Work up an appetite
with a game of tennis at Mercatale, or a round of golf at Cortona. There is also horse riding on offer in the Cortona area.
Casale Seano
Mercatale, Cortona, Tuscany
- 12
- 6
- 5
Spectacular views, immaculate style
Accommodation
At a glance
- Sleeps 12
- 6 Bedrooms
- 5 Bathrooms
- WiFi
- Table Tennis
- Ground Floor: Living room (fireplace, Smart TV, CD) with doors to garden. Kitchen (oven, dishwasher) with door to garden. Secondary kitchen (microwave, dishwasher, wine cooler). Study with door to garden. Cloakroom (WC, washing machine). WiFi. Central heating (payable locally).
- Intermediate level: Double bedroom (ceiling fan).
- First floor: Dining room with door to terrace with stone steps to garden. Double bedroom (ceiling fan) with en suite bathroom (separate shower). Twin bedroom (ceiling fan).Shower room.
- Second floor: Double/twin bedroom (ceiling fan) with en suite shower room. Double bedroom (ceiling fan) with en suite bathroom (separate shower).
- Annexe: Double/twin bedroom (ceiling fan) with en suite shower room.
- Outside: Garden, open terraces, fruit groves and dining pergola. First floor terrace. Table tennis. Private parking. Barbecue. Pizza oven. Decked area with hot tub.
- Private swimming pool (12m x 6m) with Roman steps.
A lovingly and sensitively restored country home has retained all the architectural authenticity of this remarkable medieval monastery dating back to 800 AD. The cool local stone is countered by the delicate garden vignettes of lavender and rose, and a plentiful orchard and olive grove pepper the grounds and cradle the gentle terraces within six acres of private land.
The vine and wisteria-covered dining pergola, first floor drinks terrace and the panoramic swimming pool justly allow you to take advantage of the stunning south-facing views across the verdant Niccone Valley whether dining, relaxing or enjoying playful family moments in the swimming pool. The ample dimensions and glorious setting of this house make it ideal for celebrating a special occasion, be it a birthday, anniversary or family gathering, and the friendly owners can help with the organisation of such events.
Outdoor living is very comfortably complemented by the beautiful interiors of the house seamlessly featuring contemporary and rural furnishings and décor throughout. The modern and well equipped kitchen features an island, making cooking at this property a real delight, whilst the lounge and study are warm and welcoming for any party large or small. A formal dining room on the first floor walks out onto a small terrace where pre-dinner drinks may be enjoyed. A separate annexe built in the same stone as the house offers an extra element of privacy to a couple within the party. This unique spot is the ideal setting for a multigenerational gathering, with plenty of space to tranquil and unique spot would provide the ideal setting for an intimate wedding, which the attentive owner is capable of arranging for guests.
The surrounding hills straddle the Umbrian-Tuscan border, with unlimited sightseeing and dining opportunities in both Umbria and Tuscany should you be able to drag yourselves from the house! Essential amenities can be found in nearby Mercatale (4km), and further afield Cortona (26km) or Arezzo (45km) in Tuscany make for an excellent day out whilst Città di Castello (39km), Gubbio (36km) and Perugia (55km) in Umbria are within an hour’s drive. Furthermore, younger elements of the party will be happily entertained with boat trips and water sports at nearby Lake Trasimeno (20km).
- The double/twin rooms can be made up according to your preference – please specify at time of booking.
- Terraced grounds and low stone walls on the first floor terrace mean that young children might need some supervision at this house.
- The owners respectfully request that guests do not smoke inside the house.
- Access to the property is via a country road that is part tarmac part gravel (strada bianca).
- Flexible changeover day may be possible outside of July and August. Please enquire.
Pricing & Availability
All Prices are per property, not per person.
Location of Casale Seano
Locality
Great Things to Do Near Casale Seano
Admire the view!
Pour a refreshing drink and take it out on the terrace for surely one of the most breathtaking views in the region!
Tuoro
At Tuoro, which is the village you meet travelling from the house to Lake Trasimeno, you can walk and drive the various battle stages of the 'Battle of Lake Trasimene' when the Carthaginian general Hannibal engaged with the Roman Flaminius in July 217 BC during the Second Punic War. Hannibal was making his way through Italy and hemmed in the Romans against the lake, which led to them being heavily defeated.
Museo dell Accademia Etrusca in Piazza Signorelli, Cortona
This superb museum traces the Etruscan past of this area via incredible antiquities, well-labelled and displayed.
Paintings in Perugia - Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria
One of the great picture collections in central Italy, Perugino and Piero are certainly highlights but much of central Italian painting from the 14th to 17th century are well-represented including works by Gozzoli, Duccio, Gentile da Fabriano and Pinturicchio. There are many superb churches in Perugia so a full day out awaits!
Visit the Museo Civico in Sansepolcro
... to see Piero della Francesca's famous works, 'The Resurrection' and ' The Madonna of the Misericordia'. The Resurrection was described by Aldous Huxley as 'the best painting in the world'.
Charming Cortona
The hilltop town of Cortona is lovely to wander around and although it can get quite busy, it is definitely worth a visit - steep cobbled streets lined with art galleries, boutiques, cafes and gelaterie (ice cream shops). For far-reaching views, head up the hill to the Fortezza Medicea, which was built for the Medicis. On the way back down, seek out the Vicolo Jannelli, a little street with some of the oldest surviving houses in Italy. Our top tip to avoid the steep walk up to the town - park at the car park on the Viale Battisti and take the escalators up to the Via Nazionale. From there it's just a short, flat walk to the main square.
Gubbio
Gubbio is one of those undiscovered gems - a town that has managed to avoid being on the tourist trail but that is definitely worth visiting. It has been described as an enchanting medieval jewel where the old streets seem to march up the steep slopes of the tree-clad mountain slopes. The streets lead to a most stunning piazza that overlooks the valley. There are also churches decorated with frescoes that look as clear as the day they were painted, 'palazzi' from the 13th and 14th centuries, a Roman theatre dating from the 1st century BC, as well as modern shops and restaurants. Take the cable car from the east side of the town to the top of Monte Ingino to visit the Basilica di Sant'Ubaldo, and for some wonderful views over the Appennines.
Renaissance heritage of Città di Castello
Just to the north of the house, over the border into Umbria, Città di Castello has a rich Renaissance heritage and also a great tradition of crafts, particularly textiles and the art of printing. Nearby is the 'Terme di Fontecchio', a thermal spa whose waters have been used since Roman Times.
'Life is Beautiful' in Arezzo
The city of Arezzo is about an hour's drive to the north. Its famous residents have included the poet Petrarch and the painter Piero della Francesca. In more recent times, it was the setting for the film 'Life is Beautiful' by Roberto Benigni. The hub of the city is the red-brick Piazza Grande, surrounded by many beautiful buildings. Do not miss the Basilica of San Francesco to see Piero della Francesca's largest and finest work, 'History of the True Cross'.
Perugia
Perugia is a very well preserved medieval hill town with amazing views from various places. Elegant and infused with history, architecture and art, it is also very much a modern city, vibrant and with lots to see and do throughout the year. The main street in the old town, Corso Vanucci, is a wide avenue lined with shops and restaurants. It leads to the grand Piazza IV Novembre, which is surrounded by the splendid Palazzo dei Priori and the San Lorenzo Cathedral.
Lake Trasimeno
Just over half an hour's drive away, Italy's fourth largest lake and its environs are a protected regional park covering 13,200 hectares, including the Oasi la Valle wetlands which are an important habitat for migratory birds. There are eight public beaches, and some good waterfront fish restaurants around the lake.
Water sports and boat trips on Lake Trasimeno
Various water sports are on offer, including sailing, windsurfing, waterskiing and wakeboarding. Or if you prefer dry land, the area is ideal for cycling, with a designated 'Lake Trasimeno cycle trail' between Castiglione and Torricella. You can hire a motor boat or join an organised boat trip to the islands in the middle of the lake.
Lakeside Castiglione del Lago
Castiglione old town sits on a limestone promontory on the western side of Lake Trasimeno. Enjoy a walk around the medieval walls of the Palazzo Ducale to the Rocca del Leone fortress, a great example of Umbrian military architecture. Enjoy lunch at one of the boutique restaurants, with their tables spilling onto the cobbled streets. Then take a stroll down to the water's edge, for an opportunity to swim in the lake or hire a pedalo or canoe and enjoy a view of the town from the water. A relaxed waterfront bar offers refreshments and snacks and there is a shady play park for the children.
Enjoy a gelato in Passignano sul Trasimeno
This pretty village is perched on the northern edge of Lake Trasimeno, so is the closest point of the lake to the property. Enjoy a stroll through the cobbled streets up to the castle which offers great views over the lake, then take a boat trip from the pier to Maggiore Island and follow one of the shaded walking trails that wind their way around the island to the church at the top. A small cluster of restaurants and shops nestle round the harbour and offer an ideal spot to enjoy lunch whilst watching the boats come and go. Back in Passignano, take a front row seat at one of the waterfront cafes with a gelato or a Spritz.
Nearby
Towns/Villages
| Mercatale | 10 mins | |
| Cortona | 40 mins | |
| Citta di Castello | 40 mins | |
| Perugia | 1 Hr | |
| Gubbio | 1 Hr | |
| Arezzo | 1 Hr 15 mins |
Airports
| Perugia | 1 Hr | |
| Florence | 1 Hr 50 mins | |
| Ancona | 2 Hrs | |
| Rimini | 2 Hrs 15 mins | |
| Pisa | 2 Hrs 30 mins | |
| Rome Ciampino | 2 Hrs 30 mins | |
| Rome Fiumicino | 2 Hrs 35 mins | |
| Bologna | 2 Hrs 35 mins |
Train Stations
| Tuoro s/Trasimeno | 30 mins | |
| Camucia | 40 mins | |
| Perugia | 55 mins | |
| Chiusi | 1 Hr 5 mins | |
| Arezzo | 1 Hr 15 mins | |
| Siena | 1 Hr 20 mins | |
| Florence S.M.N. | 1 Hr 55 mins | |
| Rome Termini | 2 Hrs 50 mins |
