Beautiful luxury house, stunning rural seclusion, private infinity pool, gardens

AMAZING!!! I have had two sets of friends stay at the villa, and both highly recommended it – from its spectacular location, to the villa itself. From the moment we began the winding drive from Passignano, up into the hills and through the breathtaking countryside, we knew we Canadians, were about to embark on a perfect Italian adventure. Upon reaching the villa, in the late afternoon, we were absolutely stunned by its beauty – a perfect blend of an old world charm exterior, with a lovely, contemporary interior. It’s perched at the top of a hill, with epic views of the valley below, and is surrounded by meticulously landscaped gardens that overflow with lavender, sage. Just off the kitchen there are pomegranate and fig trees, plus an herb and veggie garden, all at our disposal! The very helpful and friendly caretaker, Doris, was there to greet us, and was only a phone call away if we were in need of anything. We loved that the interior design incorporated lots of access to the outdoors from the bedrooms and the main living areas, and we much appreciated the 5 bathrooms! We spent our days exploring the close-by towns and villages of Tuscany and Umbria (Montepulciano and Corotona were highlights), and often sought refuge from the hot afternoon sun with a dip in the spectacular infinity pool before dinner. Being only an hour away from Florence, was a plus. We would park at the airport and take a taxi into the town centre, to enjoy the fantastic markets and sites. In the evenings, if we weren’t making use of the well-equipped kitchen and dining al fresco on the terrace, we were eating at a local restaurant, Bar Fiz, in the nearby village of Lisciano Niccone. Although unassuming in appearance, it was busy every night with both locals and tourists – as the food is delicious, authentic and very cheap! There were also a couple of great little food shops in Lisciano where we could pick up local cheese and bread on our way back to the villa. In Passignano, there many little restaurants lining the street overlooking Lake Trasimeno. At night, after a day of exploring, we would open a few bottles of wine, plug the iPod into the stereo, open the doors wide, and relax, watching the sun set from the terrace – just soaking it all in. I can’t say enough about Martinozza di Sopra – we all took many photos and videos, trying to capture its beauty and surroundings, but they just don’t do it justice. You will have to visit and discover it yourself.