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Guest reviews

 

(23 June 2015)

“Un'oasi di tranquillità”

Siamo stati 4 giorni insieme ad una coppia di amici anche loro con figlio 11 anni nella casa archi. Avevo scelto il posto più che per le recensioni (poche non recenti e poco esplicative) per la vicinanza a luoghi di interesse che volevamo visitare. Inoltre ero stata incuriosita dalla presenza degli alpaca che non sono proprio comuni nel nostro paese! Siamo stati accolti proprio da questi splendidi animali e dal loro proprietario. Il sig. Berna in modo eccellente! Abbiamo goduto di tutti i confort che offre l'appartamento abbiamo visitato Gubbio, Città di Castello e Montone e i nostri figli si sono divertiti con gli alpaca e la piccola capretta bianca. Sono certa che ritorneremo non solo per acquistare i maglioni prodotti con lana alpaca ma per godere ancora dello splendido paesaggio mentre si prepara il barbecue!!!

 

(August 2014)
Our time at Maridiana Alpaca Farm was truly magical, whether comfortably lounging under the ancient trees with the alpacas, taking in a forever view of the valley and beyond or sipping wine in the evening, counting fireflies. We were greeted by the gracious Berna Family and staff into a well appointed and maintained home filled with family treasures. We loved cooking in the kitchen with an abundance of fresh food from the area utilizing every utensil one could ever ask to have. We sincerely thank them for sharing their local knowledge of the valley, hill towns, train schedules, directions, delivering fresh artisan bread from the farmer's market and helping us resolve a cell phone dilemma. As llama, alpaca & goat farmers we came home with a wealth of new and exciting alpaca & goat knowledge that has already been implemented, plus absolutely gorgeous alpaca clothing from their farm shop. Every day was a toss up of just enjoying our immediate surroundings on this lovely farm or venturing to the hill towns (we happily did both). Next visit will be longer and hopefully with a better grasp of the Italian language! Un milione di grazie

 

(David's family, ospiti a agosto 2014)
Dear Gianni e Marisa, thank you once again for your kindly hospitality in August. We have been very busy settling Alex back into school. He has renamed his toy cat and dogs - Lisa, Whisky and Charlie and he misses Lisa very much. We hope you enjoy your trip to Canada; we will see you next year and are looking forward to it already.

 

“Other holidays have a lot to live up to”

Reviewed July 8, 2012for a stay in June 2012

We have just returned from our second trip to Casa Archi with our three year old son. We had a fantastic time on the first trip and thought this would not be possible but it was even better this year. The farm itself is enough to captivate small children but the experience is enhanced by wonderful hosts, Gianni and Marisa who go out of their way to make you feel welcome and completely at home. We wish our Italian was as good as their English! There are good cooking facilities, nearby supermarkets by car and many excellent local restaurants. Our little boy was kept very occupied, walking around the farm, visiting the chickens and alpacas and playing with his very good friends Whiskey the dog and Lupida the cat. There is also a small playground area with slide and swing. Local day-trips are possible although we actually spent most of our week on the farm or in Umbertide where there is an excellent outdoor swimming pool with waterslides for all ages. English be warned you need to wear swimming caps.
We can't recommend this place highly enough for families with small children and we hope to be back soon.

“The best farming vacation in Italy. If you like the countryside, this is for you.”

Reviewed April 11, 2012for a stay in April 2012

We have stayed at many agriturismo in Italy, but this is by far our family's favourite spot. The accommodations are peaceful, affordable and comfortable, with lots of space both inside and outdoors for a nice sense of freedom for adults to walk or hang out and for kids to play freely. There are many towns and small cities nearby for sightseeing. The farm's owner Gianni is especially loved by our children for his knowledge and patience. Kids can have a real farming vacation here, waking up early to get to the barn to help Gianni care for the animals, seeing the birth of lambs or alpacas, while the parents are able to relax. Gianni is very knowledgable about the Umbria region and also studied in the US, so he speaks English very well. The kitchen is well-equipped for cooking and there are also nice restaurants in the local area. Wi-fi internet reception is good.


Connie Brickson review

Left on 18/06/2012

The property far exceeded our expectations. We travel extensively and this was certainly one of the most beautiful properties weve enjoyed. Exquisite views, lovely home and gracious hosts. Would love to come back.


Very friendly owners, beautiful area, fascinating alpaca farm

Left on 02/17/2012 for a stay in September 2011

I and my family have been coming to Casa archi at Maridiana most years since 1996.The Berna family are exceptionally friendly and helpful. Casa archi is an attractive conversion of a traditional farm building, fully modernised and furnished in a style in keeping with the house, on a lovely hillside site in the Niccone Valley, with many beautiful towns and villages within easy reach. Umbertide has newly opened indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Lake Trasimeno is nearby. Two special features: the Berna family run an alpaca farm so although very peaceful you are in an interesting working environment. Marisa Berna organises a fascinating film festival each summer in nearby Montone. Date of most recent stay below.
 

The ultimate Italian vacation esperience awaits you here

Left on 02/15/2012 for a stay in May 2010
We have stayed here on seven occasions since 1999. The property is well maintained and is centrally located for day trips to hill towns in Umbria and Tuscanny. The owners are incredibly warm, friendly and make the stay a wonderful vacation. This is truely a piece of heaven on earth.
 

A True Taste of Rural Umbria

Left on 02/13/2012 for a stay in August 2011

I and my two children (now teenagers) have been staying in archi for the last 11 years. We have come to know the proprietor and his family as friends and are always well looked after. Archi combines secluded tranquility at the head of the Niccone alley (breathtaking views from the property), with easy accessibility to a range of excellent restaurants, the facilities of nearby (10 min drive) Umbertide and proximity to many sites worth visiting in Umbria and Tuscany (delightful Perugia,Florence, Siena and Pisa easy day trips by car or train).

Review submitted by David from London

(28 August 2009 and verified by Villarenters.com)

Our tenth year here is a testament to how much we enjoy returning each summer. The house is comfortable and spacious with acres of space around and a fantastic view down the Niccone valley. We have got to know the owners well now and regard them as good friends. Excellent location both for Umbria but also easy accessibility into Tuscany.
 

Review submitted by Jenny from Colorado USA

(22 October 2010 and verified by VRBO.com)

Do you mind if we move in?? "Thank you" seems inadequate to express our appreciation for the wonderful experience Gianni and his whole family provided for us! We stayed with our four young-ish (11, 8, 6 and 4) on the alpaca farm with Gianni and his wonderful family Oct 2010, and we are so anxious to return! The accomodations are comfortable yet elegant...the animals are entirely charming and interesting to experience...and the entire area of Umbria was our favorite. We were in Italy for 3 weeks and traveled through Umbria, Tuscany, Rome and Naples/Sorrento...our week at Casa Archi in Umbria was hands-down the best part of the trip. The towns of Umbertide, Assisi, Gubbio (a must!), Purgia, Cortona are so close and amazing. Gianni provided rich, spontaneous history lessons and interesting information about the region and the country. Our youngest daughter celebrated her 4th birthday while we were there, and the entire family joined us to sing and celebrate...a real treat! If you are considering staying, look no further...you will be so thrilled with the decision. The Casa Archi is clean and beautiful...Gianni and his family are warm, friendly, amazingly helpful, interesting...the process of setting up our stay was flawless and Federico (Gianni's son) answered all of our questions promptly and fully...Umbria is beautiful and somewhat undiscovered so not as crowded... We are anxious to return...thank you Gianni and Federico and families for many precious experience and memories! Our kids are begging to return to the 'alpaca farm'! -andy, jenny and kids colorado, usa

 




 

Press reviews

New Zealand Alpaca (inverno 2011)

 

What a masterpiece: Dazzling art and eccentric locals in beautiful Umbria
Review from Dailymail.co.uk 

(9th September 2011)

Having to queue has never been one of my fortes - and certainly not on holiday. Attempts to view many of the great artistic treasures in Italy come at a price - as you stand in line behind legions of gum-chewing children, waiting for a glimpse at a masterpiece through a forest of baseball caps. So I decided this year to head to the hills of Umbria where, within a relatively short distance, you can find numerous beautiful hilltop towns, many with exquisite works of art that you can have pretty much to yourself.

I found a wonderful villa - Casale Maridiana Alpaca, listed as the first example of a certified agro-tourism farm stay in Umbria, ten miles from the Tuscan border. Since I was travelling with my wife Victoria Threlfall, who is a painter, and our two daughters, one of them an art student, it wasn't going to be a holiday where we just flopped on sun loungers. In any case, if you remained still for long in our villa you found yourself surrounded by alpacas, grazing contentedly. Our host, farmer Giovanni Berna, introduced the animals to Umbria after years of working on agricultural development projects around the world. Robert Bathurst with his wife, the artist Victoria Threlfall Picture of fun: Robert Bathurst with his wife, the artist Victoria Threlfall His mission was to show farmers in Italy that a living can be made from alpaca wool. He also keeps sheep and goats - apparently, the combination of fleeces gives the best quality yarn. For anyone not familiar with alpacas, with their necks extended like a Tenniel illustration from Alice in Wonderland and their goofy expression, the first reaction on seeing them is to laugh. They emit a weedy, wheezing mew and seem shy - until you have a bucket of feed in your hand. But it was a good opportunity to get used to strange animals before filming started for the next series of ITVs Wild At Heart, in which I am to play a vet. Signor and Signora Berna have converted some former stables and a tobacco drying house into comfortable accommodation. (Continue)