Villa di Piazzano

The Villa di Piazzano is an enchanting inn with all the ingredients to make it very special: an historic villa, a lovely landscape, a convenient location, beautiful decor, pretty antiques, and, best of all, the heart-felt hospitality of the Wimpole family who pamper guests and welcome them like friends. As their surname suggests, your hosts are not all Italian-born. Damien Wimpole, an Australian, met his Italian wife, Adriana, in Rome. After their marriage, they traveled extensively throughout the world and, as a result, their charming daughter, Alessandra, is fluent in several languages. When searching for a perfect property to convert to a small hotel, they discovered the stunning but long-neglected Villa di Piazzano, one of the oldest villas in Umbria. The task to bring the property back to its original splendor was awesome, but well worth the effort. Today the delightful villa, set amidst romantic gardens, is a jewel—the interior decorator-perfect with handsome fabrics and many antiques. Everything has been thought of to make a stay here special, including a large swimming pool and wireless Internet access. There is a lovely restaurant specializing in fine Tuscan cuisine. The villa is officially in Umbria, but part of the property is in Tuscany, making it a great choice for those who want a base for exploring both areas. The hotel is located 5 km outside of Cortona.