Nestled in the Umbrian hills sits Villa Santa Maria, a sensitively refurbished farmhouse with incredible vistas and a host of original features. The two-storey villa is surrounded by stunning manicured gardens, and with the olive groves and the valley below, it’s a truly picture-perfect Italian retreat. Six lavish bedrooms provide exceptional accommodation for up to 12 guests, while the living areas imbue a sense of serenity and peace where the soft buzz of the bees and the scented breeze flow through every window and open doorway. This rural sanctuary takes guests away from the busy outside world but embraces technology to produce a 21st century villa with classical Italian roots.

This part of Umbria is renowned for its historical interest. The nearby clifftop city of Orvieto has so much history crammed into its winding, cobbled streets, that it’s difficult to know where to begin. The labyrinth of underground caves, a 16th century well shaft with twin spiralling staircases, or 13th century mosaics? Guests staying at the Villa Santa Maria can access all of these delights, as well as the city’s fabulous boutiques, bistros, and bars.

Back at the villa, the layout is thoughtfully designed to maximise the use of space and to provide an effortless flow between the inside and the outdoor areas. On the ground floor, two ensuite king-size bedrooms offer whimsical Italian décor and patio doors that open out into the villa gardens. Upstairs, three ensuite king-size bedrooms and a twin bedroom provide plenty of room for guests to relax. One of the king-size bedrooms can convert into a twin bedroom for flexible sleeping arrangements.

The kitchen is the centre of any Italian home, and Villa Santa Maria’s kitchen has everything the demanding chef needs to generate authentic dishes. There’s always the option of going al fresco, and the inclusion of a traditional stone pizza oven and large gas BBQ makes outdoor dining a pleasure. Entertainment is provided by pool and ping pong tables, and the outdoor terrace is also home to the large heated swimming pool. The villa also comes with, a Sonos TV and music surround system, Smart TV and Xbox, so it’ll get the approval of any younger guests. Put simply, Villa Santa Maria is everything you could possibly want in your dream Italian villa.