Villa Corbara is a beautifully reconstructed stone villa with accommodations for seven or eleven guests. Situated on a hill overlooking the Tiber Valley and the hill town of Baschi, with views to Lake Corbara, and to Mt. Amiata in Tuscany, the property is an ideal base for discovering the many wonders that Umbria and Southern Tuscany offer.

The American owners of Villa Corbara, working with a New York architect, transformed two farmhouses joined by stables into a very charming country residence, which combines the best features of a classic Italian farmhouse with the modern conveniences of contemporary design. It has been furnished with tasteful and comfortable furniture, excellent lighting, and interesting pieces found in local antique markets. Since the owners regularly reside in the villa, it has a special lived-in feel. Books abound; there are classical CDs and artworks on the walls, some of it painted by guests. Located on a dirt road used only by farmhands working in the vineyards that surround the villa, the property offers a peaceful retreat.

The nearby town of Orvieto is one of the jewels of Umbria. Situated on a plateau high above the valley, the town dates its founding to the Etruscan period. Orvieto's historic center, with its famous cathedral, medieval architecture, charming stores, piazzas, restaurants and bars, is only 15 minutes away from Villa Corbara. Assisi, Todi, Deruta (the best center for Umbrian ceramics), Gubbio, Perugia and the towns of southern Tuscany are all within easy reach from the villa by car for day trips. Orvieto is on the main rail line that links Florence and Rome. Florence is less than two hours away, and Rome can be reached in about an hour.

One of the owners of Villa Corbara was the editor of a nationally acclaimed food and wine magazine, so the heart of the Villa is a large, bright and well-equipped kitchen. It is filled with equipment and cookbooks that will satisfy the most demanding of cooks. The dining area is open to the kitchen, and has a table that seats 12. The living room features comfortable upholstered seating around a large stone fireplace. Large glass doors on both sides of the villa give the villa a light and airy feel, while exposed beams and hand-made terracotta tile floors add traditional style. There is a spacious terracotta-paved terrace off the living room furnished for dining al fresco.

Adjacent to the living room is a cozy library with a small fireplace and walls lined with books on history, art, and architecture, and etchings of historic scenes. Beyond this room are a double bedroom (can be converted into two twins) and a single bedroom that share a bathroom with a shower stall. On the far side of the kitchen is a study with a sofa. Passing through an adjacent area, which one of the owners uses as a painting studio, there is an additional bathroom with a shower.

Upstairs there are two double bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom, and queen-size beds that can be either doubles or twins. The master bedroom has a large ensuite bathroom with both a bathtub and a separate shower stall. From this bedroom a door leads to a fabulous terrace overlooking the pool, with views to Lake Corbara and hill towns. The terrace has very comfortable seating, ideal for leisurely reading and dining. Steps from this terrace lead down to the pool area. The second double bedroom has a bathroom with a bathtub with a shower fixture.

The villa is equipped with air-conditioning and fans in all of the double bedrooms, screens on all bedroom and bathroom windows, grab bars and hair dryers in all bathrooms, dishwasher, two refrigerator/freezers, washing machine, satellite TV, telephone, Internet access in most of the rooms, DVD, sound system, outdoor Weber grill, and independent heating.

The outside grounds are well landscaped with large pots of flowers on the terraces and flowering shrubs and fruit trees planted in the lawn areas. Next to the swimming pool is a vegetable garden for use by guests. The pool is located at one end of the house on its own level. There is a covered pergola for dining, and comfortable pool furniture next to it for relaxing. Large white umbrellas provide shade, and there is a fountain that flows into an antique stone basin next to the pool.

Adjacent to the main house is a nicely furnished Apartment that can accommodate up to four people. Reached by an outside stone staircase, the apartment is entered through a comfortably furnished living room with a fireplace. The living room opens to an eat-in kitchen with a table for four. A corridor off the living room leads to two bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom. Both bedrooms have queen-size beds that can be made up as twins. One bathroom has a bathtub with a hand shower; the other has a stall shower. One bedroom has vineyard views; the other looks out on a medieval watchtower and nearby hill town. Residents of the apartment have their own private terrace on ground level, furnished with a table for dining.

The apartment is not rented separately when only the villa is rented for 7 people. It can be rented together with the villa for larger groups up to 11. On occasion, it can be rented separately when the owners are in residence in the main part of the villa.

The apartment is equipped with a washing machine, cooking range, small refrigerator, satellite TV, grab bars and hair dryers in both bathrooms, ceiling fans and window screens in the bedrooms and bathrooms, and independent heating.

Upon arrival, guests will be greeted by an English-speaking property manager who is available to answer questions and provide information. Guests will find a welcome basket of local products and wine when they arrive. For a fee, a First Shopping can be arranged. The owners make available extensive information about restaurants and services in the surrounding area. They are committed to insuring that their guests experience an area of Italy that they know well and love.