MARIDIANA is one of the first certified agro-tourism (Farm stay), to be established in Umbria and the largest alpaca farm in Italy. It has been certified as "4 spighe" by the Umbria Region. MARIDIANA has been running since 1983, when the Berna family decided to leave the congested city of Rome for a more rewarding life in the countryside of Umbria. On the 30 ha of the farm (100 acres), alpacas and angora goats graze freely in the olive groves, pasture lands and the woods. They are beautiful and gentle animals whose natural coloured fibers are used to produce high quality garments and blankets that are available for sale in a small in-farm shop. MARIDIANA offers two traditional carefully restored stone farmhouses for rental. Both spacious houses have magnificent panoramic views of the countryside. Both of the houses are decorated with traditional antique furniture of the family and are completely furnished with all modern comforts. The stay at MARIDIANA is optimal for families who love nature and culture: children can freely play with the many friendly animals around the farm, while adults can enjoy the unique nature of the Umbrian countryside and its richness of art and history. MARIDIANA is situated in the Northern part of Umbria just 10miles from the border with Tuscany. The historical hill towns of Perugia, Assisi, Gubbio and Cortona are all less than a 45 minutes drive from MARIDIANA. The House (Casa Archi ) Casa degli Archi is a traditional two story farm-house, located adjacent to the Bernas home, but completely independent. The house, which dates back at 19th century, was recently renovated keeping the main characteristic of the rural traditional architecture but adding style and all modern comforts. All the walls of the house are constructed with local stones, on the ceiling there are chestnuts beams and the roof is made of terra cotta tiles. The house is furnished with the family’s antiques that make the house particularly comfortable and elegant. On the ground floor, you enter through the large kitchen and pass into the dining room and the large sitting room. There are many large arch-shaped windows with magnificent views of the farm and the Niccone valley below. From the dining room there are doors opening to the patio and the large private garden. Next to the kitchen there is a cosy bedroom (2 single beds, can be put together) with its own private access to the garden. A wooden staircase leads to the upper floor, where the other 2 bedrooms are located. The first bedroom has a spectacular view, a queen-size bed and a spacious en-suite bathroom. Both bedrooms have plentiful closet space and large dressers. The second bedroom has 2 single beds that can be made-up together, if requested. A bathroom with a shower is located in the hallway just next to the bedroom. What to do MARIDIANA is situated close to the border between Umbria and Tuscany, 30 Km north from Perugia in the Upper Tiber Valley. UMBRIA is known worldwide as the “green heart of Italy”, for the magnificent nature of its territory. The area is also renown for its historic and cultural heritage. The historic hill towns of Perugia, Assisi, Spoleto, Gubbio, Siena and Cortona are only a 30-60 minute drive from Maridiana MARIDIANA offers more than the average farm-stay, because it is the only one in Italy to combine the breeding of woollen animals with handicraft production and rural tourism. While children freely play with the many animals on the farm, adults can have pleasant walks in the nature or… relax in the garden and enjoy the beautiful view of the valley. Around the farm, there are well marked walking paths, of various lengths and difficulties, through the woods reaching the crest of the hills from where marvellous panoramas can be enjoyed. Guests will also be given maps (or can be guided) for visits to traditional handicrafts laboratories, (ceramics, wood carvings, wax objects), eno-gastronomic sites (wine tasting, truffles hunting, honey processing) and undiscovered places to eat local dishes in family run "trattorias". At MARIDIANA there is a well stocked shop where scarves, sweaters, gloves, throw blankets and bedspreads produced with the fine fibers of the alpacas and the angora goats raised in the farm are available for sale. Each of the products is unique in its style, hand made/handy crafted, natural coloured, extremely warm and with a touch of Italian design! At the nearby Lake Trasimeno, a 70 square mile lake, the largest lake in central Italy, swimming, sailing and surfing are attractive sports activities. Modern tennis courts, both indoor and outdoor and an Olympic size swimming pool are available in Umbertide just 4 miles away from the farm. Also at 20 minutes driving distance there are two exclusive golf clubs, one is a nine hole course, other is an 18 hole course (in a magnificent recently restored medieval castle). Two horsebackriding centres, available for private lessons or for rides in the countryside, are just at 15 minutes away. The Berna family can assist you in organizing personalized sightseeing tours away from the most common tourist routes for the discovery of ancient castles, monasteries and art sites of unforgettable value! Many nearby historic towns stage festive enactments of jousts and horse races, complete with music, parades, medieval costumes and colourful flag throwers. Moreover, in the area guests can enjoy celebrated music festivals, theatrical events and art exhibitions.