Villa ValtiberinaItaly, Umbria

Originally built in 1950 and restored in 2009, this property is a delightful home base for discerning travellers wanting to explore the nature and antiquities of both Umbria and Tuscany.

Near Umbria’s capital Perugia but just five miles from the Tuscan border, the property is less than an hour drive from historic hilltop villages. Florentine painters have hand-painted walls and restored ceilings here, using the colours that have graced the original walls of the estate – pale greens, violets and yellows. Guests’ favourite pastime is generally reading on the south-facing lawn or at the large pool, pausing after chapters to take in the ever-changing colours of the vast mountain ranges.

There are plenty of paths for long walks on the hillside behind the house and the staff of the villa can provide guests with specially prepared picnic baskets. Private cooking classes, truffle hunting, wine-tasting as well as biking, hiking and watercolour painting classes are regularly organised here; we also recommend a visit to the famous 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr for all golfers. Much of what guests are served comes right from the estate’s gardens, a wide array of herbs and vegetables, while merlots and cabernets are produced using our own vineyards.