The landscapes of Umbria surround you at Casale Terra Bianca with its vast estate of olive groves and woodland. Indeed, this pretty stone casa encapsulates the essence of Umbria, not just because of its beautiful setting but also its charm and authenticity, not far from idyllic hilltop villages and the glorious Lake Trasimeno.
Clad in magical spring wisteria, this picture-book Umbrian cottage is a joy to the eye with climbing roses, fruit trees and an abundance of summer colour in the pretty enclosed garden. The sunny swimming pool is perfect for cooling off on lingering afternoons whilst al-fresco meals can be enjoyed by the wood-burning oven that dates back to the mid-19th century when the house was originally constructed.
Casale Terra Bianca has been in the same family for a number of years. The devoted owners have sensitively restored the interiors whilst retaining its true character with terracotta floors, exposed beams and period furnishings. Admire the exquisite fireplace in the living room, gather round the convivial table in the dining area or seek solace in the little music room. The rustic bedrooms are a delight with sweet touches and some with an air of understated romance. Across this home there is a feel of warmth and authenticity that is so typical of this mesmerising region.
Beyond the enclosed garden, the 35-hectare estate is waiting to be explored – follow marked trails through the woodland as you come across pines, a stream and over a thousand olive trees that have been lovingly planted by the owners and produce an excellent organic olive oil.
There is also so much to experience in Umbria with Lake Trasimeno just a 20-minute drive away, perfect for watersports, walking, bird-watching and discovering pretty lakeside villages and towns including nearby Castiglione del Lago. Take a ferry across to the lake’s islands, join a guided tour of the nature reserve or ride horses in nearby woodland.
Explore Umbrian hilltop villages such as Città della Pieve, head further afield to Perugia, Assisi and Orvieto or cross over into southern Tuscany and be enchanted by Montepulciano, Pienza and Cortona. Italophiles may even be tempted to visit Florence or Rome for the day, perhaps by train. That said, immersed in the Umbrian countryside, it may be hard to leave the tranquillity of your rural idyll.