Part of a sprawling private estate and with unspoilt views over the Umbrian countryside, Villa Palchi is a tranquil retreat full of both history and modern luxuries. A stay here feels like you're truly away from it all and enjoying a typical rustic experience in the heart of nature. The gardens that surround the villa offer places for leisure and relaxation, with an infinity pool that has some of the very best hill and valley views. Both the villa and detached annexe are traditional stone buildings that blend seamlessly into their naturally beautiful surroundings. The interiors have been lovingly and tastefully restored to retain original features and charm, as well as showcase contemporary style. The wood-beamed ceilings in the villa's living space are especially impressive, with a beautiful arched window flooding the room with light. It's the perfect place for socialising and unwinding with loved ones at any time of the day. You're spoilt for choice for where to enjoy meals. The dining table in the villa is big enough for everyone, with al fresco dining also an option in the courtyard area between the villa and annexe. The charming pool house is also home to a small dining table for informal lunches and dinners cooked on the barbecue. There are four ensuite bedrooms across the villa and annexe, with each being spacious and full of character. The marble bathrooms are luxurious places to both start and end days with a refreshing or indulgent shower. Spend lazy afternoons by the gorgeous infinity pool that's probably going to be everyone's favourite place to chill out. The views over the lush countryside from the pool are hard to beat, with the pool cottage's pergola being another great spot to take them in. The pool cottage itself is a lovely place to retreat into the shade after leisurely walks around the tree-dotted garden. To discover the beauty of the area, all you need to do is step outside Villa Palchi and explore the estate that surrounds you. You'll come across woods, vineyards, olive groves and quiet rivers and valleys. There's also a farm that's home to some friendly animals! Many historic towns and cities full of beautiful buildings are less than an hour's drive away. They include Perugia, Gubbio, Città di Castello and Cortona. Idyllic Lake Trasimeno is around 45 minutes away by car and offers stunning scenery, as well as the chance to relax on a sandy beach. Features: Main Villa Interiors Ground Floor - Sitting room with sofa, armchairs, TV - Kitchen with dishwasher, fridge, oven, microwave - Dining area with table for eight guests First Floor - Bedroom with super king size bed, ensuite bathroom with shower Second Floor - Bedroom with super king size bed, ensuite bathroom with shower Annexe Interiors Ground Floor - Bedroom with super king size bed, ensuite bathroom with shower First Floor - Bedroom with super king size bed, ensuite bathroom with shower   Pool Cottage Interiors - Open-plan sitting area with sofa, armchairs, table for four guests, mini fridge - Stone barbecue - Laundry room with washing machine, dryer, iron and ironing board - Pergola with sofa and armchairs Outside Grounds - Heated infinity pool (14m x 4m, max depth: 1.5m) with shallow area (4m x 4m) and ladder steps, open approximately May to mid-October - Dining table for eight guests - Sun loungers - Garden - Terraces with sofas and chairs - Wood oven  - Parking Facilities - Air conditioning in each room - Wi-Fi - Smart LCD TV - Bluetooth sound system - Table tennis - Hairdryers - Soaps, shampoos and shower caps in every bathroom   ** Larger parties travelling together may also book any of the following properties located within the same estate: Tower Villa (sleeps 8), Villa Subtila (sleeps 18), Villa Savini (sleeps 8), Villa Chimneys (sleeps 12), Villa La Macchia (sleeps 6) and Castello Maddalena (sleeps 12) in the same estate - please follow links for more information. Location: 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. Terms & Conditions: Security deposit? €1500 charged to client’s credit card by the owner as a pre-authorisation upon arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. Arrival time? 3.30 p.m. - 7.30 p.m. Departure time? 10.00 a.m. Energy costs included? Yes. Linen & towels included? Yes (Bath towels changed mid-week and linen changed mid-stay for bookings of 2+ consecutive weeks). Pets welcome? Not allowed. Changeover day? Saturday. All other changeover days on request. End of stay cleaning included? Yes and daily maid service included. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. Smoking Allowed? Outside only. Insurance? It is recommended that all guests take out insurance to cover against potential cancellation and any accidental damage caused during your stay at the property. Minimum stay? 2024: 7 nights approximately from end-June to end-August. 3 nights during other period. Heating costs included? Yes, except in low season. Tax? Italian Visitors Tax payable locally in cash (typically costs €1-€10 per adult per night- please enquire if exact amount is required). Internet access? WI-Fi connection included. Pool towels included? Yes, changed weekly for bookings of 2 weeks or more. Pool opening dates? The pool is open approximately May to mid-October. Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming. Pool heating charge? Included approximately late June to end-August, on request only. Extra cost approximately late-May to late June and September based on consumption, payable locally. Pool heating is not available during all other periods. Please note that like all heated pools, pool heating and water temperature are reliant on weather and outside temperatures. Other Ts and Cs? Please note that extra services/activities must be booked via the Estate's concierge in advance - no external providers are welcome at the property.