Convento di Novole

The woods around Claudia and Lucio's Airbnb lodging made the stay feel wonderfully tucked into nature. We wandered among the trees to see the local plants and wildlife, and waking to birdsong and leaves moving in the breeze was a lovely start to each day. Lake Trasimeno is only a short drive away, with plenty to do there; it's Italy's fourth-largest lake. With the peaceful setting, beautiful landscape, and kind hosts, I can't recommend the place enough. I'll remember this rural getaway near Cortona for a long time.

Luciano has put real care into the apartments, keeping their local character and elegance. The farmhouse sits among woods and nature in the Tuscan hills on the Umbria border, and has a magnificent pool. Cortona, the Etruscan capital, is just a few kilometers away, making this a handy base for seeing many must-visit places. Highly recommended.

With two families, we nearly had the whole agriturismo to ourselves. Our friends were back at Novole for their ninth visit, and we had such a good time together. We spent the evenings making pizzas and eating around one long table, very much that Italian feeling ;) It was over 34 degrees all week, so we were especially glad for the lovely pool. The dogs were so sweet, and kept watch for wild boars each night. In the afternoons the two donkeys wandered around, being stubborn as ever. We really enjoyed ourselves and had a great time with Lucio and Claudia. Mille grazie!

The cottage where we stayed is the smallest option, but there was plenty of room for 2-3 people. It has a terrace with a lovely view, and centuries-old details that give it loads of atmosphere. This centuries-old monastery, now a farm, is full of history and quiet, yet still close to everything. We also toured the other places. The large farmhouse has authentic rooms and works well for a family or a group of around 8. The chapel is roughly like the cottage in size and can sleep 4, with even a little altar inside. Each house has one or more wood stoves or fireplaces in an authentic style. The owner has also added a pool at a good distance from the buildings. There is plenty of land to wander, including olive trees, and lots for kids to play with, like a big field. The owner's very sweet dogs kept greeting us, and their funny antics made me laugh, even though I'm usually not much of a dog person. You might also come across his tame horse near the accommodation. He is a great guy, happy to share stories and tips, and sometimes surprises guests with eggs and vegetables from his organic farm. He has restored the place with a real feel for historic architecture. Lake Trasimeno and Cortona, with its many restaurants, are about a 15-20 minute drive away; Spar for groceries is around 15 minutes by car. Le Celle, the impressive monastery where Francis of Assisi first retreated, is about 20-25 minutes away and well worth visiting. Siena, Perugia, Assisi, and other historic places can be reached within an hour. A unique spot for anyone after peace, nature, lovely views, and a historic stay.