Umbria is a spectacular region in the central Italy neighboring with it’s famous sister- Tuscany. Called ‘The green heart of Italy’, this district is known for the beautiful landscapes, green hills, great wine, picture-perfect towns and villages, serene olive groves and of course -the food. A holiday here can be as lazy, active, cultured and as delicious as you like. The best way to experience real Umbrian life is by staying in a charming restored 18th-century villa with amazing views of the rolling, green hills and infinity pool surrounded by a floral garden. Villa Santa Caterina will become your ‘home away from home’ as you sit back and relax, submerging in the famous italian ‘la dolce vita’.

The Estate

Villa Santa Caterina is composed of three parts: the Main Villa and the Shai’s Cottage that can accommodate up to 10 guests. And the third cottage where Adrienne, the property manage lives: she is a yogi, a masseuse and an amazing woman. The property is perfect for a big family or a group of friends who’d like to experience the Italian life and discover the beautiful region of Umbria.

The Main Villa

It has 3 charming bedrooms, a big kitchen, a cosy living room and stunning views from every window. There are two outdoor areas with sun chairs, where you can relax with a book during the day and enjoy a glass of wine in the evenings.

The Shai’s Cottage

This is the charming cottage we stayed at during our time at Villa Santa Caterina. It’s independent from the main villa, has its own kitchen and an outdoor patio. We absolutely loved this space and immediately felt at home after checking in.

The pool

It will be the place where you’ll surely spend most of the time during the hot, summer days. We especially loved the view from the pool. The green hills look so peaceful and in a distance you can even see Castello di Antognolla, a 12th century castle.

Activities

There are many activities you can do at Villa Santa Caterina, as well as in the nearby surroundings. We think that Umbria might be one of the most underrated regions of Italy. Most people travel to neighboring Tuscany for their summer holidays, not knowing that Umbria has equally (if not better) wine, views and beautiful estates. What struck us most if the fact, that while Tuscany becomes very dry and orange during the summer months, Umbria remains lush green and calm.

Yoga, meditation, mindfulness

There is a wide range of activities that you can do on the site, like yoga, meditation, or massages. Trust us- there is no better way to start the day, than with a morning yoga class followed by a mindful meditation lead by your wonderful host, Adrienne.

Wine tasting

One of the best things to do in Umbria is of course wine tasting. This activity can be arranged for you directly at the villa, however we suggest you to take a beautiful walk through nature to the Vineria Del Carmine. It produces great local wines and is great for an interesting afternoon of wine tasting. You will learn everything about the wine making process and try amazingly rich local wines.

Visiting Perugia

Perugia is the the capital of the Umbrian region and sits in a hilltop region surrounded by valleys and mountains. It’s located a 30 min drive from the estate and guarantees a day filled with cultural and historical attractions. When visiting Perugia, you can expect to find a myriad of gorgeous churches and historical structures. There are also fantastic museums and attractions such as the Perugina Chocolate Factory.

Hiking

There is a number of interesting walks to do in the area. Whether you’d like to set for a short, hour walk or a full day adventure and bring a picnic with you- Adrienne can help you pick the perfect trail.

Dining out

Do not forget to go out and try the local specialties in one of the best restaurants in the area. Ristorante Il Caldaro is just 3 km away and dining there will be an amazing experience for your taste buds.

Our experience

We stayed at Villa Santa Caterina as our last stop of our month long journey through Switzerland and Italy, spending two amazing days at the estate. We relaxed, had fun and enjoyed every moment of being here. In fact, we loved it that much, that even before we left, we started to look at nearby properties that are for sale! For now we can only dream about owning our own villa in Umbria. Or return to Villa Santa Caterina next year and allow ourselves to once again feel the peacefulness and reconnect with nature.

↬ Read : Guide to Terme di Saturnia – Visit Cascate del Mulino in Tuscany, Italy