The Casa del Conte is the magnificent family home of an Italian noble family. It is located in a rural setting southwest of Todi, about a 10-minute drive from the town. There are wonderful views of the Tiber Valley and Todi from the villa.

This property is a very elegant and tasteful country retreat that has been pictured in several books on top-level Italian homes. The interior design combines formal and country furniture, interesting artwork, beautiful fabrics, comfortable seating, and a feel of quiet luxury. It has also been equipped with top-level appliances and modern conveniences in the kitchen and bathrooms.

The entire villa has wood-beam ceilings. There is a large entrance hall with a powder room. The living room is extremely large and has two distinct seating areas as the room comfortably holds 12 people. Several traditional pieces and large patterned rugs are placed with comfortable couches and ample side chairs. There are three doors which lead to a large covered, furnished terrace and beyond to the garden, and there are spectacular views of the countryside from the terrace.

The dining room and kitchen are also off the entrance hall. The dining room is large and has a fireplace, and one part of the room has a sitting area with a TV. The kitchen has top-level appliances and is designed well. A utilities room next to the kitchen is also a laundry room with a washing machine and clothes dryer. In the courtyard off the kitchen there is a table that seats 12 covered by a market umbrella and surrounded by flower-filled pots. A large nut tree provides shade.

Also on the first floor is a bedroom with a queen-size bed that serves as a second master bedroom. The room is a comfortable size, decorated very well, and has a door that leads to a Jacuzzi tub on a screen porch. Next to the room is a bathroom with a large shower equipped for a handicapped person. There is also a study with doors to the garden near the bedroom.

Stone steps lead to a library on the second floor that is open to the wood-beam ceiling. It is an open area with walls lined with full bookcases and has a sitting area. The other bedrooms are all reached from this central space. The master bedroom has a king-size bed and is beautifully decorated; it is filled with traditional furniture and has a fireplace. Two window doors lead to a terrace that has a fabulous view of the Tiber Valley. The large ensuite bathroom has both a bathtub and a shower. There is an air conditioning unit in this room.

A twin bedroom on this floor has large twin four-poster beds with lovely fabric coverings in blue and white. This room also has a fireplace and a small sitting area, and an ensuite bathroom. Two other bedrooms share a bathroom between them with a bathtub/shower. One bedroom has a queen-size bed and windows facing the Tiber Valley. The other bedroom, with a view of Todi, has twin beds and is decorated for children. Both bedrooms have a light and colorful feel, enhanced by whitewashed walls and local fabrics.

The garden is very well maintained by a caretaker who lives over the garage, and there are several outside spaces for relaxing. The swimming pool is close to the villa, but hidden from it. It is situated under a ruined medieval tower that is lit up in the evening. The pool is partly shaded by a large oak tree under which there are chairs and chaise lounges.

Casa del Conte is equipped with a telephone, computer, separate fax/computer line, washing machine, clothes dryer, satellite TV/VCR, high-quality kitchen appliances (2 refrigerators, dishwasher, microwave), and independent heating. There is air conditioning in the master bedroom; other bedrooms have overhead fans. All rooms have window screens. Maid service for 4 hours a day, 5 days a week, is included in the rental price. The housekeeper is also an excellent cook and available to cook for guests for an extra charge.

The location of Casa del Conte is excellent for touring. There is easy accessibility to other major towns of Umbria, such as Assisi, Perugia, Gubbio, Spoleto, and Orvieto. Florence and Rome can be reached by car in two hours or by rail from Orvieto, and Siena is 90 minutes away. The medieval town of Todi is a bustling place with restaurants and interesting sightseeing.