Villa Giardino is a beautiful villa in Spello in Umbria. The villa is set within the town's narrow cobbled streets, nestled against the town walls and it enjoys incredible west-facing views of the valley, farms and hills. Its central location within the town means guests can walk to a number of restaurants and yet it has the feel of being in the heart of rural Umbria.
Inside, this villa in Spello is exceptionally stylish, furnished with pieces from around the world which have been collected by the owner on her extensive travels. Her attention to detail and eclectic mix of styles has imbued the property with a character and warmth that is rarely found in a holiday home. The overall feel is fresh and contemporary.
The property has 3 bedrooms. The first was inspired by the deep blues of the South of Italy and is adorned with rich textiles, paired with cool white walls and an old cotto floor. A king size bed provides the perfect nights sleep whilst the ensuite bathroom has a wonderful double shower, stone sink and toilet. It enjoys beautiful views on to the garden.
The second bedroom also leads directly onto the garden. Again, it has a comfortable king size bed but this time draws very different inspiration from the owners' travels in Laos, Cambodia, Burma and India. The warm saffron yellow and green tones of the room work in harmony with the souvenirs that it houses. Within the room is a fully equipped shower room.
The master bedroom in this villa in Spello is situated on the first floor of the villa and again enjoys wonderful views onto the garden and over the Umbrian hills. The colours of the Moroccan rug harmonise with the red king size bed from Minotti, and the curtains are made from fine Indian cotton. Whilst many of the items are sourced from elsewhere in the world, the room actually has a Chinese feel to it. An original painting from a French painter purchased in Thailand adds a focal point. The ensuite bathroom again has the luxury of his and her showers. It is modern, simple and chic.
There is an extra WC at the top of the stairs.
The kitchen in this villa in Spello is light and airy open space. It is practical and unfussy but at the same time both pretty and perfectly furnished. On the right of the room there is the kitchen and dining area with a table seating 6 to 8. To the left, there is a comfortable sofa with old linen and beautiful pillows sourced from Istanbul whilst opposite there is a flat screen television concealed behind an antique door. The floors are a soft grey resin and the accent colour is green. It is chic, cheerful and modern. The kitchen is superbly equipped with everything a chef could possibly need to either create their dishes or serve them. There is a contemporary black SMEG fridge which adds to the character and charm of this wonderful space.
Outside, there is a lush private garden at this villa in Spello, scented with rosemary, sage, verbena, thyme and lavender. A private pool allows guests to enjoy a relaxing dip when the heat gets too much. Beautiful fig and cherry trees provide welcome shade as well as an abundance of delicious fruit, whilst lanterns hanging in the trees light the garden at night.
The Umbrian climate is excellent with long, hot Summers and mild Spring and Autumn seasons and this garden provides a tranquil oasis of calm to enjoy whatever the time of year. The garden has been planted with roses, olives and cypress but has also been designed to provide maximum space for guests, whether they are wanting to recline in the shade or to spend an evening over a meal with friends and family.
An outdoor kitchen has been created, allowing guests to make the most of their al fresco dining experience. Guests will be able to enjoy the incredible views that overlook the Chiona valley. It really is the perfect outdoor setting.
Spello itself is an enchanting hillisde town. It has a peacefulness and elegance about it that you can't fail to fall in love with, whilst the town's restaurants are famed for their superb cuisine and excellent wines. It also makes an excellent base from which to explore the wider area. Orvieto, Todi, Citta di Castello, Gubbio and Spoleto are all within easy reach along with the highly praised wine producing region of Montefalco. There are numerous activities to enjoy too including horse riding, hiking, cycling, rafting and sailing as well as cross-country skiing in the Winter, making it an ideal holiday destination all year round.
Please note that, effective 1 June 2023, the municipality of Spello has imposed a city tax of 2.50 euros per person per night. This must be paid locally on arrival in cash.
A note from Jo
This villa in Spello is an extraordinarily special place to stay. Few holiday rentals are as luxurious and beautifully presented as this villa in Spello. Offering the best of both worlds - the feeling that you're in the middle of nowhere whilst having so many restaurants and shops on the doorstep - it's a villa that our guests head back to year after year. Ask us to book you a table at our favourite restaurant in Spello - La Cantina - for your first evening and don't miss the chance to enjoy a wine tasting experience at the friendliest wine shop in Italy - Enoteca Properzio!
This is a very magical place. On the edge of beautiful Spello, a few minutes walk from the main piazza, restaurants, markets, etc. The design of the house is lovely – creative and colorful and not your usual bland airbnb all white Ikea decor. The kitchen is a real kitchen, and we cooked many meals in it! The pool is wonderfully refreshing in the hot summer – it’s small but perfect for cooling off. There are some great hikes nearby and we also spent many hours reading in the quiet and charming backyard. This place is a delightful and peaceful retreat. To top it all off, bookings for you and the owner and the property manager were all incredibly friendly and helpful and responsive. We hope to be back someday!