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A beautiful 17th century manor house in the green hills of northern Lazio. Sleeping 20 people, with 11 bedrooms and seven bathrooms, this is the perfect base for two or three families to enjoy this superb part of Italy.

80km from Rome, the house is between San Martin al Cimino and the old city of Viterbo, both 1.5km away. Villa dei Papi has been owned by the same family for three hundred years and is designated as a national monument. Set in splendid countryside just one hour north of Rome, the villa is ideally located for exploring Lazio's Etruscan sites and Renaissance palaces, for golfing at one of several 18-hole courses - or for a day in the city. Its large rooms are full of light and decorated with fine antiques and a sprinkling of ancestral portraits. The bedrooms, especially the master suite, are immensely comfortable with modern bathrooms. Outside, terraces and pergolas are filled with flowers provide additional sitting and dining areas. A lawn with clipped hedges leads down through the garden to a stunning, infinity-edged swimming pool overlooking the estate's private olive groves and the hills leading towards Viterbo.

There is a great deal to see within half an hour's drive: the unique gardens of the Villa Lante and Bomarzo, the over-the-top splendour of the Villa Farnese and beautiful old towns such as Vitorchiana and Montefiascone. As the centre of the Etruscan civilization some 4000 years ago, the area is liberally sprinkled with their igloo-shaped tombs, notably at Cerveteri, where the local museum houses an impressive collection of their extraordinary pottery. Vineyards and wineries abound and, for a change of pace, Rome is quickly reached by a direct rail line.

The lower ground floor has a large dining room, large and well equipped kitchen with fireplace, conventional and wood oven, well equipped cellar and WC. The main house/ground floor
has two grand hallways. TV room with fireplace leading out to a paved pergola. Billiard-room. Two large sitting rooms, one with fireplace. Study leading out onto a terrace with garden furniture and dining table. Double bedroom with ensuite bathroom with shower.

There is a double bedroom suite with a sitting room and a large bathroom with a jacuzzi and separate shower. Double bedroom sharing a bathroom with shower with a bedroom with a 'French' bed suitable for one adult or two children. Double bedroom and a twin bedroom sharing a bathroom with bath and shower.

On the first floor is the guest apartment. There are two double bedrooms with mezzanine with a single bed both with en suite bathrooms with showers. Double bedroom with ensuite bathroom with bath. Available from 2008.

Grounds comprise seven hectares/20 acres of olive groves surrounding the property's extensive lawns. The private swimming pool, 7 x 14m, is set about 20m from the house. The pool has a constant depth of 1.5m-2.3m and steps for entry/exit. There is an outdoor shower.

Assistance is provided locally by the property's very helpful owners, who speak English and divide their time between a separate house on the same estate as the villa and their residence in Rome. Cooking classes can be arranged on the property for parties of six or more. Services included in the rental fee, and optional services available, are noted under Price and Availability.

Facilities include dishwasher, washing machine, satellite TV with DVD/video, central heating, fixed telephone line. ADSL internet connection will be available for 2008. Other facilities include microwave, filter coffee maker, kettle, mixer, toaster, hair dryer, iron and ironing board.

Airports: Rome, 1 hour 15 minutes; Florence, 2 hours 30 minutes. Railway station at Viterbo. Motorway exit on the far side of Viterbo, roughly 10km along paved roads to the property's narrow entrance. Parking for four cars. There is even a private chapel in the grounds.

Activities are many. There is tennis and thermal spa in Viterbo, 10 minutes. Riding stables at San Martin al Cimino, 10 minutes. 18-hole golf at Sutri, 20km. The ebullient owner of Villa dei Papi teaches the cooking classes herself, and uses ingredients grown and/or produced on the property: herbs, tomatoes and virgin olive oil, as well as edible flowers. Participants can choose the menus in advance - or leave it up to Signora Catelano to design a menu based on seasonal delicacies. Romans have been escaping to country homes in this area for centuries. Some are open to the public, but many are still privately owned and house priceless collections of art and antiques. Visits to some of these homes may be arranged with advance notice.

Via Curtatone e Montanara 14, 50053 Empoli, Florence, Italy