Villa near Rome with 1 Burmese cat and 1 Tonkinese cat
Introduction
We are a British family living on the outskirts of Bracciano, a town on a lake about an hour north of Rome, Italy. We've just moved from a South London townhouse where we've also used Trusted Housesitters (and which some of our reviews relate to). There are four of us: me and my husband, our son (19 - at university most of the time) and daughter (16), plus two cats, Suki and Rostov.
Show more...Home & location
We live in a non-smoking house set in its own secluded garden on the outskirts of Bracciano, a gorgeous lake town an hour north of Rome and 30 minutes from the sea. We have 4 double bedrooms (two ensuite) in the main house and a separate guest house with ensuite double bedroom. The main house has a spacious kitchen and living area, plus a separate study for home working. We have a large garden with plentiful seating/relaxing areas outside with many fruit and olive trees, and an 8 metre heated swimming pool (in use April – October). We have air conditioning/heating via solar panels in all the main rooms of the house and a log fire (logs provided) for use in the winter months. We have high speed internet with WiFi and UK Netflix for your use and a well-equipped kitchen with oven and microwave. There is off-street parking. We can discuss travel arrangements and may be able to give you use of a car and an ebike. The nearest train stations are Vigna di Valle and Bracciano, both about 10 minutes’ drive away/ 15 – 20 minutes by bike with regular trains into Rome. We are 5 minutes’ walk through the woods to the lake and 15 minutes walk (5 minutes drive) to a choice of supermarkets. Bracciano is a beautiful small town with stunning old town and castle, with amazing views over the large lake, full of lovely restaurants and bars. But in our house, we have only the sounds of the next door cockerel and a donkey in the fields beside the lake.
Show more...Responsibilities
A sitter would be required to look after our two cats, and, if needed, to water pots and houseplants. Our cats are Suki, 16, a Tonkinese older lady and Rostov who is Burmese, bouncy and a neutered 2 year old. Both are very “people” cats, so really miss us when we are not at home, and they will really appreciate your company. Duties would include feeding and watering them, cleaning their litter trays and making sure that they come in at night with the cat flap shut. They are normally fed wet food twice a day and with plenty of dry food and water available for them to nibble on at will. They will love your company, but don’t worry, they are both normally shut in at night, so won’t be joining you in bed unless you want them! We don't require cleaning or errand running but of course we would expect a sitter to respect our privacy and keep our home tidy. Ours is a non-smoking household and we mind very much about this.
Show more...Meet the pets
Suki
17 years
Rostov
3 years
Sitter Reviews (13)
Homeowner Reviews (0)
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We had a wonderful two week stay in Lake Bracciano taking care of the most loving and affectionate cats, Suki and Rostov. Joanna and Henry were excellent communicators from the beginning to the end. They always were very prompt with responses and their welcome guide regarding the house and the two cats were very detailed and easy to follow. They were very warm and welcoming. The home was cozy and very comfortable. We loved cooking meals in their fully equipped kitchen overlooking the pool with the observant Rostov watching you prepare and every time you sit down, Suki would jump at the opportunity to sit on your lap! We absolutely adored both cats and they loved to be cuddled, having ear scratches and just being talkative together. They are definitely one of our favorite pets! We worked remotely during our two week stay and the WiFi was great. No issues. It was wonderful to have the cats keeping us company. A car is necessary as you are outside of the area and easily can drive around to explore several villages dotted along the lake and the trains into Rome was reliable from the Bracciano station. We thought it was quicker to drive into the outskirts of Rome and just park there and from there, to walk around exploring the Eternal City. Easy peasy. We highly recommend the sit to anyone who may be interested and it is a heavenly oasis hanging out with the two darling cats! Thank you so much for the wonderful opportunity and we hope our paths cross again soon.
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Joanna and Henry were very helpful in supplying all the information we needed for a smooth pet sit with Suki and Rostov. We felt very welcome. The house is lovely and the garden adjacent to the woods down to Lago di Bracciano is very peaceful. We spent most days hanging out with the cats either in the cosy sitting room or by the pool on the terrace.
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We spent a few weeks at Henry and Joanna's lovely house in Bracciano, looking after Suki and Rostov, 2 of the most wonderful and endearing cats we have ever cared for. Henry and the children, Edward and Clara, were very welcoming, even preparing dinner for us on the night of our arrival. (Joanna had been called away before we arrived). The house was spacious and comfortable with a modern kitchen and the fireplace was very warming on a few cold and wintry evenings. The location was perfect for day trips into Rome, via rail. We would highly recommend this house sit. We would do it again if the right opportunity presented itself.
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In the best tradition of London townhouses, J&H’s four storey pad is a comfortable, relaxed, warm and book-lined, cook’s family home where we felt immediately welcome. On a quiet street, within a stone’s throw of the tube, the Cornucopia of London’s delights is on the doorstep. Unsurprisingly, the homely vibe extends to the family pets! Diminutive Senior, Suki, and little wannabe-bad-boy, Rostov, let us into their space and their lives with sweet and trusting generosity. Long evenings on the sofa to a soundtrack of purring was indeed Winter balm for the soul. Thank you J&H for a fab sit, we so enjoyed getting to know Suki and Rostov and we’ll definitely be back!
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We had a great time in Stockwell with Joanna’s beautiful cats. We loved spending time with them - they were so friendly and playful. Joanna made us feel very welcome. She communicated efficiently. Her instructions on her home and cats were thorough and easy to follow. Thank you for having us Joanna. Happy to help out again if needed 😀
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Joanna
