The 10x4m pool is well hidden from the lane being on the third level just a few steps from the house. It can be lit at night. The two gardens on a higher level allow plenty of shade and there is usually a cooling breeze from the valley. Sun umbrellas are provided. The pool is surrounded by a paved area.

The swimming pool is deep towards the centre and children will need to be accompanied at all times. You can click below for larger images.

The garden of the house is on 3 terraces with a mixture of sunny and shady places to sit. There are sundry mature trees offering shade. The garden is well-established with a wide variety of plants and shrubs giving colour for most of the year. There are fig, apple, peach, pear, plum and persimmon trees and blackberry bushes along the lane as well as on the land. The land surrounding the house is 800 square metres of olive fields with some vines. A stream with willow, reeds and bushes separates the land from that of neighbours.

From the garden you can see across the Val Di Chiana (valley) to Mt Amiata (extinct volcano) and Mt Cetona. The house is in the foothills of the Apennines affording panoramic views.

Garden furniture includes a full size table and chairs plus sun-loungers and sun chairs. The original stone sink is now a garden feature. There is a large rose and wisteria-covered pergola, always offering shade, under which is the garden table for dining outside. Both the garden and pool can be lit at night.

The garden, lanes and hedgerows form a paradise for wildflowers, butterflies and birds. The wildlife includes lizards, crickets and the usual creatures found in warm climates including fireflies and glow worms at night.

The area is famous for the occasional huge porcupines and wild boar "cinghiale" that come out at night. The Hoopoo is used as the logo for the Italian National Trust. It is a frequent visitor and usually nests in sight of the house.

The garden offers ideal opportunities for painting. Click below for larger images.

Restaurants

There is an excellent range of cafes and restaurants in the immediate area catering for all tastes and budgets, some for the rich and famous. The restaurant Canta Napoli, 5 minutes away on the road to Camucia, is inexpensive and has an excellent reputation for fish dishes. Booking is usually essential. Il Falconiere is perhaps the most expensive, whereas many film stars have eaten in Il Teatro. Albergo Portole has wonderful views. There are outdoor cafes and two or three wine bar/clubs that cater primarily for the young and trendy. Information is the House Book.

The Cortonese have a siesta from 1pm to 4pm but the town really comes to life around 6pm in the spring and summer when the evening passeggiata (stroll) takes place. The cinemas and theatres in the region usually start at 9.30pm.

Wine

Tuscan wine is famous throughout the world. There is a vast range of quality and prices available from the COOP (those over £50.00 are on the top shelf) and the highest quality can be bought from an enoteca - wine shop in Cortona. The best known area in this region is around Montepulciano and Montalcino where you can taste the wine and have a meal in the vineyards. Details are in the House Book. This area was famous for wine whereas the Cortona area was famous for oil. However, some Cortonese wines are now extremely good and the area is becoming famous. You can now find Cortonese wine in the UK. There are wine tasting visits to vineyards.

The grape harvest is in late October depending on the weather with the olive harvest in November. It is possible to see the olives being crushed to make oil in a small factory (fattoria) nearby. The hamlet of San Pietro di Cegliolo has a small festa to celebrate the oil harvest and new wine on 8th December.

Sagra

There is usually a sagra (an open air local festival) each Saturday in one or other of the villages around throughout the summer where the local food and wine is sampled with entertainment and a dance later in the evening. There is always some entertainment on in a nearby village or town. Cortona holds a steak festival called the Sagra della Bistecca in August where the steaks are cooked on an enormous outdoor BBQ by six chiefs as can be seen on the photo on the left. It celebrates the famous Val di Chiana beef.

Montepulciano - Famous for good quality wine, Montepulciano has a cask rolling and medieval parade on the last Sunday in August.

The village of Tavarnelle is on the main road a couple of minutes drive down the lane from the house. Tavarnelle has a few shops including an excellent local butcher selling locally produced meat, a chemist, and a roadside cafe used primarily by locals and passing tourists. The cafe is where information is posted about buses. (The bus stops are near to the cafe so you can have a drink while you wait. Don't forget to check the side of the road you are waiting on - the opposite to the UK!)

The market town of Camucia, 2 kms away, has a wide range of non-tourist shops. The Coop supermarket (a cooperative similar in ethos to ones in the UK) is on the main road leading from Tavarnelle to Camucia. There are now four other supermarkets on this road on the other side of Camucia. There is also a very large, lively regional market on a Thursday morning. A smaller market is held on Saturday mornings in Cortona. Approximately 1 km away from Camucia, on the road to Lake Trasimeno, is a shop (similar to Comet), selling a wide range of household goods plus a good quality gift section.

Cortona

Cortona, the most famous town in the immediate region, is situated in the hills above the Val di Chiana, famous throughout Italy for beef - especially steak. There are a number of websites on Cortona. One is linked here. From Cortona, roads lead into the mountain area with spectacular views. These roads form passes over the Apennines to the eastern region. Although winding, the roads are good and there are a few villages dotted along the roadside. Tobacco is one of the crops grown in the valley. The olive oil is extremely good around Cortona. Le Celle is spectacular. The monastery is along a lane off the road to the cathedral. It is a monastery where St Francis lived for many years. A 'must see' spot. Directions are in the House Book.

Cortona is a beautiful town large enough to be interesting but small enough to get to know well. There is a large cathedral in the centre although more famous is the cathedral and monastery on the higher edge of the town. There is a fortress at the back of the same square as the higher cathedral. You can visit the site and there are often art exhibitions held here. The cathedral has a famous tree lined path from the town used for centuries by pilgrims with the Stations of the Cross marked along the way. On this path, the native Cortonese futurist and cubist painter Gino Severini, created a series of mosaics depicting the Stations of the Cross. There are several impressive churches in and around the town. There are two museum/art galleries the larger of which, the award-winning MAEC, has Etruscan remains. Well worth a visit. There are several Etruscan archaeological sites in the area while Cortona itself is a former Etruscan city. These are called "meloni". Visits can be arranged via the Tourist Office. The Diocesan Museum is opposite the cathedral in Cortona and has works by the locally born Renaissance artist Luca Signorelli as well as works by Fra Angelico, Pietro Lorenzetti, Bartolomeo della Gatta and Sassetta. Cortona Antique Fair - The week-long Annual Antique Fair in Cortona is held just before Whit. It is one of the most important in Europe. It specialises in high quality antiques. You need to check the web site for details and dates.

Walks

The surrounding area is excellent for walking. There are walking maps in the house.

Several Etruscan paths are clearly signed in the area of the Albergo Portole Hotel.

Tuscany has numerous small, medieval and pre-medieval hill towns and villages. Details of some will be in the house book and information books and leaflets in the house but it is always a delight to discover your own. The major towns and cities of the area are noted below.

Arezzo On the first Sunday of each month, an antique market, said to be the largest in Europe, is held in Arezzo about half an hour by car from the house. A photograph of the Antique Market is shown here.

Lake Trasimeno Lake Trasimeno, Italy's largest lake after the alpine lakes, is 20 mins car ride away across the border into Umbria. All around the lake there is a choice of small towns all different in character offering a range of activities. There are places to wind surf or sail, tree lined promenades shops and cafes. The lake is declared safe for swimming. One village, Tuoro sul Trasimeno has a beach area with children's playground and trampoline. Several villages specialise in fishing and fish restaurants. One has a small fishing museum. Passignano is the largest town. There are inexpensive, modern ferryboats sailing several times a day to the islands in the lake. The trips take about half an hour from the mainland. It is possible to stay overnight on the largest of the islands in a B&B or the 4 star hotel. The women of the island until very recently used to sit outside their houses making lace to sell (apart from the siesta time from midday to mid afternoon). There is now a lace museum there. Hannibal passed alongside the lake with his elephants. He defeated the Roman army in a battle on the edge of Lake Trasimeno in BC 217. There are many sites in the area where bones from the time of Hannibal have been found. There is information available in the small museum on the main island and also some bones are exhibited in the MAEC in Cortona.

The house is situated in an elevated position with a view across the valley (Val di Chiana) towards Monte Amiata (extinct volcano) and Monte Cetona. On the other three sides of the house is the mountain scenery of the Apennines. This area allows for delightful walks among the forests of beech, oak and pine. The elevated situation of the house over the Val de Chiana means that there is usually a breeze.

Click on any of the pictures on this page to see it as a larger image.

There are opportunities for walking, riding, tennis and swimming in the area. Lake Trasimeno has some water sports such as sailing and wind surfing. Details are in the book in the house. Full information may be obtained from the tourist office in Cortona.

Although events usually take place around the same time each year, it is essential to ask or look on the web for current dates and locations.

Check opening times and days. Museums and Art galleries are often closed on Mondays.

Re-enactments

The Italians are excellent at producing enactments of all types. The costumes and music are carefully chosen and there are often animals, jousts, archery or simply spectacles to keep you amused. Food and wine is usually involved.

There always seems to be some entertainment in the villages and towns in the immediate area of Cortona especially during the religious festivals and the summer. Around the Whit period, there is a enactment lasting a few days in Cortona which includes a procession, medieval wedding ceremony and Archidado (medieval archery contest). There are similar events throughout the summer in one town or another. The websites of the towns usually give information but posters pasted on the local trees and walls offer the most knowledge of these local events. As the old rivalries still exist between towns, each advertises its own festivals and events so don't expect one to give information about others in the same area.

Various local villages take it in turn to hold a re-enactment of the Easter Story. It is organised solely by the community but the music, lighting, script, costumes and scenery are of a professional standard. The villagers and visitors process around the village and surrounding area in the style of a Son et Lumiere.

Cortona on the Move is held in summer where a variety of venues each hold a photographic/art exhibition.

Arezzo has an impressive jousting enactment, the Giostra del Saracino, in June and the first weekend in September. It has been held since 1260 AD. There is an international choral festival in Arezzo every year in late August.

Perugia is famous for music and holds a very large jazz festival during the summer. There is also street music in the summer. An Navetta (shuttle bus) runs from rail station to city centre. There is now also a mini train which runs from the station platform to the city centre which is the best option.

Siena Palio - The world famous medieval horse race takes place on 3 consecutive evenings, twice a year, at 7.30. The main races are held approx July 2nd and August 13th. It is easy to see either of the 2 evening shows that are held prior to the final. The three evening shows are identical. Check dates. Footage from the 2007 Palio appears in the James Bond film, Quantum of Solace.

Music

There is usually a music concert somewhere in or near Cortona. Details are posted on the web nearer the time. Most towns have some sort of music festival during the summer.

The Teatro Signorelli in Cortona has music events as well as showing, plays, operas and films.

The Autostrada del Sole (Highway to the Sun) is approximately 15 mins drive along quiet country roads from Camucia. It passes between fields of sunflowers in the summer. The Autostrada del Sole is a toll road running from the north to the south of Italy and is approximately 9 euros for this journey. From Rome to Cortona costs approx 8 euros (£6) one way.

Camucia is on the main rail line so most Cortonese drive the few minutes to the station and go by train if they wish to go to Florence or Rome for the day. The trains are frequent and reliable and most, but not all, stop at Camucia. There is another station about 5 miles away for those that do not stop in Camucia. This serves Rome, Florence, Perugia, Assisi and Foligno etc. Details are in the house book but it is best to check before travel. Buy your ticket from the travel agent near the station and you need to validate your ticket by punching it in a machine on the platform before travel.

It is best to drive to Siena, about an hour by car, as it is necessary to change trains. There is outdoor and underground parking.

Out of Season

Start of October through to end of May

£150 per person a week. More than four people £100 per person a week

Non school holidays throughout the year June to mid-July and throughout September

£225.00 per person per week - minimum cost £450 per group

£100 per person per week for 5th and 6th person if required

Children 16 and under free if accompanied by adults as above

Single booking - please contact to discuss

School holidays throughout the year

£225.00 per person per week - minimum cost £675 per group

£100 per person per week for 5th and 6th person if required

Children 16 and under free if accompanied by adults at the rate given above

Single booking - please contact to discuss

Option

If you want to share costs, do not know Italy or speak the language please contact Val who would possibly be able to take the studio room depending on dates. There are two bathrooms, large garden and surrounding area allowing privacy. If Val takes the studio room then the stated minimum cost is decreased by £100.

During the summer months it is advisable to be careful about the use of water.

Gas and electricity costs are included. Cleaning costs are included. It is hoped that the property will be left pretty much as you find it. Signora Annunciata will clean thoroughly at the end of your stay.

Airports

Perugia 45 minutes away.

Florence is 75 miles - approximately an hour and a half.

Rome 125 miles - approximately two hours and a half.

Pisa - approximately one hour and a half.

Bologna possible.

Other airports may be available.

You can extend your holiday by flying on to a range of destinations from Rome, Pisa or Perugia airports. Examples are Milan, Venice, Verona, Sardinia, Sicily, Baden Baden and Geneva.

You can also fly from London to Pisa and from Stanstead to Perugia.

Change over day is flexible.

There could be flexibility about arrival and departure dates as a friend has an excellent family hotel in the hamlet of Portole in the mountains just 7 kms (10 mins for Italian drivers!) from Cortona. The hotel has a balcony where you can eat overlooking the Apennines. The food is the traditional Tuscan cuisine of the area. You would be made very welcome. It would be possible to stay bed and breakfast if your flight didn't coincide with a Tuesday. Prices are very reasonable. It is feasible to combine another centre and stay for one or two nights or longer in Rome, Florence, Siena or the coast that is 2 hours away as mentioned above. The spectacular Amalfi coast is approximately 3-4 hours drive away but makes a good contrast for a two-centre holiday.

From Rome: the ring road leading to the Autostrada (A1 north to Florence) is just outside Fiumicino Airport. After approximately 15 minutes on the ring road (either way), you have an hour on the A1. Lorries carrying other than perishable goods are not allowed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Leaving the Autostrada at Val di Chiana, it is 15 minutes along a good rural road to the house. After 10 minutes you can see Cortona high up ahead of you in the distance. Casa Marzi is in the hills a little to the left of Cortona.

From Pisa, after leaving the airport you are on the dual carriageway for 1 hour to the Florence toll. Then it's 1 hour on the A1 south before you follow the instructions above from the Val di Chiana part.

There are airport buses running frequently to the centre of the cities that stop outside the rail stations. The train journey to Camucia takes approximately 2 hours from Rome, one hour from Florence. The trains run frequently, are comfortable and inexpensive. When travelling by any train make sure you punch your ticket in one of the machines in the station before travelling. Otherwise you will risk being fined!

All travel and other details will be sent to you by request or on confirmation of booking.

A deposit of £20 is required on booking. This is for the whole booking

If you do not have contact with anyone who has visited Casa Marzi, comments from past visitors can be seen in the section Visitor Reviews. It is possible to have a word in private with someone who can offer an impartial opinion.

If interested, please do not hesitate to contact me for further photographs, information, maps and books:

If there is a problem with the information and links on the website, phone Dave (son) for advice. His home number is 0191 281 0685 and 07808 524 297

We have spend our summer holiday in Casa Marzi. The place is one of outstanding beauty. It is friendly and calm. It worth to stressing it has very good standards and a high quality of equipment

We recommend it as fantastic place to relax and enjoy.

Dana and Witek from Poland

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Outstanding beauty. Stunning views!

Casa Marzi is a lovely house with stunning views ideal for a family stay. We truly enjoyed our one week stay and will definitely come back.

Halimah, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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Loved it all!

Hope this it is not my last visit. Loved it all especially the art- the paintings and pottery.

Cornwall, California, USA. Mike and Anne Brown, Sunderland

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A fabulous place to stay

Casa Marzi is a fabulous place to stay. This summer was my fourth visit. The secluded cottage is set in olive groves and is only a five-minute drive away from the beautiful hill town of Cortona where there’s plenty of places to eat. Be sure to catch the street artists and musicians found in the main piazza most evenings.

To me, Casa Marzi is a home from home, a comfortable cottage with everything you need, including Wi-Fi. Although at home I can't take a dip in a private swimming pool with views across a valley of olive groves. If you want a relaxed rustic retreat, then I highly recommend Casa Marzi.

Helen and Richard Dent, Rhys and Lily, Birmingham, UK