Skirt upwards around the edge of the lovely old town walls of Montone to find an ancient stone farmhouse and enthusiastic owners Aine and Fabio; three holiday homes form part of a long, low barn opposite. La Stalla & La Cantina are single storey; La Torretta, in the middle, has two floors. All is new inside; find open-plan living/kitchen areas with simple wooden tables, eco-heated floors, beamed ceilings and white walls. Bedrooms are simple and stylish, with pretty rose-pink quilts and good mattresses; the upstairs bedroom in La Torretta has the best views, but all are bright and airy. Bathrooms are spacious with good big showers and warm biscuit coloured tiles. You have your own terracotta terrace with comfortable furniture and a pergola for shade; privacy is provided by hedging and a high trellis with roses. Supplies are left for breakfast on your first morning and you have your pick of the vegetable garden. Explore the area: the walks are sublime and there’s a film festival in July.
Aine and Fabio are lovely hosts - warm and helpful. The set up is great for kids - with the pool, football pitch and play area for younger kids. Montone is an easy ten minute walk and it is a charming village with lovely restaurants and a great piazza so no need to drive for a meal. Our two-bedroom apartment was the most recently renovated and the terrace had a lovely view of the Umbrian hills and you could watch the sun go down in the evening. The apartment was spacious and really comfortable. There are activities like art for kids, yoga, cookery lessons. Highly recommended!