Fattoria di Rigone

We stayed at Fattoria di Rigone for four nights in June 2018, in Il Balcone. Our room was really an apartment, with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a living room, and a small terrace. The building was a 15th-century summer residence for an aristocratic family and has been recently renovated. The views from all our room are spectacular. We had a spotless, fully equipped place, with beautiful scenery in every direction. The farm sits in an enchanting Umbrian valley among hills, olive trees, vines, what fields, and small woods. It feels secluded, yet most of the main historic and artistic sites are about a 20-35 minute drive away, including Perugia, Assisi, Gubbio, and Città di Castello. There are also lovely, lesser-known borghi nearby, such as Montone and Pieve di Santo Stefano. The setting is great for hiking or running, and the location makes it easy to see the area. The owners were adorable and went out of their way to spoil us. There was coffee and milk in the kitchen, along with homemade fruit pie, jars of jellies and marmalade, and the farm's own olive oil from its hundreds of trees. During our stay they brought us eggs from their chickens and loads of delicious cherries. One evening they asked if they could bring a tasting of cold cuts, delicacies, and torta al testo, a local Umbrian flatbread cooked on a stone over a wood fire. It turned into dinner for five. Signor Pietro, who was 85, also let us taste the liquors he makes. This is a working farm, once known for raising Chianina bulls, the ancient white giant cattle used by the Etruscans and Romans. It still has animals, fields, vegetable gardens, and fruit trees, and guests can pick from them. Our three daughters loved spending time with the animals, picking cherries, and using the pool before and after trips to nearby towns. The pool has a beautiful view of the surrounding hills. Children will also enjoy the many cats and dogs. We're an Italian couple with three daughters born in the USA, and we'd been living in the USA for 18 years. This felt like a real agriturismo, a beautiful, well-kept historic farm, rather than a farm turned into a B&B for tax reasons. The owners clearly love welcoming guests into their historic building. Depending on your provider, your phone might work or it might not. Mine didn't, which was a plus for me. The accommodation is ideal for a family, and I fully recommend it.

The apartments had plenty of space and were very clean, and being on an active farm made the stay especially fun for the children. We had a fantastic 14-day holiday and didn't expect such warm hospitality. We'll never forget our time in Umbria.

Beautiful, clean, excellent, and baby goats too. What more can I say? A perfect stay.

We especially loved dinner: bruschetta, pasta with wild boar sauce, roast wild boar with fresh vegetables, and wonderful desserts. The "pinguino" cake was something special. The farmhouse has spacious, comfortable rooms and well-equipped kitchens. It's a handy spot for exploring the heart of Umbria, with Assisi, Spello, Foligno, Città di Castello, and Gubbio, among the area's best medieval villages, all a short distance away. We'll definitely come back for that family atmosphere.