Casa Del Falco is a typical Abruzzese farmhouse set in a rural valley offering views of the Apennine mountains. The living area is on a single floor with storage rooms below.
There are two steps up to the front door and lobby with a compact but fully equipped kitchen on one side and a shower room on the other. A further step takes you to the main open plan living and dining room. This main room offers a wood burning stove, well placed large dining table and relaxing seating area. Beyond this are two large bedrooms. The master room with king size bed offers views to the tallest peaks in the Appenines from the bed and lots of storage space. The second is a twin room with beautiful rural views, comfortable single beds, a third pull-out chair bed and a large wardrobe.
Outside are the well maintained patio gardens with a magnificent view across the valley to the Gran Sasso mountains. Garden furniture including a large table and eight chairs are available that can be positioned under the large parasol and olive tree on the west side of the house. In addition the recently renovated terrace on the north side of the house offers sun at different times of the day and rural hill views. A barbeque is available to guests and offers a chance to try your hand at cooking the traditional local dish arrosticini.
A large forecourt provides ample parking, and a large grassy area provides further parking if required. Surrounded by the properties olive groves you hear traditional Abruzzan life wash over the valley as locals care for their land and wildlife moves across the property.
There is a stand alone garage used to store garden furniture and which also houses the barbecue and a microwave.
Surrounded by olive, fruit and nut trees set deep within magnificent countryside, Casa Del Falco provides an authentic flavour of rural Abruzzo. It lies midway between the hill towns of Castiglione MR and Bisenti, both with beautiful medieval centres that have retained their authentic traditional character.
The drive to the house includes some stretches of 'white road' - gravelled rural roads.
The nearest airport is Pescara, less than an hour's drive away, which is serviced by regular Ryanair flights. Rome (Ciampino) Airport is a drive of about 2.5 hours.
Excellent local shops provide an abundance of fresh local food and wine. Supermarkets are located in both towns and the nearby hamlets of Cesi and Piane. Banks with automatic cash machines are located in Bisenti and Piane. Petrol stations can be found in Bisenti, Piane and Castiglione.
The area is well served for meals out by pizzerias, rosticcerias and agriturismo restaurants. Although little English is spoken, the people of Abruzzo provide visitors with the warmest of welcomes.
The award winning San Lorenzo vineyard is less than 20 minutes away offering excellent local wines including a must try Montepulciano di Abruzzo (Escol Riserva). Further afield the world famous Emidio Pepe is an iconic vineyard with tastings and tours available.
Abruzzo has the highest percentage of protected rural areas anywhere in Europe (33% of its entire area). With magnificent scenery all around, the white roads are also well suited to walkers and cyclists. Traditional farming methods mean that there is an abundance of butterflies and other local wildlife. The farm is bounded by two deep, wooded ‘fossa’ (gullies) which provide a haven for birds and, in May/June, fireflies. Our two lower fields are being allowed to naturally regenerate to native woodland providing further opportunities for local wildlife. Throughout the summer there are lizards everywhere, crickets can be heard and there are wild flowers in profusion. Our fruit trees - peaches, figs, pomegranates, apples and walnuts - can be freely picked in season.
The historical centres of Penne and Atri with beautiful churches and museums are within half an hour's drive and in less than an hour, you can be on the coast or deep in the Apennines. There are excellent beaches at Pineto, Rosetto, Montesilvano and Silvi Marina. If your preference is for the mountains, then The Campo Imperatore deep in the Apennines, is well worth exploring. On the edge of the Campo is Castel del Monte, where much of the George Clooney film ‘The American’ was set and Castelli, a major centre for ceramics since the 16th century, is short drive away.
The property is fully air conditioned and WiFi is available. The property is suitable for remote working and is available for long terms stays upon request.