Living Italy - Holidays for the Thinking Traveller

The Accommodation

The tours are based at the delightful Fabrizi family countryhouse or agriturismo where you will have a comfortable central base and easy access to the towns on the itinerary. The estate makes a wonderful starting point for exploring Central Umbria. The famous hill towns of Umbria, Spoleto, Assisi and Todi are only short distances away, while Perugia and Lake Trasimeno are about an hour's drive. Our favourites are the smaller towns of Spello, Foligno, Trevi, Bevagna and Deruta which offer a variety of fascinating art works, architectural sites, festivals, concerts, artisan and other activities which are woven into the various itineraries.

The guesthouse is a cluster of 16th century farmhouses, and has been the Fabrizi family home for over 400 years. Nestling high on the hillside just outside the ancient walled town of Montefalco, with panoramic views over the peaceful landscape of the valley of Umbria, the accommodation is spread across four buildings all part of the original complex. The complex offers 20 rooms, renovated to retain their traditional charm. Their meals offer a range of regional specialities including the farm's own wine and extra-virgin olive oil. Eating in the cosy atmosphere of the antique dining room gives guests the opportunity to feel part of the family, with father and son Piero and Giuseppe Fabrizi offering genuine Italian hospitality.

The renovations have retained the original terra cotta floors, wooden doors, oak beams and shuttered windows. Furnished with solid antiques, each room has its own bathroom, central heating and colour TV. There is usually a living area made available to Living Italy guests with a comfortable living room, cosy fireplace and separate kitchen for making tea.

The garden is used extensively on balmy days and is a delightful place to sit, read, chat or simply take in the sun. There is a shady terrace overlooking the valley where we often enjoy pre-dinner cocktails at sunset. A large swimming pool in the grounds is surrounded by lawns and olive groves, and the farm's vineyards line the hillside.

The fortressed town of Montefalco is just ten minutes walk uphill from the guesthouse. From outside, the town still looks very much as it did when Benozzo Gozzoli painted it in the fifteenth century, from the ancient encircling walls to the main tower gate, stone houses and cobbled streets. The enchanting hill town has been nicknamed the ‘Balcony of Umbria’ for its unforgettable views over the patchworked fields of the valley of Umbria. At the cafes and bars, in the winding stone streets or main piazza, you have the rare opportunity to experience life in a foreign country at the pace of local inhabitants.

The Commune of Montefalco has it's own website.