Resting on a hilltop on the edge of the Sabina Mountains, in the Province of Reiti, in Lazio, the medieval village of Casperia strikes many perfect balances. Less than an hour north of the wonders and bustle of Rome, Casperia combines easy access to the Eternal City with its own quiet serenity. One of the few towns in Europe prohibiting automobiles from its centro storico, or historical center, Casperia manages to retain the authentic beauty of its ancient heritage in an enchanting setting so close to Rome that many of its residents commute to work there daily.

Il Sogno, a meticulously-restored 12th Century apartment, offers its guests the opportunity to share in the delights of Casperia and its strategic location.

Catch one of the frequent commuter trains from nearby Poggio Mirteto Scalo and you can be in Rome in time for a breakfast of brioche and cappuccino, before spending the morning in the Vatican Museums, the Piazza Navona or the Villa Borghese. Enjoy lunch in the Campo dei Fiori or the Trastevere, catch an afternoon train back to the calm of Casperia and relax with a glass of vino locale as you watch the sun set over the Tiber Valley. End the day with a light meal on il Sogno's terrace or enjoy a local specialty at one of the delightful nearby restaurants.

If Rome is not on the day’s agenda, the A-1 autostrada (the principle north-south motorway connecting nearby Rome to Umbria, Tuscany and points north) is only 15 kilometers from Casperia. With a rental car (recommended - but not absolutely necessary, as free bus service runs from Casperia to nearby villages, including the train station at Poggio Mirteto Scalo), one can easily spend the day in Umbria (Orvieto, Spoleto, Todi, Perugia and Assisi), or southern Tuscany (Pienza, Montepulciano and Montalcino, or the nearby Abbazia Sant'Antimo, the fabulous Abby founded by Charlemagne). If you are up for a longer day, Florence, Siena. Cortona and the wonderful first-Sunday antiques fair in Arezzo are around two hours away.

If you prefer to stay closer to home, you can visit the some of the many monasteries established by St. Francis dotting the nearby country-side, or shop for antiques in nearby Viterbo's historic San Pellegrino District, or explore the elegant remains of Hadrian's Villa and the Villa d'Este at Tivoli, only 45 minutes to the south.

Tired of wandering off? Take cooking lessons or yoga classes in Casperia, explore the intricacies of Casperia's cobbled lanes, hike the adjacent countryside, or simply relax and enjoy the simple luxury and gorgeous views at il Sogno.