Santa Chiara- Pantano

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 who often call on them 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 Harringtons 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!

As there are just three apartments, of which two can be interconnected and rented together, the large pool area 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 and seemingly endless star-scapes, whilst conserving energy for sightseeing in pretty local towns, days on the nearby lake beaches, or big days out to the famously beautiful towns of Asissi, Cortona, Sienna, Florence, Pisa and Rome, all of which are within one to two hours drive.

Apartment Pantano:

This spacious apartment has the benefit of both ground floor entrance and a roof-top terrace (very safely enclosed). Guests can enter via a private gate set on the lane next to the car park or via spiral stairs from the rear of the property adjacent to the swimming pool. The private gate leads onto the very spacious roof terrace with lovely, dual aspect views, a dining area, BBQ and sun loungers. Guests can enjoy the stunning rural views, fabulous star-scapes, and have the ability to keep an eye on older children playing in the play area or pool, whilst not being overlooked themselves. Inside the apartment are two large bedrooms, a double, and a twin. Both rooms are dual aspect with character in the form of high ceilings, chestnut beams and solid wood floors. The large bathroom has a very indulgent slipper bath and fabulous old marble sink. The lounge to this apartment has a beautiful wood burning stove, exposed stone walls and a traditional archway through to a separate dining room. This gives a spacious and airy open plan feel to the living space. It also comes equipped with two large sofas, CD player, satellite TV and DVD player. Leading from the lounge is a separate and fully equipped kitchen with fridge/freezer, microwave, oven, grill and hob. This is a great choice for a family who'll enjoy the large and very private terrace as well as easy access from ground level via the gate in the lane, which can also be used to wheel a pushchair down to the pool, without any steps.

CIN: IT054056C201014564