Villa Palchi at Umbria

The Neighborhood

Villa Palchi sits in a wonderfully privileged setting, in an elevated position on an expansive private estate. The estate's landscapes include woods, valleys, hills, vineyards, olive groves, rivers and lakes. There's even a farm with plenty of cute and friendly animals to visit. It's the perfect place to get close to the Umbrian countryside and discover its idyllic flora and fauna. Although the villa is in a secluded spot within a rural setting, the nearest restaurant is just five minutes away on the estate itself. More restaurants, shops and a bank can be found in the next-closest village, which is around a 10-minute drive. Umbertide is a city on the Tiber River that has a lovely, welcoming atmosphere throughout its historic streets. Pretty piazzas are full of cafes and restaurants for sampling delicious regional foods. Some of the most impressive structures in the city include 16th-century Santa Maria della Reggia church and La Rocca, a medieval stone fortress that gives stunning views over the surrounding area. Sure to be a hit with the sweet-toothed is the city of Perugia, as it's famous for its chocolate! History and architecture lovers will also appreciate the wealth of medieval and Renaissance buildings and structures. Just for starters, there's Fontana Maggiore, a marble fountain carved with zodiac signs and biblical scenes, Priori Palace, and a Gothic cathedral. For an unforgettable experience, take a ride on the Funivia Colle Eletto in the town of Gubbio. It's a stand-up cable car that takes you up Monte Ingino, with Sant'Ubaldo Basilica and views over the Apennines Mountains to be found at the top. Città di Castello is the place to go if you're an admirer of art. The city's 14th-century Church of San Domenico features many 15th-century frescoes by some of Italy's best Renaissance painters. The Municipal Art Gallery (Pinacoteca) is housed within the beautiful Palazzo Vitelli alla Cannoniera and is where you can see more paintings by artists such as Raphael and Lorenzetti. For a beach experience, head to the town of Castiglione del Lago at Lake Trasimeno. Make a day of it by packing a picnic and relaxing on hired sun loungers. You can also hire pedalos and canoes for having fun on the water. Worth the extra journey time to reach is the town of Cortona with its Archaeological Park. Highlights here include the ancient Etruscan tombs and remains of Roman roads. Treat yourself to the local tipple in Montepulciano, with the town being famous for Vino Nobile red wine made with grapes from the surrounding vineyards.