Previously an ancient monastery dating back to the 1100's, La Preghiera has been carefully restored to a luxurious and refined country house, nestling in private gardens perfumed with extensive banks of rosemary, lavender and thyme with views of open fields and woodland hills. Situated between Umbertide and Città di Castello, La Preghiera is conveniently close to the small village of Calzolaro, but is found in the heart of the Umbrian countryside.

Furnished to the highest standard there is terracotta flooring throughout, ancient oak and chestnut beams, antique and handpainted furniture and collections of art deco silverware, Aubusson rugs, Galle' lamps and vases...

In the main villa there are 9 bedrooms, each en-suite with marble-clad bathrooms, with all available on a daily B&B tariff or also for villa rental. There is an eco-friendly swimming pool and a private chapel in the grounds. Guests are welcome to take advantage of in-house beauty treatments, including massage, pedicure, manicure and hairdressing.

La Preghiera runs a 3 day hands on cookery course, where guests get the opportunity to make pasta, sauces, salads, desserts, meat dishes and antipasti with our cook. For less adventurous guests, or those with limited time, there is a one day cookery course as well, including a trip to a thriving local market to choose produce.

La Preghiera is also the perfect location for a wedding or honeymoon in Italy. The private chapel is multi-denominational and legal religious wedding services can be held there, accompanied by a capella choir singing, followed by a reception in the gardens. Alternatively, a civil ceremony can be held in one of the local comunes, followed by a reception at La Preghiera.

Many of the main tourist sites are easily accessible; Assisi, Perugia, Cortona, Todi, Orvieto, Montefalco, Deruta, Spoleto, to name but a few are all less than an hour and a half away by car. Closer to home, there are many lesser known but beautiful medieval hilltop towns and renaissance art treasures to be discovered...

For restaurants and dining out, there are at least 40 trattorias, pizzerias and restaurants within a 15 minute drive of La Preghiera and further afield the choice is endless. Umbria is the heart of Italian food, truffles, salami, prosciutto, cheeses and fine wines from the Montefalco region.

Restored by its present owners, John and Liliana Tunstill, guests are welcomed to La Preghiera as though it was their own home. Indeed there is an Umbrian saying, "Strangers are friends as yet unmet....." which is the very essence of La Preghiera.

For more information about La Preghiera Luxury Country House, tariffs, special offers and availability, please visit the website www.lapreghiera.com.