Villa Splendida

Information

Known as the green heart of Italy, the region of Umbria is one of the finest holiday destinations, not only in Italy but also in the whole of Europe. Umbria is a land of spectacular pristine, largely rural landscapes, rolling wooded hills, mountains, valleys and of course sublime art and architecture.

Only a 2- hour drive from Rome and just 8 kilometres from Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, is the enchanting hillside town of Spello. Quiet and elegant with excellent restaurants famed for typical robust Umbrian cuisine, fine wines and of course historic buildings Spello is the ideal base from which to discover and explore this extraordinary part of Italy.

Within easy reach are the famous hill towns of Orvieto, (with its legendary cathedral) Todi, Citta di Castello, Gubbio, Spoleto and the highly praised wine producing region of Montefalco. For those who are adventurous, outdoor activities abound.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VILLA, GARDEN AND POOL

Only a 2 minute walk from the main piazza the villa was created by its owner (a trained hotelier who lives nearby) from part of a 14th century church. Nestled against the town walls your home in Spello, the Villa Splendida is situated between the ancient gates of Porta di Mastro and Porta Prato. Built of fine, pink-tinted stone, up to 1 meter thick in places, the villa is cool in summer, with no need for air conditioning, and warm in winter.

Te owner says “As a frequent traveller myself I understand the many aspects of quality accommodation and the importance of attention to every detail. I have collected interesting eclectic rugs, textiles and furniture on my travels, which imbue the house with character and what I believe is an all-important sense of home”

The covered patio – your outdoor living room

Entering the garden from the street door (exterior lights switched at the entrance) a panorama of great beauty opens to welcome you to your ‘home.’ Throughout much of the year it is truly relaxing and cool to be outside under the ancient vaulted arches which form the outdoor seating and dining area. A large table and plenty of comfortable chairs are provided. From the patio there is easy access to the kitchen and living room with a gentle flight of steps down to the garden and pool at a lower level.

The garden and swimming pool

A low retaining wall across the front of the garden provides unobstructed views of the countryside beyond, especially wonderful at sunset. The pool is set back and to the side of the villa, while lush green lawns, cool underfoot, provide plenty of space for sunbathing or entertaining. Planted with roses, olives and cypress the garden is a quiet contemplative place, an oasis in the truest sense of the word.

Living and dining

Subtle lighting, ancient arches and stone work provide a palpable sense of history to the spacious open-plan living and dining room. Simply decorated with a large cane sofa, a bright Moroccan rug and with a multi-channel television neatly hidden in an old wall cupboard the living area is cosseting and very comfortable. The dining table with raw silk covered chairs, seating up to 10 people, is raised just a shallow step above the living area.

Kitchen

A real home-from-home requires an attractive and well- equipped kitchen.

Light and airy the style is reminiscent of Sweden and Provence but this is not a basic rustic holiday kitchen. Everything from aprons and a wide selection of table linens to fine Riedel wine- glasses and a mighty La Cornue range cooker are supplied.

Master en-suite bedroom

Situated at patio level and facing over the garden the large master bedroom with kingsize bed feels akin to a private apartment. Shutters can be closed at night for those who want to sleep late but there is nothing like waking up to a gentle morning breeze.

An interesting selection of books and magazines are supplied. With a lovely all-white, marble-lined bathroom as well as a walk-in storage and clothes hanging space the suite is calm and restful. Air conditioned

Bedroom 2 – Ethnic

Double en-suite bedroom

Set above the master bedroom with the same dazzling country views this bedroom has been designed in a less traditional style using textiles and the warm colours of Morocco and India teamed with cool, limed oak floors and white walls. From the studio room a few steps lead up to a lobby off which is the en-suite bathroom and plenty of useful storage cupboards. The modern bathroom has a large power shower. Air conditioned

Garden bedroom

Double en suite bedroom

Accessed directly from the garden and not the house this charming bedroom is a romantic secluded retreat. Furnished with a metal bed from a family home it is decorated simply and comfortably, Designers Guild fabrics in reds and greens providing colour along with artworks bought in Marrakesh. Within the room is a fully equipped shower-room. Being able to step out of bed and into the garden is

a real treat. Air conditioned

Studio – 4th bedroom + nearby service bathroom

The ‘studio’ is a large and fascinating mezzanine space reached by a broad stone staircase and lobby off the living room. One wall retains original church figurative painting dating back to the Middle Ages. With oak floors and vaulted stone walls and ceiling it was conceived as a place to listen to music or just to relax and read. This area hasn't a window but is an open space with the staircase and the annexed bedroom with window.

With a full size sofa bed it can easily be used as a 4th bedroom connected to the Ethnic bedroom (parents + children/teenager) – there is a bathroom at the foot of the stairs.

RENTAL TERMS

inclusive of all taxes. Available for a minimum of 1 week. The villa is not bookable from the first week of November to the end of March.

Minimum stay, generally 1 week , save exceptions to be agreed in advance

Includes 

 • Welcome pack and toiletries  • Linens and bathrooms change once per week • Utilities (except for heating)  • internet wifi • taxes • Air conditioning

Does NOT include 

• 240 euros/week for cleanings, payable locally in cash, on arrival • Heating, if used, payable locally • extra services such as cooking service extra change of linens and towels

Cleaning fee include: daily pool cleaning, garden maintenance (not on Sundays and public holidays) and final cleaning.

In case guests want additional cleaning they need to let us know at least 1 week before arrival and the cost is 22 € per hour 

Tourist Tax: 2,50 per person (children under the age of 12 don’t pay) for the first 3 nights

Baby cot and high chair: 80€ per week 

Security deposit: 500 Euro in cash payable on arrival, you get back the money in cash on departure day

2024

SEASONS

Low season starts from 30.3.2024 until 4.5.2024 and from 28th September to 2nd November 2024

High season is from 4th May to 28th September 2024.

During the winter we take reservations only on request and for a minimum stay of 1 week for all properties. 

Swimming pools will be open from 27th April to 19th October.

RATES

Low Season: 4150€ per week plus 240€ for final cleaning, pool and garden maintenance during the week (midweek cleaning only on request) 

High Season; 4700€ per week plus 240€ for final cleaning, pool and garden maintenance during the week 

ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATIONS in the same area, can be rented together, for large groups up to 17 people. Please enquiry

- VILLA GIULIA (sleeps up 6) a nearby villa with private garden and pool

- IL GIARDINO DI SPELLO (sleeps up 3) charming apartment just a few meters up the street with lovely private garden.

- IL LIMONE apartment with terrace, sleeps up 2

- IL CORTILE newly restored apartment with courtyard/terrace, sleeps 2+2

The 2 gardens of Villa Splendida and Villa Giulia can be unified opening a gate and obtaining a large property with huge garden and 2 pools, sleeping up 12 (6+6). In case of need can be added the nearby apartment with independent garden and 2 apartments just 50 metres away, Il Limone, sleeping up 2 and Il Cortile, sleeping up 2+2. Maximum capacity of 21 people. Reduced rates offered for large groups.

ACCESSIBILITY

The house is accessible by car, parking areas nearby

Children are welcome and parents are asked to supervise them, due to the steps of the house and the pool. A good quality baby cot and high chair are available in the house. 

Smoking is only permitted outdoors.

Pets on request.

FACILITIES/AMENITIES

- Private pool (3 X 5 meters, 130 centimeters depth)

- Satellite television including BBC news and sport, French, German and Russian channels and DVD. TV in every room.

- Air conditioning

- Large selection of CD’s and docking station for an i-pod.

- Wi-fi house and garden

- Bang and Olufsen sound system to kitchen, living room, master bedroom and bathroom and the patio.

- Pure linen Italian bed linen and towels from designer Valerie Barkowsky ‘Mia Zia’.

- Non-allergy and down feather pillows available on request

- An in-house cook can be arranged for part or all of your stay by giving 4 weeks notice

- Comprehensively equipped kitchen with dishwasher, coffee machine, freezer, espresso machine, toaster and grill (washing machine provided)

- Central heating for mid-winter

WHAT TO DO DURING THE STAY... 

ART, GASTRONOMY, TOURS, NATURE, SPORT, CULTURE, RELAX 

International Art festivals 

In-house chef, on demand 

Antique markets (the nearby village og Pissignano has the largest antique market in central Italy, each first Sunday of the month) 

Wine Tours in the vineyards and cellars 

Active Days (guided or self-guided walks/hikes in the surrounding forests - cycling - river rafting - hiking, free climbing et.) 

Bike tours followed by pic-nic lunches prepared by a local chef 

Horse riding in a Horse School at easy distance from the villa 

Truffle Hunting Excursion followed by lunch including truffles 

Classic City Tours in Umbria and Tuscany 

Cooking Classes in the villa 

Gourmet Tours (to include olive oil, cheese, cereals, cured meats); 

Winter fun (snow rackets trekking/cross country skiing) in the mountains 

SPA (at easy driving distance from the villa) 

Foraging Excursions followed by tastings (mushrooms, asparagus, edible flowers and wild herbs); 

Especially suitable for children (Pizza making, Truffle hunting with dogs, Riding with donkeys in the mountains followed by picnic, Farm visits, outdoor adventure park and more) 

NON PEAK SEASON BOOKINGS, April and October

Villa Splendida is also a good option in the low season. This is when the cities gets less crowded, temperatures are lower but still around 15/25 degrees Celsius in the central hours of the day. Autumn is a very colourful season and the light is beautiful. In October there is the hand-picking of olives and grapes, while in spring the region enjoys warm temperatures and a beautiful flowering of fruit trees and poppies.

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