TERRAZZA BELLA/pedestrian Spoleto/ROME 1 HR

Sleeps 4
AIRCON

Car not necessary – 80 sq mms – central Spoleto with large terrace/French Windows from both bedrooms open onto balconies/very pretty views from terrace and balconies overlook the mediaeval pedestrian lane of Porta Fuga) – sleeps 4 (2 double bedrooms, 1 with a large double bed, the 2nd bedroom with twin beds – 1 bath/shower room (full sized tub)/WC) – fabulous//lift – in very buzzy, pedestrian location. Also Broadband/WiFI internet access in apartment, where you can use your own computer. 4th floor.

Arrival/Departure dates flexible, subject to availability.

One of the most impressive features of Terrazza Bella is the opening of both sets of French windows + the large window, enabling the sunny terrace with its pretty hill views to become one huge indoor/outdoor space.

1 double bedroom + 1 twin bedroom – beds can be joined, by request/1 shower rm/WC. Sleeps 4. Both bedrooms open onto a balcony with views of pedestrian, mediaeval lanes.

With free WiFi internet access, Terrazza Bella, a fabulous apartment, is in the historic centre of Spoleto, buzzing with shops, bars and restaurants as well as ancient monuments, churches and museums at every twist and turn of Spoleto’s arched and cobbled streets. It is located in Porta Fuga, one of Spoleto’s oldest mediaeval streets. The whole city is pedestrian. The best location in central Spoleto !

A car is NOT necessary as you are just 2 minutes walk from the free travelator that connects up the whole of Spoleto and 10 minutes walk from the train station + the bus terminus ..... or a very short bus-ride. From the train station, you can get to practically anywhere in Italy. And, from the bus station, there are myriad of really interesting journeys you can take from little local rides around the hills, visiting a diversity of hill-top villages, to places as far afield as Castelluccio and Norcia – spectacular rides !

Terrazza Bella (90 sq mts) is at the top of the Rocca Dei Perugini, with views from the kitchen/dining room and the terrace of the hilly countryside, dwellings scattered around and nearby roof-tops. It also has a long balcony off both bedrooms, overlooking the pedestrian, mediaeval lanes. So that, while your immediate surroundings are modern, the context you are in dates back to the days when Spoleto was a Latin colony and Roman community.

The large sitting/dining room has 2 double sets of dark, wooden patio doors (1 of them all glass) and a large wooden shuttered window – all along the front of the room. The doors lead onto the large terrace – an absolute luxury in the historic centre of Spoleto – looks really great when the large window and both double doors are wide-open onto the terrace as the terrace becomes an extension of the room.

Big terracotta pots full of colourful bushes, shrubs and flowers decorate the terrace. Dining furnture seats 6. And, there are sunbeds and lounge chairs to snooze on.

The Rocca Dei Perugini, one of 33 listed buildings in Spoleto, was originally built in the 6C as the strong-hold of Perugia to watch over the citizens of Spoleto, whom the Perugians, alias “the Barbarians”, had just conquered! However, while the building itself is ancient, parts of it were irreparable. Hence, the entire centre of this ancient building has been replaced by modern apartments that cannot be seen from the outside. Very clever and very beautifully designed.

Here, you have all the advantages of contemporary, open-air living while still experiencing what it’s like to live in the most ancient and beautiful part of Spoleto. Porta Fuga is pedestrian, as are many of the tiny streets immediate to the apartment. Meander at ease through the ancient streets, past flower shops, wine and truffle shops, many boutiques and shoe shops, bars and cafes and, of course, a myriad of interesting restaurants – cheap and “expensive” (nothing here is expensive compared to other city prices)… up to the famous La Rocca and the Duomo.

The entrance to Terrazza Bella is through a wide Roman stone passage with a luxury all glass business centre on the left and those in-built small glass alcoves displaying small luxury items on the right.

All the apartments in the Rocca dei Perugini, are serviced by a lift as well as a staircase. And, we have a private car space right next to the lift, in a private car-park, that you can hire for 50 euros/week – the rate we pay the owner of the car-park. Having said that, it is quite easy to park in the nearby lanes, just a few minutes walk away, for free.

In this building, there are only 4 apartments with large terraces (all ours !) – and all the other apartments have just tiny balconies.

Please ask at the Spoleto tourist office if would like advice re the various activities on pony trekking, white water rafting etc…..

So, if you are interested in being in the historical centre of Spoleto, surrounded by some of the world’s most famous monuments, churches and sites and, at the same time having easy access by local transport to places like Asissi, Perugia, Orvieto, Montefalco, Trevi, Todi and Rome, not to mention the gastronomic treats, famous (and cheap !) local wines…..and designer shops, then this is the place for you !

There are the full range of local shops, restaurants, supermarkets, banks and cash machines – everything you’d expect to find in a sophisticated city centre – just scaled down since Spoleto is more a large fairy-tale village and has the advantage of everything you could wish for within easy reach….especially, ice-cream, cappucino, great wines and truffles !!! The clothes shops ! Not to mention the galleries, museums, theatres and churches that are dotted all around you; and, you will find yourself entranced by the beauty and sprituality that pervades every cobble-stone in every one of its medieval street.

For the sporty, there is a flash tennis club within walking distance of almost anywhere you are staying – or, it is a short bus-ride from Piazza Garibaldi. And there are a selection of gyms.

Spoleto is akin to a giant, fairy-tale castle. Sprinkled with bars, restaurants and shops, peppered with piazzas, Spoleto sits magestically amidst a maze of tunnelled, cobbled lanes and alley-ways, all leading skywards to the famous Rocca, the aquaduct and, some of the best views in the world. A surreal setting, a stage-set in the making, fringed by mountains, olive groves, vineyards, mediaeval monasteries, towns, cities and tiny hill-top villages – all beckoning a visit, Spoleto is truly a temptress. Succumb to her beauty and you must use all your will-power to leave. Quite simply, Spoleto is the most captivating city in Italy, never mind Umbria, Venice and Florence, being on a par.

Venice has the water. Florence has the Uffici. Spoleto has the mountains. All three have a history to be reckoned with. All three bedazzle us with their rich cultures, their European, aristocratic connections and their sheer beauty. But, Spoleto has the upper hand for the world traveller. It resists tourism with its associated inflated rates and tacky goods on sale ! You are invited to visit Spoleto, but, not as a tourist. You will be welcomed like a long lost member of the family ! Treated like a king. And, you will pay the same rates as all the locals, especially when you pay attention to all our recommended restaurants, bars and gelaterias.

Subsequently, Spoleto is in demand with those in search of “the authentic Italian” experience, love beauty and who wish to base themselves in the centre of Italy because, from Spoleto, you can get to practically anywhere else in Italy easily and cheaply within minutes to a few hours.

Until now, it had always been too expensive to stay in Spoleto. Holiday-makers were forced to stay outside of Spoleto and drive in. We have changed all that. We have “unlocked” Spoleto, with our range of centrally located apartments, at rates that are competitive with our “out of town” apartments, making Spoleto affordable for you, at last !

The beaches of Bolsena lake are 90 minutes drive and of Trasimeno, 2 hours drive. It also takes about 2 hours drive to reach the Adriatic coast. Piediluco beach is about 1 hours drive. The drives to all these places take in sensational views especially the drive to the Adriatic, which passes Norcia on the way – and, if you detour to the left on the way for a further 20 minutes, you can also visit the famous Gran Piano, famous for its natural flower displays in Spring and the white truffle.

The nearest airports are Rome and Ancona – about 90 minutes drive to Spoleto – and Perugia – about 40 minutes drive to Spoleto.

Assisi, Foligno, Montefalco, Spello and Bevagna – 30 minutes drive away, Perugia – 45 minutes, Todi – 1 hour and 30 mins, Orvieto – 1 hour, San Gemini – 30 minutes, Trevi – 20 minutes, Rome – 1 hour/10 mins by train, Florence – 2 hours and 30 mins, Naples – 3 hours and 30 mins and Venice – 5 hours (best by train).

We also cater for large parties of between 8 to 24 persons re our central Spoleto apartments or our larger pool villas - please ask for details.

To sum up :

Spoleto is a walled, pedestrian city, packed with shops, bars, restaurants, ancient monuments, and friendly locals......everything you could wish for...and, at a price that is extremely pocket-friendly.

It is NOT a touristy place. Spoleto is Italy's best kept secret. With its aristocratic ancestry, Spoleto has always been one of the Italian's favourite cities, alongside Venice and Florence. It has age on its side. A mature and extraordinarily beautiful city.

And if you don’t speak Italian, no problem! Just wave your hands - you’ll be understood!

NOTE :

Energy charges are now sky high. We do not charge extra for aircon unless the usage is excessive. However, excessive usage would only occur if windows and doors are left open at the same time as the aircon is turned on.