Villa Penna

The accommodation at Villa Penna is split between the main Villa, with two bedrooms and the Annex, also with two bedrooms. The two buildings are only a very few metres apart. The main living areas, such as the kitchen and the sitting room are on the ground floor in the main Villa.

Main Villa

Immediately greeted by the majestic arched window that enhances the spacious living room, filling it with light, the main entrance to the Villa provides just a taste of the style and immaculate taste with which the Villa has been decorated. It is a simple space, with two main rooms on the groundfloor (the Kitchen-Dining room and the Sitting Room), and two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms upstairs.

Ground Floor

Sitting room  - the first room you enter is a welcoming large sitting room, with plenty of armchairs and sofas centered around an open stone fireplace. The style combines contemporary furniture with the old features of the building such as exposed wooden beams.  There is a television in the sitting room with Sky satellite television and sports channels.

Kitchen – the other main room on the ground floor in the house, accessed by walking up a small set of stairs from the living room. The kitchen / dining room is open with a rectangular dining table on one side and on the other side of the room a well equipped kitchen with plenty of work surfaces, a dishwasher, a fridge/freezer, electric hobs and an oven. There is a slight separation between the kitchen area and the dining area with an elevated breakfast bar with two stools and a central pillar.

First Floor

Bedroom 1: The flight of stairs leads up to Bedroom 1, immediately in front of the stairs, above the sitting room on the ground floor. It has a kingsized bed, with its own en-suite Bathroom 1. Bathroom 1 has a walk in shower, wash basin and a WC.

Bedroom 2 is accessed by turning right at the top of the stairs, and up a further short flight of stairs. It has a kingsized bed and its own en-suite Bathroom 2 with a walk-in shower, wash basin and WC.

Annex:

The annex has another two bedrooms, one on the ground floor and one on the first floor, both with their own independent exterior access.

Bedroom 3: On the ground floor, has a kingsized bed with its own en-suite Bathroom 3. Bathroom 3 has a walk-in shower, double basin and a WC.

Bedroom 4: On the first floor of the annex, is accessed directly from outside up its own wide stone stair case. It has a kingsize bed, and its own en-suite Bathroom 4 which has a walk in shower, basin and a WC.

Pool Cottage

The pool cottage is a fantastic space, located next to the infinity swimming pool, facing the incredible view across valleys of Umbria. It has a dining table seating 6 people. A large collection of wicker sofas and armchairs create another sitting room.  The pergola in front of the pool house has more outdoor furniture, with the infinity pool in the foreground and stunning views over the hills of Umbria in the background. There is a stone built barbecue incorporated into the Pool Cottage.

The Pool Cottage has a laundry room, with washing machine, dryer, iron and ironing board. There is also a minifridge.

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

There are local shopping facilities at Pierantonio, (10 mins), including a bakery, butcher, grocer, pharmacy, post office, bank and a couple of bars.

The nearest supermarket is in Umbertide (20 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 (35 mins) and Camucia (55 minutes)

Gubbio, (35 mins) is one of Umbria’s most perfect medieval hill towns. There is a Basilica high above Gubbio which makes a super walking destination.

The nearest town / cities of size are Perugia (25mins) to the South and Florence (2 hr 10 mins) to the North.

The closest airport to the Villa is in Perugia (25 mins). There are also airports in Siena (1hr 15 mins) Florence (2hr 8 mins), Pisa (3hrs) 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 thank to the olive oil, pasta, vegetables and meats. The food is typified by its simplicity, highlighting the fine quality and abundance of local produce.

Wine - The wine is also very good thanks to the gently rolling hills, the long hours of sunshine and the 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. Wine Tours following any of the four wine roads. Each trace the ancient Roman roads and follow any of the following routes of your choice:

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 Italian family food. There is an extensive list of restaurants, with descriptions, available in the Villa.

Cooking Classes – Provided for Pasta making, 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 25 minutes away and offers a wealth of cultural activities that include opera and 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. 20 min) 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. 45 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 attract people. From above the town, there are magnificent views across the countryside in every direction.

Assisi, Umbria (approx. 40 min) 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 sheer 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, Umbria (approx. 35 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 is worth visiting at the same time as a visit to Assisi.

Florence, Tuscany (approx. 130 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.