This luxury self catering villa nestles in the countryside within walking distance of the village of Calzolaro in northern Umbria, on the border with Tuscany. The medieval towns of Umbertide and Città di Castello are 15 km away, with Cortona, Perugia, Assisi, Gubbio, Montone and Lake Trasimeno within easy reach. Rome and Florence are also accessible by rail or car.

The holiday villa in Umbria is part of the estate of La Preghiera, a converted 12th century monastery, now the home of John and Liliana Tunstill. Originally Villa Moscatelli was built as a church for the monastery in the 1600's, and later converted to a granary in the 1840's, by the Moscatelli family who bought the estate when the Friars of the Mount of Olives Order of Gubbio, who had occupied the site for over 700 years, moved to Siena.

In the style of an Umbrian farmhouse, very tastefully restored with the utmost attention to detail, lovingly furnished and decorated to an exceptionally high standard with antiques and hand made furniture. Terracotta floors, huge oak and chestnut beams and a staircase with a hand crafted wrought iron balustrade, combined with an open plan brick arched ground floor area give a spacious sunny atmosphere, where signature materials have been used throughout for the interior fixtures, fittings and finishings.

A chic retreat located on a quiet and very easily accessible tarmac road off of the main road which leads from Cortona to Trestina, along which the Seano river runs, at the foot of the garden; with stunning views of the surrounding oak woodlands, it is set in beautiful gardens, perfumed with extensive banks of rosemary, lavender and thyme. There is an eco-friendly swimming pool in the grounds for guests to use and enjoy (shared with guests at La Preghiera). A private chapel which has been beautifully restored is also available for the guests to use for quiet meditation, or for weddings in Italy or other special occasions, situated a few paces away from the holiday villa.

The Umbria house rental country cottage is accessed through double French doors leading from the paved terrace, entering into the reception hall which still has a column from the original church! The living room has an open fireplace and satellite tv, whilst a luxury fully fitted Snaidero kitchen with breakfast area, dining room and cloakroom complete the ground floor. French doors leading from the living room and also from the dining room open onto private sunny terraces, also suitable for outside dining in your holiday house in Umbria.