La Bel Paese: 7 Gorgeous Italian Farmhouses

This farmhouse resort is nestled in the Umbrian countryside on the slopes of Ripa's ancient castle. The resort has 16 elegant rooms arrayed in three of four buildings, surrounded by landscaped gardens, cobblestone paths, and cypress and olive trees. An outdoor pool offers views of the surrounding fields, and the on-site restaurant, set in a former church, serves Umbrian and Tuscan cuisine. A stay here means utter relaxation in a rural environment. It's a 20-minute drive to Perugia and Assisi.

Among olive and fruit trees in a quiet field, this bed and breakfast consists of four simple but clean, well-stocked apartments, slightly set apart from one another, furnished with the basics. A few rooms are available for rent within the compound’s main house. Wine made by the owner is available for sample and sale, and a much-lauded homemade breakfast is offered each morning at a very reasonable price. The main advantage of this location is its convenience vis-à-vis the Saturnia waterfalls (within walking distance), as well as its proximity to several towns of historical and cultural interest, including Pitigliano, Sorano, and Sovana. The owner organizes full and half-day mountain biking excursions for guests for an extra fee.

La Tavola dei Cavalieri offers the quintessential Umbrian farmhouse stay. Nestled in a wooded area 2,620 feet up the slopes of Mount Subasio, La Tavola is part of a 220-acre working farm with crops and livestock, with 13 elegant rooms arrayed in four buildings. La Tavola also has a 49-foot seasonal outdoor pool, and a restaurant serving Umbrian cuisine whose ingredients draw heavily from its farm. La Tavola Cavalieri is for travelers seeking a rural experience, and who don't mind a 25-minute drive along a rough road to the nearest town, which is Assisi.

This is one of the closest places to stay not only to the Saturnia spa complex (barring staying within the baths’ own hotel), but also the Cascate del Mulino, the (free) outdoor waterfalls fed by the same thermal waters as the spa. The latter are accessible via a path through the woods. The apartment and rooms are outfitted with country touches, including antique wood furniture, floral bedspreads, and (in some) wood beam ceilings. A discount to the spa complex as well as the golf course is available, and the hotel has a limited number of bicycles for guests to borrow. The hotel is situated within a farm that produces oil, wine, and honey, all of which are available for tasting and purchase.

This charming luxury resort set in the rolling hills just outside the spa town of Telese in the Campania region combines the rustic charm of a 19th-century village with the comforts of a modern spa property. An excellent restaurant is on the premises; the grounds are bucolic; and the bungalow-style rooms are sophisticated, with the luxuries one would expect at this price point, such as Malin + Goetz toiletries and bathrobes. Because children 15 and under are not allowed in the spa, this is a popular destination for romantic getaways in particular.

Saturnia Tuscany Hotel’s chateau-style building and small but well-designed spa are with easy reach of the Saturnia baths. The upscale hotel offers a clean, well-maintained and relaxing location from which to explore the nearby waterfalls and spas, and, further afield, several picturesque towns. While the hotel has its own spa, many guests have commented on its modest size; Terme di Saturnia, a considerably larger resort with thermal baths and its own set of spa offerings, is just down the road. Saturnia Tuscany’s own restaurant is widely considered good, and has gluten-free options upon request.

Guests at the magnificent Castello di Petroia get a genuine piece of Umbrian history. The castle, dating back to the 11th century, was first restored in the 1980s and retains much of its medieval feel. Perched on a hill overlooking the lush Chiascio River Valley, the 800-acre estate includes footpaths, a seasonal pool, and a candlelit gourmet restaurant. The Castello's 13 rooms are charming and individually decorated. Though it is a popular spot for those seeking a rural retreat steeped in history and luxury, the Castello lacks a plethora of amenities and has a removed location.


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