On a bucolic Umbrian hilltop, a rustic 18th-century farmhouse with oodles of space for large families or groups to spread out and go slow. Rambling gardens shaded with fig, cherry and pear trees slope towards a blissful pool; perch on a sun lounger with a good book and listen to the birdsong. Rosemary has transformed this sturdy old building into a home packed with character and comfort. Beamed ceilings remain and brick arches connect large, terracotta-tiled rooms. A well-equipped new kitchen has a big wooden table for sociable meals; thoughtful welcome goodies including wine, olive oil and jam give you a head-start with your shopping. In sunny weather, eat al fresco under the shade of the pergola, with fabulous views of Lake Trasimeno and the Apennines in the distance. Seven bedrooms, most en suite, are simple, light and airy; cosy sitting rooms on each floor provide escape routes when it’s full house and noisy. Play pool and table tennis, or escape to local vineyards for wine tasting, medieval Montepulciano for history and architecture and culture.
