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What is your village
like?
Our village, built in medieval times, is on a hill just east of Todi.
The central part of the village is comprised of a large palazzo with
several apartment homes, a tall watch tower (now in ruins), a small
piazza with a monument to the local men lost in WWII, and a church
with a medieval tower at one end. A few newer homes form the
outskirts of the village. Surrounding the village on all sides are
olive groves and vineyards.
In nearby Grutti and San Terenziano (4 km) you'll
find restaurants, a pizzeria, small grocery shops, a butcher, a gas
station, and other amenities. Ponterio (7 km) has a modern
supermarket, a bank, a pharmacy, a gas station, cafes, and shops.
What's the best way
to transfer from Rome or Florence or Orvieto?
The easiest way to get to Casa Luminosa is to take a train from Rome
(~ 1 hour) or Florence (~ 1.5 hours) to Orvieto, just west of Todi.
In Orvieto, there's both Hertz and Avis car rental offices within
walking distance of the train station, where you can rent a car to
drive the 30 minutes east to Todi and Casa Luminosa. Another option
is to transfer from the main Italian train line at Perugia or Terni
to the Umbrian train system, and take a local train to Todi. At
Todi, you can take a bus up to the center of Todi, or call a taxi to
take you to Casa Luminosa.
Driving from Rome or Florence is another option,
and fairly easy because the A1 highway is fast and well-maintained.
(Remember, however, that is it a toll-way.) Driving north from the
Rome airport to the A1 highway can be somewhat daunting, however,
due to the traffic on the Rome ring road (GRA).
Do we need a car?
Having a car makes your visit to Casa Luminosa more comfortable, and
allows you the freedom to explore all the wonderful hilltowns and
sights in Umbria. The nearest shops are 4 km way in Grutti and San
Terenziano, but the road goes uphill from Casa Luminosa. There is a
bus stop at the village, but the bus only runs once in the morning
and once in the afternoon.
There are local car rental agencies in Todi, and
major agencies like Hertz and Avis in Orvieto, Perugia, and Terni.
How close is the
house to Todi?
Casa Luminosa is less than 10 km from Todi. It's an easy drive down
the hill to Ponterio, and then up the road to Todi for dinner or
shopping. Todi is a hilltown built within Etruscan and medieval
walls, and has one of the most beautiful medieval piazzas in Italy.
The ancient city offers three lovely churches; excellent
restaurants, trattorias, pizzerias, and gelato bars; good shopping;
a great tourist information center; and outstanding views of the
Tiber River Valley.
How is the house laid
out for sleeping arrangements?
Casa Luminosa has two roomy and comfortable bedrooms upstairs, with
views to the north and south. The south bedroom has a traditional
beam and tile ceiling, and is furnished with two Italian twin beds.
This room overlooks the courtyard. The north bedroom has views
across the valley, and is furnished with an Italian matrimoniale bed
(wider than a US queen size). This bedroom still retains fragments
of an ancient fresco. All the beds have hypoallergenic duvets and
two pillows for each person. Downstairs is a third bedroom with two
Italian twin beds.
Is the water safe to
drink?
The water at Casa Luminosa is safe and suitable for drinking;
however, the color, odor, and taste may vary. Depending on you
individual preferences, you may wish to purchase bottled water for
drinking. Bottled water (both carbonated and non-carbonated) is
available in all stores and cafes, and is fairly inexpensive.
Do you allow pets?
While we enjoy our pets at our home in the US, we cannot accommodate
pets at Casa Luminosa.
Is the house suitable
for children?
Older children are welcome at Casa Luminosa. However, since the
house is a typical Italian country house, with tile floors and
stairs, a woodstove in the fireplace, etc., these things make it
unsuitable for young children who might slip on the stairs or wander
too close to the fireplace.
Is this a non-smoking
house?
Yes, Casa Luminosa is a non-smoking house. Smoking is only permitted
outside.
Is there a phone at
the house?
Casa Luminosa does not have a phone, but it does have excellent cell
phone coverage...we suggest you bring a European or worldwide (GSM)
cell phone. These can be rented or purchased online, and several car
rental agencies in the US offer free cell phone rentals with a
European car rental contract.
What kind of
electrical adapters do I need to run a hairdryer, etc.?
Italy uses 220-volt electricity. The electrical outlets take a plug
with two round prongs. If you live in North America, you'll need to
bring plug adapters, and also a converter to convert 220 volts to
110 volts. (unless your appliances have a switch that allows them to
run on either 110 or 220 volt power). Voltage converters aren't
always easy to find in Italy, and since you don't want to bother
with looking for one while you'd rather be be sightseeing or
relaxing, it's a good idea to get one before you leave home.
Most electric chargers for cell phones and
digital cameras/videos run on both 110 and 220-volts, so you should
only need plug adapters for these.
Are there any charges
on top of the rent?
The only additional charges you might incur would be for central
heating (between November and April), or charges for excessive use
of utilities or wood, or extraordinary cleaning requirements.
What are the payment
options?
We accept US dollars or Euros (we use the US Federal Reserve daily
currency exchange rates to determine the amount of US$). The final
payment of 150 Euros, and the security deposit, are due in cash when
you arrive at the house. You can send your payment as a check issued
by a US bank, as an international bank draft, or via a wire transfer
to our US bank account.
What is your
cancellation policy?
Our cancellation policy is:
|
From |
To |
Cancellation Fee |
|
Reservation |
51 days before Check In |
30% |
|
50 days before Check In |
31 days before Check In |
50% |
|
30 days before Check In |
11 days before Check In |
70% |
|
10 days before Check In |
0 hours before Check In |
100% |
|
No Show |
- |
100% |
We highly recommend obtaining Trip Insurance to
protect your rental fee in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
How do we proceed and
when will our reservation be confirmed?
Check the
Availability Calendar, and then
email us to request the week(s) when you would like to visit.
We'll send you a rental agreement and information about making your
deposit. At that time, we'll tentatively reserve your week(s). As
soon as we receive your deposit and rental agreement, we'll confirm
your reservation. At least a month before you arrive at Casa
Luminosa, we'll send you maps and directions to the house, and the
name and phone number of the property manager in Italy (who speaks
fluent English).
What happens if there
is a problem in the house that needs attention during our stay?
Our property manager in Italy lives and works in Todi, and is
available to help with any problems that arise during your stay. She
speaks fluent English, and is very familiar with the house and the
area.
How can I get answers
to additional questions?
Feel free to to email (info@casa-luminosa.com))
us with any additional questions you might have...Casa Luminosa is
our little slice of heaven in Italy, and we're always happy to share
information about the house and the area.
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