Secluded yet easily accessible, Il Casale di Mele is the perfect setting, providing the tranquility of the countryside but within easy reach of E45 which leads to many famous hill towns as well as parts of Tuscany. Just 5 years old, the farmhouse was built with authentic regional materials including antique doors, heavy chestnut beams, hand forged ironwork and antique stone fireplaces. This home was used as an occasional vacation home until we bought it recently so it has never before been used as a rental until this year. It is being completely redecorated and newly furnished before Il Casale welcomes it’s first guests. The farmhouse sleeps 6 plus 1 ( See below for more details). Typical of country villas, there is no central air conditioning, however the thick stone walls and screened windows allow the villa to remain cool even during the hottest months of the year. The screened windows allow you to enjoy the fresh country air with scents of lavender, jasmine, and wild flowers wafting from room to room. Il Casale di Mele is completely fenced and upon entering it’s iron gates you come up the circular driveway surrounded by wild lavender, rosemary, and olive trees. Once you enter inside the farmhouse, you walk into a large open living room complete with new comfortable furniture chosen to enhance the country atmosphere that is settled invitingly around the large antique wood burning fireplace. Along one wall hangs a large flat screen television with a DVD player and stereo. Two large windows sit at each side of the fireplace allowing you to enjoy views of the rolling hills behind the property even while you are indoors. The living room is open to the large country kitchen which boasts a large center island that contains a high end gas cooktop. There is also a convection wall oven, a microwave oven, as well as a large commercial sized refrigerator freezer. The kitchen is bright and sunny with a large window over the sink that allows you to see for miles. The French style kitchen doors open to a large stone covered terrace with climbing sweet smelling jasmine surrounded by an olive trees. The terrace also holds a new table that seats 8 for dining al fresco as well as a barbeque for those evenings when you prefer to dine at home. There is another antique fireplace in the kitchen that is open to the dining room. The dining room is furnished with a large dining hutch as well as an antique table that seats 8 people comfortably. From the other side of the living room you can access the study which holds a pull out couch that can open as a bed and a half to sleep one additional adult as needed. Down the hall, you come to a bedroom with a private en-suite bathroom. The bed is matrimonial size, which is slightly larger than a US Queen size bed. The en-suite bath has both a large tub as well as an enclosed shower. Along the hall is another bathroom with an enclosed shower. Followed by this bathroom, is a second bedroom with twin beds. Both bedrooms contain large clothing closets and are newly painted and decorated with typical country style bed linens. The last room on the main floor is a large laundry room with a washing machine, drying hanger, ironing board, and iron. The second story holds the third bedroom which has it’s own walk-in closet, and bathroom containing a large tub as well as a stand alone enclosed shower. This room also has it’s own private balcony which looks out over the green rolling Umbrian countryside, and is a perfect spot to sit each evening and watch the stunning sunsets while enjoying a delicious glass of Umbrian wine. Next to the house contained by a gated fence is the large three level pool and huge stone sunbathing terrace. The pool is equipped with a warm water shower, lounge chairs and umbrellas. The pool terrace allows views of the scenic rolling Umbrian hills behind and looks up at Collazzone, the small town above. Complimentary for every booking: We will have a welcome gift basket upon arrival. Optional Services: * Pre arrival grocery shopping is possible if arranged ahead of time (guest pays cost of groceries plus small service fee) * Prepared meals will be available for purchase soon, as will in house cooking lessons. *An Umbrian wine tasting with appetizers is now being offered. Please ask when booking for more information. High Season Rates for 2010 & 2011 : 3000 euros per week/Deposit required 30% at booking unless week requested is 8 weeks or earlier from the time of reservation. At that time, full payment is required. Low Season for 2010 & 2011 : 2700 euros per week/Deposit required 30% at booking unless week requested is 8 weeks or earlier from the time of reservation. At that time, full payment is required. This price includes accommodation for one week from Saturday to Saturday. Check in is between 4-7pm. If you will be later please let us know. Check out the following Saturday is by 10am. Il Casale di Mele Amenities - Swimming pool - 3 Level Pool, open mid-May to mid-October with heated poolside shower Barbeque with outdoor dining area Laundry - Washing machine, hanging facilities and ironing board/iron Extensive travel and guide book collection CD player/stereo Linens & Towels - All bed linens, bathroom, and pool towels Internet - Free high speed wireless DVD player (region free) with many dvd’s Satellite TV Wood Burning Fireplace Kitchen - Fully equipped gas stove top, oven, dishwasher, microwave, American style coffee pot, kettle and American refrigerator/freezer Kitchen Essentials - Everything you will need to prepare meals for 8 persons including pots, pans, dishes, glassware etc. TomTom GPS unit available for your use during stay Welcome gift basket Pre arrival grocery shopping is possible if arranged ahead of time (guest pays cost of groceries plus small service fee)