Amazing Villa Near The Lake With Pool, Castiglione del Lago, Italy

Umbria is known as “the green heart of Italy”. It is quieter than neighbouring Tuscany but no less beautiful or interesting. This villa is on the hillside with spectacular views of Lake Trasimeno and the Appenines beyond. Casa Cantagallina sleeps up to 12 people and is ideal for large groups of family and friends. It offers the best of both worlds, a private pool in lovely landscaped gardens, but also easy access to the historic sites of Umbria and Tuscany.

The villa is spread over 3 floors. The very spacious kitchen is on the ground floor. It is modern and well-equipped with a cooker hob, oven, microwave, dishwasher, fridge/freezer and coffee machine. Through an attractive brick archway, there is an equally large dining room with a wooden table and chairs. There is also an activities room with table tennis and another striking brick archway.

On the first floor, guests can relax in the vast sitting room which is divided in two and includes sofas, armchairs and laptop workspace. Next to the sitting room is a smaller games room with a wood-burning stove and a billiards table. There is also a smaller library for quieter moments to read in peace. The first-floor balcony looks out over the swimming pool, across the valley and can be partially shaded with an overhead canopy.

The villa’s beautiful gardens are exceptional. They are full of nature with fireflies, butterflies and wonderful bird life. There is a shaded veranda which leads out onto an open terrace, with deck chairs, plus a dining table and chairs for meals al fresco surrounded by nature. Close by there is a BBQ and a pizza oven. The swimming pool is slightly apart from the house, surrounded by a stone terrace and well-kept lawns.

Sleeping
There are 6 lovely bedrooms, each with an en suite garden. 5 of the rooms have double beds and the sixth room has 2 single beds. The bedrooms are individually furnished with a combination of contemporary and antique furniture.

Bathrooms
There are 6 en suite bathrooms. 5 of the bathrooms have a shower, bidet, basin and WC.
A sixth bathroom has a full bath with a showerhead, basin and WC.
There is another shared bathroom which is equipped with a shower, basin, bidet and WC.

Additional
• Free Wifi (portable device) • Private outdoor swimming pool (heated) • Outside dining area • BBQ • Private, fenced gardens • Air conditioning • Ceiling fans • Fireplace • Books library • Games library • Music stereo • Smoke detector • Hair dryer • Waste disposal • Washing machine • High definition digital TV • Pets possible • Child friendly • Children’s cot available • Suitable for elderly guets • Wheelchair access • Private parking, car essential

Please note that the swimming pool is open from May 30 to Oct 25.

Location
The house is in western Umbria, close to the Tuscan border and the lovely town of Castiglione del Lago (15 minutes), with its castle that dominates Lake Trasimeno. The nearest village is Villastrada, walkable in about 20 minutes, with a small, very well-stocked supermarket and a café that serves excellent pizzas in the evenings on a vine-covered terrace across the road. For self-catering the weekly markets are the best for fresh local produce. In the Etruscan town of Chiusi (14 minutes) market happens every Tuesday morning. If you plan to go to Montepulciano (40 minutes) market day is Thursday (until 1pm).

There are two good circuits for runs or walks from the house through Cantagallina Alta then either through Villastrada or Caiaoncola and back to the house. For water sports, visitors should head to the lake where they can enjoy many different watersports, including canoeing.

The capital of Umbria, Perugia is 45 minutes away. It is well worth a visit, as is the famous town of Assisi (1 hour) birthplace of St Francis and a site of pilgrimage. Over the border in Tuscany, Montepulciano makes an interesting day trip. Here you can visit many different wine producers, try some of the famous red wines and buy them to enjoy at home.

The closest airport is at Perugia (50 minutes drive) Alternatively, Florence Airport is 2 hours away.