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Beautiful villa with swimming pool at the edge of a spectacular medieval village

Photo gallery for Beautiful villa with swimming pool at the edge of a spectacular medieval village

The villa with its climbing wysteria
The entrance
One side of the living room
Dining table in the living room
The kitchen, with the terrace and the outdoor dining table outside.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi

Explore the area

View in a map
cetona, Tuscany
  • Place, Archaeological Museum of Sarteano
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Place, Sarteano Castle
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Place, Labyrinth of Porsenna
    ‪15 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed and 1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed and 1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

3 bathrooms

First floor bathroom

Bathtub · Bidet · Toilet · Shower only

Second floor bathroom

Bidet · Toilet · Shower only

Third floor bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Beautiful villa with swimming pool at the edge of a spectacular medieval village

"Ombra's Villa" enjoys a rare kind of location: it is uniquely set at 300 meters from the main square of Cetona's village; at the same time it is immersed in the countryside, surrounded by olive groves, with a great view over the Val di Chiana and a swimming pool.
Its location enables its guests to walk to the village for shopping, enjoy it's two wonderful cafés and lunch or dine at two of Tuscany's most renowned restaurants - Il Tiglio di Piazza da Nilo and Il Merlo, not to mention the excellent wine bars (with food), a pizza place and another small restaurant.
"Ombra's Villa" has a swimming pool, an olive grove, a terrace, and outdoor lounge area, WiFi, smart tv, air conditioning, fans and all the useful utilities. For longer stays, It can have cleaning every 2-3 days on request (12 Euros per hour). Weekly cleaning and change of sheets and towels is provided by the owner on Saturdays. if needed A cook is also available. Entirely renovated in 2020. Please mind that the swimming pool is open from 25 May to 30 September. Heating is not included and must be payed in cash locally, according to usage. Logs for the fireplace are provided by owner. Opening of the pool right before May 25 and right after September 30 can be arranged for a fee, but should be discussed with owner beforehand.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 25

Check out before 10:00 AM

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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

The house has a spiral staircase

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Events

No events allowed

There is a house nearby, too much noise unwelcome

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Pets

Pets allowed

Of course, it depends on the size etc.

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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Not in the house. No problem outdoor, with care

Important information

You need to know

Property Registration Number IT052008C2BTIZEINP
Property # 4645137
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts cash
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: there is a house nearby, too much noise unwelcome
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Cetona

Located in Cetona, this villa is in a rural area. Chiusi Cathedral Museum and Chianciano Art Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Labyrinth of Porsenna and Pasticceria Il Campanile. Centro Servizi Turistici Citta della Pieve and La Foce are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with nearby swimming, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling, hiking and horse riding.
View more Villas in CetonaOpens in a new window
Map
cetona, Tuscany

What's nearby

  • Archaeological Museum of Sarteano - 11 min drive - 9.0 km
  • Sarteano Castle - 12 min drive - 9.4 km
  • Labyrinth of Porsenna - 15 min drive - 11.9 km
  • Chiusi National Etruscan Museum - 15 min drive - 11.9 km
  • Chiusi Cathedral Museum - 15 min drive - 11.9 km

Getting around

  • Chiusi Chianciano Terme Station - 16 min drive
  • Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi – Umbria Intl. Airport (PEG) - 77 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪osteria spirito di vino - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Bar Cavallino Bianco - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪La Loconda Dei Tintori - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Ristorante La Taverna Di Merlino - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Osteria del Patriarca - ‬14 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Beautiful villa with swimming pool at the edge of a spectacular medieval village have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool.

Is Beautiful villa with swimming pool at the edge of a spectacular medieval village pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Beautiful villa with swimming pool at the edge of a spectacular medieval village?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Beautiful villa with swimming pool at the edge of a spectacular medieval village?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Beautiful villa with swimming pool at the edge of a spectacular medieval village?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Beautiful villa with swimming pool at the edge of a spectacular medieval village located?

Situated in a rural location, this villa is steps from Val di Chiana and within 6 mi (10 km) of Archaeological Museum of Sarteano and Sarteano Castle. Fontesecca and Labyrinth of Porsenna are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 18 out of 21 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 21 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 21 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 21 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 21 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joy E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely, roomy villa . Very well equipped with everything you could need. All town folks were very friendly & welcoming. Will miss them all. Would definitely recommend!
Beautiful medieval hilltop town
Stayed 29 nights in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Apr 2026
Thank you for your generous comment, dear Joy and Brian. We all (meaning I, Patrizia, Dario, Marisa) loved having you. You'll be much missed in Cetona!
Verified

8/10 Good

Joy E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
So welcoming and friendly and informative. The villa is clean and well situated. Lovely little town.
Stayed 30 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

allison j.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Tuscany vacation

Very nice place to stay.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

James J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great house with great outdoor spaces. Very close to town with plenty of restaurants and easy access to groceries. Would highly recommend.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Meghan B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This beautiful property was our home base for our week in Tuscany. It was clean, recently renovated and perfect for our two couples. It has an artistic soul and we loved to be surrounded by books, interesting art and textiles. The outdoor spaces were comfortable and have breathtaking views of the valley, and it was an easy, uphill walk into the piazza, where the restaurants, bakery and enoteca provided us with what we needed. A small grocery store was also within walking distance. The housekeeper, Patrizia, was kind and accommodating, and made us a beautiful meal during our stay! We would return in a heartbeat!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Oct 2025
Thank you for being such good and gênerous guests. You’ll be welcome back anytime!
Verified

8/10 Good

Denise S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The property was well stocked with plenty of kitchen supplies, towels, blankets, etc. There are literally thousands of books on shelves covering almost every wall. Livia (owner) was professional and easy to communicate with. Patrizia (Housekeeper) was wonderful, kind and helpful. It is important to be aware how the parking works when renting this property. We were four adults traveling together, so we had a midsized vehicle. The parking is a gravel area that wraps around two sections of a steeply sloped hill next to the unit. It has a very sharp turn separating the sections. It also fills up quickly which sometimes made parking a challenge. The roads going in and out of town are also a bit tight and some may find it hard to navigate. My advice would be to rent the smallest vehicle you can. It also is important to note if you come in the colder months that you’ll be charged for your consumption of gas to run the heat. While Livia did disclose this a few days prior to our arrival. I do not recall seeing it when making the original booking. Our trip was in late April and we did use heat the first few mornings. We had to pay 70 euros for our heat use at checkout.All in all Cetona is a lovely little town with great restaurants and this property was a great place to stay for a classic Tuscany experience.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 15 May 2026
Dear Denise, Thank you for your kind review. I’m glad you enjoyed your staying at the villa, and in the village of Cetona. Just one thing: the fact that the heating, if and when necessary, is not included in the rate, is actually clearly specified in the villa’s VRBO’s description. My telling you a few days ahead your arrival was just a reminder in your interest. All my best, Livia Manera Sambuy
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Eric M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A really charming and beautiful house full with books and art, with plenty of space and facilities. The terraces are wonderful. The pool area is truly bucolic. And on the edge of a stunning village with plenty of life. Highly recommended.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

James Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Stay

What a beautiful house and location. So many memories made in the well stocked kitchen and beautiful sitting areas overlooking pool. Wonderful restaurants and shops in the village . Enjoyed the walk and met so many friendly people along the way.We will be back .
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Oct 2024
Wonderful to have such appreciative, considerate and polite guests. Looking forward to have you back any time.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Beth R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Dreamy, authentic, spotless Villa

Two couples in our 70’s. 7 nights spacious, Comfortable beautiful stay couldn’t have asked for more. So charming had everything you could need to cook with, to read (amazing library), great pool, magnificent scenery- charming village….would go back and back and back…
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous

Livia was extremely helpful in making the holiday a success , well supported by Patrizia her housekeeper. The house is amazing given its location such a short walk for the centre of Cetona, a fabulous garden and pool and such an interesting property. Lovely and relaxing we didn’t need to move far with local restaurants, food shops and Saturday market within easy walking distance in Cetona.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

David M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A fantastic experience

We loved the house and the town. The view from the patio is breathtaking. We ate at 4 excellent restaurants and explored the surrounding towns. The spiral stairs to our 2nd 3rd and 4th floor rooms was a challenge for us old folks but we learned to plan ahead. Housekeeper has very limited English but owner was available by text to act as our interpreter. We hope we will be back.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Apr 2020
Thank you for your review, David. I'm actually starting works in two weeks to enlarge the house, in order to get rid of the spiral staircase. From spring 2020 on, the villa will have 1000 square feet more of space to accomodate a real staircase, a new entrance, and larger bathrooms and bedrooms on every floor.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michele N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful property in the Italian countryside

We really enjoyed our stay at Livia's villa. She and Patrizia were extremely responsive and helpful to our requests and went above and beyond to ensure we felt at home. The property was gorgeous and it really felt like we were emerced in the town itself, as it's central to everything and the local shops and restaurants are easily walkable. The bedrooms are spacious and the beds were extremely comfortable - but it's important to point out that all bedrooms do require a stair climb (something I wasn't sure I totally realized prior to booking). They being said, the stairs were pretty easy to navigate and my 82 year old father in law did so without any problems. Highly recommend this VRBO - you literally could not ask for a better host!
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Steven F.

We fell in love with this villa! Highest recommendation!

I can't imagine a more valuable & transformative experience -- living a mere 10 minutes walk from the town center of a strikingly beautiful Tuscany village, largely untouched by tourism. We all fell in love with Cetona & especially this villa! Very peaceful & comfortable, with stunning views of the surrounding forest, farms & mountains. The owner is quick to respond to questions & concerns. Maid service is a nice feature. If I understand correctly, the owner's children were raised in this house, hence there is an intensely enjoyable sense that plenty of great memories already exist here. We only added to such fine memories! The shelves in the living room are packed full of books, CDs & DVDs. There are several areas you can meet, inside & outside. The pool is an adventuresome climb down from the villa -- ideal for children -- perhaps less so for older adults. The kitchen is well-stocked with utensils and a supermarket is, again, only a short excursion. We also enjoyed two local four-star restaurants, a charming wine cantina, and the gentle sense of being Italian villagers for a week. To emphasize, being part of a small Tuscan community was our goal and the villa exceeded our expectations. We look forward to returning, and give it our highest recommendation!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Oct 2021
Dear Steven Finch, I just discovered (!) your very generous review. You've been really kind, thank you. all my best, Livia
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Vickie v.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfetto!

From the moment we saw Livia's villa online, we knew it was THE ONE for three women wanting to really "live" in Tuscany. The location - from the terrace you see spectacular countryside (and magical sunrises too). Walk out the front door and up the hill and you are in the charming medieval village of Cetona. The sunny and warm piazza (where we sipped Aperol spritz in short sleeves in November!). Saturday morning market, a grocery store, pharmacy, bank and assorted shops and cafes (plus a Michelin star restaurant) - ALL right there! The villa is spacious and well equipped - we cooked in every night and always found what we needed. The beds were very comfortable (and I have a bad back so this is vital!), the towels and linens fresh and crisp. There is a lot of "stuff" in the house (it is a family villa after all) and quite literally miles of books (in every room). Yet after a few days I felt very much at home, like I was visiting my super-interesting relatives in their super-interesting holiday house. And then there is Patrizia - probably the best concierge/housekeeper ever! We muddled through with a mixture of (almost non-existent) Italian (us), marginally better French (also us, hers was stellar), a few English words, the translation app and a whole lot of charades. She always understood, acted promptly and never without a smile on her face. When we bid her farewell she hugged us all! No holiday rental is perfect but this one comes darn close ... thus "Perfetto"!
Stayed 13 nights in Nov 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Dec 2024
Thank you Vickie for your very generous review. Very few things make me happier than knowing that our guests have enjoyed a villa and a village life that I deeply love. Sharing them with you has been a pleasure. Wishing you and your friends all the best, Livia
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joy E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely quiet location. Parking excellent. Walking distance to main piazza & stores. Really enjoyed the town and it’s friendly people.
Stayed 30 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Pascal B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Magnifique maison dans un superbe village

La maison est pleine de charme son jardin et la vue sont magnifiques La terrasse extérieure très agréable pour prendre ses repas Le ménage est fait deux fois par semaine par Patricia qui est au petit soin L emplacement est excellent le village est magnifique et tous les restaurants sont à tester et les commerces sont tous là de la boulangerie à la charcuterie à l épicerie Tout se fait à pied Nous reviendrons avec grand plaisir Merci Livia
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

sarita z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Un endroit merveilleux, une décoration parfaite, une maison ou on se sent chez soi dès l'arrivée.

Encore mieux que les photos, la propriétaire laissent tant de gestes de sympathie, le cadre est magique et les mots ne pourrais être assez fort pour décrire ce séjour inoubliable. Nous y retournerons dès que nous pourrons
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Regina P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

This property is amazing!!!

Beautifully presented, spotless, with a stylish, relaxed and welcoming feel. This is truly a unique property, in a special location, offered by the perfect host. We stayed in this home for the month of November, mixing work with pleasure. The views are incredible and the broadband is extremely fast and reliable. The house is organised over several floors, with a bedroom and bathroom on each level. Being only 2 of us (+ dog), we mainly used the ground and 1st floor. The bedroom was spacious and the bed was very large and very comfortable. There was plenty of closet space/storage too. The bathroom has a large walk-in shower (great water pressure), a deep separate tub, another window…and another view! This property, feels more like a “home”rather than a rental property; full of warmth and personal touches, books and art. Even the kitchen has been carefully considered, and is perfectly stocked with everything you could possibly need. Absolutely everything! The beautiful terrace can be accessed from the kitchen and the lounge. It has plenty of seating and dining space and overlooks the large garden and beyond. Just stunning! Being November, we didn’t use the swimming pool, but we’d regularly journey down the steps, pass the olive & fruit trees, the second terrace, then down to the pool and the flat grassy area. There are over 100 steps, but the journey is enjoyable and the dog loved this morning run around! So much space! Cetona centre is just a 10 minute uphill walk. It is a lovely town with a large piazza. The people are friendly, generous, and kind. We ate at most of the restaurants, wine bar, pizzeria and cafe. All were very dog friendly! All of the food, wine and coffee was excellent. I mean really excellent! As was the local bakery, and deli. The host, Livia, was extremely helpful, very quick to respond and quick to offer help and advice. She went above and beyond to ensure we found some of the local walks and was generous with her time, information and assistance. We really can’t thank her enough for making our time in Cetona just perfect! After spending only a month in this property, we have truly fallen in love with this home, and with Cetona itself. We hope to return very soon!
Stayed 28 nights in Nov 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cecil C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Incredible!!

I cannot say enough about this incredible property and the area! The home is comfortable, clean and perfect for families. We enjoyed the patio in the morning and for wine in the evening. Beds were comfortable, bathrooms were spacious and the kitchen well stocked. The town is lovely. Quiet. Hilly but an easy walk to the piazza, even for my 75 year old parents. The home owner was awesome! Great communication, very helpful and responsive, as was her housekeeper. I would return in a minute and hope to do some someday soon! It was a trip of a lifetime!
Stayed 38 nights in Feb 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Apr 2022
A great thank you the Cannon family, the best guests one can hope for: curious, enthusiastic, deeply appreciative of Italian lifestyle. The very best!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gregor F.

Ein Haus mit einem besonderen Flair

Wir, 3 Ehepaare, die sich seit langem kennen, waren Ende Mai Gast bei Livia in Ombra's Haus. Das Haus liegt direkt am Rand von unterhalb Cetona, wenige Meter vor dem Haus befindet sich ein kleiner Parkplatz. Auf der kleinen Straße vor dem Haus gibt es fast kein Verkehr. Das Haus öffnet sich nach hinten zu einen schönen großen Garten der bis zum Pool unten ins Tal reicht. Auf der Wiese direkt hinter dem Pool haben wir oft ein Reh mit seinen zwei Kitzen beobachten können, ungestörte Natur pur! Das Haus hat ein sehr großes Wohnzimmer. Die kleinen 3 Schlafzimmer befinden sich im „Turm“, pro Stockwerk ein Zimmer. Die Küche ist vollständig, mit allem was man braucht. Alle Räume sind sehr schön dekoriert. Viele Bilder und unzählige Bücher geben dem ganzen Haus eine ganz besondere persönliche Note. Sowohl das Haus als auch der Garten sind sehr sauber und gepflegt. Auch die Technik ist tip top, alles funktioniert und das WLAN ist sehr fix. Wir durften in Cetona einige sehr schöne Tage verbringen. In wenigen Minuten ist man zu Fuß mitten Ort, mit seiner vielfältigen Gastronomie und Geschäften. Ein großes Einkaufszentrum befindet sich in Querce al Pino. Chiusi ist ein Besuch wert, Siena ist nicht weit und das Tal von Orcia ist ganz in der Nähe. Wir haben uns in dem Haus mit dem unvergleichlichen persönlichen Flair immer sehr wohlgefühlt und konnten die schöne Umgebung der südlichen Toskana kennenlernen und genießen. Der Kontakt mit der Eigentümerin lief immer sehr schnell und sehr freundlich.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl C.

Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2025

About the host

Hosted by Livia Manera Sambuy

Host profile image

I'm a literary critic, author and documentary film maker. You can see mi bio on my website. www.liviamanera.com

Why they chose this property

Because it is a spectacular part of Tuscany. Because of it's unique location, completely immersed in the countryside and so close to the village. Because the house is lovely and unusual: a 14th century house, with one bedroom, bathroom and closets on each floor, and a large living room on the ground floor.

What makes this property unique

The proximity to the village allowed my children to grow up here free to come and go by themselves, enjoy an ice cream in the village square or a tennis match. As for myself, "Ombra's house" is and ideal "writer's retreat", secluded by not isolated, and if I don't feel like driving, I can forget the car for a whole week. There are very few things sweeter that coming back from a dinner in the village at night, and walk home under the stars, in total safety and beauty.
The proximity of my two housekeepers make also life easier. On request, they clean, wash, iron, cook for you and they also provide fresh vegetables from their vegetables gardens.
The house terraced garden with olive grove leads to the swimming pool area. Mind that there are many steps: stairs both to reach the bedrooms and to go to the pool. A terrace shaded with vines an wisteria offers a place to eat, with wonderful views over the Val di Chiana and Città della Pieve.

Languages:

English, French, Italian

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