ITALIARENTALS

An organised trip for a girls’ long weekend in the Umbrian countryside

Escape with the girls for a long weekend to the green heart of Italy, and enjoy a slice of La Dolce Vita in the beautiful Umbrian countryside.  Our tailor-made tour takes you on a cultural, culinary and sartorial trip where you can learn to make pasta like mama, savour the regional treats of truffles, pecorino and grechetto, possibly take in the designer outlets on the Prada strada, and ponder your purchases with a spa treatment and a poolside dip amidst the Umbrian hills.   

You will stay in a traditional farmhouse, Casa Ilci, just 15 minutes from the beautiful city of Todi, and well placed for your road to the designer outlets just south of Florence.  The house itself oozes character and rustic charm, and has plenty of space to accommodate up to 6 people, with 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a large lounge, 2 kitchens and a glorious garden full of pine trees.  The terrace is the perfect place to sip an Aperol spritzer and take in the panoramic views across the Umbrian countryside.   Our typical itinerary includes the following, but can be adjusted according to your travel times and specific requirements and of course, season.:

Thursday – Arrive to Perugia on the morning Ryanair flight from Stansted, and collect the rental car from the small and perfectly formed airport, just a 25 minute drive from Casa Ilci.  Upon arrival to the house, enjoy a refreshing, post-flight drink and typical Italian nibbles on the terrace before an alfresco lunch in the nearby city of Todi.  Cooking with nonna begins in the late afternoon, where you will learn to make pasta and a traditional Umbrian dessert at a local agriturismo.  Pay attention, as you will be sampling the fruits of your labour, with a glass (or two) of home grown wine from the local vineyard.  

Friday – Set out early on the road to Prada, the retail outlet in Montevarchi, just a 90 minute drive from the house (directions provided).  Grab your ticket from the Prada machine, and then enjoy a café latte and delicious pastry from the Prada café whilst discussing tactics (we will offer up some secrets to securing the best deals!).  If your shopping fix is not exhausted at Prada, grab a quick salami baguette, and head to The Mall, just a 25 minute journey away, which has many more designer shops, including Gucci, Marni, Tods….and even Prada (but the first is the biggest and the best!).  Head back to Casa Ilci after the Euros are spent up for a wonderful dinner under the stars at one of Todi’s best restaurants, followed by gelato in the piazza if you have the energy!

Saturday – Time to relax with a spa treatment at a local hotel followed by a dip in the pool and, weather permitting, a spot of sunbathing with magnificent views across the grape vines towards Todi.  Lunch is served at their elegant restaurant, renowned for its wonderful, crisp white wine.  Relax in the sun for the afternoon.  Or perhaps take a cultural walking tour of Todi with our local agent, who will fascinate with Etruscan-Roman and Medieval tales of this beautiful walled city, with its incredible architecture and picturesque piazza.

Sunday –Spend your last few hours soaking up the last of La Dolce Vita, and perhaps a quick dash to the local supermercato to stock up on Baci chocolate and jars of Tartufo for the folks back home (or just for yourself…you deserve it!).  Take the Ryanair flight back and be home by tea time, ready to enjoy a bowl of hot truffle pasta and a glass of vino whilst strategizing your next girls’ holiday!