Italian properties with a difference

So you have always had a hankering for a property in Italy but farmhouses don’t really do it for you. You are immune to the charms of exposed wooden beams and you definitely prefer panna cotta to terra cotta. You may have already ‘done’ the farmhouse thing and fancy something different, or you may just be more Marie Antionette than milk-maid. If that is the case then please have a look at the following stunners that are bound to please those of us who have delusions of grandeur.

So, in no particular order at all;

Castello Gallenga Stuart is just outside of the Umbrian hill top city of Perugia. It is a delightful wedding cake of a house crammed with decorative features and sporting an octagonal tower, frescoes, decorative plasterwork and coffered ceilings. It has stables, out buildings, a tree lined drive, well over 6 hectares of fenced park land and marble gates!

Slightly more gothic and sober, Castello Neve is a semi-restored castle with low lying out buildings and hanging gardens. In a completely rural location, the Tuscan city of Cortona is a twenty minute drive away. All this place needs is a spectre or two and it would be perfect!

Close to Todi in Umbria, Torre Di Porchiano is also pretty spectacular and ideal for anyone who has a Rapunzel complex! It is perfectly habitable with a swimming pool to boot.

For purists, Villa Fontana is a classic Italian villa just outside of Cortona. With fountain, frescoes, formal gardens and a traditional façade, it really is fabulous. 

Immaculately maintained, Villa Prosperini has just been reduced in price. Though cleary elegant this lovely villa is surprisingly 'user friendly' and manages to feel like a home whilst still being a real show piece.

Villa Clara which has a view of Orvieto and is a mixture of all of the above really; a bit wedding cakey, totally and beautifully restored with a tower and lovely gardens. My personal favourite, but don't tell anyone!   

If any of the above pique your interest do call us, we are waiting for you!

Beautifully restored apartment right in the centre of Cortona. No stairs!

Umbrian town will be full of hot air!

                                       The 24th Italian International Balloon Grand Prix

From July 7th to 22nd Todi will once more be hosting its annual hot air balloon Gran Premio, with some forty hot air balloons from all over the world gathering at Ponte Naia. Every morning at 6.30am there will be a colourful flight over Todi, plus a host of other activities and events.

Among the event's most popular appointments is the Caccia alla Volpe hot air balloon 'fox hunt', in which all participants chasing a balloon that is given a fifteen minute head start.

Special rates for anyone wishing to book themselves for a thrilling ride.

Info: Mongolfiera Management tel. 075 8944480, todigranprix@tiscalinet.it.