Simply relax
Relax on the terrace at Casa Francigena with a glass of the local wine. Catch up on all the books you have been meaning to read for ages or take a dip in the pool.
Casa Francigena
Bolsena, Lazio
- 2
- 1
- 2
FROM
£ 896
PER WEEK
Accommodation
At a glance
- Sleeps 2
- 1 Double Bedroom
- 2 Bathrooms
- Air Conditioning
- WiFi
- Restaurants & Shops 2km
- Ground Floor: Open plan sitting/dining room/kitchen (TV, DVD, oven, microwave, dishwasher, A/C) with patio doors to covered terrace. Shower room. Double bedroom (A/C) with patio doors to covered terrace and en suite shower room (washing machine).
- Outside: Garden. Covered terrace. In-built barbecue. Private parking.
- Private swimming pool (4m x 4m at widest points, uniform depth).
A fortunate stroke of serendipity on a visit to Bolsena, a longstanding favourite destination of Vintage Travel, led us to Casa Francigena and we could not be more delighted to include it in our portfolio. Nestled on the hillside above the medieval town and lake, Casa Francigena is a charming retreat just for two and a wonderful choice for anyone seeking to rest, recharge and enjoy the famous Italian ‘dolce vita’.
Floor-to-ceiling patio windows line the entire width of the property, giving access onto the covered terrace and the view over the garden to the olive grove beyond with tantalising glimpses of Lake Bolsena below. The hexagonal shaped pool sits at the centre of the garden, surrounded by lawn and olive trees with a border of hedges and trees.
The interior is a restful mix of natural materials and hues, creating a relaxed ambience. Light wood beams and white walls are a cool backdrop to white painted furniture, light voile curtains whilst a baroque style mirror, stained glass lights and a curvaceous chaise longue add an eclectic and stylish touch.
It is easy to while away the days at Casa Francigena, especially with Bolsena on the doorstep (2km). A stroll around the ‘centro storico’ takes in the castle, medieval buildings, restaurants and cafes. Walk along the splendid tree lined avenue which leads to the lake side where you will find a further choice of eateries and lovely vistas across the tranquil waters of this lovely lake.
A scenic drive around Lake Bolsena reveals pretty villages such as Marta, Capodimonte and Montefiascone (renowned for its white wine) and glorious vistas. Explore further and you will discover an area rich in history, with Etruscan and Roman ruins, medieval architecture, notably the ‘abandoned’ village of Civita Bagnoregio (15km), and beautiful villas and gardens such as Villa Lante (33km). The beaches along the Etruscan Riviera can be reached in 1hr 30mins.
- Property Licence No. IT056008C29NRQWGO2
Pricing & Availability
Location of Casa Francigena
Locality
Great Things to Do Near Casa Francigena
‘Centro Storico’ of Bolsena
The old town centre of Bolsena is about 2km away (about a 20min walk). Massive stone walls circle the old buildings. Enter through one of the archways to discover atmospheric narrow cobbled streets, stepped alleyways and arched passages leading up to the castle
The lakeside
Continue from the ‘centro storico’ along the tree lined avenue which leads down to the lake. Here you will find restaurants and cafes with views over the lake, the small harbour from where the boat tours depart, tree lined promenades for that gentle morning stroll and beaches.
Lake Bolsena (12km long, 14km wide)
It is Italy’s largest lake of volcanic origin and is renowned for the transparency and cleanliness of its waters - so much so that its nickname is ‘il lago che si beve’, meaning 'the lake you can drink'.
The weekly open-air market
Stalls laden with produce, scents and smells filling the air and a crowd of Italians - finish the morning's shopping with a coffee in a bar. Bolsena's market takes place on Tuesday.
Coregone (pronounced ‘corray-GOAN-ay’)
Coregone is the fresh water fish found in Lake Bolsena and on many of the menus in the lakeside restaurants. This white fish only survives in very pure water – a fine indication that these waters are as pure as they can be. Often served roasted with a sprinkle of rosemary.
Gelato!
Enjoy an ice cream at 'Lolla' Gelato or 'Gelateria Santa Cristina', two artisan gelaterie in Bolsena. Both have won awards and both serve ice cream that will make you want to return again and again....
The passeggiata
A ‘must do’ on anyone’s list is to experience the ‘passeggiata’. In any town or large village, especially on a weekend or holiday, the inhabitants of the town will congregate in the main square in the evening, to have a stroll around, talk to their friends, have an aperitif or ice cream… It is the perfect time to people watch!
Festa delle Ortensie (Festival of the Hydrangeas)
During the last weekend of June, Bolsena town is transformed by a colourful display of hydrangeas. People come from all over Italy to turn the streets and piazzas of the town into an immense flowering garden. A most civilised and vibrant festival.
Montefiascone
Follow the S2 lakeside road due south Bolsena to arrive in Montefiascone. This lovely hilltop town affords great views over the lake and is also the home of Est! Est! Est!, the renowned local white wine. If you are there in August, join in the wine festivities.
The story behind Est! Est! Est!
In the year 1000, a bishop travelling to Rome instructed his manservant to go ahead in order to select the best places to stay and drink. He was to indicate his approval by writing Est! on the door of the inn. Upon arriving in Montefiascone and tasting the wine, he found it to be so good that he wrote Est! 3 times on the door. The bishop was certainly happy as he returned to the village to live there until he died.
Bagnoregio
The abandoned town of Civita di Bagnoregio, 13km east of Bolsena, is a spectacular sight. This ‘dying’ village sits atop a domed hilltop and is reached by a long and steep causeway. Only a few people live here now thanks to its precarious location on soft, easily eroded rock! There are some craft shops and photogenic plant-draped tufa houses (the house where Saint Bonaventure was born has long since fallen into the valley along with dozens of others). It’s an unmissable sight.
Visit Orvieto
The Umbrian town of Orvieto is only half an hour in the car and well worth visiting. It is situated on the flat summit of a large butte of volcanic tuff and is a stunning sight both from afar and close up. Explore the underground tunnels, the classy shops and restaurants, and marvel at the ‘Duomo’, the ornate façade of which graces many a postcard.
The Eternal City of Rome
Catch the train to Rome. The nearest train station is Orvieto (18km) and the journey takes approx 1hr. Going by train is certainly the best way to arrive in Rome, avoiding the nightmare of driving into the centre and trying to park!
Martana and Bisentina – the islands on Lake Bolsena
No visitors are permitted on tiny Martana but you can visit larger Bisentina by boat. It has some romantic gardens, a small church and a 5th century chapel.
Pitigliano in Tuscany
Head west from Bolsena for about half an hour and you will reach Pitigliano, a fascinating hilltop town dating back to the Etruscan era. One idea is to make this a stop-off on a day trip to the coast - continuing west for about another hour will bring you to the Promontorio dell’Argentario, a lush peninsula with gorgeous beaches.
Lago di Vico
Like a secret hidden lake, Lake Vico (due south) is on a smaller scale to Lake Bolsena. Formed in the crater of an old volcano, it is surrounded by forest-covered slopes. The area is a nature reserve, with lots of possibilities for walking. For those who prefer to drive, take the Via Ciminia, which is a scenic road along the top of the crater’s ridges.
The Gardens of Villa Lante
Near to Viterbo is the 16th century Villa Lante, famous for its beautiful gardens. It was built for Cardinal Francesco De Gambara and is set in a park covering 20 hectares. Keen gardeners will delight in the grounds, which are truly spectacular. Fountains, grottos, stone terraces and staircases, sculptures, wooded areas, outdoor dining areas, parkland, all of this can be found here in what has been described as a fine example of the best period in the history of garden design: the Mannerist phase of the Italian Renaissance.
Hot springs
Thanks to the volcanic origins of the area, there is an abundance of hot springs, perfect for a relaxing soak. There are a number of thermal resorts but there are also a few that are in the countryside, still natural and used by the locals. One of these is Bullicame, where a pool has been carved out of white clay (3km west of Viterbo).
Volsinii and the Mercatello Amphitheatre
The Roman town of Volsinii is not on the scale of Pompeii but worth an hour of anyone’s time. It is off the Bolsena – Orvieto road. Few people know about it and so it is often empty. You can see the ruins of villas, a forum and basilica, Etruscan wells and tombs. Follow the cobbled stone roads and you reach an amphitheatre – unexcavated but still visible – a flat oval pan covered with scrubby grass. The tiered seating is completely concealed by trees.
Nearby
Towns/Villages
| Bolsena | 5 mins | |
| Bolsena | 20 mins | |
| Montefiascone | 25 mins | |
| Civita di Bagnoregio | 25 mins | |
| Orvieto | 35 mins | |
| Capodimonte | 35 mins | |
| Marta | 35 mins | |
| Pitigliano | 40 mins | |
| Viterbo | 50 mins |
Airports
| Perugia | 1 Hr 20 mins | |
| Rome Ciampino | 1 Hr 40 mins | |
| Rome Fiumicino | 1 Hr 50 mins | |
| Pisa | 3 Hrs |
Train Stations
| Orvieto | 30 mins | |
| Viterbo | 50 mins |
