The Farmhouse
The Farmhouse is a beautiful vacation rental with four bedrooms in Umbria, set among tranquil olives, grapes and rolling barley fields. It has a very modern feel and aesthetic to it.
A hidden gem that offers beautiful views over the valley, contemporary interior design and easy access to the most popular sights.
Villa on a Hill
The villa is an oasis of peace in the middle of the woods but with easy access to all that Umbria has to offer.
Go to the market, prepare a feast and enjoy the long tables for great moments with family and friends.
There is a 2 km long road that brings you to the villa. So maybe don’t bring the sports car...
How would you describe Villa on a Hill in a nutshell?
It’s the perfect place for two or three families to holiday together and reload their batteries from the pressures of daily life.
As design lovers, we really wanted to create a unique setting for our Italian home. The villa’s main assets are the landscape and the quietness, with the property around two kilometres from the closest village and surrounded by woodland.
What was the inspiration/story behind Villa on a Hill?
We’ve been holidaying in Italy (from north to south) each summer for the last decade and fell in love with the nature, the food, the wine and the authenticity of the people. So together with friends, we decided to look for a hideaway to invest in.
We had two main criteria when searching for a property — it had to have views over-looking a valley and it needed to be large enough that our two families could relax together while also being suitable to rent out and share with others.
How would you describe the atmosphere of Villa on a Hill?
It combines design and authenticity. Originally the villa was an ancient pottery which was completely rebuilt by the former owners. In close collaboration with an interior designer, we refurbished the house and made it a light-filled, modern interior with contemporary designer brands for lightning and furniture.
What is your policy on family/children or is it best for couples?
It really is the ideal place for family holidays. It could be two or three families holidaying together or an extended family with grandparents and kids. There’s a large garden for children to play in and the property is surrounded by woodlands. You just need to be careful with very young children around the swimming pool.
The villa is comprised of the main house (285 sqm) and an annex house (50 sqm), which are set on three hectares and reached along a driveway lined with cypresses. The main house is laid out over two levels, with the ground floor being home to a kitchen, TV room and a large living room that’s designed for up to 14 people.
Upstairs is a master bedroom with a terrace overlooking the valley and an en-suite with bath and shower, as well as an additional bedroom with an en-suite bathroom. The third and fourth bedrooms share a bathroom, with one room equipped with a queen bed and sofa while the other has bunk beds for kids.
When refurbishing the house, we wanted comfortable, quality furnishings with particular design elements. In addition to large interior and outdoor dining tables with space for 14 people, we also invested in Belgian-made beds in all the rooms.
The annex house was also completely refurbished and is designed like a large studio — we often use it as a kids’ space when we’re holidaying here. It has a really comfortable bed that can be extended into a double, and a bunk bed whose lower bunk can also be converted into a double. There’s a bathroom that’s been redone with marble and a laundry with a washing machine and dryer.
Surrounding the two buildings are numerous terraces, with the main terrace adjacent to the kitchen where you’ll find the large outdoor table setting. It’s situated under a natural arbour and can be illuminated at night, with views of the outdoor swimming pool. There are also terraces on the front and side of the annex house, with a small table and beautiful views. In addition, there’s a semi-enclosed terrace with seats next to the living room and a terrace off the master bedroom.
We offer a welcome package with basic grocery items at our guests' arrival. Furthermore an honesty bar for wines in place. We can also offer catering services on request, so a local chef can come into the house to prepare a meal for the guests.
The house is managed by a local lady who’s lived in the area for 20 years and she welcomes people when they arrive. She’s also the main contact throughout their stay and can arrange additional things like rental bikes, very much like a concierge.
I think the big appeal of the area is its authenticity, natural setting and quietness while still having easy access to Italy’s most popular tourist cities. I’d recommend visiting Cortona and Perugia or if you like being on the water, then definitely Lago Trasimeno. But the villa is also the perfect house to just relax in, soak up the views and do some barbecuing.
The villa is just two kilometres from the closest village where there are a local grocer selling basics such as bread, wine and meat, as well as a pharmacy and an ATM. Castel Rigone is around five kilometres away and has a great view of Lago Trasimeno, with lots of villages dotted along its shores. The university town of Perugia is a 20-kilometre drive and is very atmospheric while in the other direction you’ll find the Niccone Valley and its beautiful nature. There’s also a very nice golf course — Antognalla Golf — nearby.
One of the great things about Umbria is that you’re in the centre of Italy, so one hour’s drive will see you in Siena or 1.5 hours and you’re in Firenze. You can also visit Rome as a day trip, with the capital around two hours’ drive away. There are airports in Perugia, Firenze and Ancona for accessing the villa, with the airport in Rome the closest option during the low season.
Over the last 10 years, we’ve mostly visited Italy in the summer, except for last year when we went during the low season. This was a more authentic experience and you can easily visit places, just you and the locals.
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