Casale degli Olivi is just outside the tiny hamlet of San Giovanni del Pantano which is a dozen or so kilometres south of Umbertide (with its busy Wednesday morning market) and the same again north of Perugia (Umbria’s atmospheric capital city). A little less than 1 km of white road brings you to your door. All the rooms are really large and there’s a real feeling of light and open space to this d
elightful villa. On one side of the house, a long terrace, furnished with great squashy sofas, looks down to the pool and out to the hills. The other side of the house offers a second shady terrace with a huge stone dining table perfect for summer meals lit by the dancing fireflies. Inside you’ll find an enormous sitting room, a family room with satellite TV, a rustic dining room with great oak table and an outstandingly well-equipped kitchen. There’s a large ground floor bedroom suite, with doors out to a side terrace, and a suitably large en suite bathroom to please those who wish to avoid the stairs. For the golfer, the newly reopened 18 hole Antognolla championship golf course is just the other side of the hill! For the non-golfer, ensure you know where to find the Armani, Dolce & Gabbana and Gucci outlets so you can stock up with fashion bargains and it’ll point you in the right direction for the lavishly decorated china (everything from plant pots to dinner services with matching wine goblets) at Deruta and the world class wines of Torgiano. Good grey Gubbio and its exciting funicular to take you for a ride above the tree tops is only 40 minutes drive away. You really are centrally located for sightseeing - if you can tear yourself away from the comforts of this wonderful house...? You’ll find this villa very special - and the nearby golf course is a real bonus!