Rino & Valerie’s Country B&B (#33)
The charm of the Umbrian countryside with warm hospitality and conveniently just 15 minutes from the historic centre of Città di Castello.
In 2003 Italian-Americans Rino and Valerie Zanotto began restoration of the farmhouse constructed over the centuries around a 12th century Bourbon Tower. It is one in a series of three that guarded the valley during the turbulent reign of the Bourbon Del Monte family. Today the valley enjoys much more tranquillity and even forms part of a hunting reserve, thus a series of fascinating wild creatures [including wild boar, pheasants and hare] may on occasion be sighted during your stay.
The Torre guest room has the original stone barrel vaulted ceiling. A bike ride up the hill to Monte Santa Maria Tiberina will take one through a Medieval arch into the piazza and a spectacular panorama of the entire valley. Here one also finds more Bourbon family history.
Restoration was completed in 2007 and Rino and Valerie are rightfully proud of their charming property. They enjoy sharing it with their guests along with valuable tips on the best of the many places of interest to visit in the area.
Valerie provides the most wonderful Continental breakfasts every morning including warmed pastries from the local bakery and you can count on Rino for a glass of quality Prosecco around aperativo hour! For guests that wish to relax completely, Rino and Valerie can provide anything from a tasty starter followed by a simple pasta to a 4 course meal from euro 20 p/p including local wine [24 hours notice appreciated].
Fresh seasonal fruit and a bottle of wine await your arrival and the kitchens are thoughtfully stocked with essentials.
The three B&B rooms are situated on the ground floor with each independent entrance stepping out onto a separate paved outdoor dining area overlooking the attractive gardens and surrounding fields. Between the wide stone walls and a welcome hilltop breeze, the rooms remain delightfully cool even during the hottest months and with a little central heating, lovely and cosy in winter.
The ideal location for country strolls through nearby olive groves and vineyards or even some serious hiking further up the hill. If you prefer Rino and Valerie have a couple of bikes that guests may hire for exploring this picturesque area. Just up the road guests can watch the neighboring farmer make sausages by hand in the traditional way as well as the curing of prosciutto ham, a typical Umbrian art from Norcia ...or maybe try your hand at a little truffle or mushroom hunting, Umbria does not get much more authentic!
The splendid position of this country B&B affords views extending from Umbertide in the south to the Apennine mountains to the north.
While located in the heart of the ‘Green’ Umbrian countryside, the historic centre of Città di Castello is fewer than 15 minutes by car. Rich in Art and Culture, the town also boasts many great restaurants featuring local truffle, porcini and wild boar [some mistakenly exceed the boundaries of the hunting reserve!] dishes along with a host of specialty shops, a number of which sell local hand painted ceramics. Absolutely not to be missed is the little truffle shop in a cobbled side street just down from the Duomo.
Il Pensante [sleeps 2]
The independent entrance is from the paved tiled patio that hosts a charcoal BBQ along with outdoor dining table. The bedroom has been lovingly redecorated in warm and stylish colours and the private bathroom is spacious, well appointed with ceramic tiles throughout. There are also full kitchen facilities with the possibility of connecting the Girasole room for family groups or couples travelling together.
Il Girasole [sleeps 2]
Also features an independent entrance and outdoor dining patio overlooking the attractive gardens and in the summer months the fields of bright yellow sunflowers. This bedroom has also been beautifully decorated and the private bathroom is finished to a very high standard. Groups of 4 may share the full kitchen facilities that can connect Girasole and Pensante.
La Torre [sleeps 2]
This delightful room is located in the most historical part of the farmhouse, the tower and has also been carefully restored preserving even the original arched stone ceiling. It enjoys full kitchen facilities, another lovely private bathroom. It also enjoys a separate entrance with individual paved outdoor area for dining al fresco.
The Rates
*Minimum of 3 nights
The rates include the daily Continental breakfast, power, gas, linen and final cleaning.
Rates in EUROs
Night * Week
Il Pensante: 2 people with kitchen 85 575
Il Pensante: 2 people, no kitchen 75 525
Il Girasole: 2 people with kitchen 85 575
Il Girasole: 2 people, no kitchen 75 525
Il Pensante & Il Girasole:
4 people with kitchen
160
1,095
La Torre: 2 people with kitchen 85 575
All 3 rooms with private bathrooms
plus 2 kitchens
235
1,550