Casale Bellavista is a classic stone farmhouse less than 15 minutes from Todi, a glorious hill town in southern Umbria. It is nestled on five acres of private, partially wooded land. This luxurious home was renovated in 2009 and provides a seamless blending of original antique features with modern styling. Timeless characteristics such as terracotta floors, stone niches, wood beams and brick ceilings were retained. The property was furnished with Italian design furniture and modern lighting, with an eye toward stylish comfort.

The property sleeps eight people in the main farmhouse and two people in an adjoining guesthouse. Casale Bellavista can be rented for either eight or ten people. The Guesthouse is never rented separately from the main Farmhouse.

The setting could not be more idyllic with magnificent views of the unspoiled countryside. The extensive garden is beautifully landscaped and several terraces are thoughtfully sited to take advantage of the surrounding scenery. A covered portal leads into the entrance hall of the Farmhouse, where arched windows offer a framed view of the garden. Just off the entrance is the living room, decorated in contemporary Italian design with modern lighting. It provides ample comfortable seating, a big screen satellite TV, and a piano.

On the opposite side of the entrance is a cozy sitting room with a fireplace and stereo equipment. The entire house is wired for stereo. This sitting room opens to the elegant dining room with a wooden table and a door to the garden.

The large modern kitchen is chef-worthy with professional-quality stainless steel appliances, including a five-burner cook-top, a dishwasher, and a stylish exhaust fan. There is a casual breakfast table, and direct access to the garden and a patio. A walk-in pantry contains tall storage cabinets; it also houses the washing machine and a small bathroom with a shower.

The main floor hosts two bedrooms, both with twin beds, each of which can convert to a queen-size bed. One has a private little patio. These two bedrooms share a bathroom in the hallway with a bathtub and shower.

Upstairs on the second floor is a second sitting room, with bookcases, a large flat-screen TV and a computer with wireless Internet. A fireplace and silk drapes lend charm to this area. A spacious, sun-filled master suite opens from the sitting room and offers a queen-sized bed with a classic iron headboard, pretty décor and wood floors. A modern en suite bathroom with a shower is colorfully tiled. Across the sitting room is another queen-sized bedroom decorated in cheery pastels. A bathroom with a shower is located in the hall. All the upstairs windows offer panoramic views.

A separate Guesthouse provides an independent suite with an open plan living and dining room, a small kitchen, and one double bedroom, along with a bathroom with a shower. It is attached to the farmhouse but is self-contained with a separate entrance.

The outdoor space is spectacular. There are furnished patios for enjoying the views and tranquility. A covered dining terrace offers a big table and cushioned benches that seat 12. Views stretch in three directions and capture both sunrise and sunset viewing. A stone walkway leads to the deep swimming pool (36x18 feet) and a year-round Jacuzzi tub, which are nestled in a panoramic spot overlooking the meandering Tiber River. An old shed near the pool was converted to a pool house with a bed. There is also a barbeque area. The property is lushly landscaped with an alluring combination of lawns, flowerbeds, shrubs, roses and woods. The garden truly highlights the house.

Casale Bellavista is equipped with window screens, fans in each bedroom, wireless internet, professional-quality appliances, covered patio for dining, satellite TV, DVD, a piano, washing machine, dishwasher, barbecue, pizza oven, and security system. Midweek maid service is included in the rental price. The owners can arrange extra services, such as baby-sitting, a private driver or tour guide, cooking classes, an in-villa cook or an evening pizza party. Guests will receive discounted prices at a nearby spa, which has a well-known restaurant.

Casale Bellavista is nicely situated for sightseeing. Nearby Todi is still cradled inside its ancient walls and has picturesque piazzas, charming streets, and delectable restaurants. Many alluring hill towns are within reach, including Deruta, famous for its fanciful pottery designs, Assisi, Spoleto and the bluff-top town of Orvieto. To the north are Perugia, Lake Trasimeno and Cortona, just across the Tuscany border. Two golf courses are in easy driving distance. Umbria is a beautiful area, rich in hilltop castles, timeless towns, and sunflower fields.