Go one step further and take over your own private hamlet! This medieval cluster of houses, high in the hills of Umbria, has been brought well into the 21st century by its delightful owner, Renato. It consists of six separate houses, which can all be rented together and provides colourful, historic and extremely comfortable accommodation for a big group, especially if various members are looking for a certain amount of privacy. Visitors have shown nothing but enthusiasm for this very special place which is ideally suited to informal gatherings of family & friends.
There is an unusually large, heated swimming pool, a rooftop hot tub atop a tower and a converted chapel and dining area where you can all relax and wine & dine together, either inside or out. Renato lives a few kilometres away and is unobtrusive but incredibly welcoming and always on hand to help with anything, from a wedding breakfast for honeymooners to barbecue and pizza evenings, horse riding in the surrounding hills, a trip to the local spa, even truffle-hunting in the autumn!
The property is self-catering (with a cook service on request) and is a great favourite with families, groups and wedding parties.
Briefly, the accommodation comprises:
1. Casa Del Contadino (sleeps four): 1Tw, 1 D
2. Casa Del Castagno (three): 1D, 1S
3. Casa Del Prete (four): 1Tw, 1D
4. Il Forno (three): 1D, 1 sofa-bed
5. Renato's Tower (two): 1D
6. Casa di Venere (four): 2D
So there are ten bedrooms in all, sleeping 20, plus eight shower rooms and four bathrooms.
Each property is original and all the rooms are unusually comfortable with historic features intact. They are all different, from the double in Casa del Castagno with a bath at the foot of the bed, to the more classic double in Casa del Prete with a bathroom en suite. All are rustic in feel, with stone walls and wooden furniture, in keeping with the understated style of the borgo. Renato's Tower deserves special mention, the ultimate couples' retreat with a private hot tub on its roof terrace.
The kitchens are fully equipped for the preparation of daily meals. Each house has its own outside area, paved or in the garden, with umbrellas for reading or eating outside. The views from everywhere are spectacular, and the private grounds surrounding the Borgo are wonderful for walks.
There are open fires in the club area where there is a large sitting room space and dining facilities for everyone to eat together.
Your group will be supremely comfortable. Besides the huge heated pool (18mx6m), which is wonderfully inviting even on cooler mornings (and open from mid May to mid September), there is the hot tub, a barbecue, a pizza oven, a communal laundry room, dishwasher, microwave, phone and fax.
The chapel has a totally laid back and cosy sitting area. There is a TV with satellite here, and a CD and DVD player. A laptop with high speed internet access is also available for guests' use. In the dining area there is a microwave, coffee making facilities and a fridge.
Half day cookery courses are available. If you are interested in organising this, please contact CV Travel (see below). Often groups organise this when they arrive, but if you let CV Travel know in advance, they will put you in touch with the organisers.
Wedding facilities include the Chapel (not consecrated) and dining for up to 50 guests either inside or outside. A wedding planner - to help with all arrangements - can be booked at an extra cost.
On a hillside in rural Umbria, only a short distance from the Tuscan border and an ideal location for those who wish to explore the artistic treasures of both areas. The nearest village is San Leo Bastia, 4 kms away.
Airports: Perugia (55kms) Florence (150kms); Pisa (200kms); Bologna (220kms); Rome (250kms)
Station: Terontola (35kms)
Borgo San Biagio is part of Umbria's extensive legacy of small, historic villages (borghi) and enjoys a location high in Umbria's green hills.
There is a small shop at San Leo Bastia, local shops and restaurants at Calzolaro (9 kms) and other excellent places to eat at Citta di Castello (20 kms). You will find larger shops and tennis courts at Trestina (15 kms). The active will find watersports at Lake Trasimeno (45 kms), and golf at Ellera di Perugia (60 kms).
There are many hill towns to explore in this area, including Citta di Castello and the fabulous Cortona (30kms). Umbria and Tuscany are rich in cultural distractions and all the usual sightseeing cities (Siena, Assisi, San Gimignano, Orvieto, Perugia, Todi, Sansepolcro etc) are within easy reach.
From £4,335 to £6,855 per week, based on 20 guests.
For smaller parties, call or email for details.
Minimum stay: 7 nights in July/August.
More flexibility outside these months.