Santa Chiara - Maggiore

Santa Chiara is a beautiful Umbrian stone farmhouse, set on the edge of a pretty village and recently treated to a sympathetic restoration, which saw it converted into three stylish apartments, by its owners the friendly Harrington family who live on the estate with their own two young children.

Anita and Paul's experiences with their little ones show in the thoughtful touches found at Santa Chaira. There's an enormous list of nursery gear, (detailed in grey column) that makes packing light work, the safely enclosed pool and gardens, play areas scattered throught the grounds, and parent-friendly touches such as private outdoor dining areas with each apartment, and highly recommended meal service, which allows parents to enjoy relaxing evenings together, even when not taking up the babysitting services also on offer.

Although only around 40mins from the airport and city of Perugia, and on the edge of a popular village, the farmhouse is a real haven of rural beauty and tranquility. The safely enclosed gardens are filled with oleander, hibiscus, figs and the estate's own olive grove, which the Harringtons use to produce the oil they use in cooking. As there are just three apartments, the large pool is never crowded and it is easy to while away days lounging by it or watching over little ones as they gambol around the grounds with their new friends seeking out the play fort, wendy house and swing set, or playing with toys provided in one of the handy sun tents. Evenings are generally spent enjoying good food and wine on the apartment's private terraces, whilst absorbing the beautiful scenery or seemingly endless star scapes and conserving energy for sightseeing in pretty local towns, days on the nearby lake beaches, or big days out to the famously beautiful towns of Sienna and Florence, which are within a few hours drive.

Apartment Maggiore (3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 lounges & 2 kitchens): Occupying the entire first floor of the farmhouse this apartment is a combination of Rancale and Pietramelina. It has a wonderful private south facing terrace shaded from the sun by a pergola, an ideal place to enjoy the unspoilt views of the valley while taking an ‘al fresco’ meal. It is approached via some wide stone steps from the gardens and play area, which lead on to the safely-gated terrace.

There are three large double bedrooms; one master suite with king sized bed and en-suite shower room, the second bedroom with either twin or double beds. There is a family bathroom with bathtub and separate shower cubicle. The third bedroom has an en-suite bathroom and also a private lounge complete with a fully fitted kitchen and patio doors leading to a small second terrace (this room can be locked off from children) but this a perfect place if grandparents are travelling with the family and require a little privacy. Throughout this apartment there are barrel vaulted ceilings and handmade terracotta floors. In each of the bedrooms and the lounges the windows have built-in mosquito nets and external Juliet bars.

The main living space in ‘Maggiore’ is particularly spacious and light, benefiting from a south westerly aspect and a total of four large windows. It has a traditional brick archway connecting the comfortable lounge to the open plan kitchen/dining area. The kitchen comes fully equipped with a dishwasher, double sink, electric fan oven, five ring gas hob, microwave and large fridge freezer. The lounge provides two large sofas (one of which is a sofa bed), TV with DVD player and CD player. Throughout the apartment there are feature walls in exposed stone giving it a traditional rustic feel.