Holiday home in Paciano

La Follia is a restored Umbrian farmhouse. It is just outside the small hill-top town of Paciano. The town is on the border of Tuscany and Umbria. The house is surrounded by olive trees and is near a quiet road. It is a few kilometres from Lake Trasimeno. The house enjoys splendid views of the surrounding landscape. The interior of the house is very well-kept and attractive. It is divided over two floors. There is a garden and a terrace. There is plenty to enjoy in the nearby area. This includes swimming in Lake Trasimeno, walking in the hills and visiting the many small, picturesque villages and towns, such as Paciano. The historic cities of Siena, Assisi and Perugia are all well worth visiting.

=> Boat trips to the 2 larger islands in Lake Trasimeno – Isola Maggiore (embark at Castiglione del Lago) and Isola Polvese (from San Feliciano) – both islands are rustic and unspoiled but have beaches where you can swim plus a few places to eat and drink. => Spending time by/in/on Lake Trasimeno – nearest (and best) lakeside place is Castiglione del Lago, which has 2 sandy beaches and a choice of activities such as swimming, pedaloes, sailing and beach volleyball. => The old part of Castiglione del Lago on its promontory for good views across the lake – these are most panoramic from the ramparts of the triangular mediaeval fort or “rocca”, which can be accessed (small charge) via the Palazzo della Corgna (occasional cultural exhibitions and concerts here too); in the central space within the “rocca” is an open-air cinema => Monte Cetona and the villages on its flanks – this mountain is 1150m high, so is good to climb (no ropes required), offers extensive views over Umbria and Tuscany and below it there is the prehistoric “Belvedere” cave system; the prettiest village is San Casciano dei Bagni (spa complex and thermal springs nearby); the village of Cetona is worth a visit too, being built around a grand piazza (choice of antique shops and ice-cream parlours) => A walk from La Follia into Paciano via the ridge that runs above the valley between our house and the village – for keen walkers, keep above Paciano and stay on the high ground all the way over to Panicale via the tree-covered top of Monte Petrarvella => The Etruscan museum in Chiusi Alto => Day-trips to justifiably popular places such as Siena, Assisi, Orvieto, Arezzo and Montepulciano+Pienza. Florence and Rome can be visited for a day, but really require a stay of 2-3 nights for their proper appreciation. These are just the crème de la crème for anyone interested in Italian architecture and culture – the list could go on…. Gubbio, Perugia, Spello, Spoleto, Bevagna, Todi, Citta della Pieve… => In the evening, if you want to do more than eat in or eat out, there is 10-pin bowling and a multi-screen cinema at Querce al Pino (close to A1 exit for Chiusi), or the Rocca Cinema in Castiglione del Lago; in summer Paciano and other villages have lots of festas, so music and dancing can be found in or near Paciano most weekends.