Casa Montemelino, a restored 16-guest estate in Umbria

A Restored Farmhouse Estate above Lake Trasimeno

Casa Montemelino sits on a private hillside near the hamlet of Montemelino, in the hills on the northern side of Lake Trasimeno, where Umbria meets the Tuscan border. It is an eight-bedroom estate, restored in 2025, that sleeps 16 guests, spread across a main house and a second building.

Its Australian owner took a traditional Umbrian farmhouse and rebuilt it, working with local artisans. The original stone forms and proportions remain, and finishes are held to a high standard throughout.

Inside, there is furniture by the French minimalist Christian Liaigre, glass mosaics by Bisazza (the Vicenza mosaic house that has worked with Sottsass and Mendini), and eccentric pieces by Milan’s Studio Mamo, among the art the owner has collected over the years. The main house has a living room anchored by a large fireplace, with a chef’s kitchen, a separate pantry and a wine cellar. Seven en-suite bedrooms sit in the main house, one of them with its own fireplace. A separate building, ideal for a couple, holds an eighth bedroom as well as a living room, second kitchen, and bathroom.

Outside, a 12-meter infinity pool runs toward the Umbrian hills, with a pool house and full bar beside it for the hours between swims. Meals happen under the pergola, with a wood-fired oven for pizza and a vegetable garden from which to source produce. There is a bocce court for the slow part of the afternoon, and bikes for taking the road down to the lake.

Layout

This vacation home for rent in Umbria sleeps up to 16 guests. The eight en-suite bedrooms are split between the main house, which holds seven (including one with a fireplace). A living room, chef’s kitchen, pantry and wine cellar occupy the main house’s ground floor. A separate building with the eighth bedroom also has a living room and additional kitchen. A staff / childcare room with its own bathroom is available in addition.

• Bedroom 1: King, en suite, fireplace

• Bedroom 2: King, en suite

• Bedroom 3: King, en suite

• Bedroom 4: King, en suite

• Bedroom 5: King, en suite

• Bedroom 6: King, en suite

• Bedroom 7: King, en suite (twin or king on request)

• Bedroom 8: King, en suite, sitting area (separate building)

• One staff/childcare room, private bathroom

Good to know

A car is essential, both for reaching the property and for exploring the region. The estate spreads across two buildings and several levels, which makes it less suitable for guests with limited mobility. The main house is built for group cooking, with a chef’s kitchen, pantry and wine cellar. A local tourist tax of €2 per person, per day is charged with final payment.

Amenities & services

Infinity pool (12x6 meters), pool house with full bar, wood-fired pizza oven, pergola dining area, bocce/pétanque court, private vegetable garden, bicycles, carport parking, chef’s kitchen, separate pantry, wine cellar, fireplace

Around

Lake Trasimeno, Italy’s fourth-largest lake, sits just below the property. It's shallow, ringed by a cycling path, and dotted with islands you reach by ferry from the lakeside towns. Castiglione del Lago, Passignano and Panicale (whose church holds frescoes by Perugino) are the ones to aim for, along with San Feliciano on the quieter eastern shore. This is Umbrian eating country, olive oil pressed on the surrounding hills, freshwater fish from the lake, and the Sagrantino reds of Montefalco. Perugia, the regional capital, is close enough for a day of galleries, chocolate and its stacked medieval center, and Cortona and Assisi are both comfortable drives. Over the Tuscan border, Montepulciano and Pienza make a longer day out.

Location

Montemelino, Magione, Umbria, Italy. Nearest airport: Perugia San Francesco d’Assisi (PEG, 30km, 35 minutes). Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and Florence (FLR) are both roughly two hours by car.