Price Starting from € 6000 per week (more information) Price on request.
Sleeps 10
Bedrooms 5
Bathrooms 5
Accessibility The house is not specifically suited to less mobile guests.
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Fontesecca Christmas


This villa is the acme of style and charm, fusing rusticity with modern design in a stunning hillside setting


Fontesecca is a warm hug of house. And if you’re wondering how to pull together a fabulous Christmas or New Year celebration, this is the place to start.

There’s space for ten of your nearest and dearest in five big, beautiful bedrooms with huge beds and en-suite shower rooms. The sofas are the longest we’ve come across while the attention to detail in the modern farmhouse kitchen is second to none. Think rolling pins for pizza-making hidden in the corners of the wooden island, two dishwashers, two fridges and a large shiny coffee machine with all the bells and whistles. Cooking not your bag? Then you could let a private chef work their magic.

The house’s subtle mix of rustic wood and sleek Italian design pieces is expertly judged and you could happily not set foot outside all week. But that would be a shame since Città della Pieve, one of Umbria’s prettiest hilltop towns, is just five minutes from the door and the perfect place to soak up the buzz, beauty and charm of an Italian Christmas.

Fontesecca is exclusively managed by Special Umbria.

Rooms description


Bedrooms

The property sleeps ten in five spacious en-suites, including four doubles on the first floor and one twin on the ground floor. The rooms have traditional beamed ceilings and handmade cotto floor tiles with an under-floor cooling system. The beds have luxurious memory-foam mattresses and are dressed with comfortable, cool linens, while the furniture, including Kave Home desks in a couple of the rooms, is a subtle mix of rustic wood and sleek Italian design pieces, giving a modern, calm, country feel.

Bathrooms

All of the bedrooms have en-suite shower rooms with high-performance fixtures and fittings. The cementine floor tiles bring individuality to each room and beautiful colours and patterns to the simple details of the metal washstands and smooth, shower walls. Please note, there are no baths in this property.

Kitchen

The modern farmhouse kitchen has, like the rest of the house, handmade cotto floor tiles and a beamed ceiling. There is a strong focus on local, natural materials, such as the large wooden, freestanding island, the marble sink with brass taps, and the worktop made from smooth travertino di San Casciano. Meanwhile, the island pendants by Karman marry form and function in a sleek design. Open to the living and dining areas, the kitchen is expertly equipped with a large double oven by Ilve and, for ease, two dishwashers and two fridges.

Living rooms

The entire living space is a celebration of natural materials, colours and handcrafted techniques, reflecting the beauty of the property’s location. The modern fireplace is on a bench, creating a stylish fender, while the handcrafted metal banister nods to the agricultural origins of the property. The smooth resin staircase is a joyful piece of functional sculpture and there is plenty of space in which guests can gather, relax or party. On the lower ground floor there is a large TV room that is ideal for children to use as a playroom.

Other rooms

The dining area links the kitchen to the living room. It’s a large, convivial space with French windows to outside. The light and airy feel is made welcoming with the warmth of the natural materials. The beautiful wooden dining table, the dining chairs by Miniforms, a young Italian brand, and the Gervasoni pendant light add contemporary design to the farmhouse aesthetic. On the ground floor there is a separate WC and a large hallway with lots of storage space. On the lower ground floor there is a laundry room and the property’s technical room, next to the TV/play room.

Facilities


Cleaning

2 mid-week cleanings on Mondays and Thursdays + final cleanings. Linen change weekly for stays longer than a week

Amenities

private pool, pool heating, air conditioning, dogs allowed, floor cooling, espresso machine, nespresso machine, car charging point, sonos music system, hob/stove, oven, fridge, fridge with freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer, iron+board, television, wifi, central heating, cot, high chair, barbeque, vinyard, hairdryer

Accessibility

The house is not specifically suited to less mobile guests.

Outside

The outside of the house is as meticulous and beautiful in its detail as the inside, with its pleasing shape, copper drainpipes and sculptural chimney detailing. The 13m x 4m heated pool lies on a terrace in front of the house and the garden has been cleverly landscaped to make the most of the view and surrounding woods and hills. The garden is fenced, with an electric entrance gate, gravel driveway and private parking. With no direct neighbours, Fontesecca is private but not isolated and the pretty town of Città della Pieve is five minutes away by car.

Notes

A short stroll from the main house is the cantina, located in the only original structure to remain, which was once a wine cellar. The upper part is garden storage but the lower part is where the magic happens. This inside/outside space has a kitchen, and a pizza oven has filled the gap of what was once a window. The dining table under the portico outside is a dreamy setting for large group meals with a mesmerising view, personifying all the best bits of Italy, and Umbria in particular. In the Villa you will find the soap, shampoo and shower gel exclusively produced in Umbria and composed by bio agriculture and essential oils.

Availability & Pricing


weekly prices
from 30 September 2023 to 23 December 2023 € 6000
from 23 December 2023 to 6 January 2024 € 7500
from 6 January 2024 to 18 May 2024 € 6000
from 18 May 2024 to 8 June 2024 € 7500
from 8 June 2024 to 14 September 2024 € 8500
from 14 September 2024 to 5 October 2024 € 7500
from 5 October 2024 to 21 December 2024 € 6000
from 21 December 2024 to 4 January 2025 € 7500
Price on request.
Weekly cleaning: EUR 300
A special Christmas package with decorations and set up trees: EUR 300.
Pool heating and fire place wood included
Baby cot: EUR 75 per week
Dog: EUR 100 per stay
2 extra single beds: EUR 250 each per week

Security deposit: EUR 1500 to be paid to SU before arrival as specified in the booking confirmation.
Deposit: 30% upon booking, balance 30 working days before arrival.
Sustainability For every booking we make on this property, we will plant a tree through our charitable partner, Trees for All.
Arrival & Departure Saturdays (depending on other bookings) arrival from 4 PM and departure latest 10 AM. Other arrival and departures days upon request.

Leisure & Activities


Activities

There are beautiful walks and bike rides from the house and for those seeking beach and watersport facilities, Lake Trasimeno is 25km away, or there is a waterpark with slides in Tavernelle (17km). There are two golf courses close by: the 9-hole Golf Course Lamborghini at Panicarola (16km) and the 18-hole Golf Club Perugia (28km) Antognolla Golf club an 18-hole course, one of the best of Italy (56 km).

Specials

Special Umbria is happy to tailor-make itineraries for our guests, including guided tours of national parks, city culture tours or other activities. We are able to organise a private chef for your entire stay or someone who can prepare traditional, local food when required. Please contact us directly for rates and availability.

Happenings

More information

In addition to the fabulous festive atmosphere, Umbria offers a variety of activities to make your holiday season unforgettable. Be moved by beautiful concerts featuring traditional Italian Christmas music inside some of the most glorious buildings on earth, explore the region's renowned art galleries and museums, or simply relax and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Umbrian countryside from the cosy comfort of your luxury rental.

What to do and where to go

The world's biggest Christmas tree in Gubbio

Gubbio takes Christmas seriously, not least by lighting up the world's largest tree featuring thousands of multi-coloured bulbs that twinkle over the town from Mount Ingrino. Gubbio itself, an ancient medieval town famous for its Roman ruins and historic aqueduct, hosts delightful attractions and events for both young and old. Discover Christmas Land, the fantastic markets, the tree - which was ratified by Guinness World Records as the world's biggest Christmas tree in 1991, 3D images on the façade of the Palazzo dei Consoli, the ferris wheel, the nativity cribs tucked away in the town's pretty streets, and much, much more.

Concerts and the nativity in Assisi

At the start of December every year, Assisi and its surrounding villages come alive with the sights and sounds of Christmas and this year will have particular resonance since it is the 800th anniversary of St Francis' first nativity scene.

A rich programme of events combines history, tradition and spirituality with a message of hope for the future, paying particular attention to environmental sustainability. The Town is decorated with Christmas trees and puts on spectacular light displays, Christmas markets, concerts and nativity scenes that offer a moving immersive experience. 

Perugia's Christmas market

Perugia's Christmas market can be found in Rocca Paolina, the university town's 16th-century Renaissance fortress. Not as big as other European markets but the biggest of its type in Umbria, its comfortable size makes it the perfect place to find delicious food and drinks, as well as beautiful artisanal presents.

Additional stalls can be found throughout Perugia’s historic centre, including in Piazza Italia and Piazza Matteotti, while the main street, Corso Vannucci, is strung with twinkling lights and there's even an ice rink.

A Christmas tree on Lake Trasimeno

Head to the delightful town of Castiglione del Lago and throughout December and into the start of the new year you'll be able to see another of the world’s biggest Christmas trees. Part of the Luci sul Trasimeno festival, the tree is picked out in lights on Lake Trasimeno. A kilometre in length, the tree is made up of 2,450 bulbs that hover just above the water, held up by 5km of cable. Visitors are able to see the tree from just behind the castle tower and can even sponsor a light. For every light sponsored, an olive tree will be planted as a symbol of peace and hope. Guests will find lots of other things to see and do, from a Christmas market to a huge nativity scene. 

Winter Jazz Festival in Orvieto

Umbria's Winter Jazz Festival is now in its 30th year and the 2023 programme has 90 events performed by 30 bands and more than 150 musicians. Spread over five days, from 28 December to 1 January, visitors can soak up soul, jazz, gospel and funk from noon 'til night in the delightful Umbrian town of Orvieto.

There are two moments that have always characterised the Winter Jazz Festival. The first is the New Year’s Eve Dinner and the concerts before and after midnight - an excellent augur for a happy new year. While the second is the gospel concert that follows New Year's Day Mass in the Duomo, performed this year at 5pm by the Virginia State Gospel Choir, with the religious songs of the African American tradition now a firm festival fixture. 

New Year's Eve

There is no better place to celebrate the end of one year and the start of another than here in Umbria. The region's towns and cities come alive with fireworks, live music and traditional Italian feasts. Whether you choose to join the local celebrations and have a New Year's Eve dinner in one of the many incredible restaurants, or to host your own party in private luxury at your SpecialUmbria property, you are guaranteed to see in the New Year in style.

The Christmas holiday season in Umbria offers a unique blend of cultural experiences, festive celebrations and a proper switch-off giving you a chance to reflect and reset in this extraordinarily beautiful part of Italy. With one of our luxury rental villas as your base, you can explore all that this stunning region has to offer, creating fabulous memories to last a lifetime.

Surroundings


Location


Click map for detailed location

Surroundings

Part of the lure of Fontesecca is that it is only five minutes by car from Città della Pieve - one of Italy’s prettiest hilltop towns, where you will find a lovely Christmas spirit everywhere. A small, ancient jewel with a proud artistic heritage, here you can wander the pretty streets and soak up the buzz, beauty and charm, feasting on the art and architecture and, of course, the food. The town is brought to life throughout the year by its various markets and festivals that are steeped in tradition and full of colour and vibrancy and especially during Christmas there are many things organized, for instance the Nativity story wonderfully done by real actors in the medieval cellars in town. Other attractive towns nearby include, Monteleone d’Orvieto, Chiusi and Montepulciano, which is famed for its wine.

Travel

Air The nearest airports are: Perugia [PEG] (53km) with direct flights from Rotterdam [Transavia], Brussels [Ryanair] and London [BA and Ryanair]; Florence [FLR] (146km); Rome Ciampino [CIA] (167km); and Rome Fiumicino [FCO] (190km). Rail The international train station at Chiusi (22km) is ideal for direct journeys to Rome, Florence, Arezzo and Perugia. Car rental is available from this station. Road The A1 motorway exits closest to the property are at Fabro (22km) for Rome and Chiusi (25km) for Florence.

Distances

Fontesecca is close to several towns and cities in both Umbria and Tuscany, including, Castiglione del Lago (23km); Montepulciano (famed for its wine) (35km); Perugia (43km); Cortona (45km); Deruta (45km); Orvieto (45km); Todi (63km); Assisi (65km); Montefalco/Bevagna (67km); Gubbio (94km); Siena (95km); Spoleto (104km); Florence (135km); and Rome (162km).

Your villa and Covid-19


To prevent any possible spread of Covid-19 and to enable you to enjoy a safe and relaxing holiday, all our villas are cleaned to the highest standard possible, and according to the latest Italian health and safety regulations.

Perfect hygiene: to ensure an exceptional level of hygiene in all our villas, we’ve worked with our owners to create a Covid-19 villa management protocol. Based on recommendations from the World Health Organisation, and in compliance with current Italian national law, this protocol goes above and beyond our usual rigorous cleaning standards.

Prior to arrival, your villa will have been fully sanitised, including all surfaces, objects, kitchen items, curtains, sofas, throws, pillows, toys, and in and around the pool. You are welcome to ask for a detailed list of the entire cleaning procedure we do after each departure and before welcoming new guests to the property.

The owner of this house has complied with the following standards:

  • To ensure the necessary information concerning social distancing and the use of masks is available to all guests
  • To guarantee availability of and accessibility to hand hygiene systems with hydro-alcoholic solutions and soaps in all inside areas of, and pertaining to, the villa
  • To guarantee cleaning and disinfection of all areas according to national authority guidelines. Further information is available on request
  • For the swimming pool: to guarantee the efficacy of the water treatments, while respecting legal limits (the parameter for free active chlorine in the pool is between 1.0 – 1.5 mg/l; combined chlorine ≤ 0.40 mg/l; pH 6.5 – 7.5 or equivalent oxygen)
  • For air conditioning systems: to guarantee the air re-circulation function is switched off and, according to the manufacturer’s instructions, with the plant in off-mode, to clean the air filters of the heating/cooling plants that use heat pumps, fan coils and convectors, at the end of each stay

For more general information about Covid-19 in Italy, please click here.


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