WHERE WE ARE
Casa Celestiale is in an elevated position in an unspoilt valley of woodland and open fields in an area recognised as a site of special scientific interest. It’s very tempting to stock up with food, stay at the house, collapse in a hammock or by the pool and do nothing. Take lovely walks through the oak and hornbeam woods, have sundowners at the Rocca D'Aries, a medieval fort with stunning panoramic views along the Upper Tiber Valley. There is plenty to keep everyone occupied at the villa.
Montone is our small local hilltop town, 10 minutes drive away. Officially certified as one of the most beautiful small towns in Italy, there are panoramic views from its commanding location, which was the stronghold of the warlord Braccio Fortebraccio 500 years ago. The town organises excellent events throughout the year including the Umbrian Film festival (June), Festa di Santa Spina (August) and Festa del Bosco (October). There are excellent restaurants and facilities include alimentari, butcher & bakery, cashpoint, pharmacy and all important delicious gelateria at the Aries Bar
Umbertide, just 15 minutes drive away, has markets on Wednesday and Saturday, banks, shopping and the COOP supermarket with an superb deli and bakery. The historic centre is charming and has various events in the summer. One of our favourite restaurants, San Giorgio is in the main square of the old town.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
Our central location on the Umbria/Tuscany border means we are surrounded by dozens of fascinating medieval and renaissance towns packed with beautiful art and history.
Walk or mountain bike the extensive tracks. Close by you can go horse riding, play golf and do water sports on Lake Trasimeno. Visit vineyards, go truffling, learn to make pasta, it's all possible!
Here’s a selection of places you could go to on active days all within easy reach:
Citta di Castelllo is an impressive old walled city, the renowned Burri Collection has 2 art galleries in the old town and in an enormous former tobacco factory. Market days on Thursday & Saturday.
Perugia, capital of Umbria, has a beautiful medieval centre and spectacular gallery of early Renaissance art, famous for Perugina chocolate.
Assisi famous for St Francis, the Basilica, frescoes by Giotto and the Roman Temple of Minerva. Gubbio is built up the side of a precipitous hill, great for buying handpainted ceramics. Arezzo is a beautiful Renaissance town with fabulous big antiques market on the last Saturday each month. Sansepolcro birthplace of painter Piero della Francesca. Cortona is reached by a very pretty drive along the Niccone Valley in just 40 minutes. Slightly further afield is Siena, home of famous annual horse race, The Palio. Florence home of The Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio, so much to see here and possible in a day trip - 2 hours to get there by car.
Rome, Pisa, Bologna are 2.5 hours drive.
HOW TO GET THERE
It is necessary to have a car to reach the house. Please note that the last 6km are on a white (gravel) road. There is one steep section and although it is all quite drive-able in a regular car, keep in low gear and go slow.
AIRPORTS
Perugia our closest airport, only 45 minutes away with flights from Stansted and BA from Heathrow.
Florence flights from Gatwick, Luton and London City.
Bologna & Pisa flights from all London airports.
Rome Fumicino flights to and from everywhere in the world!
Rome Ciampino the city's 2nd airport with flights from all over the UK.