Borgo San Biagio

This former medieval hamlet, provides excellent accommodation for one private group, with an unusually large, heated swimming pool. Located in rural Umbria, yet only a short distance to the Tuscan border, it is the choice of those who want to explore the best art and treasures of both areas.

There is nothing quite like Borgo San Biagio! Part of Umbria's extensive legacy of small, historic villages (borghi), this tiny hamlet high in the hills of verdant Umbria has been lovingly restored by Renato into a unique and lovely place to stay. He has cleverly retained its very special character and ambience, and the result is delightful. From the thousand year old, totally eccentric Renato's Tower, to the romantic bedroom area of The Priest's House, also complete with Jacuzzi bath - each property is uniquely original.

Comfort is a priority, whilst retaining historic original features. The extensive private grounds surrounding the Borgo provide privacy, as well as making it ideal for walkers and nature lovers, wishing to explore the surrounding woodland. Renato has been careful to give each property its own garden area with shade of umbrellas for peaceful reading, or outside dining, and views from all areas, and particularly those from the Renato’s Tower hot tub area are spectacular.

The large heated pool is, wonderfully enticing even on the coolest morning. The converted Chapel is a peaceful retreat for a read or card game and/or excellent den for children. A totally informal, and very laid back cosy “borgo dining room” sitting area/pool bar, complete with kitchen and cool drinks, creates an almost ‘club’ type atmosphere for a private group. Whilst guests will be reluctant to leave this idyllic spot, the temptations in cooler weather of visiting the plethora of Italy's most famous artistic treasures, all within easy reach,is irresistible. Whether making forays into Tuscany, or exploring Umbria, boredom is never an option.

Those with young children will adore this magical place. Taken as a whole by a private group, the Borgo is an amazingly original venue, ensuring each group’s privacy whilst providing two separate covered or al fresco areas in which to meet,wine and dine.

Renato, the owner who lives a few kilometres away, remains unobtrusive, but is always on hand to ensure his guests are happy and contented. Nothing is too much for him. He will arrange a wedding breakfast for honeymooners, a barbecue and pizza evenings for a private group, horse riding in the surrounding hills, a trip to the local spa, or even a truffle hunting expedition in the surrounding area in winter!

His pride in the hamlet, local knowledge, and enthusiasm is reflected in the complimentary comments in the Visitors Book. "A most serene place to stay: wonderfully traditional and homely". Visitors have shown nothing but enthusiasm for this very special place.

Room Description

Separate Cottage - Casa di Venere Sleeps up to 4 - Renato's favourite, set below the Tower.

Double bedroom • Shower room with Jacuzzi shower • Double bedroom with steps down to bathroom with Jacuzzi bath • Kitchen/dining room with sitting area • Dining terrace.

Casa del Contadino - Sleeps up to 4 - Ideal for two couples or a family, outside access from both floors.

Kitchen with dining area • Twin bedroom (can be double) • Shower room 

First Floor: Sitting room with sofa bed (stone steps to outside) • Double bedroom • Shower room.

Il Forno - Sleeps up to 3 - with a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Sitting area with sofa bed • Shower room • Kitchen with dining area 

First Floor: Double bedroom. Bathroom.

Casa del Prete - Sleeps up to 4 - accessed through the enclosed courtyard. Kitchen • Sitting room • Twin bedroom (can be double) • Shower room

First floor: Double bedroom • Bathroom with Jacuzzi • Study with sofa bed.

Casa del Castagno - Sleeps up to 3 - with private terrace

Sitting room • Kitchen/dining area • Double bedroom with bathroom en suite • Single bedroom/study • Shower room.

Renato's Tower Sleeps up to 2 - a wonderfully eccentric and romantic place!

Entrance Hall

First Floor: Kitchen with dining area

Second Floor: Study area.

Third Floor: Double bedroom • Shower room

Fourth Floor: Sitting room. Shower room. Steps to roof top terrace with hot tub.

The Chapel

Shared sitting room • The Chapel can also be used for wedding blessings.

The Club

Shared dining room with kitchen and outside access to terrace with shaded dining area and barbecue.

Facilities

Each Cottage

Dishwasher, Microwave (on request), TV, CD Player, Fans (on request)

Shared Facilities in Chapel

Satellite TV, DVD Player, Telephone, Fax, A portable computer is provided for guests’ use and links up to (fairly) High Speed Internet. There is also a WiFi system, which reaches from the chapel area to part of the garden, including an outdoor table.

Other Shared Facilities

Utility room, Large Barbecue, Dining room with kitchen

Utility Room

With 2 washing machines, 1 dryer

Shared Heated Pool

6m x 18m. 1.2 - 1.6 m deep with built-in steps. Pool towels. The pool is open from mid May until mid September. Outside these dates, the pool can be opened on request for an extra charge. Pool heating costs are included in rental up to 25 degrees.

Tower Pool

Hot tub: 2m x 2m.

Welcome Provisions Included

A welcome gesture to offer you a drink after your journey; tea or coffee and biscuits, wine or juice and a snack. They are not sufficient for an entire meal. Owners will also generally leave a few other items to get you going such as some salt, sugar, oil, bin bags and toilet paper.

Food Hamper

Can be arranged for an additional cost and €30 service charge payable locally. For guests who are arriving late or who recognize they may be delayed and arrive with no time to do shopping. Shops are shut on Sundays, so the aim of the Food Hampers is to provide two light meals and two breakfasts, to allow guests to go out for one meal, then do more shopping on Monday. We can adapt these hampers to take into account allergies, dislikes and dietary requirements, or according to whether there are children in the party.

Cook Service

You may wish to avail yourself of the services of a cook while you are on holiday, allowing yourself the luxury of not having to prepare a meal, but at the same time not having to drive back from a restaurant in the dark (and being able to drink as much as you please!).

The owner of Borgo San Biagio has renovated the lower part of this mediaeval hamlet, to create a beautiful communal kitchen/dining area, with old oak beams and an open fireplace for chillier weather; a patio in front, looking down onto the pool, is ideal for eating outside.

Guests may avail themselves of these facilities, if they wish to cook meals together with other guests; or they may order in advance a fixed price meal, prepared the cook team at Borgo San Biagio, consisting of Renato himself, his wife Luciana and the maids, who all enjoy cooking extremely good local dishes for clients.

During the week, meals will usually consist of four simple courses, but do not include the cost of wine, which clients may buy at the Borgo (from Renato’s cellar, called “Casa di Bacco”) or bring themselves.

For the Arrival Weekend, the maids will cook and serve a two-course meal on Saturday, and either come back and do the same on Sunday or leave something to be heated up.

Large groups will obviously eat together in the dining area; small groups can be accommodated at individual tables in the dining room, or, exceptionally, meals may be taken to them in their villas.

Alternatively, when there are large groups, the owner might be able to hire the services of a professional "pizzaiolo", who will make pizzas in the special wood-burning pizza oven; or, if you wish to enjoy yourselves and learn something, the owner's wife and the cooks will give a cookery class to a minimum of 6 adults, with the remaining guests joining the “students” for the very special meal cooked by them!

Shopping

We suggest you stop on the way to Borgo San Biagio and shop for ‘basics’ and food for breakfast on Sunday and Monday morning.  Most shops will be closed on Sunday, though the small shop attached to the bar at San Leo Bastia, just five minutes by car from the Borgo, is open at odd hours, including Sundays in emergencies. However, if you are arriving late (planes can be delayed), we recommend you order a Food Hamper (covers breakfasts, two light meals and drinks). which will be adapted to the number in your party (further details in the Travel Directory).

Booking
CV Travel charge a one-off booking fee of £20 for the arrival weekend (if booked on its own) or the pizza evening (if you only book this) or £50 for any four-course meal, any cookery class, or any more than one meal in a week. This is payable in advance to CV Travel London.

Please bear in mind that the arrangements outlined above are an extra goodwill service organized by CV Travel, who cannot guarantee that the cook will always be able to prepare meals as requested. Should the cook become unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances, you will be refunded CV’s booking fee.

Prices

a) Full four-course evening meals (hors d’oeuvres, first course, second course, dessert)  Available Monday – Friday.

Cost: 35 Euro per person (children under 10 half price) per meal, to include cost of food, but not wine; to be paid locally to the owner

b) Arrival Weekend: Saturday and Sunday – two-course evening meals.

Cost: 25 Euro per person (children under 10 half price) per meal, to include cost of food, but not wine;  to be paid locally to the owner.

c)  Special cookery class and meal: Cost to be agreed locally, but usually this would cost 100 Euro plus the usual evening meal cost of 35 Euro per person.

d) Pizza evening: Minimum 10 persons. Costs depend on numbers: 30 Euro per head, including beer/soft drinks for 10-15 persons.  16 persons or more, 25 Euro per head. Children pay the same as adults.

CV Representative

An English speaking CV representative in Italy will visit you and will be available by phone during your stay. Contact details will be sent with your travel documents.

Linen and Towels

Provided once per week on Saturday and changed twice a week. Extra changes are available on request for an additional charge).

Maid Service

Up to 1.5 hours per day, 2 days per cottage per week.

Tenancy Times

Tenancies commence at 16:00hours on the day of arrival and villas are to be vacated at 10:00hours on the day of departure.

Activities

Table tennis table

Your Location

Airports

Florence 150km, Pisa 200km, Bologna 220km, Rome 250km, Perugia 55km.

Amenities

Small shop at San Leo Bastia 4km, local shopping/ restaurants at Calzolaro 9km, other restaurants at Citta di Castello 20km, large shops, tennis at Trestina 15km, watersports at Lake Trasimeno 35km, golf at Ellera di Perugia 60km.

Mainline Station

Terontola 35km.

Places of Interest

Citta di Castello 20km, Umbertide 20km, Cortona 30km, Sansepolcro 40km, Gubbio 45km, Perugia 55km, Arezzo 55km,Assisi 70km, Todi 100km, Siena or Spoleto or Orvieto 110km.

CV Representative • CV Exclusive • Owner Managed • Available All Year