We’ve had more fun here at our agritourismo in Monteleone di Orvieto. (We are actually in the region of Umbria, right on the border of Tuscany). This place can only be reached from a long and winding dirt road. It is off the beaten path, well-equipped with many pot holes and tree branches that brush your windshield with cascading flowers. We are far removed from any major cosmopolitan city. Any glimpse of an urban setting is small in scale, tucked away in the antiquated walls of a once-thriving Medieval or Etruscan hill town. Life here is at a snail’s pace.
Our farmhouse, which dates from the early 16th century, has been lovingly restored by owners Bruno and Paola. They have spent the last 12 years refurbishing the property, which had been abandoned for the previous 30 years. There was no road leading to the farmhouse, and the entire area was overgrown with vegetation. They raised their two boys here (then, ages 7 and 9), and transformed the property into a growing agritourismo. It has been a lot of hard work for them, but they wouldn’t trade it for the world. Bruno left his full-time job as an architect in his hometown of Venice. He is very busy here on the farm giving horse riding lessons, making wine and pressing olive oil. His wife, Paola, spends her days tending the gardens, making wonderful Tuscan dinners for her guests, and doing any pottery or painting when she has extra time.
Here are a few pictures from our countryside retreat in Umbria:
