A region where ancient fortresses give way to lush rolling hills and traditional cuisine, Umbria is all too easy to fall in love with
Every visit to Italy should feel like the beginning of a great love affair; exciting, passionate, and built entirely on moments that will live long in the memory. With over 30 years of experience, Tuscany Now & More have perfected the secret that leads guests to the heart of Italy.
Each of the company’s exquisite rental homes has its own renovation story to tell throughout Tuscany and beyond, seamlessly blending Italy’s seductive old-world charm with all the comforts of luxury modern living. The stories don’t stop at the villa either; tailored experiences help shape guests’ time in Italy, whether centred on the local food and fine wine, the country’s rich cultural heritage. To help guests experience this special side of Italy, Tuscany Now & More has introduced two new immersive Umbrian experiences that can be combined with any luxurious villa getaway.
The Poetic Towns of Umbria tour unravels the richly woven history of two Umbrian hill towns, bringing to life the real events and local legends that have shaped Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio. Alternatively, get to know Orvieto from a new perspective and discover an entire second city hidden underground in A Subterranean City: The Underworld Tour. The story of Orvieto is equally rooted within the unexpected caves, tunnels and grottos that lie hidden beneath the surface.
Authentic Italy
Often referred to as “Italy’s Green Heart”, Umbria is not just a summer hotspot, but a year-round destination. Benefiting from a markedly smaller share of tourist footfall, Umbria is Italy in its purest and most authentic form. Whether you are captivated by the hidden frescoes of Duomo di Orvieto, Orvieto’s “Golden Lily of Cathedrals”, or the staggering beauty of Civita di Bagnoregio, life here is best enjoyed at a slower pace. This is at the heart of the luxury experiences on offer to guests with Tuscany Now & More, which emphasise the details and people that make this region so unique.
Poetry in motion
The Poetic Towns of Umbria tour showcases the very best of the well-known Umbrian towns, Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio. Guests will be treated to a private tour of Orvieto and explore its well-known landmarks, from the shimmering gilt facade of the Duomo di Orvieto to the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, which houses artworks by some of Italy’s most influential art masters.
Guests will then continue to the ephemeral village of Civita di Bagnoregio, which rests on a dramatic, rocky plateau dominating the wide and vibrant green valley below. Founded by the Etruscans over 2,500 years ago, the village is known as the “dying city”, for fear that it will one day erode and disappear entirely. Guests will be immersed in thousands of years of history as they are guided along haunting medieval streets and pause to take in incredible panoramic views across the Umbrian landscape.
Underground adventure
A Subterranean City: The Underworld Tour begins above ground as guests are guided through the historic city of Orvieto, strolling alongside the medieval walls and taking in views of the iconic Orvieto vineyards below.
This unique tour takes in the Duomo of Orvieto, a jewel of Italian gothic architecture as well as the Pozzi di San Patrizio, a fascinating Renaissance well where twin staircases wind 62-metres below ground. Guests will then be led beneath the surface and uncover “the second face of the city”. Underground Orvieto is both intimate and unknown, full of Etruscan-era tunnels, caves, wells and grottos that are over 2,500 years old. Nobles built underground escape routes from their grand villas, artisans built kilns to fire their pottery, even olive presses were erected beneath the city’s foundations.
Experience Umbria on a deeper level with a luxurious villa getaway. Exclusive tours of Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio are available through a wide selection of Tuscany Now & More villas. Each property listed has its unique character and feel, which is how Tuscany Now & More matches every guest to just the right villa.
Luxurious elegance at Villa Soele
Villa Soele is a luxuriously elegant villa, with a stunning private mosaic swimming pool and in-villa chef services. Located just 18 kilometres from medieval Orvieto, this fully staffed property is ideal for those who want to explore Umbria, whilst still enjoying the tranquillity of a remote and secluded location. Set within 25-acres of parkland populated with lawns, orchards and olive groves, Villa Soele brings Umbria’s best wines directly to your doorstep. The spacious 7-bedroom villa is set on three levels, sleeps up to 14 people, and is interconnected by a grand, spiral staircase, which rises around a marble pedestal. Soele boasts light-filled rooms with mesmerising views of Umbria. Interiors ooze with designer antiques, sumptuously decorated with 16th and 17th-century oil paintings, collector’s tapestry, and bronze sculptures. Elegant, marble, en-suite bathrooms, air-conditioned interiors and a professional kitchen provide quality comforts for the 21st-century traveller.
The quintessential Umbrian villa
San Gabriele is a charming villa set within a private 9-acre estate with wonderfully landscaped gardens featuring olive and fig trees, only minutes away from Orvieto. The garden is infused with a variety of scents from shrubs and roses and the gravel pathways are lined with lavender, thyme and rosemary.
San Gabriele has recently been restored to an exceptionally high standard, with polished antique furniture, pale terracotta floors and pristine chestnut beamed ceilings. The many historical portraits and rare objects of art create a unique, yet homely atmosphere. The private swimming pool boasts spectacular views of the countryside to the spectacular Duomo di Orvieto. This 4-bedroom villa sleeps up to eight people.
A modern farmhouse with a twist
Loliondo is the passion project of a Kenyan-Italian family who have seamlessly blended locally-sourced Umbrian materials with handwoven textiles from Kenya and raw and natural design. The resulting interiors are sublime. This traditional Umbrian farmhouse is located on a hilltop boasting beautiful views of Orvieto, with a private swimming pool, spacious bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms. This 5-bedroom villa sleeps up to 10 people and is designed for comfort, the rooms are spacious with stylish contemporary furnishings and fittings. There are two outdoor shaded living areas and two al fresco dining areas to choose from.
To reach Loliondo, guests follow a beautiful road that winds up into the hills, past farms, vineyards and olive groves. The villa was very recently restored using modern technology and is at the centre of an olive oil producing farm, ensuring privacy and tranquillity. There is a special light that bathes the farmhouse and the surrounding hills in a deep sense of peace.
For further information:
www.tuscanynowandmore.com
