Named after the mountain on which it stands and dating back to the late 1700's, Villa Bastiola was originally a Casa Padronale, an Umbrian farmhouse built by landowners who would have farmed the surrounding land. Built with stones from the local area, the Villa is rectangular in shape, with dark green wooden shutters, in keeping with Umbrian traditions.

Built on three floors, the ground floor would have been used to house the cattle and the original mangers can still be seen in the Legnaia (wood store) today.

The first floor was the living area for the family. The warmth of the cattle would have come up through the floor and helped to provide heat during the long winter months. An arch of terracotta bricks that was once above the main door is still intact and is today part of the shower cubicle in one of the bathrooms!
A fantastic fireplace, made of Pieta Serena, dating back to the origins of the house dominates the living room and would once have been the centre of family life providing warmth and heat for cooking food. During the wintertime, smoke from the fire would have flavored the grapes, which hung from the beams as part of the process of preparing Vin Santo (Italian sweet fortified wine). Original oak and chestnut beams are still visible in the living room and the bedrooms, together with terracotta flooring and a wooden ladder staircase to the second floor (now closed off).

The second floor provided sleeping accommodation for the family and is now accessed by a separate staircase built into the drying tower attached to the house. The owners, Marco and Sally Ann, live in the second floor apartment and are delighted to welcome guests to their Umbrian home. They are on hand to provide information about the area, the best restaurants, where to go, what to see and to make sure that guests enjoy their holiday to the full!

Villa Bastiola sits in a hectare of land, with a grove of olive trees, fruit and walnut trees and a stunning view over the Upper Tiber Valley. Villa Bastiola represents a beautiful example of living history in Umbria...

Accommodations

Originally a Casa Padronale, Villa Bastiola is situated on the hillside at Comunaglia, in the Upper Tiber Valley in Umbria, with stunning 360 degree views over the surrounding countryside and valleys. The first floor of the old farmhouse has been restored as an independent apartment retaining many of the original features including ancient chestnut and oak beams and terracotta flooring over three hundred years old, and a Pietra Serena fireplace and wardrobe. The apartment has two double bedrooms, both with en-suite bathrooms.

Camera Audrey overlooks the rolling Umbrian hillside towards Tuscany. There is a large double bed. The wardrobe has been created out of an original pietra Serena bookcase that once stood to the right hand side of the original front door. The en-suite bathroom has many beautiful features including the original tiled arch that was once above the main doorway and is now part of the shower. A round ceramic basin rests on a slab of travertine marble and there is a toilet with bidet.

Camera Gregorio looks north towards the mountain of Monte Santa Maria Tiberina and the Tiber Valley. There is a large double bed and wooden wardrobe. The en-suite bathroom has a large shower, toilet with bidet and round ceramic basin resting on a slab of travertine marble.

The main feature of the living room is the fantastic stone fireplace, over three hundred years old. With contemporary 3 seat leather sofa bed (converts to double bed) and armchair, Sky television and DVD, bookshelves and library, this is a wonderful place to relax. The original wooden staircase that used to lead up to the second floor is still in place, but is now housed in a rustic wooden cupboard providing useful storage space.

The large kitchen leads off of the living room and has a fully fitted contemporary kitchen in Shaker style with oven, dishwasher and fridge freezer. There is a table and chairs for dining and windows on both sides overlooking both the courtyard and the view across the valley.

Terrace - opposite the front door of the apartment is a small terrace with chairs where guests can sit or take breakfast in the warmth of the Umbrian sun.

Laundry - a laundry room is on the ground floor where there is a washing machine for guests' use.

Gardens - There is a small olive grove and a variety of fruit trees in the extensive gardens surrounding Villa Bastiola. Guests are welcome to use the gardens as their own, including the panoramic terrace.

Parking - There is plenty of room to park a car on the gravel area in front of the house.

Easily accessible by tarmac road, Villa Bastiola is 5 minutes drive from the small village of Calzolaro and 10 minutes drive from the busy town of Trestina. Citta' di Castello and Umbertide are both a 20 minute drive away.

PAST GUEST COMMENTS:

"We thoroughly enjoyed our stay with you in the apartment at Villa Bastiola. You have created a lovely holiday flat with everything anyone could need. The little extras like the DVD, internet connection and a very well equipped kitchen were all highly appreciated!"

"We hugely enjoyed our stay. We have holidayed in many self catering properties over the years in Italy, France and Crete, but Villa Bastiola hits the highest standard in terms of decoration, bathrooms, kitchen etc... the bathrooms are immaculate and fitted out beautifully. The kitchen is exactly how one would want to have it at home with everything that one needs - toaster, coffee, blender, pots, pans and knives - obvious stuff but very often missing or poor quality. You have managed to do it all to a fantastic standard and also provide a helpful basic supply of food stuffs in the kitchen and washing powders etc... Things like the internet connection and Sky Tv are excellent. Setting wise, fantastic views and the patio is a great place to relax and read the books from the library. Lots of tourist materials, including a very detailed map of the area. Beautiful flowers and lavender. All in all a huge attention to detail which we hope your other guests appreciate. Surely there cannot be that many properties that hit this standard?"

"We loved our stay in Umbria, including all of your comprehensive selections to visit and explore. Your home is gracious and complete for a couple who have never spent more than a week or two in one holiday venue. We found everything we needed here as our center in Umbria. Thank you for making this home our home. We hope to see you again for another adventure."

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time in your generously and thoughtfully equipped apartment. I especially appreciated the kitchen. It is a well arranged paradise for foodies! Thank you very much for a comfortable home from home. I hope I have the opportunity to return some time."