Exclusive Country Estate in the centre of the Green Heart of Italy.
Location and Surrounding Area. Tenuta dei Merli has the unique advantage of being located in the very heart of Umbria, itself the most central region in Italy. It is a part of the country where tradition still reigns supreme - the simple pleasures of country living and genuine food combine with art, history and architecture, making this one of the most pleasant and relaxing regions to visit in the whole of Italy. Umbria is known as the ‘Green Heart of Italy’ due to the abundant woodland and forest that cover the region, and indeed there are few large urban centres and instead countless historical towns, villages and hamlets to discover.
The Etruscan city of Perugia, with its ancient walls dating back more than 2500 years, is the capital city of the region. A mere 20 minute drive from the Tenuta, the historical centre of Perugia is a delightful and surprisingly lively place to visit. Closed to traffic, it is a feast for the eyes, offering beautiful architecture and a wealth of cultural activities including important Renaissance art works, classical music, and the renowned Umbria Jazz and Eurochocolate festivals. Perugia is also home to two universities - the second oldest faculty in the country, and the University for Foreigners; so for most of the year it is milling with young people, filling the pedestrian streets, bars and restaurants.
Gubbio - the medieval town of Gubbio, which actually dates back to pre-Roman times, is a charming place spreading up a hillside and boasting some of the most impressive architecture in the entire region, including the stunning Palazzo Ducale, Piazza Grande and Palazzo dei Consoli complex, and the second largest Roman Amphitheatre still in existence. The town is affectionately known as the ‘city of fools’ and indeed it is possible to get a ‘fool’s licence’ by running three times around of its fountains. The patron Saint of Gubbio, Sant’Ubaldo, is a particularly important figure who is celebrated every year at the ‘Corsa dei Ceri’ a frenetic race up the hillside between the strongest members of the town’s different districts carrying enormous wooden ‘ceri’, or candles. This ancient celebration is famous all over the country and very much worth seeing.
Assisi – the home of Italy’s national saint – Francis of Assisi - Assisi is the one of world’s most important pilgrimage destinations, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Of course the Basilica, containing works dedicated to the Saint by artists of the calibre of Giotto, Cimabue, Andrea da Bologna and Simone Martini, is essential visiting; but Assisi is also an architectural wonder with its atmospheric medieval streets and hilltop castle.
Lake Trasimeno – Italy’s fourth largest lake, covering a surface area of 128 square kilometres, Lake Trasimeno is famous as the scene of the second Punic War, when the Carthaginians under Hannibal defeated the Romans in 217 BC. The lake includes two charming little islands which are open to the public and the ancient little fortified towns of Passignano sul Trasimeno, Castiglione del Lago, San Feliciano and Panicale.
Other spectacular hilltop towns include Cortona and Preggio, the latter with its annual classical music festival, as well as the annual Montone Film Festival which attracts an international audience.
For nature lovers, the Estate provides marked trails for hikers to follow, leading through some of the most breath-taking scenery in Umbria and where it is not unusual to spot wildlife such as wild boar, deer and a vast array of birdlife. The more intrepid hiker wanting to visit the hill tops is rewarded by stunning views of Perugia and Lake Trasimeno.
Getting there – the Estate is 35 km from the International Airport of Perugia/Assisi; 2 hours’ drive from the airport of Florence and 2.5 hours from the International airport of Rome, Fiumicino. The historical towns of Perugia (21 km), Assisi (51 km), Gubbio (41 km) and Siena (108 km) are all within easy reach of the Estate.
The Property. The Estate dei Merli is one of the most exclusive private country estates in Italy, owned by the same family for generations. Renowned for its thousands of hectares of immaculate woods and olive groves, and for its superb valleys, lakes and rivers, it is the perfect place for a relaxing and tranquil holiday, offering impressive levels of comfort and elegance. The Estate offers a wide selection of possibilities for its guests: five luxury villas, including three charming apartments and two romantic cottages; all elegantly furnished and offering superior levels of comfort.
Villa Airone. This villa is a beautiful 16th-century farmhouse, set on the top of one of the hills, affording spectacular views across the medieval castle of Antognolla and its 18-hole championship golf course, which are particularly impressive from the large infinity pool, complete with Jacuzzi. Villa Airone accommodates up to 18 guests (it has seven en-suite bedrooms and two children’s bedrooms) with the exceptional comfort of three beautiful apartments and a luxury suite in the cottage by the pool. This cottage by the pool is our Honeymoon Suite, known as Tiglio. It has a large open bathroom with a huge bathtub and incredible views of the pool and Antognolla Castle.
The Estate’s restaurant, “Il Caldaro” is located in an old farmhouse on the estate, near the little village of La Bruna. Guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks or linger over a coffee in a cosy environment, with leather armchairs, copper tables and a large old stone fireplace, or, outside, under the shaded terrace or the secular oak tree with wonderful views. Caldaro’s fine cuisine is rich in local tradition using fresh ingredients from the Estate’s bio-dynamic garden (set in the grounds of the restaurant) as well as handmade pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven. A little shop with restaurant’s pasta sauces, home-made bread, local cheeses and cold cuts, and the Estate’s own olive oil is open to anyone wishing to take home these exquisite, organic Umbrian delicacies. Perfect for parties, events and celebrations, Caldaro’s enchanting atmosphere reflects the true Umbrian lifestyle where it is easy to lose your sense of time.
The Antognolla Golf Course, which is only a few minutes’ drive from each villa, is a magnificent 18-hole championship golf course designed by the famous architect Robert Trent Jones Jr and dominated by the imposing Antognolla Castle dating back to the 11th century. The layout features dramatic hillside-lined fairways, beautiful lakes and stunning views of the castle and surrounding countryside, giving golfers 18 holes of pure delight.
Amenities of Villa Airone:
Bathrobes and Slippers
Bathrobes available for each guest. Slippers not available. |
Pets Allowed
Pets allowed on request. Owners are kindly asked not to let them get on beds and sofas. |
Air Conditioning Throughout
Included in the rental price. |
Air Conditioning In The Bedrooms
Included in the rental price. |
Hair Dryer In The Bathrooms |
Dryer |
Barbecue |
Fireplace |
Crib |
Stereo system and DVD |
Fibre Internet |
Internet in the garden and common areas |
Close to a vineyard or winery
Estate vineyard. Tastings available at the estate's restaurant. |
The Villa is Less Than 15 km From a Golf Course
The villa is about 550 m from Antognolla Golf. The villa is about 18 km from Golf Club Perugia. |
Dishwasher |
Washing Machine |
Mattress sizes and bed dimensions
6 Double bedrooms (with king-size beds) and 3 Twin Rooms. |
Bath amenities
Initial supply with soap, shower gel, body lotion and shower cap. |
Nearby |
Parking Space
Parking space for up to 7/8 cars, inside the property. |
Swimming Pool
7 x 15 m. Profondità: 1,50 m. With Jacuzzi up to 8 people. Both pool and Jacuzzi can be heated (at the same time, not separately). Pool heating included at a standard temperature on request in peak season only; in other seasons, it is not included and it is based upon consumption; pool heating not available in mid season. |
Heating
Heating with radiators and convectors. Included in the rental price. |
Heated Pool
Pool heating included at a standard temperature on request in peak season only; in other seasons, it is not included and it is based upon consumption; pool heating not available in mid season. |
High Chair |
Concierge Service
Daytime concierge service from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm; available for emergencies out of hours. Included in the rental price. |
Housekeeping
Daily maid service, between 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, 6 days a week (excluding Sundays and public holidays; maid service includes tidying of bedrooms, bathroom and quick cleaning of the kitchen; if guests stay more than one week, a deeper cleaning is provided once a week). Included in the rental price. |
Satellite TV |
Outdoor Hot Tub
Pool with Jacuzzi up to 8 people. Both pool and Jacuzzi can be heated (at the same time, not separately). Pool heating included at a standard temperature on request in peak season only; in other seasons, it is not included and it is based upon consumption; pool heating not available in mid season. |
Countryside View |
Wi-Fi |
Insect Screens |
* Please note: the included amenities may vary according to final agreement, make sure to check your contract for complete list. |
From | To | Guests | Rate Per week | |||||||||
05/10/2024 | 14/12/2024 | 16 | € 17800 | |||||||||
14/12/2024 | 04/01/2025 | 16 | € 18800 | |||||||||
Included in rental price | ||||||||||||
2024: Utilities (electricity, water) Air conditioning and heating Daytime concierge service (from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm; available for emergencies out of hours) Daily maid service (between 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, 6 days a week, excluding Sundays and public holidays; the total duration of the service cannot be determined in advance as it depends on the number of maids; maid service includes cleaning of bedrooms, bathrooms and quick cleaning of the kitchen; a deeper cleaning is provided once a week for stays longer than one week) Full gardening and pool cleaning service Weekly change of bed linen and pool towels, for stays of two consecutive weeks or longer stays Change of bath towels, twice per week Shuttle service to/from the estate restaurant (available everyday for dinner time prior reservation) ) up to 8 people maximum; multiple round trips per villa are not available 15% discount on the Antognolla Golf green fees and 5% discount on Golf Shop Wi-Fi Welcome hamper with Nespresso capsules and estate products (please consider that the villa is self-catered but we are glad to include an initial provision of bottled water, coffee powder, tea, sugar, cooking and table salt, olive oil and coffee capsules upon arrival) Complimentary toiletries (soaps, shampoos, body lotion and shower caps in every bathroom) Dish soap, paper towels, dishwasher tables and washing-up liquid provision upon arrival Toilet paper, kitchen sponge and garbage bags provided by the staff throughout the stay (please note that that the garbage will be serviced by the staff during maid service) Final cleaning | ||||||||||||
Non included in rental price | ||||||||||||
2024: Security deposit € 1500 (credit card pre-authorization; other payment methods may be considered on request) City tax € 1,50 per person for the first two nights and € 0,75 per person for the third night, for a total of € 3,75 per person (subject to change; children up to the age of 14 years are exempt) | ||||||||||||
Extra services on request | ||||||||||||
2024: Pool heating available on request (to be paid according to consumption; pool heating not available in mid season) Extra maid service (available on request at an extra cost) Pre-stocking service Personal laundry service (always available, delivery times depend on the total laundry load) Meals and cooking (catering services available exclusively from the estate restaurant, to be requested in advance) Shopping service (to be requested in advance) Gratuities for staff Estate and sporting activities such as horse riding, rental of mountain bikes, picnics, etc. (to be requested in advance, subject to availability) | ||||||||||||