Description:
The little hamlet of Fiume, just on the border between Tuscany and Umbria, holds the quaint cottage that overlooks the valley. I leave my car at the private parking area and walk up the stairs that lead to the main door of the stone built home. The owner tells me that the hamlet dates back to the 1700's and shows me the ancient bread oven that used to supply the entire hamlet. Still functional and a wonderful history mark for the property, it is communal to all of the owners in the hamlet and is a wonderful rustic feature.
Before entering the home, I stop to take in the view from the private terrace and can imagine many evening dinners with friends and lazy summer afternoons admiring the surroundings. I walk in and feel a nice sense of space as the rustic kitchen runs into the dining room and sitting area complete with stone fireplace. The exposed beam work and terracotta floor tiles really add to the overall Tuscan feel. I walk straight through the corridor and note that there are two bedrooms and a bathroom on this floor. Up the flight of stairs and I see two other bedrooms and bathroom, one of which is en suite and complete with mansard.
Back downstairs, I follow the owner to the outside and into two separate suites. Each suite has a kitchen nook, sitting area and bathroom. Independent entrances and good views from each apartment make these excellent accommodations for guests. Together with these two apartments, the house sits on three floors and is of about 210 sqm. There are 30 sqm of unrestored storage space that can also be developed. In fact, the three floors can be united to become one large home if desired. The main home and the apartment suites have independent utilities and have been convenient for the owners thus far as they have been running a B&B here.
I take another quick walk around the home and finally come back out to the front terrace. I stand in front of the view, just to take in the whole feeling of the property. I can see someone enjoying this traditional rustic home. Positioned with the advantage of reaching both Castiglione Fiorentino, Cortona and Arezzo on the Tuscan side and Cittą di Castello, Gubbio and Perugia on the Umbrian side!
Castiglion Fiorentino was previously believed to be of medieval origin, but recent excavations have found its far-older Etruscan base. Castiglion Fiorentino's architecture has a predominantly medieval character and includes a wall around the original city center.
www.tuscantreasures.net/castiglionfiorentino/index.html
My Thoughts: This property is a great option for those who want a holiday home that accommodates a large family and many guests. The price point is good for the space available and there is always the option here to create one very large home. This is not a property for those who want to be right in the centre of town, however. The gorgeous scenery and the rustic Tuscan appeal make up for the 15 to 20 minute drive into town. Worth a visit.
