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Property |
Location |
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Campodonica |
Cortona, Tuscany, Italy |
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One-off feature |
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Campodonica is a large, very peaceful farmhouse which the owner restored for his own use 30 years ago. The house sits on the side of what the locals call ‘the secret valley’ on its own 18 acres of forest. It overlooks fields and woodland providing one of the most spectacular views in rural Italy. |
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Property Info |
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Accommodation Type:
| House / Villa |
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Property Setting:
| Village / Rural |
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Holiday Type:
| Relaxing / Family / Culture |
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Bedrooms:
| 3 |
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Guests:
| 6 |
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Catering:
| self-catering |
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General Info |
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Campodonica is on the borders of Tuscany and Umbria, 20 kms along a high, picturesque mountain road from the historic town of Cortona, a mini Florence. This is an elegant restored farmhouse; the furniture is simple and comfortable and the joy of being here is the magnificent setting and the quiet. The houses matches its surroundings; it was never meant to have the trappings of an elaborate villa in Tuscany; there is no TV (you won’t miss it) and no phone. There is an iron and ironing board, but no washing machine. There is plenty of linen, which you change yourself. Best to bring pool towels. The efficient boiler gives out hot water for two good showers in a row, then you have to wait. The water running through the tap runs down the hill and is pure. |
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Details on the area surrounding the property/accommodation |
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The Tuscan region has come to symbolise what is great about Italy. An area of huge cultural significance as the birthplace of the Renaissance, it is steeped in history and offers the rare combination of superb medieval towns and cities (Siena, Pisa, Florence, Chianti, to name a few) and archetypal rural tranquility, with rolling hills, vineyards and traditional farms abounding. Wonderful islands and beaches dot the coast, and the rivers and spas that run inland through the valleys contrast with, and add beauty to the landscape itself. The Tuscan cuisine is simply legendary, and a great choice of modern activities complement the more historic attractions, firmly cementing the region's appeal with native Italians and holidaymakers alike. The bonus of the house is its proximity to Cortona, a centre of Renaissance art and one of the most exciting Etruscan discoveries in Italy. The Piazza della Repubblica is one of the finest squares in Italy and the restaurants excellent. |
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Getting there & away/local amenities |
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Getting There:
| You can fly to a number of cities to get to Campodonica. From Rome and Pisa, the house is about a three and a half hour drive. Or take a train to Camucia, and it’s about 45 minutes’ drive. Fly to Bologna and it’s slightly less.
The shortest air/drive journey is Ryanair to Perugia from Stansted. Perugia is just over an hour’s drive to the house. Europcar is probably the best deal at these airports. A map of how to reach the house from the nearest main towns, Camucia and Cortona, is available on letting. |
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Nearest airports:
| Perugia 1 hour drive |
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Nearest train station:
| Camucia 45 mins drive |
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Car Hire:
| Advised |
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Nearest restaurant:
| 5 minutes drive |
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Nearest shop:
| In the village |
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More Info |
Owner Info |
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Name |
John Pilger |
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Contact Phone No. |
email enquiries only |
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Accommodation details |
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Activities Nearby |
Birdwatching / Canoeing / Cycling / Fishing / Tennis / Walking / Watersports
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Interior Facilities |
Linen provided / Log Fire
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Interior Details |
Four arched double doors one on to the valley. At one end there is a dining kitchen with a fireplace. The sitting room has a double-sided fireplace (an architect’s delight that’s not very effective in winter!), and beyond is a large ‘games area’ with a table tennis table. Running the length of the house is a mezzanine-level corridor, which has a double bedroom next door to its own bathroom, with bath and shower. Further along, there is a toilet room, and at the other end of the ground floor a single bedroom, which has a beautiful outlook, but is sparsely furnished and not used. Up the stairs, there is a second sitting room with the original fireplace and a balcony, a bathroom (again, with bath and shower), a toilet and two double bedrooms, each with shuttered French windows opening on to the balcony. From here, you can enjoy an incomparable view, virtually at the foot of your bed. You can eat along the long trestle table (made by a local craftsman) in the kitchen.
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Exterior Facilities |
Balcony / Garden / Parking / Terrace
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Exterior Details |
You can eat out on the patio, or terrace, which is furnished with a table, chairs and swing seat – perfect for sitting out in the sun or watching the stars. The nights in summer are balmy and the only noise is the clicking of crickets, or the barking of a farm dog. Fruit trees and vines reach to the first terrace, spilling down to cultivated land worked by the Italian family who live half a mile away. The valley has many walks. You can walk anywhere and explore up the forests which cover the hillsides. A walk down to the floor of the valley reaches a cool running stream – though global warming is having its effects. You see rabbits and foxes at night, and you may spot a wild boar.
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Further Details |
What Campodonica offers is a rare opportunity for city-stressed people to unwind in peace and tranquillity. One of the reasons for the lovely atmosphere is that the original features of the house have been deliberately retained; where changes have been made they are done with respect for the original feel of the house. At the top of the road (5 minutes’ drive or a pleasant walk) is a superb restaurant, serving local food. In the village is a petrol station and a grocery shop (not very good; the shops at Portole or San Leo Bastia are better).
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Conditions of
Rental |
Not suitable for winter bookings. It should be emphasised that this is not a ‘villa’. It does not have a swimming pool, although there are two fine pools not far away: my favourite (with restaurant and bar) at Camucia, half an hour’s drive away. This is ‘Seven Points’. I go there almost every day. The other pool is at San Leo Bastia, 20 minutes’ drive. There is also excellent swimming at the Lido at Lake Tresimino, 40 minutes drive. The house is managed by Mariella Armando who speaks English.
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Other Information |
Child Friendly
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