Santa Chiara- Rancale

Santa Chiara is a small cluster of three pretty apartments within a beautiful Umbrian stone farmhouse, set in glorious rural seclusion, yet within a few minutes drive of a well serviced village (Pierantonio) and the main route between Rome in the south and Florence in the north, making both relaxing and sightseeing a breeze.

The owners, the lovely Harrington family, moved here from London several years ago, swapping careers in finance and marketing for the good life bringing their own two little ones up amongst the rolling Umbrian countryside. As well as providing a genuinely warm welcome to guests and very handy services in the form of pre-bookable home-made ready meals, grocery shopping and babysitting (fees apply), they also provide a very reassuring presence for those travelling with little ones as they are happy to be called on for advice and tips on the area, as well as emergency translation services if anything should go wrong with rental cars, illnesses etc.

Anita and Paul's experiences with their little ones show enormous list of nursery gear (detailed in grey column) that makes light work of packing, along with the safely enclosed pool and gardens with play areas scattered throughout. Other parent-friendly touches include private outdoor dining areas with each apartment and the highly recommended meal service, which allows parents to enjoy relaxing evenings together, even when not taking up the babysitting services.

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 is the focus of the Harrington's side-line as artisian olive oil producers. They harvest each November, taking the fruit to be cold pressed locally. They then bottle it by hand and use it for cooking the home-made ready meals, as well as offering it for sale to guests, many of whom rave about its delicious peppery taste, so much better than what masquerades as extra virgin olive oil on UK supermarket shelves!

Apartment Rancale: Situated on the first floor this apartment has a wonderful private south facing terrace shaded from the sun by a pergola, it’s 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 garden and childrens play area. There are two large double bedrooms, one master suite with king sized bed and en-suite shower room, the other with twin beds and a further family bathroom with bath tub and separate shower cubicle. Throughout this apartment there are barrel vaulted ceilings and handmade terracotta floors. In each of the bedrooms and the lounge the windows have built-in mosquito nets. The living space in ‘Rancale’ 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 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.

CIN: IT054056C201014564