Description
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.
There are two restaurants only 4KM away and another 6KM from the house. It is possible to request meals cooked at the villa during your stay.
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.
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
Broadband (wireless), TV, pool towels, barbecue, insect screens, washing machine.
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
LOCAL INFORMATION
Only 5 miles from fairytale 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 locals.
Todi is a thriving hill top town, much favoured by those clever few Italians, Brits and Americans “in the know”. It’s the choice for the savvy traveller looking for something off the beaten track, but nevertheless usefully located. Todi is said to have the most perfect medieval piazza in all Italy, the Piazza del Popolo. There’s a wonderful church by Bramante, a clutch of splendid restaurants, brilliant views from the town walls, plus a couple of shops (just off the main square), stuffed to the rafters with fabulous antique and re-pro brass and copper ware - their candelabra and fire irons are irresistible.
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.
Todi 5 m
Montecastello di Vibio 10 m
Montefalco 16 m
Orvieto 30 m
Spoleto 28 m
Assisi 32 m
Montelpulciano 57 m
Siena 95 m
Perugia 30 m (airport)
Rome 85 m (airport)