Secluded 17th century villa in 40 acres with pool and tennis court

This is an amazing property, ideally suited for families looking for a peaceful respite after visiting the crowded "must see" venues of Italy. It's also heavenly for a couple, who can luxuriate in all that space and in harmony with the beauty of pastoral Umbria. My wife and I have rented apartments and villas in Rome, Florence, Venice, and Sorrento, but this is the property we enjoyed the most and look forward to actually returning to. And unlike many listings, the property matches the photos.

We were expecting good things having looked at the pictures of Casivieri online before we booked but oh my goodness nothing prepares you for the reality of this incredible place. The setting is just breathtaking, panoramic views of the Umbrian hills and then there's the house itself which is so charming and romantic. The attention to detail here is fantastic. Beds are uber comfortable with amazing linen, the kitchen is really well equipped and we loved the style of the farmhouse, a perfect blend of old and new (and with a bookcase full of good books). We loved Casivieri so much we only managed to leave it once in a whole week (for perfect pizzas in the nearby town). The pool is a great size, there's good walking in the hills and a tennis court for early evening games. The sun loungers deserve a mention with their overhead shaders which means you can read comfortably while soaking up the sun. They've thought of everything here, a villa which actually delivers far more than you expect. Can't wait to go back.

We had the good fortune to spend three weeks at Casivieri in June 2018.

First impressions of both the house and landscape are spectacular. Situated on the slopes of a valley, the panorama genuinely does take your breath away. Rolling, wooded hills in all directions, the castle at Monte as a persistent landmark, it is almost as if the scene was constructed to appeal.

The house is very old, substantial, and it feels like a privilege to be one of the many who must have passed through. The wisteria clad terrace was where we spent most of our time. Family meals, and games late into the night; that’s what the holiday was all about and Casivieri provided the catalyst for the experience. The garden is very well maintained and beautifully laid out. I didn’t read about it on the website, but there are plenty of herbs in the garden. An entire hedge of rosemary, bay trees, sage, oregano and plenty of fresh mint (required for mojito time).

The kitchen was unusually well equipped. The stovetop has 8 gas burners, which is very helpful for a large group with a multitude of cooking needs and waking times. One thing that impressed me, the knives were sharp. Not always a given at a rental.

With two living rooms, one on the first and the other on the second floor, there was plenty of space for everyone to spread out. The bedrooms had lots of storage space. There are two bedrooms on the second floor and three on the third. There is no bathroom on the third floor, but with two bathrooms on the second floor and one of the first, we were fine.

The pool is very well kept, large, and a refreshing temperature. The new sunbeds around it were much appreciated. We used the tennis court most days, but a word to the wise, it is fast and older knees need some getting used to it.

Though we didn’t have any little children with us, it is clear that they would be well catered for with a tree house and sand pit, together with toys in the bench on the terrace.

I would describe the property as secluded (rather than remote). I timed it, and it is a 15 minute drive to Monterchi, where the local grocery store has pretty much most of what you’ll need. In 20 minutes you can drive to the grocery store in Citta, and absolutely everything you might want will be found there (charcoal for the BBQ, medicines for the infirm etc.).

I've run out of characters for this review, but I'll leave it by saying "just go", you won't regret it!

I have to say, the Casivieri were just beautiful.

We had the most perfect time there and all nine of us just fell in love with this place.

I cant really think of anything that didn’t meet our expectations.

I would definitely recommend this house to my best friends.

What a lovely house in a beautifully secluded setting. A wonderful contrast with the bustle of London. We were six adults and 5 children under 5, and found the house well equipped and comfortable. And everyone loved the pool! Would definitely stay again.