Villa Colondrina

Sitting in gardens filled with chestnut, plum and pomegranate trees and an abundance of wild florals, you will discover Villa Colondrina, a 400-year-old stone home which fits beautifully in to the surrounding landscape. Spread over three storeys, this historic home offers plenty of space for a group of up to twelve guests, making it perfect for those wishing to experience Umbria’s charms with a larger group.  The home is enveloped by private fields of wheat and olive groves which afford the villa’s guests peace and privacy. This serene, rural environment is a wonderful place to escape the stresses of day-to-day life and allow yourself some rest and relaxation. This spacious, historic home is set out over three main floors, plus a tower and throughout the rooms you will discover multiple living rooms, plus five well-appointed bedrooms. The main living and socialising spaces are on the ground floor; the open-plan living and dining room with comfy L-shaped sofa leads in to a contemporary kitchen which is equipped with everything you need for preparing delicious meals or even just afternoon snacks. If you would like to read your book somewhere a little quieter, there is an additional sitting room with a feature fireplace and a piano. You will find two of the home’s bedrooms on the ground floor; one which has a double-sized bed and one which can be set up as either a double bed or two twin beds, both rooms have en-suite bathrooms. There are three more bedrooms available; two of these are set on the lower ground floor, these double, en-suite rooms are both lovely and boast access directly on to the garden. The remaining bedroom is a romantic spot in a tower which is accessed via a small staircase from the first floor. These rooms can sleep up to ten guests, if you need to accommodate further guests, there is a sofa bed available in the upstairs sitting room which can sleep two guests.  Umbria is known for its warm and sunny climate, so you will be thrilled to learn that Villa Colondrina has a delightful, expansive garden with lots of seating and dining areas. All around the garden there are spaces where the grasses and flowers are allowed to grow freely, offering a safe habitat to local wildlife, while the rest of the property is dotted with fruit trees including plum and fig trees. There is also a vegetable garden and chickens in the grounds, providing fresh eggs daily. In addition to these wholesome, natural areas, the garden also has a private swimming pool which is heated by solar power and a ping pong table which the kids will love.  While staying at the villa you can book the home’s private chef to prepare your meals each day or even just a meal for a special occasion. There is also a concierge team who will help you to book cookery classes, guided tours and bike hire, meaning you will have plenty to do in the comfort of the home or in the surrounding areas.  When you want to get out and explore some of your surroundings, the stunning fortified hamlet of Porano is a great place to start, Porano is just few kilometers away. For a larger selection of eateries as well as plenty of historic and cultural attractions, you can also reach Orvieto with ease. Orvieto is located 7km away from the villa and offers both a modern, lively new town and the character-filled old town. Beach-lovers can also spend the day visiting nearby Lake Bolsena, a staggeringly beautiful lake lined with lake beaches, 16km away from the home.  Features: Villa Interior (400 sqm) Lower Ground Floor - 2 x bedroom with garden access, double-sized bed an en-suite bathroom with shower, sink, bidet and WC Ground Floor - Open-plan room with garden access, L-shaped sofa and dining table seating 10 - Lounge with sofas, table, fireplace and piano - Fully-fitted kitchen with oven, hob, fridge freezer, dishwasher, microwave, toaster, kettle and coffee machine  - Bedroom with two twin beds or a double bed and en-suite bathroom with shower, sink and WC - Bedroom with double-sized bed an en-suite bathroom with shower, sink, bidet and WC First Floor  - Living room with sofas and fireplace - Sitting room with double sofa bed and en-suite bathroom with shower, sink and WC - Tower bedroom reached via extra staircase, with double-sized bed, chaise lounge and en-suite bathroom with shower, sink, bidet and WC Outside Grounds - Solar heated, salt-water swimming pool (7m x 14m, depth: 1.5m-2.4m) open approximately May to October - Large garden surrounded by fruit trees and wheat fields  - Covered outdoor sitting area with sofas - Al-fresco dining terrace - Shaded terraces  - Poolside sun loungers  - Vegetable garden and chicken coop - Pool toys and floats  - Table tennis - Barbecue  - Parking Facilities  - Air-conditioning (in two bedrooms, kitchen and dining area) - Wi-Fi - Fireplace - TV - Piano - Iron and ironing board  - Board games  - Hairdryers  Location: Nestled within acres of fields and fruit trees, Villa Colondrina is a tranquil, historic family home which is the ideal base for getting to know Umbria. Though the villa enjoys a rural outlook, there is something for everyone here, as the nearest bustling city is just 7km away, with smaller villages and amenities to be found even closer. The home owners and concierge team are here to make sure that you get everything you wish out of your Umbrian escape and will help to arrange a wealth of activities and adventures for you within the local area. In the comfort of the villa, you can experience cookery classes with the private chef, who will teach how to make your own fresh pasta and pizzas. There are also guided tours of nearby towns, bike hire and wine tours you can book, plenty of ways to see more of the area and discover the local culture. Also on your doorstep, you can find endless walking trails, a forested area with waterfalls and even Etruscan burial tombs. This area of Umbria is littered with quaint villages, hilltop towns and historic cities, so many that you could visit one every day and never get bored. The closest amenities to the home can be found in Porano which is few kilometers away. This village is a fortified settlement; a medieval centre, surrounded by the intact, protective walls. This little place is a lovely place for an afternoon stroll, where you can visit the Church of San Biagio with its 13th century frescoes or admire Castel Rubello, a medieval castle which now houses a theatre. There are a number of shops in Porano such as a butchers and a tobacconist as well as a few restaurants and bars. If you are planning a day of shopping and wish to indulge in the local café culture, you are more likely to spend the day in the city of Orvieto which is 7km away. This small city is actually made up of a thriving new town and the postcard-worthy old town. After exploring the shops and market stalls of the new area, you can take a funicular ride to the old town, which will be a big hit with the little ones. The old town sits on a rocky outcrop, offering incredible views of the valleys below. While here you can visit the cathedral, the well of St Patrick and even a 2500-year-old cemetery. If you would like to spend a day at the beach or to take a scenic boat trip, Lake Bolsena is a wonderful place to visit and is just 16km away. Lake beaches, water sports centres and pretty towns line the lakes shores. One of these is Marta which is 33km away from the house. Marta is a gorgeous fishing village which offers boat trips to the island of Isola Bisentina. This stunning island has a rich history as it was once used as a refuge for a number of popes and is still a place of pilgrimage today. Terms & Conditions: ? €600 charged to client’s credit card as a pre-authorisation at least 2 weeks prior to arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. Between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Check-in outside this time may be subject to an extra cost. Please enquire for more details. Between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Check-out outside this time may be subject to an extra cost. Please enquire for more details. Extra cost, payable locally. Yes. On request only and of small of medium size. A maximum of two, with prior agreement with the owner. If accepted, a pet supplement of €100 per pet will apply (payable locally). Saturday. All other changeover days on request. Flexible from end-August until end-October No. €300, payable locally at the time of arrival. This is for a standard changeover clean. Guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. Outdoor only. 5 nights. Extra cost, payable locally, based on consumption. Italian Visitors Tax payable locally in cash (typically costs €1-€10 per adult per night - please enquire if exact amount is required). Wi-Fi internet access included. Yes. The pool is open approximately May to October. Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming. The pool is not fenced. Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are on request only and subject to prior arrangement with the owner and additional charges. Licence number: IT055028B501033001