La Carpina is a small estate set on 60 acres in the heart of Umbria near the lovely medieval walled town of Montone, in a region known as the Upper Tiber Valley. The estate is comprised of the owners’ main house, the two rental properties—Casa Gloria and Casa Barbara—stables and a riding rectangle. There is horseback riding available as one of the English-speaking owners is trained in horsemanship. There are forests, fields and a small vineyard surrounding the buildings, and the views are lovely and peaceful. This is truly a place for a special Italian vacation.

The property is very well located for touring Umbria and parts of Tuscany. Assisi, Gubbio, Perugia and Arezzo are less than an hour away. A main highway entrance is 20 minutes from the estate. The farmhouses can be rented separately or together if there is a group up to 12 people.

Casa Gloria (4) was originally a tobacco-drying barn and there are stone walls which remind one of its origins. Approximately 1800 square feet in size, it is a cozy house with a comfortable feel and lovely furnishings. The living room has tall wood-beam ceilings and comfortable seating, with a see-through fireplace that faces the dining room. The kitchen is modern and fully equipped to a high standard. The double bedroom is on the first floor; another bedroom on the second floor can be either a double or a twin. Both bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms with Jacuzzi tubs and window screens. Casa Gloria’s swimming pool is below the house down a short flight of stairs.

Casa Barbara (8) is a very comfortable and well-designed farmhouse with a great deal of charm. It has much of its original stone visible throughout the house. The furnishings are comfortable and tasteful. The first floor has a spacious open plan living room/dining room/kitchen. The wooden dining table can extend to seat 12 when both houses are rented by one group. The kitchen is fully equipped to a high standard.

All of the bedrooms in Casa Barbara are equal in size and decorated similarly. Two are on the first floor, and two are on the second floor on each side of the sitting room. Each bedroom is in a suite arrangement with its own bathroom. The bedrooms can be doubles or twins, and all bedroom windows have screens. Casa Barbara’s swimming pool is above the farmhouse and is reached by a path from the second floor sitting room. In the pool area there is a stone structure with tables and chairs and a refrigerator.

Each farmhouse is equipped with a laptop computer with WIFI Internet access, washing machine, satellite TV with DVD, VCR, hi-fi system, dishwasher, small electric appliances and a cell phone (guests pay for the calls). Each house has its own private garden for dining and relaxing. The owners provide a number of extra items, including bicycles, charcoal, a game room and mini-gym. Maid service is available for an extra charge, and a cook and English-speaking babysitter can also be arranged for an extra charge.

The owners can arrange for guests to go mushroom and truffle hunting, and participate in the autumn grape harvest. Cooking lessons, wine and olive oil tastings can also be arranged. They are very helpful but also respect privacy unless asked for assistance. La Carpina has a tremendous amount to offer in a rental property.