To be more precise, the sun sits over northern Lazio, the area that borders both Tuscany and Umbria, thus claiming geographical and cultural links with these two more well-known regions. While not so poetic sounding as the title of Ms. Mayes' international best seller, the sun shines in Lazio, however, just as magically as it does in its sister regions.
But, the greater beauty of Lazio lies in its rich Etruscan heritage, its less trafficed Medieval hamlets, its national parks, and its proximity to major hill towns and artistic centers of Umbria and Tuscany, while offering a lesser known, thus unspoilt, countryside where beautiful accommodations abound.
One such accommodation is Il Tesoro, a beautifully restored antique stone farmhouse. It is owned and operated by Rita and Massimo Favero, a dynamic and gracious young couple, whose love of antiques, art, organic farming, gardening, and dogs, has very much informed this Agriturismo.
The Agriturismo Il Tesoro is divided into four complete apartments, each exquisitely appointed with traditional farmhouse antiques, maintaining an ambience of simple but cozy living, and each offering its very own charming character. A small museum of antique farm implements decorates the walls of one apartment, for example, and in another, one finds 18th century bed warmers adapted to light fixtures.
The art of Mutzo and Thomas Lange also decorates this agriturismo, presenting an interesting mixture of past and present, which aptly symbolizes the young couple's modern sensibility, which is, however, strongly tied to their long ancestral farming history.
Since Agriturismo Il Tesoro is part of a working farm, for those interested in agriculture it provides opportunity to be involved in the daily working of the farm. And for those whose interest in farms is merely gastronomical, organic vegetables and fruits are available to guests daily, as are fresh milk, fresh ricotta, and pecorino cheese, not to mention every jam imaginable, wine, and homegrown olive oil.
The grounds have been carefully designed by Rita and her mother, Carmella, who has an innate ability to make anything grow. Rita's passion is, however, Roses, and every variety and color line the garden paths, and of an early evening the air is thick with their glorious perfume.
An elegant swimming pool looks out over the green valley below Monte Rufeno and Monte Amiata, and the Medieval castle of nearby Torre Alfina dominates the horizon.
Set in the green hills of northern Lazio, and bordering the national park and natural reserve of Monte Rufeno, Il Tesoro can boast a number of outdoor activities: hiking, horse trekking, mountain bike riding, bird watching, flying, and hunting. Yet, Il Tesoro is also ideally located for combining relaxation and outdoor activities with site-seeing, since it is only 20 minutes away from the main autostrada that connects Il Tesoro with Rome and Florence. Rome is only one hour away, and Florence is 1 1/2 hours. All of the most famous Medieval hill towns, such as Orvieto, Montepulciano, Todi, Perugia, Assisi, Spoleto, Chiusi, etc. are all under one hour's drive. And even closer by are Etruscan necropolis that make splendid half day outings.
For those who would like to experience the warm hospitality of Il Tesoro and all that it has to offer, should visit the website: www.agriturismoiltesoro.com. In addition, a special package is being offered in January for those interested in participating in this region's winter pasttime of hunting for cinghiale. For more information regarding this package, please write to Rita at: agriturismoiltesoro@tin.it.