Casale Francia is a lovely centuries-old 200 sq.mt. stone house, now perfectly restored and fitted with all modern conveniences. It is set in 20,000 sq. mt. of private grounds with a sweeping lawn, a petanque playing area, an outdoor wood-fired grill and entertaining area, a well-stocked vegetable garden, olive groves and a vineyard. There is a quiet area with a large hammock for relaxing on a summer's afternoon, an old threshing circle (an aia) ideal as a romantic setting for al fresco dining, and the grounds extend into the surrounding woodland ensuring privacy. Wells provide ample water for the beautifully landscaped grounds and hand-picked bushes and trees. Set high above the road from Arpino down into the valley, the property enjoys magnificent panoramic views. The elevation above the road protects against any traffic noise while the road still provides a few minutes access to the shops, cafès and other facilities of Arpino. The property is approached up a well-lit private drive with electronically-controlled wrought-iron entrance gates.

The restoration of Casale Francia displays a finely-judged balance between ancient and modern, respecting and indeed highlighting the antique stone while featuring a sophisticated modern sense of style, emphasised by dramatic furnishings and lighting.

There is a pleasant covered terrace at the entrance to the home overlooking the shaded lawn where the hammock is strung between trees with a vista across to the hills ringing the valley. The entry hall has a full bathroom leading off it, designed for showering convenience should the purchaser decide to install a swimming pool and/or tennis court, for which there is ample space. A large formal dining room opens on to a terrace, and a modern staircase is set dramatically against a feature red wall leading to the upper floor. Old stone is left bare to frame a hand-made custom-designed wrought-iron gate leading to the living room - a comfortable room with a stone fireplace and French doors into the garden.

Next comes the magnificent feature kitchen with a breakfast bar and also an informal dining area. Fitted with every modern culinary device, the kitchen with its walk-in pantry and utility room is a cook’s dream, while the French doors into the rear garden area with the open-air wood-fired grill beside a fountain make al fresco dining delightfully easy. The built-in kitchen cabinets and counters have spectacular variable lighting to create traditional, romantic or modern effects.

An attractive staircase leads to the well-lit upper halls which are used to display art. Presently configured with four large double bedrooms, one single bedroom and a spacious bathroom, the single bedroom could, if desired, be converted into a second bathroom. The master bedroom has a separate walk-in dressing room.

A second smaller building on the property houses the garage, a storeroom and a wine store and has a smaller covered terrace.

Set in expansive grounds with sweeping panoramic views, Casale Francia represents a wonderful opportunity to acquire a centuries-old stone house with charm and character combined with every elegant facility for modern living.

Energy classification G

ARPINO AND THE CIOCIARIA

Arpino is one of the major medieval hilltop towns in the area of Italy called the Ciociaria, the name given to the fertile land that lies south of Rome but north of Naples, situated inland in the hills in the heart of Italy.

The Ciociaria region is within easy reach of both Rome and Naples and their respective airports. A day's shopping in Rome is a common pastime, while an even shorter drive brings you to the charming beaches south of Rome. Alternatively, drive east, and the mountains of the Abruzzo National Park await with horse trekking in the magnificent beech forests, and sparkling mountain lakes and rivers where you can swim in the heat of the summer. And at the other extreme of temperature, although Arpino itself is temperate, less than an hour's drive brings you to the winter ski slopes.

Often overlooked, both by tourists and by those foreigners in search of an Italian home, in favour of the more publicized regions of Tuscany and Umbria, the Ciociaria remains largely an unspoilt gem with beautiful scenery and medieval hilltop towns. A home or second home in the Ciociaria, in the hilltop towns of Arpino, Veroli, Alatri or in the rolling countryside that surrounds them, will afford you a setting where over two thousand years of history combine with an idyllic rural Italian lifestyle, where you can still discover the ‘real’ Italy and take time out from the busy crowds of the larger tourist cities, while being less than ninety minutes journey from central Rome or either of Rome’s two airports.