Set amongst the verdant Umbrian hills, with views across to the UNESCO listed town of Assisi, Villa Vita has been expertly designed and lovingly crafted to sit in perfect harmony with its beautiful natural surroundings. Sophisticated contemporary interiors and luxury fittings showcase the owner’s immaculate sense of style, with modern artworks and a state-of-the-art kitchen adding to the elegant, high-end feel. The spacious accommodation is arranged around an attractive central courtyard, with plenty of open-plan living space, three sumptuous en-suite bedrooms and a wonderfully indulgent sauna and shower room. An integrated speaker system, operated from a portable touch pad, allows you to enjoy your choice of music throughout the property, so whether you prefer jazz in the kitchen and club classics by the pool (or even both at the same time!) you can set the perfect tone for your holiday.

The pale stone walls of Villa Vita appear to melt into the landscape, but it is up above the house that the true beauty of its clever design becomes apparent. Here, the exquisite gardens offer all the space and comfort you could wish for with plenty of inviting options to lie back and drink in the hypnotic views in this blissful spot. The owner’s exceptional eye for detail is evident in every choice, from the wonderful fragrant planting scheme to the architectural lighting and elegant table made from local ceramics - in itself a work of art. A wisteria-clad pergola shades the luxurious soft-seating and dining areas and the adjacent barbecue is perfect for easy alfresco entertaining. The heated pool, complete with massage jets, is everything you could wish for and the surrounding terrace is furnished for serious relaxation. But you’ll also find a table-tennis table if you fancy a little gentle exercise and there are bicycles for local exploration. For a more serious workout, there's a small fitness gazebo by the pool, complete with running machine, fixed bike and weights bench.

Villa Vita is an outstanding property in a very special place. One of the most important religious sites in Italy, Assisi is home to the magnificent Basilica di San Francesco, built in honour of Saint Francis who was born here at the end of the 12th century. It is easy to imagine the joy this gentle, peace-loving man took from the magnificent countryside around the town and an ancient woodland within walking distance of the villa now serves as a historical and spiritual reminder of his love of nature. Whether you enjoy the environs on foot as he did or make the short car journey into the centre of Assisi to explore the many monuments he inspired, you will be touched by the magical atmosphere, unique to this part of Italy. Many of Umbria’s other attractions are also easily accessible, including Spello, Perugia, Spoleto, Gubbio and Lake Trasimeno but however exciting your travels, you will always look forward to returning to the life-enhancing charms of Villa Vita.

Our choice of Italian properties is diverse, ranging from simple charm to genuine luxury and style. Much of our portfolio is privately owned, and price alone is therefore not a universal guide. We contract all our accommodation in person, and each property has its individual appeal.

To help you make the right choice based on your own priorities, we have devised a simple grading guide to be considered in conjunction with each individual property description, awarding up to a maximum of five stars for the below categories.