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Nestling high up in the hills between Assisi and Spoleto, next to an abandoned church and convent, La Maliarda stands at 550 metres overlooking the beautiful Vale of Spoleto.
Sitting in its own olive grove, the house looks down on the breathtaking Umbrian landscape of small farms, tobacco fields, sunflowers, palaces, churches and monasteries, with the vineyards and city of Montefalco, "the balcony of Umbria", clearly visible from the garden. Behind the house the forests of pines, cypresses and oaks stretch to the grassy mountain tops, providing excellent walking for the intrepid. The area is famous for its truffles and exceptionally fine olive oil. The house is completely on its own, next to an abandoned church and convent and offers comfort and solitude for those seeking a relaxing holiday near, but not overwhelmed by, sites of archaeological, art historical, musical, and gastronomic delight. The charming towns of Assisi and Spoleto, with its international music and arts festival in June-July, Todi, Orvieto, Perugia and Gubbio can all be reached easily by car. The Piano Grande - only 1 hour by car - is a glorious high plateau in the Sibillini National Park, a fabulous place for flowers and walking in the summer. The sounds of convent and church bells further down the hill punctuate the hours, whilst below the busy Via Flaminia still leads to Rome. And all this is on your doorstep. And all this on your doorstep. Flights to Ancona and Rome - our two closest airports - start from just £8.99 one way from Ryanair - unbelievable, but true. It' a cold, grey day in November. Rain beats on the windows, the news is depressing; you wish you were somewhere else. Why not Italy? Crisp autumn and winter days, bright blue skies, air like champagne, and the gastronomic, archaeological, art historical and musical delights of Umbria await you. La Maliarda is the perfect spot for a winter break. A new, efficient wood-burning stove supplements the central heating. New, fluffy duvets and hot-water bottles ensure you will be snug in bed. As our guests tell us, we seem to have thought of everything, so your stay should be comfortable and hassle-free. This undiscovered "green heart" of Italy offers a choice of what the country is most loved for: ancient, unspoilt hilltop towns with spectacular views, substantially unchanged since the Middle Ages, where life goes on much as it always has; enchanting countryside; and a mass of first-rate art and architecture. And the best surprise is that there are no tourists. Often it will be just you admiring the Benozzo Gozzolis in Montefalco, or the Pintoricchios in Spello. Orvieto, with its glistening marble hilltop Gothic Cathedral and newly-restored Last Judgement by Signorelli; Assisi, birthplace of Sts Francis and Clare, with its newly-restored Giotto fresco cycle of the Life of St Francis; Spoleto, with its luminous frescoes by Filippo Lippi; Perugia and Todi - all are within easy driving distance, not to mention Gubbio, Florence and Rome, which make pleasant day trips. Carsulae - the Pompeii of Central Italy - and the many Etruscan remains in Perugia, Gubbio and Orvieto remind one that this area was populated long before the Renaissance got underway. The Medieval towns retain their character, are fiercely independent, and compete with each other in pageants and palios. The rhythms of the Church year continue to be celebrated, as do those connected with agriculture and viniculture. Below you will find just a few of the events which make a visit in this season so attractive. And for those wanting outdoor activities, there is fabulous walking all over the area, and lang-lauf skiing on the Piano Grande in the Sibillini National Park in the winter. |