Ground floor:
Badia, a luxury vacation home on the Umbria Tuscany border, has a living room with fire place, satellite TV, DVD and music system on the ground floor. The owners also have playstation 2 available.
The kitchen has a dishwasher, oven, 4 pit hob, fridge/freezer and washing machine. The long dining table in the kitchen has space for 12 guests. There is a covered terrace outside the kitchen with nice views over the valley and outside furniture. The ground floor furthermore has two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
First floor:
The first floor has a huge sitting room on one side (with table tennis and table soccer games) and two bedrooms sharing a bathroom (with shower) on the other side.
Second floor:
The second floor has two more bedrooms sharing a bathroom (with bath and shower) and a roof terrace from where you can once again enjoy the views on the countryside around.
The roof has solar panels for your warm water supply.
The pool is 6 by 12 meters (deep between 1 meter and 2.40 meter) and has a lower end from where you have the most wonderful views while in the water. The pool uses a salt filtering system. The pool terrace is spacious and has a covered area where you can sit in the shade and even dine.
The property is totally fenced and has an automatic gate. There is a barbecue and fire wood the guests can use for free. The well kept garden is 1500 square meters all around the house. The total property is of 6 hectare, mostly woodlands. There is a table tennis table and table soccer available for the guests (inside) and a high fenced area below the house for other kinds of open air ball games.
The cottage has a spacious living area on the ground floor with one double bedroom and a bathroom. There is a large open first floor with further two to three single beds, ideal for children.
2011:I have just returned to work having spent two weeks at Villa Badia with my wife and family during the first week and were then later joined by my in-laws during the second. After a very successful drive from Pisa airport (2hrs 45 mins) we arrived in Badia di Petroia. We were met by Simone at the local shop and taken to the Villa in convoy. The road up to the Villa is not as bad as other reports make out and in my view simply added to the 'rural escape'. The more 'rugged' element of the road is 0.8 km long, I know this as my wife ran it there and back every day in the blistering heat! Half way around the road the view opens up, and what a view it is! The Villa suddenly appears in the distance on top of a hill, at which point everyone in the car became totally overwhelmed. In the past years my wife and I have travelled to many different destinations around the world, however, this view and more so on arrival surpassed anything we have seen to date.
On arrival at the Villa we were guided around the grounds, these include salt water infinity pool (lovely), a small football pitch, large gardens including BBQ area and outside seating and dining for 12. The view from the dining table is simply indescribably, breathtaking and emotional for some at first sight! The villa has 6 large bedrooms and easily accommodated our party of 11, there is also a very large lounge and also a fantastic games room, we had some very intense Table Tennis Competitions in here!
Throughout our time at the Villa we mostly relaxed staring in to the distance of the Umbrian scenery by the pool. However, we did do trips out to Siena (1 Hr 30 Mins) and also Citta Di Castello (20 mins) whilst also dining a couple of times at Monte Santa Maria Tibernia (15 mins)- I would strongly recommend this as the food is out of this world as are again the views. Whilst we were there it was unusually hot, some days reach 40 degrees, not a problem as we could just dip in and out of the pool. However, if I was to critique, though it is hard, I would say the Villa could have done with some fans as it was rather hot at night, whilst also reviewing the Fridge Freezer and dish washer as it wouldn't close properly and as a result sometimes didn't chill the drinks enough. However, I really can not fault the Villa nor can I fault Villa Umbria. The service and response is second to non- a truly professional outfit!
I would say that if you are looking to take yourselves away from a busy lifestyle and want to simply relax with the only two thoughts being: "What time shall we eat" and "When will the church bells in the hills chime again" then Villa Badia is for you, and all at a VERY reasonable price!
Thank you very much and we will see you again,
Kind Regards
Alexander W, Manchester
England
The holiday was probably one of the most relaxing I have ever had. The Villa was set in the most beautiful of surroundings. The villa itself was extremely comfortable and very roomy for a large group of people.
I would very much like to return for another holiday
Norma
Hi!
First of all I would like to thank you for the fantastic service you offer. Each and every email gets replied to in no time, every day of the week and every moment of the day!
We enjoyed Badia tremedously. It totally met our expectations. The 360 degrees view and the panoramic infinite pool were unique! Antonio (the owner) passed by almost daily to maintain the pool.
The only remark we have is that the drive and garden and not well maintained. On the drive way there is a lot of weeds and the grass could do with more frequent cuttings.
Again thanks for all and I will not hesitate even a second to rent a next year again through Villa in Umbria!
Vera
From 2010:
Dear Saskia and Willemijn,
It is with a big smile that we look back at our stay in Villa Badia. For more than 5 years our group consisting of 10 friends has been visiting France, Italy and Croatia to rent a house. Without doubt villa Badia is the most beautiful house were we have ever stayed. The spectacular views (360°), immense pool (13/6) and the lovely big house al contributed to the wonderful experience.
The owners, both father and son were extremely friendly and helpful. One day they found us a very good caterer who really pampered us one evening. We can recommend that!
This is the first time we have worked with Villainumbria and we only have positive comments. In future we will make sure to work again with this professional, friendly and honest organisation. Thank you!
Best wishes, T. De M. België, Roeselare
Good afternoon,
Sorry for the delay but here our feedback.
The house is lovely, beautiful location, great pool, well kept (3x a week Roberto came over to check everything). During the week he had also made two ramps for our wheelchair user which greatly improved getting about for her. He was very helpful and friendly. We spent a wonderful week here. The last piece of road takes some getting used to but we had two great drivers for whom it posed no problem whatsoever.
Some small things that may be improved:
-It would be nice if there could be some sort of basic provisions pack with coffee/tea/sugar/water/pepper/salt etc. so you don't have to go out to do shopping. There was nothing to be found in the house after a long drive. Luckily the supermarket opened their doors specially for us.
-We found the dishwasher was not completely up to its task.
-The quality of the towels can be improved and some more tea towels and tablecloths would be welcome.
-Sometimes there wasn't enough hot water for everyone, we don't know if this has anything to do with the solar panels.
Kind regard, I.K.
Comment owner: There is a boiler that takes over the work of the solar pannels if the hot water is not sufficient. This has to be switched on.
From 2009:
Dear Saskia and Willemijn,
Together with our friends and children we had a lovely holiday in Villa Badia.
We enjoyed the house, the garden and the pool. The house is well furnitured and stylish. Only some small things: some extra light bulbs in the house to replace would be practical. Some good knofes in the kitchen would be appreciated.
Thank you for your good care and best regards, Jan.
Hello Saskia,
Back in Holland and back to work, we findly remember our stay at the Villa Badia and it's surroundings.
We had some troubles with a lot of rain fall during our stay which made it hard to get up the road. The owner and his son helped us out really well. They picked us up with a four wheel drive and even had a car for us, to pick up at the bottom of the riad. Walking down and picking up the car was an easy way to get round until the road was fixed properly. The owner even took us to a restaurant and at the end of the meal we were told that he had already paid the bill!
Also the deck chairs around the pool that were a biot old, were replaced. He even replaced the table chairs which we didn't even ask for!
The owners are extremely helpful and practical. We can only give them our compliments.
We will always fondly remember this holiday and will surely consider your services again in the future.
Regards, Toon and Margriet
Comment of Villa in Umbria. in spring 2010 the road has been adjusted. Though still steep and narrow the last bit, it is now easier to drive up and down.
Dear Saskia, Dear Willemijn,
We had a lovely holiday at Villa Badia: beautiful home, good pool cleaned with a salt water system, good vies and good bedrooms.
Only a few minor details to work on: the bedlinnen could be renewed, a fence near the terrace that would cover it from the sometimes strong wind, a bit more shade around (umbrella's)
Thank you for your services. We had an excellent holiday.
Kind regards, Maaike
From before 2009:
Dear ladies,
Hereby we would like to let you know that we enjoyed a wonderful stay in Casa Badia in Badia di petroia!
The house fulfilled all our expectations and promises.
Thank you for the excellent service!
We'll probably meet again!
Best wishes, fam. M
Hello Willemijn,
It took a while to answer but it was work, work, and more work overhere.
How are you? Are you preparing the gardens for the coming summer in Umbria? Is Villa Badia well occupied? What a wonderfull house that is, I recommend to anyone! We'll surely visit it again. I send the owner a postcard from Zeeland, a bit late, I hope it did arrive. A verry nice and attentive man, verry atuned to service. Our car was filled to the brim and we still had to put in the garbage, there was quite a lot and he was kind enough to ask if we wanted him take care of it! And he immediately offered a bread-board (apparently you told him); I had already bought one but didn't want to tell him at that moment, he'd notice it later. And I told you there was no washbin, he obviously had not understood since the kind soul came over with loads of clean towels etc.! I thanked him gratefully and hoped he didn't notice how surprised I was. I sure hope he didn't think of us a a load of bores, but he probably will not have understood, there were so many towels in the house!
He may have thought i didn't want to wash or something like that.
Well Willemijn I hope you have a delightful summer and again our gratitude for your mediation, visit and advice!
Heleen
It was all wonderful... The first week we felt so spoiled we thought we had to pinch each others arm to realise it was real and not a dream. What a huge house and what an awfull lot of privacy. It was all delightfull.
Each other day we made a little outing, but were always glad to be in the house. The other days were spent lazying in and about the house. Bliss!
The second week we were already accustomed to the luxury. (we already took the luxury for granted) (One accustoms quickly to anything luxurious) We no knew for sure it was all real. We enjoyed it till the last minute.
As expected the holiday was way to short and the end came to soon....
Next year if possible, we'll make sure to call on you again.
Kind regards, Reina
When I'm not spending time trying to get caught up at work, I will be leaving positive comments about VillainUmbria (and Badia) on various web sites. Hopefully it will benefit you. I know I appreciate your help and communication as we pulled this trip together.
I hope to be able to do something like this again in the near future (not next year as my finances need to recover from this trip).
M R.
I did not see a place to leave comments on your web site but I wanted to leave comments about our recent stay at Badia.
"Having rented the property on line without seeing it, we did not know what to expect. Saskia and Willemijn had assured me that we would be very happy with Badia but after driving up the dirt road and along a trail through the woods, we were beginning to think we had made a big mistake When we finally got to the electronically controlled gate, Antonio met us and all of our concerns immediately evaporated.
The house is spectacular and that doesn't even take into account the view from the house, or better yet, from the pool. It is exactly what we were looking for, a place to relax, unwind, and enjoy the company of our friends and family in a quiet, comfortable, laid back environment. There are 6 large bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, two family rooms (one is a game room with a ping pong table), a sun porch, a large kitchen with a table for 12, a laundry, an outside dining table, and THE POOL. The pool is an "infinity" pool, with salt water purification rather than chemicals, and a view of at least 30 miles.
Antonio, the owner, is very friendly, accommodating, and is justifiably proud of the house that he has spent the past 10 years restoring from medieval ruins. Even my brother-in-law, a brick mason from Wales, thought the stone and timber work were exceptional.
The house is near the town of Trestina which has all of the amenities you will need - deli, pizza shop, grocery store, gas station, etc. - even a commuter train station with service to Perugia (where you can connect to Rome, Florence, etc.). The one mistake I made in planning our trip was not allowing enough travel (drive) time. Even though the house is located roughly 20 to 25 miles from Cortona, the trip takes over an hour due to the mountains and frequent switchbacks and hairpin curves. We soon discovered that if we wanted to go to Tuscany (Florence, etc), it was far easier to drive to Perugia (45 minutes) and take the train. Not only that, we found that the hill towns in Umbria, which are lesser known and off the beaten track, were as spectacular, if not more so, than those in Tuscany. Make sure you don't miss Gubbio, Assisi, and Spoleto.
We would stay there again in a heart beat but one word of warning - I wasn't kidding about the dirt road and trail through the woods. The first few times we drove it we had a little difficulty but we were also driving a 9 passenger mini van. We always made it to the house but as it was 10 to 12 minutes from the main road, we made it a practice to have everything we needed before returning home in the afternoon so we wouldn't have to go out again. Yes - you will want to return home by late afternoon so you can relax in the pool and enjoy the view."
Hopefully you can post this review and be sure to thank Antonio for all of his help and tell him he has a wonderful home and should be proud of it.
M R
