Poet's House

The villa

Sitting amidst the forests and woodlands of the Umbrian countryside, close to the Tuscan border, Poet’s House is ideally situated for a getaway in central Italy.  This home is a truly unique place to stay; constructed between 1500 and 1707, it was once a small settlement with a chapel, a number of houses and a lookout tower surrounded by arable land. In recent years this former hamlet has been converted into 6 connected dwellings which can sleep up to 30 guests in comfort.  As you approach the property through lush fields you will notice the series of beautiful houses which are built along the side of a little cobbled road looking out over breath - taking vistas.  This collection of villas will be rented exclusively by your party, making it the perfect place for a large family break, or a trip with a few different groups of friends. Each individual home varies in size; there is a villa which sleeps 8 guests, three villas which sleep 6 guests and 2 villas which sleep 2 guests but also have additional sofa beds. This means a number of groups can travel together but have their own privacy when needed. All of the villas have been lovingly decorated to honour the long history of the buildings and yet they remain light, airy and spacious. Indoors you will find antique furnishings, high quality linens, local materials and open - fireplaces. The villas also have fully - fitted kitchens, Wi - Fi, smart TVs and some have their own terraces or patios. The outdoor space is shared between the 6 homes and with 10 acres of manicured grounds, there is plenty of room for everyone. Whether you wish to dine al - fresco, relax on the lawns with a good book or take a dip in the inviting swimming pool, the gardens are a wonderful feature and you are sure to spend lots of time out there.  Although the house is in a rural location, the nearest shop, bar and bakery are under a 10 - minute drive away and there are many more amenities in the town of Umbertide which is a mere 8km from the villas. Umbertide is a historic town and is a lovely place to walk around; you can visit ancient churches, a museum, castle and art gallery as well as many shops and eateries. There are also a number of restaurants dotted around the countryside which surround Poet’s House if you wish to have a meal with a view!  Another place to visit nearby is Montone which is 8km in the opposite direction. This quaint medieval village still sits inside its original walls and is packed with notable architecture. Make sure to visit the Gothic church and municipal museum while you are there and why not sip your afternoon coffee at a street side café with views over the valley below. There are plenty more places to visit in this gorgeous and diverse area such as the Antognolla Golf Resort (23km away) the city of Perugia (46km away) and Lake Trasimeno (35km away). The home owners are also happy to arrange trips to nearby vineyards and other excursions.

Poet’s House is in an idyllic position; located in Umbria and yet bordering Tuscany, so you are able to visit natural attractions, villages and towns in both of these beautiful regions. The 6 stunning homes are situated amongst forests and rolling fields, yet shops and nearby towns are easily reached. Sitting in the vast gardens overlooking the surrounding countryside, you will be able to truly unwind in this serene, rural location. However, you are not cut off from amenities here and if you need to pop to a shop or pick up something for breakfast then there is a bar, shop and bakery just 2.5km away from the villa.  There are many villages and towns dotted around this area and one of the closest is Umbertide. 8km away from the home, this historic town has been here for over 2000 years so has a wealth of preserved buildings and sites to see such as archaeological remains, museums, a fortress, castle and the stunning Church of Santa Maria della Pietà, which contains 15th - century frescoes. The town also has a wide range of shops and restaurants, while here you could pick up some of the local ceramics which the area is known for.  Also 8km away is Montone which is a pretty walled village; a lovely place to stop at a café as you can overlook the oil - painting - like landscape as you enjoy your lunch. There are a lot of sights to discover such as the Consul’s palace, St Francis’ church and a number of museums, there is even a theatre that hosts outdoor musical concerts in the summer.  This lush, green region is the perfect place for getting back to nature and spending time together outdoors. A great place for this is Lake Trasimeno which is lined with lake beaches, the closest being Sualzo beach, which is 35km away and is ideal for swimming and sunbathing. Those looking for an active day out should visit the Antognolla golf resort which is 23km away., This incredible resort has an 18 - hole golf course but also has tennis courts, hiking trails, bicycle hire and restaurants so is a good place to go with your entire group as there is something for everyone! It would be a shame to visit Umbria without making a trip to its capital Perugia which is 46km away and well worth the drive. This picturesque city looks as though it has remained unchanged for centuries and is a pleasure to wander around. Starting at the main square the Piazza IV Novembre you can work your way through the maze - like backstreets to find artisan shops, charming restaurants and countless cultural attractions. A must - see is the Palazzo dei Priori which is a staggering 13th century palace. If you are here in July, then Perugia hosts a world famous Jazz festival during this time.  Other towns worth visiting include Gubbio which is the oldest town in Umbria,38km away and the UNESCO World Heritage town Assisi, 62km away and both of these are wonderful places for a day out.