Our house is set outside a small village of Porchiano Del Monte in its own ground of 2.5 acres with olive trees and various fruit trees (figs, pears, etc.,) we have been told that it must be about 500 years old (it looked it when we first saw it, but not now!!)The views are sensational overlooking a small moutain range (the other side of this mountain is Rome!) We are one hour from Rome by car but only 20 mins from Orte which is the main rail line to Rome, Florence, Siena, Pisa and Milano and Venice. The main A1 is only 20 mins away which runs the whole length of Italy. Assisi is about 1 hours drive and you can visit Duruta (the famous pottery), Perugia and Todi. In winter (Feb)there are 4 Ski resorts within driving distance for the day but are not big resorts, and of course the nearest beach would be at Tarquinia just north of Rome. Should you wish to visit Sardinia the ferries go from Civitavechia about 1 hours drive. Local to our house is Amelia just 10 mins which is a hill top town and is 500 years older than Rome itself, it is truely beautiful and has some lovely shops and the local supermarket of course. Ovieto is about 30 mins drive.

My husband David and I have one son of 24 years so he will not be coming with us, does his own thing!!! thank goodness! Anyway david has his own business which he runs with his brother and I am a finanacial Controller/Company Secretary for an Engineering Company. We live in Dorset (South of England) and have a beautiful thatched cottage which has also taken us 5 years to renovate. Now we have finished all the hard work we intend to enjoy visiting our house in Italy which is a place we love very much. We have never done a house swap but think it is a great idea and having our holiday home gives us the opportunity to visit those other places which interest us.