Villa Gioianna Piccola - 4 Bedroom (Sleeps 8) Villa in Umbria

Description

Villa Gioianna is a gracious Italian country estate composed of an elegant villa surrounded by gardens, an ancient olive grove, an orchard and shady woods. Tucked into a fold of the undulating terrain on a hill above Lake Trasimeno, it commands superb views of Tuscany, Umbria, and the Lake.

Sit down, relax, perhaps prepare a cup of tea or a glass of wine, as below we present comprehensive information on the Villa, the property, the area, and the somewhat boring but necessary administrative details.

Please note: this listing is for up to 8 guests using 4 bedrooms. For larger groups see listing #259818.

OVERVIEW

Villa Gioianna is a fine example of the iconic Italian country destinations where the elite of cities such as Rome and Florence traditionally escaped the city's summer heat to rest and engage in the practice the “sweetness of doing nothing” (dolce far niente), enjoying the simple and slow pleasures of life in the tranquility of the countryside. For over a century, the Villa's historic architecture and classic interior design have provided a charming and serene backdrop for the creation of lifelong memories for the guests it shelters. For the past 25 years, we have welcomed guests to Villa Gioianna, many of whom have returned (the record is 16 times!) again and again.

The 'padrone', or major landowner, of the surrounding farms built the Villa in 1918 as a grand residence befitting a man of his wealth and status. It remained in his family for decades. A well-to-do Roman doctor purchased it as a summer retreat and updated it -- in the 1980s – to improve its earthquake resistance and foundations, install proper drainage, and upgrade the plumbing. We are thus only the third owners and, in the early 21st century, we renovated and updated the Villa to improve the mechanical systems and to ease it gently into the modern world. In doing so, we put our own stamp on the décor but exercised a bit of restraint and due respect for the original architecture, spirit, and history of the house so that it retains the warmth and ambiance of an Italian family country home while still reflecting our taste and personality.

We are constantly improving the estate. Recently we added a beautiful pergola overlooking the swimming pool, retiled the pool, upgraded the outdoor lighting, and renovated and opened to guests the stunning cantina [wine cellar] with its quatre-foil brick ceilings. We work non-stop in the gardens to make them productive and inviting. A few years ago, we added a yoga platform in the woods, a shady spot where you can practice yoga in complete tranquility and privacy while looking out over stunning countryside or relax and read a book or simply sit in the evening with an aperitivo and watch the light scattering over the landscape as the sun sets.

Terracotta and hand-painted tile floors, frescoed walls, softly patinaed antique doors and wood-beamed brick ceilings form a simple background for the eight spacious ensuite bedrooms furnished with splendid antiques, sumptuous textiles and supremely comfortable beds. The Villa's ten bathrooms are notorious locally, both for their beauty and number: each bedroom has its own exquisitely tiled bathroom; all but one has a deep soaking tub to relax in and the last has a huge walk-in shower. Enjoy them without guilt: in the summer, most of the hot water comes from solar panels.

The Villa brings much joy to us and to our guests. We are delighted to share it with others to create their own lifelong memories.

THE VILLA

There are four floors:

- ascend an exterior stone staircase and cross the front terrace to the front door, which opens to the large entrance hall on the ground floor containing the kitchen, dining room, living room and half-bath, and French doors from the living room and kitchen open on to the back terrace

- the grand central staircase leads to two floors above: one with four bedrooms (with adjoining bathrooms) are included in this listing

- accessed from the outside is a cantina (former wine cellar) with stunning quatre-foil brick ceilings that spans the entire footprint of the house, containing a billiards table, bar, refectory table and seating area; the furniture can be moved to transform the cantina into a rainy-day yoga studio

This listing is for a total of 8 guests.

The large kitchen is equipped with modern appliances plus features a marvelous component that we are convinced should be standard equipment in every kitchen: an enormous fireplace where you can roast meat, vegetables or bruschetta over wood coals or simply enjoy the ambience of a fire. There is plenty of space around the central island (an antique, glass-topped former Parisian meat counter) for communal cooking and chatting.

Comfortable seating centers around a large stone fireplace in the living room. An honor bar, a grand piano, and a library table for playing cards or board games furnish the room. With plenty of squishy sofas and armchairs, it is an elegant yet warm and welcoming place to gather before or after dinner for conversation. We provide a large library of books, CDs and DVDs (we are old-fashioned!) and board games for guests' enjoyment.

The frescoed dining room has a handsome fireplace and a gorgeous, hand-forged wood burner warms the cantina. No fears for extreme temperatures: the Villa's modern systems (including radiator heating and space heating provided by the air conditioning units) will heat and cool. All rooms except the kitchen have air conditioners. All windows have integral insect screens.

THE GROUNDS

You arrive at the Villa via an avenue of cypresses and lime trees, passing through a mature park of 4.5 acres of woods, vineyards, olive groves, fruit trees and flower gardens. It includes a 115-tree olive grove and two fields that set the Villa back from the paved country road bordering the front of the property, ensuring privacy. An abundance of wildlife thrives around the Villa. Depending on the season, you may see or hear wild boar, porcupines, hedgehogs, frogs, owls, bats, foxes and numerous birds, including our neighbor’s peacock and the magpies whose name in the local dialect identifies our area.

In the olive grove and carpeting the Villa’s grassy areas, wildflowers bloom in the Spring and Autumn, including wild orchids, the crocus-like “tears of the Madonna,” buttercups, daisies, cornflowers, meadow clary and numerous other white, blue, purple and yellow-hued flowers that we have yet to identify.

The grounds provide plenty of quiet and secluded spots to sit and read or chat over a glass of wine while soaking up the view of our neighbor’s vineyards and fields. If you're lucky, our neighbor who farms the rolling hills behind the house will have chosen to plant sunflowers the year of your visit and you will be treated daily to the quintessential sight of a sea of sunflowers turning their bright heads to follow the sun. Whichever crop is planted, the varying light and shadows playing with the colors and textures during the day and especially in the early evening present a vision straight out of a Renaissance painting: an unspoiled view of fields, stone houses, cypresses and olive groves steeped in history that’s remained largely unchanged for the past few centuries.

The Spring, Summer and Autumn are for enjoying the outdoors! Dine outside on the rear terrace, under the pergola by the pool, on the back lawn, or at a table set up in the woods. Even when the house is full to the brim, you will find a quiet space to have some precious “me time,” if you wish.

The 6.5m x 13m mosaic-tiled swimming pool sits in the olive grove, overlooking the countryside and the lake. Its commodious deck is furnished with chaises, loungers, hammocks and large umbrellas. Two pergolas nearby provide shade and a place to relax out of the sun or to catch an evening breeze while you watch the sunset reflected off the medieval stone buildings of Castiglione.

The Villa is a small working estate that produces its own olive oil, fruits, vegetables, wonderfully fragrant roses, flowers and herbs. We garden sustainably, using compost and natural insect repellents. We vary the kitchen garden from year to year but always plant at least three varieties of tomatoes. As the song goes: Money cannot buy love or home-grown tomatoes! We often have a surplus and are pleased to share with guests; please enquire when you check in and we will prepare a basket for you.

If you visit us in August/early September, there is almost always an avalanche of fresh figs. Nirvana is a perfectly sun-ripened fig or tomato plucked directly from the plant, weighing heavy and warm in the palm of your hand, and eaten greedily right there in the garden, with juice unashamedly running down your chin. The flavor is unforgettable and -- one must be warned -- addictive! The herb garden is under renovation in 2026 but still produces a good selection of fresh herbs for guests' culinary creations.

In addition to the yoga platform (mats and blocks available), the grounds provide plenty of space for outdoor exercise in the front fields and a bocce court in the woods.

For many more photos and information about the Villa and the surrounding area, please visit us on Instagram: @villagioianna.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO

In 2023, Umbria was named Foodie Destination of the Year by Lonely Planet. For good reason! Umbrians cherish and celebrate the the rituals of the table. Food and wine are excellent and reasonably priced. Do not plan to be on a diet when you visit!

Ask most Italians who cooks the best food, and the answer will likely be “ma certo, la mama!” You can experience that in the privacy and comfort of the Villa and enjoy an incredibly delicious meal. We can recommend several excellent local cooks -- including a delightful Italian nonna -- each of whom spoils guests with delicious, homemade meals. They can also combine a meal with a cooking lesson or a family pasta-making lesson that is just So. Much. Fun !

Or, partake in our unique version of UberEats: a vivacious nonno (grandfather) with a huge vegetable garden and a passion for cooking who will prepare and deliver a generous multi-course meal for you, using ingredients from his garden and regional recipes passed down to him from his mother and grandmother.

We provide our guests with local information, gathered over 25 years of experience, of our favorite restaurants, wineries, sights and activities so that they have the resources at their fingertips to explore and properly enjoy our area. Our region suffers from an embarrassment of riches; it is an area that blends art, culture, history, beauty, style with an unashamedly deep-seated connection to the land.

To thank you for patronizing the hardworking people who provide us with so many lovely places to eat, we offer our guests a rebate off part of the cost of a meal at selected restaurants. Please enquire when booking.

Your itinerary could be focused on visits to famous sites or fashion shopping or sporty activities on the lake or in the fields, forests and hills that cover our region. Or you could plan outings that combine the cerebral and the sensual: enjoy the plethora of art and architecture – sublime Renaissance paintings and glorious churches and cathedrals – with time set aside for leisurely meals at quaint restaurants, where you are brought plate after plate of simple local dishes showcasing the high-quality, fresh, seasonal ingredients that are the bedrock of our excellent Umbrian/Tuscan cuisine. Or, relax and soak up the simple pleasure of wandering around the medieval streets of ancient hilltop towns: some are small, others somewhat larger, but all are different and have something unique to offer.

Shift into downtime, drinking an espresso at a tiny café with a handful of locals, dancing at a sagra (food festival) with your beloved (when was the last time you did that just for fun?), lying on your back at night to count shooting stars, or scoffing down the best gelato on the planet with the eagerness and joy of a child. Or just sit lazily like a torpid lizard on the back terrace, listening to the fountain as it splatters, splashes and gurgles, and drinking in the heady scent of the blooming jasmine. There is so much to see and do and enjoy in our area. We want you to have an amazing holiday discovering our region, culture, food and lifestyle in the short time that you are with us.

SOME ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Minimum booking is five nights. Week-long and two-week rentals are strongly preferred, but we are pleased to accommodate the special requests of weddings or other celebrations for shorter periods. Just ask! Bookings for less than a week are slightly higher per night than posted here, as fixed costs are amortized over fewer days. Please provide details of your celebration and number of guests and we'll provide a custom quote.

The NHS discount applies to the surgeons and nurses of Warwick Hospital. We look forward to welcoming you to the Villa.

Guests post a refundable security deposit and pay a small overnight tax (required by the Comune) in addition to the fees. Final cleaning and reimbursement of a set amount of utilities are anticipated in the fees. Any excess heating, air conditioning, extraordinary cleaning or damages will be accounted for and deducted from the deposit. Bookings require a 35% nonrefundable deposit; the balance is due 10 weeks before arrival.

When we accept your booking, we commit to hold those dates for you (thus declining other potential bookings that may conflict with those dates) and to welcome you to a house and grounds that are cleaned and maintained to a high standard. Bookings are made on our reliance on your representation that you have purchased sufficient travel insurance at a level you deem adequate for your needs, including for the unlikely event of a cancellation. The Booking Terms & Conditions explain everything in detail; it is provided to you prior to posting a deposit.

Smoking in the house is not permitted. Parties and events require prior written consent. Only guests registered on the Guest List may stay at the Villa. There are three outside cats that live on the grounds who are not permitted in the house.

Please note that recently the Italian Government imposed a 21-26% tax on homeowners of the gross -- not net of operating expenses -- rental income of all short-term holiday lets such as the Villa. We estimate that at least 55% of the cost of a holiday rental such as the Villa represent direct and indirect taxes. Fuel prices have risen dramatically. The cost to guests is based on these and other fixed costs.

THE ITALIAN LEGAL NICETIES

These are our CIR and CIN numbers, which every Italian holiday rental accommodation operating legally in Italy is required to display on all adverts and which assures you that we are licensed by the Comune and the Region to rent as a holiday home:

Comune: CASTIGLIONE DEL LAGO
CIR - Codice Identificativo Regionale: 054009C201009776
CIN - Codice Identificativo Nazionale: IT054009C201009776

CONTACTS

We can be contacted initially through this site or via email.

The rental of a house of this size is a big decision that understandably generates a lot of questions. We realize that the challenge isn’t finding an available holiday home to rent. There is a huge selection of villas to choose from online. The problem is matching the right one to your particular wishes and needs. You want to feel confident that it is the right fit. And we want to be sure that you understand and are content with what the Villa offers. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have. We would be delighted to speak directly with you, but request that -- because we are often in time zones several hours before or after our potential guests -- you contact us first via email or whatsapp so that we can set up a mutually convenient time to chat.

We look forward to welcoming you to our little corner of paradise.

Come, be our guest!

THREE SPECIAL OFFERS FOR 2026

1. SINGLE ROOMS

We rarely offer single rooms or any rooms at all for less than 5-7 nights. However, for a limited time, the following prices are for single rooms, maximum double occupancy, minimum 3 nights. These prices are for a room, up to double occupancy. There are currently four classic rooms available at these prices for days in May and July. Please provide the number of guests and rooms needed and we will confirm the price:

May 20-23: 115/room/night
July 3-10: 165/room/night

2. NOVEMBER 1 -DECEMBER 22, 2026

Rent the entire Villa (eight bedrooms for a maximum of 14 guests) for euro 525/week (plus taxes). Minimum rental: two weeks. Does not include your utilities, final cleaning, twice-weekly cleaning.

3. SMALLER GROUPS/ULTRA LAST MINUTE

We adore this site because it allows us direct contact with guests and the facility to react nimbly to market conditions. If your group or budget do not fit with our normal rentals and if you are able to travel a bit more impetuously and you are a small group, we encourage you to enquire about special offers at the ultra last minute. Kindly check our calendar about one month in advance and, if the Villa remains available 10-14 days prior to arrival, we would be glad to discuss an arrangement with you that perhaps better meets your budget and the smaller size of your group, on the one hand, and our wish to have the Villa fully booked, on the other.

More information you may find of interest:

OLIVE OIL
Our glorious olive oil is our pride and joy. In mid/late October we harvest the olives by hand in the traditional method of 'stroking' the tree, then quickly press them at our local mill. Olive oil from our region - the Tuscan/Umbrian border - is highly prized for its peppery, spicy taste and carries its own special regional designation. We look forward to the pressing and the arrival of the olio nuovo with great anticipation every year. The harvest varies from year to year; when there is surplus, we are pleased to make it available to our guests for purchase.

NEAREST TOWN
The medieval town of Castiglione del Lago is the nearest market town (6 km), sitting high on an olive tree-covered promontory jutting into the west side of the lake.

For touring, Castiglione del Lago is centrally located to major routes. You will find easy access to the superstrada linking Perugia and eastern Umbria to Siena, Chianti and western Tuscany, and the A-1 motorway that forms a north-south spine of Italy. The town is the embarkation point for ferries to the lake islands. The Centro Storico and the new town that has grown below and around it over the centuries have all the conveniences and services of a thriving modern town.

Castiglione del Lago has been designated as one of the Borghi Più Belli d’Italia (Italy’s most beautiful towns) and boasts quite a number of good restaurants of all types to suit all budgets, from fancy formal restaurants to more casual, small, family-run osterie to casual panino and pizza venues. What we don't have are all the at-your-fingertip conveniences of big cities, such as Uber, home delivery of anything and everything (although Amazon operates locally on an Italian interpretation of "Prime" basis), and 24/7 services of every whim. It's a bit more old-fashioned but friendly and welcoming.

The town has an active annual social calendar that is carried out with alacrity by the inhabitants. To name just a few of the festivals: In April, the Festa del Tulipano (the Tulip Festival) celebrates the arrival of Spring with a historical procession of flag wavers, musicians and drummers, and a parade of allegorical floats made of tulip petals. The entire Centro Storico blooms with masses of window boxes and floral displays as its residents compete in the Palio del Tulipano (Window Box Contest). And, of course, good food is everywhere: the Taverna del Tulipano offers themed dishes and wines focused on produce of our territory, such as the Trasimeno Gamay rose, Fagiolina del Trasimeno, and other unique products.

Following closely on the heels of the Tulip Festival is Coloriamo I Cieli (color the skies), a kite festival which takes place on the historic old airfield and fills the skies with hundreds of shapes and colors of kites and hot air balloons.

In the Summer, the Roccacinema, an outdoor movie theater on the castle, shows several films weekly under the stars, including at least one English-language film. Trasimeno Blues Festival kicks off in July, with concerts held in the squares and in private venues. In late July/early August, the medieval fortress hosts the Festival Internazionale del Folklore (International Folklore Festival), which celebrates the dancing, culture and traditions of several different countries every year. August brings the Festival di Musica Classica (Festival of Classical Music) and several weeks of concerts. Finally, in December, a Christmas festival includes the arrival of Babu Natale and the lighting of the huge Christmas Tree on the Lake. Many local villages present a Living Nativity scene, recreating the manger and the village surrounding it with local villagers in costume and real animals in the manger.

In the surrounding villages and towns, sagre (food festivals) are in full swing from June to October. These include Porto’s Sagra del Pesce (Fish Festival) celebrating the lake’s heritage of fishing with traditional lake fish specialties, and many others focusing on just about every local food item you can imagine from prosciutto to chestnuts to roast goose to watermelon to snails! There is almost always a live band and dancing, merrymaking, lots of food and conviviality.

LOCATION
A few kilometers away is Chiusi, whose Centro Storico is worth a visit for its Etruscan museum and good restaurants. Chiusi has high-speed train connections to all destinations on the Naples-Milan high-speed train line, including Rome, Florence and Orvieto, and convenient access to the A-1 Autostrada.

Within an hour's drive of the Villa are world famous Renaissance towns such as Montepulciano and Pienza and the unspoiled Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage area. Many other historic Umbrian and Tuscan hill towns such as Assisi, Arezzo, Cortona, Orvieto, Perugia, Deruta, Spello and Montalcino, as well as other less well-known, but perhaps more charming, smaller villages. Many of central Italy's other leading historical and cultural centers (Rome, Florence, Todi, Siena, Spoleto, Gubbio and Urbino) are reachable in less than two hours. For nature lovers, there is the Lake and its surrounds, the Crete Senesi, Mt Amiata, Mt Cetona, the Sibillini Mountains, the Marmore Falls, and numerous open spaces to hike, bike, boat and ride horses in the fresh air. For those craving a bit of pampering, we highly recommend immersing yourself in one of the thermal spas.

TRAVEL TO THE VILLA
The nearest airports are Rome, Pisa and Florence, each about a 1.5 to 2.5-hour drive away. Bologna is a bit farther, approximately 3 hours. Perugia airport is the closest (approximately 40 minutes).

The nearest train station is Castiglione del Lago (five minutes by car) and the nearest express train station is Chiusi (20-25 minutes by car). The closest exit on the A-1 is about 25 minutes from the Villa; the nearest exit to the Siena-Perugia superstrada is about 15 minutes away.

The Villa itself is easily reachable on paved roads; only the last bit – the short drive from the paved road to the front door of the Villa – is gravel.

CREATURE COMFORTS
*High quality linens
*Natural fiber comforters made from traditional Umbrian and Tuscan textiles, feather down duvets
*Sumptuous ensuite bathrooms

SUITABILITY
*Groups of friends, tour groups
*Boutique, themed, travel groups focusing on textiles, wine, culinary pursuits, foodie tours, art, architecture, cycling, hiking, antiquing, thrifting, history, just to give a few examples!
*Yoga, Mindfulness, Pilates retreats
*Women’s Retreats and Adventures
*Anniversaries, Family Reunions, Birthdays
*Painting, Writing, Creative Arts retreats
*Business events, seminars, training sessions
*Weddings, Commitment Ceremonies
*Photo shoots
*Film locations

UPON REQUEST
We are pleased to be able to recommend other trusted local services such as:
*Daily Breakfast by a Cook
*Home-cooked and chef-cooked meals
*Cooking lessons
*Refrigerator filled prior to arrival
*Yoga lessons
*Tours, drivers, airport transfers
*Wine tasting, Culinary and Foodie tours
*Horseback riding or biking tours

GREEN CREDENTIALS
*One of the first in our area to install solar panels 20 years ago!
*Recycle 100% of plastic, paper products and glass/metal.
*Compost all garden and vegetable matter, food scraps.
*Severely limit the use of chemicals in the gardens.
*Garden sustainably.
*Reduce, re-use and recycle as a basic operating principle.
*Furnish and supply as much as possible with local products using sustainable materials.

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