Calitardo

Nestled amongst olive groves, meadows and vineyards, the manor house with its natural stone façade stands on a hill above the Val di Chiana on the border between Umbria and Tuscany. What a waste that for 40 years the only visitors to stray inside were, at most, a few pigeons or people with a penchant for lost places. That’s how long the house, originally a watchtower in the 16th century, stood empty until it underwent renovation from 2021 to 2023. This was carried out with the help of small Italian craft businesses, according to the designs of the owner and host Andreas Holnburger, who also worked diligently on the project himself. The focus was on preserving the historical substance and adding modern style elements. Five spacious vacation apartments were created which celebrate the beauty of simplicity. Semi-circular, floor-to-ceiling windows offer wonderful views of the countryside and the garden, where lavender, cypresses and lemon trees grow. Vintage furniture, carefully curated art and design classics, linen fabrics and exposed ceiling beams, terrazzo floors and soaped spruce wood make up the high-quality and simply beautiful interior. Two of the apartments are located in the former stable building, which has been faithfully rebuilt, and three others in the Casa Principale, the main building. The use of light shades with occasional contrasting details in black and the proximity to nature quickly create a relaxed vacation vibe—one that can be elevated by indulgent moments in the spa: For example, in the heated saltwater infinity pool with a view of Lake Trasimeno and the foothills of the Apennines. Or you can relive the bathing culture of times gone by, by languishing in the steam bath under the vaulted ceiling, just like in ancient Rome.

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• The balance of sophisticated design and down-to-earth flair. In addition, only organic building materials from sustainable production were used during the renovation, which create a great indoor climate.
• The tasteful furnishings. In addition to pieces with patina and custom-made carpentry, there are also designer pieces by Gervasoni or Cassina that have been collected and curated over decades.
• Each apartment has underfloor heating as well as a fireplace and firewood, making it cozy even on cold days.
• The little things that make this place so special: Taking a nap on the sunbathing lawn under the old olive trees, doing yoga on the terrace in the forest or playing a game of boccia at sunset
• The spacious garden, which smells of rosemary and mint. Here, you can browse under the rose-covered pergola or sit on the bench under the almond tree and simply let your thoughts drift away.
• The view of Lake Trasimeno and the Umbrian hills, which is magnificent at any time of year
• The warmth of the hosts and the small number of guests make it feel very private, a bit like visiting friends.
• The garden overlooking the valley can be enjoyed while lying in the heated saltwater pool.
• In addition to the steam bath, there’s also an ofuro that’s wood-paneled like in a Japanese onsen. Here, you can immerse yourself in water heated to 40 degrees and relax with a view of nature.
• The infusion for the foot bath and the house tea is made from herbs from the surrounding meadows.
• The bar in the former stable building is the heart of the Calitardo. Here, you can enjoy a chat by the fireplace, a game of chess or an aperitivo. There’s tea you can help yourself to, a Quooker drinking water dispenser, and always good coffee available—sometimes, there’s even fresh cornetti, and figs straight from the tree.
• Good pickings: The garden always offers fresh vegetables.
• The excellent olive oil produced by the owner, which is also suitable as a souvenir. The 12-hectare property is home to a farm with 500 olive trees.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• The five vacation apartments are reserved for adults and teenagers aged 14 and over, with a maximum of 14 guests in total in the main house and the former stables.
• The apartments Bella Marta!, Hey Gigi!, Ciao Amore!, Salve Nonna Lina! and Buongiorno Principessa! are suitable for two to four people, range from 75 to 132 square meters in size and have either a private garden area, a terrace or a covered loggia.
• Two very relaxed animals resident at the manor house are the house dog Whiskey and the three-legged cat Luigi.
• Sustainability plays a major role in the Calitardo. It’s equipped with an air source heat pump, photovoltaics, cooling floors—instead of electricity-consuming air conditioning systems—wood fiber insulation and lime insulating plaster.
• Beautiful destinations are just around the corner: The medieval Città della Pieve with its beautiful old town; Panicale, the picturesque little town with a view over Lake Trasimeno; La Foce, Cecil Pinsent’s garden on the edge of the Val d’Orcia; and the pretty Castiglione del Lago.
• If you want to travel a little further, head for the Renaissance town of Montepulciano or visit Pienza, famous for its pecorino and the view of the Val d’Orcia. Another great place to visit is Perugia, the capital of Umbria, with its medieval town center and the National Gallery.
• The nearest airport is Perugia, 56 kilometers away, and the train station in Chiusi is seven minutes away. A shuttle can be organized on request.
• The minimum stay is one week from Saturday to Saturday.

CIN: IT054012B501032879