florist.

Cortona is a splendid small medieval town with many excellent restaurants, located on a hilltop 10 minutes by car. The area is so culturally rich in art and architecture that you must make time to visit some of the museums and art galleries such as the Etruscan Academy and Diocesan art museum. The Cortona area also played an important part in the life of St. Francis who founded the enchanting Le Celle Sanctuary just outside the city walls.

Cortona is conveniently located for travel & daytrips to Florence, Siena, Chianti region, Arezzo, Montepulciano, Perugia, Assisi, Orvieto, Todi, and all the famous hilltowns of Tuscany & Umbria. The closest train station is in Terontola, about 10 minutes by car and 20 minutes by bicycle. The Terontola-Cortona station is quite well-connected for travel to Florence and Rome, as well as Perugia, Assisi, Orvieto and Arezzo. Italian trains offer an inexpensive and relatively easy way to get to the main cities although having a rental car would make day-trips easier, especially to the smaller, quaint towns in Tuscany and Umbria.

Client Comments:

"What a fantastic time we had in your wonderful house. You have struck a perfect balance between historical context and modern comfort, and the decorative touches are more than one expects in a rental property. Jerry and I agree that Cortona is the town we'd most like to be near in Tuscany and an excellent location from which to explore others. I'd come back in a minute, given the opportunity, and believe me, I'm going to put some energy into creating the opportunity. "
-Elise T., Oakland CA
"We just want to tell you that we have a great time staying at your rental and it was even more that we had expected - everything just worked out fine and we would love to do it again soon. You can also give our name if someone would like to talk to us as we would rate it a ten!!"
-Sharon A., Minneapolis MN