What to See and Do
La Casaccia is set in 22 hectares of olive grove and woodland. It is very quiet and secluded, with breathtaking views of the Appenine foothills, gentle Umbrian hills dotted with villages, Lake Trasimeno and Monte Amiata. It s located close to the border between Tuscany and Umbria, on the Umbrian side, outside a village called Castel Rigone, famous for its clean air.
Castel Rigone is a charming village, still largely inhabited by locals. Marcello and Daniela run a friendly and well-stocked local shop, where you can buy everything, from a beautifully prepared Sunday lunch - or any day lunch, to baby food. They make their own fresh pastas and special breads, and are renowned for making the best lasagna you are likely to taste anywhere. There are also a large pharmacy, two cafés, a hotel with restaurant, several B&Bs, an outdoor restaurant in a Pine forest, a tiny hairdresser, a pizza parlour, a clinic specialising in respiratory diseases and a wonderful osteopath! And of course, as you would expect in Italy, beautiful churches and two lovely squares.
There are a variety of clearly signposted walks in the country for hikers and energetic walkers, taking in the spectacular countryside surrounding the village.
The village is inhabited all year round, and there are activities and festivities all year round, from tango evenings to a Christmas market. However in the summer it really comes alive, with a series of open-air concerts featuring young musicians from around the world, the Feast of the Barbarians, activities for children and a series of religious processions. Everyone is welcome to all activities.
There are a variety of clearly signposted walks in the country for hikers and energetic walkers, taking in the spectacular countryside surrounding the village.
The village is inhabited all year round, and there are activities and festivities all year round, from tango evenings to a Christmas market. However in the summer it really comes alive, with a series of open-air concerts featuring young musicians from around the world, the Feast of the Barbarians, activities for children and a series of religious processions. Everyone is welcome to all activities.
Short drives away:
Perugia, the capital of the region of Umbria, a lovely hill-top medieval city with impressive buildings and commanding views is 25 minutes away by car. Apart from its many artistic and architectural treasures, it is famous for its yearly jazz festival in July (Umbria Jazz) and its chocolate festival in October.
Perugia, the capital of the region of Umbria, a lovely hill-top medieval city with impressive buildings and commanding views is 25 minutes away by car. Apart from its many artistic and architectural treasures, it is famous for its yearly jazz festival in July (Umbria Jazz) and its chocolate festival in October.
Just a little further is Assisi, home of St Francis and some of the most beautiful fresco cycles in Italy.
A short car ride then takes you to Spello, a perfectly preserved medieval town with Roman origins cascading down a steep hillside.
And further along there is Montefalco, an equisite hill-top village home of the increasingly famous Sagrantino wine, but also the setting for a lively festival in August including historical costume parades and flag throwing competitions of astonishing beauty
The list could go on and on ... Todi, Gubbio, Bevagna, Spoleto, Trevi...
Cortona, one of the Tuscan jewels, made famous by the book and film "Under the Tuscan Sun" is also 25 minutes away, in the opposite direction, just across the border into Tuscany. It boasts a lovely Etruscan museum.
Siena is an hour away, Arezzo 35 minutes away, Florence an easy train ride. Montepulciano and the Val d'Orcia are all easily reachable. It would truly take years to visit everything that is available.
Etruscan artifacts, Renaissance paintings, medieval architecture, some of the finest cashmere in the world (Brunello Cucinelli, the world-famous cashmere designer was actually born in Castel Rigone, and his factory outlet store is 15 minutes away), exquisite hand-painted ceramics, the best hams and sausages produced by Italy in Norcia, all of these things will be literally on your doorstep.