Casa Allegria

Spectacular views and a beautifully-restored stone house await after the drive up to Civitella Benazzone. The tiny medieval village is perched on a hilltop framed by the Tiber Valley and distant mountains; admire the impressive panorama while you sunbathe in a pretty garden planted with fragrant lavender and jasmine. You’re blissfully far from the crowds in Perugia and Assisi here, but close enough to explore their historic churches and galleries before returning to your tranquil ‘casa’. Thick limestone walls, old stone arches and ancient chestnut beams create rustic charm throughout the house, but thoughtful owners Shelly and Gunilla have ensured that modern comforts are prioritised. There’s a cosy wood-burner for winter nights, luxurious memory foam mattresses with down duvets and Egyptian cotton linen on the beds, and a smart crimson kitchen with stylish granite worktops. Cosy bedrooms look out over the piazza and hills, while each of the two simple bathrooms has a terracotta-tiled shower. Stacks of books and DVDs will keep you entertained on rainy days and there are loungers outside where you can snooze or read when the sun is shining.