Just 55 kilometers north of Rome, situated in the area of Northern Lazio, technically in the province of Viterbo. Light, spacious, newly refurbished apartment of 230 square meters, in historic building on the main square with a view of the church built in the 12th century. Close to Rome and a comfortable base for exploring the sights of Rome and the surrounding area. Experience life in a small town (18,000 inhabitants). The apartment has been restored respecting the architectural features of the building, but in a simple and modern style. The apartment is on the second floor so requires climbing many stairs regularly, although there is a hoist for water and groceries. (**There is NO ELEVATOR** so if you have problems with stairs be aware that it's a good workout getting to the door!) There are high ceilings (3-4 meters) throughout, and the apartment is light and airy. The kitchen is modern and well-equipped. Three new bathrooms. New parquet floors and double glazed windows. The living room balcony looks out on the facade of the Cosmatesque Duomo. We have installed air conditioning in both bedrooms and in the kitchen. In our second bedroom, which has a kitchenette and bathroom, there is a double sofa bed at ground level and a sleeping loft accessed by an open stairway SO THIS ROOM IS NOT AT ALL SUITABLE FOR SMALL CHILDREN. Please bear this in mind and do not propose a swap if you have small children! Our concern is their safety.

Experience Italy off the beaten track, without the crowds of Tuscany and the center of Rome. Civita Castellana has a rich history, and was for centuries one day's ride north from Rome along the Via Flaminia and a place to stop and change horses. It was also one of the first locations that drew outdoor painters in the 18th century, and many of the views they painted are still unspoiled today. The local building material is mainly tufa, and the region is full of tufa cliffs and gorges, Etruscan burials and wonderful small towns.
Most amenities are within easy waking distance here in the old center of this ancient town, historically the center of the Faliscan empire. The Faliscans were contemporaries of the Etruscans and Civita finally fell to the Romans in 241 BC. It is built on a naturally defensible bluff. Civita also has a wonderful Antonio da Sangallo fortress built around 1500, which was a Papal palace and then a prison, and now a museum displaying Faliscan and Roman relics, where there is a free music festival every July. There are wonderful things to see all over the region: Viterbo has one of the best preserved medieval centers in Europe and the Terme dei Papi bath complex, Sutri, Calcata, Nepi, the Via Amerina (an ancient road lined with burial chambers carved into the rock), Monster Park at Bomarzo, Villa Farnese at Caprarola, Villa Lante at Bagnaia, nearby Castel Sant'Elia with its 12th century Basilica and Sanctuary, the beech forest - La Faggeta - near Soriano, where the Romans came to capture wild animals for the sport in the Colisseum, also Amelia, Calvi, Otricoli, Lago di Bracciano, Lago di Vico, Faleri Novi, Oriolo Romano, Vignanello, Vasanello, San Martino al Cimino, Bolsena, Montefiascone, Tuscania, Civita di Bagnoregio. So many wonderful and uncrowded places to visit. It's a wonderful area to be based to see the wonderful Renaissance gardens of Lazio as well (check out: www.secretgardensitaly.com for itineraries), and is near enough to the main A1 highway to allow day-trips to such places as Perugia, Orvieto, Todi, among others. Wonderful coffee, food and wine and many festivals celebrating local food and traditions all summer long. Tuesdays and Fridays there is a smaller fresh fruit/vegetable market in the old part of town, and on Saturday mornings there is the big fresh market in the new part of town about 15 minutes walk from our house. You WILL need a car to explore the attractions of this area. Under the right circumstances I would consider including my manual car in the swap.

I have other English-speaking friends here in town who can assist you if your language skills are limited. Our house is not child-proof or especially child-friendly, so we'd prefer not to have families with small children stay here for safety reasons. I have just two bedrooms, so groups of more than 2/3 adults are impractical.

Summer exchanges to Northern Europe appeal to me - I like to escape the heat for rain and bicycles. Rural areas are generally not what I'm looking for. Iceland? Istanbul? UK? Berlin?

I'm a printmaker/bookmaker and have a small etching press at home. I'm also interested in design, art history, modern furniture, graphic arts and architecture, and wine!

I'll happily look after a cat or dog at your place if you'll be nice to my cat Matilda. She needs brushing 2-3 times weekly and love all week long.

English, Italiano