Santa Croce

The Ground Floor is a great space that lends itself to conviviality but is not quite open plan. It consists of a large living room with an open fireplace, a dining room, a kitchen and utility room.

There are many entrances into the villa, but the most obvious goes straight into the Living room. It has two large sofas and two arm chairs centered around an open fireplace. In this room, there is also a large LCD TV with Sky Italia television and sports channels.

Dining room – The dining room, adjoining the living room seats 8 around a rectangular dining table. The dining room also has direct access outside.

Kitchen – a practical and well equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, two fridges, an oven and direct access to the gardens.

Laundry room – a spacious room with a washing machine, a dryer, a sink, iron and ironing board.

First Floor

There is access to the first floor through an indoor set of stairs from the sitting room, or from an outdoor set of stairs leading straight to bedroom 1

Bedroom 1- A large bedroom with a double bed (that can be made into 2 single beds if required), with its own en-suite Bathroom 1. This bathroom has a walk-in shower, basin, WC and bidet. Bedroom 1 also has direct access outside, via a outdoor staircase.

Bedroom 2 - A spacious bedroom with a double bed (that can be made into 2 single beds) with its own en-suite Bathroom 2 with a walk-in shower, basin, WC and bidet.

Bedroom 3 - A superb double bedroom with a four poster bed and a specious en-suite Bathroom 3 with walk-in shower, basin, WC and bidet.

Santa Croce is positioned in the stunning countryside of Umbria. Characterised by dramatic forested hills, interesting and unspoilt architecture and natural beauty.

There are local shopping facilities at Pierantonio (15 mins) including a bakery, butcher, grocer, pharmacy, post office, bank and a couple of bars.

The nearest supermarket is in Umbertide (25 mins) located on the river Tiber, with a number of good walks and an excellent choice of restaurants. There is a market once a week at Umbertide, as well as many other local market towns notably Arezzo (1 hr 15 mins),  Gubbio (40 mins) and Camucia (45 minutes)

Gubbio, (40 mins) is one of Umbria’s most perfect medieval hill towns. There is a Basilica high above Gubbio which makes a fine and impressive walking destination.

The nearest town / cities of size are Perugia (30mins) to the South and Florence (1hr50 mins) to the North.

The closest airport to the Villa is Perugia (30 mins). There are also airports at Siena (1hr 25 mins) Florence (1hr50 mins), Pisa (2hrs 40 mins) and Rome (2 hrs 30 mins).

The closest train station is also in Perugia.

There is a very helpful information folder with details of recommended local shops, restaurants, markets, cultural, sporting and recreational activities plus many other suggestions on what to do and where to go in the vicinity. The folder also includes maps, brochures and important local contact details.

Food and Cooking - Tuscan and Umbrian cuisine is appreciated the world over for its fine natural and flavoursome ingredients thanks to the local olive oil, pasta, vegetables and meats. The food is typified by its simplicity, championong the fine quality and abundance of local produce.

Wine - The wine is also very good thanks to the siting of the vineyards, the long hours of sunshine and temperature. It is worth trying fine wines such as Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, Sassicaia and Nobile di Montepulciano.

Wine tasting and Tours - can be arranged at the Il Caldero cellar/wineshop or can be arranged at the villa on request.  The tours trace the ancient Roman roads and follow any of the following routes:

Perugia, Trasimeno and Altotiberini Hills 

Montefalco and the Martani Hills 

Orvieto and the Amerini Hills

Spoleto and the Valnerina

Eating Out - There are many local restaurants, ranging from fine dining experiences to comforting and convivial Italian family food. There is an extensive list of restaurants, with descriptions, available in the Villa.

Cooking Classes – Provided for Pasta and Pizza making

Markets - There are several weekly markets on in the area in Arezzo, Perugia, Gubbio, Umbertide and Camucia.

Perugia - The region’s capital city Perugia is just 30 minutes away and offers a wealth of cultural activities that include opera, the famous Umbria Jazz and Eurochocolate festivals. Other spectacular hilltop towns include Cortona and Preggio the latter with its annual classical music festival.

Montone - (approx. 20mins) This town is one of the unspoilt gems of Umbria and the perfect place for a wonderful night out. Best to arrive in time to enjoy the sunset from the top of the town and take in the beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. The town often hosts events including a film festival, an archery tournament between the different quarters, and dancing in the town square.

Cortona, Tuscany (approx. 50 min) Despite featuring in a film and book titled ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’, this beautiful Tuscan hilltop town hasn’t lost the charm for which it is famous. With a wonderful square, lovely restaurants and wine shops and a great walk to the monastery at the top of the town, there is much to enjoy and appreciate. From above the town, there are magnificent views across the countryside in every direction.

Assisi - (approx. 50 mins) The birthplace of St Francis, Assisi is a must for any trip to Umbria and Italy. It is hard not to be awestruck by the magnificence and grandeur of the Basilica. Above Assisi is the Eremo di Carcere (Hermitage), which is an old monastery built near the caves that were used by St Francis and contains the tree where he preached to the birds.

Spello - (approx. 45 min) A beautiful hill top town at the base of Monte Subasio just a few kms from Assisi. It has wonderful little streets to wander around, many gourmet restaurants and stunning views. This can be visited at the same time as Assisi.

Florence, Tuscany (approx. 110 min) Day trips to Florence are easily manageable, either by car or train. It takes c 2 hours to drive to Florence. Alternatively, it is possible to take a train from Terontola station, where you can take advantage of free parking and cheap train travel to take a relaxing journey into the city, arriving 5 minutes walk from the Duomo.

Shopping- The Mall in Florence has the following brand outlets: Agnona, Bottega Veneta, Emmanuel Ungaro, Ermenegildo Zegna, Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Hogan, La Perla, Loro Piana, Salvatore Ferragamo, Sergio Rossi, Tod's, Valentino and Yves Saint Laurent.

Lago Trasimeno (20mins) - in addition to offering various water sport activities, towns such as Passignano and Castiglione del Lago are the most appealing and the islands of Maggiore and Polvese can be accessed by short and enjoyable boat rides. Isola Maggiore features the ruins of a castle and church which people always enjoy visiting.

Walking and trekking – there are a variety of local paths and routes to suit syuit all ages and states of fitness and these can be guided. Guided treks end up on Monte Tezio , the second highest mountain in Umbria.

Golf: The Antognolla Golf Course is set amidst the 600 hectare Antognolla Estate. This championship golf course offers golfers of all abilities the opportunity to play on an expertly designed course, giving a true test of skill and judgement. The driving range is the perfect place to warm up before a round or just for working on your short game. The driving range is available for keen golfers seven days a week from 9am to 8pm. Guests of the Villa receive a 20% discount on green fees to play on the course.

Horse riding, truffle hunting, massages, yoga, pilates, fitness classes, spa treatments, guided tours, bike rental, quad trips, hot air balloon rides and wine tasting amongst other activities are all available  and are detailed in the Local Services and Activities book in the villa.