Guests Impressions
"Castel Cellesi is one of those perfect places to have the dream Italian holiday: it's a small village filled with friendly characters, even if you don't speak a word of Italian. It's central enough that you can do so many day trips, yet, far away enough from the hustle and bustle that having dinner under the stars is not only possible, but almost an expected. We spent an amazing two weeks in Castel Cellesi, along with our friends, and it was truly one of the most memorable holidays ever. Our host and our resident 'tour guide' was not only helpful, but really gave us the cream of the crop of the local experiences: the required dinner under the stars, but not only that, locally sourced and prepared dinner, with local wine (which I might add is some of the best value for money and taste that I've ever had!). We were recommended the best places to eat (there's a reason Italy forms the 'eat' part of 'Eat, Pray, Love'!), were given practical guidelines as to where to go and what to do, and in summertime the azure blue swimming pool is a haven for tired feet, a respite from the Italian heat.
Some of our experiences that were in excess of our expectations: We have two toddlers and when our son came down with tonsillitis, Eddie (our English speaking 'tour guide') came with us to hospital and assisted us way beyond anything that was required of him. Our host (Telly) treated our children with ice creams on a regular basis, and when my husband wanted to surprise me with a new wedding ring, Telly was the one who helped him make it happen, without ever having met us.
The accommodation gave us the impression of authentic Italian countryside, with everything that you need, and our our group of 12 people everyone found something that worked for them. We were able to take many hikes into the countryside, and explored the are around Castel Cellesi, always finding something new to see and do.
Don't be fooled: this is truly a special village, the people are incredibly welcoming, and in terms of value for money, one of the best choices in Western Europe!"
Sandra
ITALIAN VACATION VILLAGE
Telly
0039 0761 790323
0039 328 092 8757
0039 339 379 8816
tellyitaly@libero.it
tellervopuuri@gmail.com
Carla
0039 331 159 3178
CIVITA DI BAGNOREGIO
In the unusual landscape of the Calanchi Valley (eroded clay hills), Civita di Bagnoregio stands out. Situated almost half-way between Orvieto (20 km) and Viterbo (30 km), it is known as the “dying town” because of the continuous erosion which over the years has reduced the town centre in size. This lovely corner of Italy, the birthplace of Saint Bonaventura (1217-1274), used to be an active centre until several earthquakes and landslides forced the local inhabitans to abandon the town. From the distance Civita di Bagnoregio seems like a ghost town floating in the air: in fact, it is only connected to the surrounding countryside and to the “New Bagnoregio” by a long foot bridge suspended in the air.
Civita di Bagnoregio is situated on top of a hill (1400 ft. a.s.l.) between two valleys running in an East-West direction and in which two streams flow: the Rio Chiaro to the North-East and the Rio Torbido to the South. The hill is made up of a layer of tufa (a soft volcanic stone typical of central Italy) which was formed after a series of volcanic eruptions thousands of years ago.
This layer of solified lava lies on an unstable base of clay and sand. The clay on the buttom of the valleys is constantly eroded by the two streams and washed away by the rain, leaving bare portions of the tufa bank above, which, without a solid base, soon break off and fall to the bottom of the valley. Yet Civita di Bagnoregio continues to resist, clinging to the top of its pinnacle.
One enters the town through the Gate of Santa Maria (dating back from the Middle Ages as well as most of the buildings to be seen around). The charming Church of San Donato, giving onto the main square, with its romanesque bell-tower was founded in the VIII century, although the existing façade was renewed in the XVII cent. Nowadays only about twenty people live in the town all year round, in the summer the population is about 300. The few inhabitants take very good care of their houses and streets which are extremely well maintained, clean, flowers everywhere. Only few houses are in very poor conditions with their windows opened wide over the emptiness, their façade with nothing behind them.
As Bagnoregio was founded by the Etruscan people (possibly in the 8th century B.C.) many evidences from that Era are still to be seen in the territory: several chamber tombs excavated around the ancient city (such as the so-called cave of San Bonaventura), remains in private cellars and the “Bucaione” (the big hole), a sort of corridor (tunnel) dug in the rock under the town, from North to South, leading to an ancient etruscan Necropolis. It is now used as a footpath for reaching a magnificent chestnut wood or for adventuring out on to the “calanchi” to enjoy an incomparable landscape. All around you deep valleys of steep clay slopes, high sharp edges of the hard crests of clay protude from the sandy hills, incredible pinnacles which change profile and shape as they are continually buffered by wind and rain. One of the most spectacular “calanchi” formation is called “the cathedral”, beeing shaped like an enormous church.
