Convento di Novole sits on a hilltop on a small 'agritourism' farm which grows olives and has a small flock of sheep. The farm is dominated by the splendid 400-year-old farmhouse, church and the convent that gives the property its name.

The holiday flats are in the church and convent, which have been sensitively restored and restructured. The accommodation is roomy and airy, with beautiful exposed stonework and beamed ceilings. Wonderfully cool in the hot summer months, they are also cozy during the winter thanks to independent heating.

Depending on the season, the prices for Chapel range from EURO €402 to €474 and for Cottage from €377 to €443. The Villa (farmhouse) is availble only during summer months at €910 per week in June and €1150 per week in July and August. Wood and central heating is not included.

The Farmhouse is a two floor building of 250 m² with two bathrooms, and is suitable for 6 people. On the ground floor you will find a kitchen, an ample living area with stone walls and a fireplace, and a dining room. On the first floor there is a double bedroom with private bathroom, another double bedroom and two single ones, which share the same bathroom. There is also a sunny living area with a very old fireplace, armchairs and a TV.

The Chapel is about 60m² and can accommodate 4 people. It is a charming apartment with the original stone walls, rose window façade and a pleasant kitchen. Above the comfortable living area which can sleep 2 people, there is a charming loft area that serves as a main bedroom. There is one bathroom.

The Cottage is a 40m² apartment that can comfortably accommodate two. You will find a large and sunny kitchen/dining area on the ground floor . On the first floor there is a sitting area with a fireplace and a loft that can sleep two people, and a bathroom. The cottage offers stunning views over the surrounding valley.

This part of Tuscany is ideal if you want a relaxing holiday in close contact with nature. The local hills offer delightful walks and excellent cycling, with the chance of spotting wild animals in the woods or stumbling across the ruins of ancient fortifications. There are several small lakes and swimming pools in the area.

Convento di Novole is only 10 kilometres from the Etruscan town of Cortona, a largely pedestrianised, mediæval town with excellent restaurants, several museums, a cathedral and an imposing Medici fortress. From Cortona it's a short hop to the provincial capital of Arezzo, to Siena and Florence, and for wine lovers, to Montepulciano, Montalcino and Chianti.

[ local map | map of region ]

Off in the other direction lies the region of Umbria, often regarded as a lesser-known 'country cousin' to Tuscany. Landlocked and relatively isolated, the region has more than its fair share of Etruscan and Roman remains, and some even older artifacts that date back to the ancient Umbrians. Many of the towns and villages are a delight to explore, with winding streets that don't seem to have changed much since the middle ages.

Umbria's closest holiday attraction is Lake Trasimeno (14km), the largest body of water on the Italian peninsula, and a great spot for fishing, sailing, surfboarding and bird watching. Other places that shouldn't be missed include the capital Perugia (jazz festival), St Francis' Assisi, and Gubbio (with its tablets of mysterious, undeciphered Umbrian script).