This three bedroom villa, perched on the very top of Monte Santa Croce is a superb restoration on an exceptional site. Perhaps Santa Croce’s real name should be “the-villa-top-of-the-world” thanks to an extraordinary location with phenomenal 360 degree views. Santa Croce impresses with its fine interior design and large infinity pool that seems to float above the valley below.
Villa Santa Croce
Antognolla, Perugia, Umbria, Italy
Overview
Sleeps: 6
Bedrooms & Bathrooms
1 King sized doubles with ensuite bathrooms
2 King sized double bedrooms which can be made into twin bedrooms
Rent per week
€13,500 – €14,200 per week depending on the season. Saturday to Saturday
Key features
Tastefully decorated and comfortable villa
Infinity Pool
4 different outside furnished terraces
Air conditioning in all the bedrooms
Pagoda covered dining area
All bedrooms have their own ensuite bathrooms
The House and Accommodation
Living Room
It has two large sofas and two armchairs centered around an open fireplace. In this room, there is also a large LCD TV with Sky Italia television and sports channels.
Dining Room
The dining room, adjoining the living room seats 8 around a rectangular dining table. The dining room also has direct access outside.
Kitchen
A practical and well-equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, two fridges, an oven, and direct access to the gardens.
Bedrooms & bathrooms
Bedroom 1
A large bedroom with a double bed (that can be made into 2 single beds if required), with its own en-suite bathroom. This bathroom has a walk-in shower, basin, WC and bidet. Bedroom 1 also has direct access outside, via a outdoor staircase.
Bedroom 2
A spacious bedroom with a double bed (that can be made into 2 single beds) with its own en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower, basin, WC and bidet.
Bedroom 3
A superb double bedroom with a four poster bed and a specious en-suite bathroom with walk-in shower, basin, WC and bidet.
NB: All bedrooms have air conditioning and all bathrooms have hairdryers.
Garden and Grounds
The Villa is set in a fenced and landscaped garden with stunning views in multiple directions of the forested Umbrian hills. The garden outside the front of the house is beautifully maintained, with wonderful flower borders that change throughout the summer incorporated amongst traditional plants such as lavender and rosemary.
Additional buildings, terraces and eating areas
There are several terraces, offering a choice in dining location, positioned to make the most of views throughout the day. For instance, there is a separated furnished terrace for breakfast located outside the kitchen. There is another spectacular pergola covered terrace with a dining table seating 8 people in front of the dining room, an ideal location for dinners at sunset. Alternatively, there is one more panoramic terrace located further away from the house with a fixed stone barbecue setup and a wooden dining table seating 6 people. There is also an outdoor seating area on a terrace outside the living room, with comfortable outdoor armchairs and sofas and a generous parasol for shade.
Swimming Pool
The heated swimming pool is located in front of the house down three stone steps. It is surrounded by sun-beds, tables and parasols. It measures 13m x5m x1,5 deep with built in steps. The pool is heatable.
Location
Santa Croce is positioned in the stunning countryside of Umbria. Characterised by dramatic forested hills, interesting and unspoilt architecture and natural beauty.
There are local shopping facilities at Pierantonio (15 mins) including a bakery, butcher, grocer, pharmacy, post office, bank and a couple of bars.
The nearest supermarket is in Umbertide (25 mins) located on the river Tiber, with a number of good walks and an excellent choice of restaurants. There is a market once a week at Umbertide, as well as many other local market towns notably Arezzo (1 hr 15 mins), Gubbio (40 mins) and Camucia (45 minutes) Gubbio, (40 mins) is one of Umbria’s most perfect medieval hill towns. There is a Basilica high above Gubbio which makes a fine and impressive walking destination.
The nearest town / cities of size are Perugia (30mins) to the South and Florence (1hr50 mins) to the North.
How to get there
Airports
Perugia (30 mins)
Siena (1hr 25 mins)
Florence (1hr50 mins)
Pisa (2hrs 40 mins)
Rome (2 hrs 30 mins)
Things to see and do nearby
Flavour and Cooking
Tuscan and Umbrian cuisine is appreciated the world over for its fine natural and flavoursome ingredients thank to the olive oil, pasta, vegetables and meats. The food is typified by its simplicity, highlighting the fine quality and abundance of local produce.
Wine and Wine Tasting
The wine is also very good thanks to the gently rolling hills, the long hours of sunshine and the temperature. It is worth trying fine wines such as Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, Sassicaia and Nobile di Montepulciano.
Wine tasting and Tours can be arranged at the Il Caldero cellar/wineshop or can be arranged at the villa on request. Wine Tours following any of the four wine roads. Each trace the ancient Roman roads and follow any of the following routes of your choice:
Perugia, Trasimeno and Altotiberini Hills
Montefalco and the Martani Hills
Orvieto and the Amerini Hills
Spoleto and the Valnerina
Eating Out
There are many local restaurants, ranging from fine dining experiences to comforting Italian family food. There is an extensive list of restaurants, with descriptions, available in the Villa.
Cooking Classes
Provided for Pasta making, Pizza making
Markets
There are several weekly markets on in the area in Arezzo, Perugia, Gubbio, Umbertide and Camucia.
Walking and Trekking
There are a variety of local paths and routes to suit syuit all ages and states of fitness and these can be guided. Guided treks end up on Monte Tezio , the second highest mountain in Umbria.
Golf
The Antognolla Golf Course is set amidst the 600 hectare Antognolla Estate. This championship golf course offers golfers of all abilities the opportunity to play on an expertly designed course, giving a true test of skill and judgement. The driving range is the perfect place to warm up before a round or just for working on your short game. The driving range is available for keen golfers seven days a week from 9am to 8pm. Guests of the Villa receive a 20% discount on green fees to play on the course.
Perugia
The region’s capital city Perugia is just 20 minutes away and offers a wealth of cultural activities that include opera and the famous Umbria Jazz and Eurochocolate festivals. Other spectacular hilltop towns include Cortona and Preggio, the latter with its annual classical music festival.
Montone
(approx. 20 min) This town is one of the unspoilt gems of Umbria and the perfect place for a wonderful night out. Best to arrive in time to enjoy the sunset from the top of the town and take in the beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. The town often hosts events including a film festival, an archery tournament between the different quarters, and dancing in the town square.
Cortona, Tuscany
(approx. 50 min) Despite featuring in a film and book titled ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’, this beautiful Tuscan hilltop town hasn’t lost the charm for which it is famous. With a wonderful square, lovely restaurants and wine shops and a great walk to the monastery at the top of the town, there is much to attract people. From above the town, there are magnificent views across the countryside in every direction.
Assisi, Umbria
(approx. 30 min) The birthplace of St Francis, Assisi is a must for any trip to Umbria and Italy. It is hard not to be awestruck by the magnificence and sheer grandeur of the Basilica. Above Assisi is the Eremo di Carcere (Hermitage), which is an old monastery built near the caves that were used by St Francis and contains the tree where he preached to the birds.
Spello, Umbria
(approx. 40 min) A beautiful hill top town at the base of Monte Subasio just a few kms from Assisi. It has wonderful little streets to wander around, many gourmet restaurants and stunning views. This is worth visiting at the same time as a visit to Assisi.
Florence, Tuscany
(approx. 120 min) Day trips to Florence are easily manageable, either by car or train. It takes c 2 hours to drive to Florence. Alternatively, it is possible to take a train from Terontola station, where you can take advantage of free parking and cheap train travel to take a relaxing journey into the city, arriving 5 minutes walk from the Duomo.
Lago Trasimeno
(20mins) – in addition to offering various water sport activities, towns such as Passignano and Castiglione del Lago are the most appealing and the islands of Maggiore and Polvese can be accessed by short and enjoyable boat rides. Isola Maggiore features the ruins of a castle and church which people always enjoy visiting.
Shopping
The Mall in Florence has the following brand outlets: Agnona, Bottega Veneta, Emmanuel Ungaro, Ermenegildo Zegna, Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Hogan, La Perla, Loro Piana, Salvatore Ferragamo, Sergio Rossi, Tod’s, Valentino and Yves Saint Laurent
Additional Information
Arrival, welcome and departure: Tenants will be met on arrival, and will be shown how everything works, both inside and out.
Wifi and Broadband: There is unlimited use and access to High speed Wi-Fi internet throughout the whole villa, garden and pool area.
Housebook: There is a very helpful information folder with details of recommended local shops, restaurants, markets, cultural, sporting and recreational activities plus many other suggestions on what to do and where to go in the vicinity. The folder also includes maps, brochures and important local contact details.
Additional entertainment: Table tennis is available for rental at a small extra price.
Music and TV: Smart LCD TV with Sky satellite television and sports channels. Bluetooth sound systems operate both in the main villa and the annex.
Services included: Maid Service everyday (not including Sundays and public holidays). Maid service includes: tidying of bedrooms, bathroom and quick cleaning of the kitchen. If guests stay more than one week a deeper cleaning is included once a week.A weekly change of linen and towels (both pool and bathroom) is provided if guests stay for 2 consecutive weeks or more.
There is a mid-week change of bathroom towels.
Full gardening and pool cleaning service is included within the rental.
A welcome hamper is provided on arrival. The villa is self-catered but includes an initial provision of bottled water, coffee powder, tea, sugar, cooking and table salt, olive oil and coffee capsules upon arrival.
An initial supply of dish soap, paper towels, dishwasher tablets and washing up liquid are provided.
Loo paper, kitchen sponges and garbage bags are provided throughout the stay. Garbage will be serviced by the staff during the daily maid service.
Optional / additional services available: An in villa dining option is available for meals to be prepared by a chef at the Il Caldero Restaurant. These can be delivered to the villa or there is a take away service to be collected by guests from the restaurant. Bookings and orders need to be placed by 7pm the night before a lunch time delivery and by 5pm on the same day for dinner service. Bookings may be subject to availability and the capacity of the restaurant. Full details and menu’s can be supplied prior to your holiday.
Utilities: There is a laundry room – a spacious room with a washing machine, a dryer, a sink, iron and ironing board.
Air conditioning and heating: All the bedrooms are fully air conditioned. This is an all year round property and is centrally heated throughout (on request and at additional cost during the low season).
Children: A baby cot, child’s highchair and baby bathtub are available on request.
Cars & Car Parking: there is parking available outside. To reach the villa there are 3kms of winding white gravel roads. Please note that the roads are occasionally steep, so they are not suitable for low-height cars or sport cars. This is worth bearing in mind when organising car rentals. Furthermore, for all UK driving license holders, a “check code” from the DVLA must be obtained within 21 days before the start of your car rental. You will need to enter your driving licence number, National Insurance number and the postcode shown on your driving licence.
Rents
2024
| Period | Rent per Week |
| 8th Jan – 22nd March (mid) | €13,500 |
| 23rd March – 5th April (high) | €14,000 |
| 5th April – 24th May (mid) | €13,500 |
| 25th May – 21st June (high) | €14,000 |
| 22nd June – 30th August (peak) | €14,200 |
| 31st August – 5th October (high) | €14,000 |
| 6th October – 13th December (mid) | €13,500 |
For Christmas/New Year weeks and for Easter the rates are the same as for High Season.
Terms & conditions and the booking process
The Booking Process: A deposit of 25% of the rent will be payable to Anglo French Properties Ltd on signing the Rental Agreement, with the 75% balance to be paid 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the tenancy.
Security Deposit: A refundable security deposit of €1,500 will be pre authorised by credit card (of the leading tenant) on arrival which will then be canceled following the departure of guests provided there are no deductions to be made.
Minimum stay: Unless otherwise agreed, all rentals will be for a minimum of one week and will begin and end on a Saturday.
Arrival Time & Departure times: Tenants should arrive as soon as possible after 5pm on the commencement day. They will be welcomed on arrival, given a tour of the property and shown how everything works. Tenants should leave by 10am on the agreed day of departure.
Number of People: Unless otherwise agreed, there should not be more than 6 people staying in the property at any one time.
Security: The owners’ insurance policy requires that all doors are locked, and that all windows are closed when tenants are away from the property.
Energy costs are included: The energy costs are included in the rental price.
Heating costs: This is an all year round property and is centrally heated throughout (on request and at additional cost during the low season)
Pool Heating: is included in the price at a standard temperature in July and August (on request). In other periods it is not included and is charged, if desired/requested, on consumption. Prices in high season can vary between €80 and €180/day depending on outside temperatures. Pool heating is not available in mid season.
Linen and towels: Linen and towels, and the cleaning of the linen and towels are included in the rental price. A weekly change of linen and towels (both pool and bathroom) is provided if guests stay for 2 consecutive weeks or more. There is also a mid-week change of bathroom towels.
Smoking: No smoking allowed inside the property. Caution should be taken when smoking outside during the summer months as the risk of fire can be extremely high.
Internet access: yes, included in the rental price.
Optional / additional services available: the cost of any additional services will be the sole responsibility of the tenant.