Villa Dardano

About this property

Whether seeking a holiday with family and friends in Italy or a romantic Tuscany wedding venue, this magnificent 17th century residence allows you to step back in time in the most beautiful surroundings with views towards the hilltop village of Cortona.

Follow the footsteps of royalty and dignitaries who have attended gala dinners at this historic villa which dates back to the early 1600s. Having recently undergone a sensitive restoration, up to 18 guests can stay at Villa Dardano across its nine bedrooms upstairs, many featuring original frescoes, four-poster beds and marble bathrooms, two with luxurious jacuzzi baths. A wealth of original features can be found from treasured tapestries and chandeliers to antique furnishings and terracotta floors alongside modern touches including air-conditioning.    

The Tuscan ambience of warmth and elegance continues downstairs across the vast living space with vaulted ceilings, archways, chic sofas, antique billiards and a long dining table for the most delicious Tuscan feasts, ideal if you wish to hire a chef for a special meal. You may prefer to dine al-fresco by the stone-columned gazebo, set within the 6000m2 enclosed estate. With flowering oleander, inviting lawns, terracotta pots of lemon trees as well as century-old trees, the gardens are truly enchanting, not to mention the impressive swimming pool.

Embrace the beauty of nearby Cortona, reached within a 10-minute drive, as you admire its medieval lanes, Renaissance buildings and Etruscan remains as well as the captivating scenery which inspired Frances Mayes’ ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’. Umbria’s Lake Trasimeno is also a short distance away, perfect for a day out walking, cycling, picnicking on lakeside shores or enjoying boat trips – don’t miss the picturesque lakeside towns of Castiglione del Lago and Passignano sul Trasimeno.

Elsewhere, sample the prestigious wines of Montepulciano, try pecorino in Pienza, enjoy delicious Umbrian fare in Perugia or discover charming osterie in Arezzo. For a truly spectacular day out, you could even venture to Siena, Florence or even Rome in this enchanting region of central Italy.

Villa Dardano enjoys a countryside location in southern Tuscany, just a short drive from the idyllic hilltop village of Cortona, famed for its fascinating Etruscan heritage and the setting for Frances Mayes’ ‘Under the Tuscan Sun. Here you can enjoy the beauty of Tuscany whilst also being very close to Lake Trasimeno and the Umbrian border.

Surrounded by glorious landscapes of olive groves and vineyards, spend time discovering the historic charm of Cortona (4.8km) with its winding lanes, historic sites and incredible vistas from its hilltop position. Admire medieval and Renaissance buildings as you stroll along its cobbled streets, visit the town’s exquisite churches and climb up to Fortezza del Girifalco for more amazing scenery. Learn all about Cortona’s Etruscan past at the Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca.

Other gems of southern Tuscany include Montepulciano (30km), known for its Renaissance palaces and prestigious Vino Nobile wines, and the medieval hilltop town of Pienza (44km), now classified as a unesco World Heritage site. The grand city of Arezzo (33km) is also within easy reach and certainly worthy of a visit for its beautiful architecture and stunning main square, Piazza Grande.
Even closer to home, crossing the border into Umbria, the shores of Lake Trasimeno can be reached within 10km. It’s a paradise for nature lovers, walkers, cyclists and beach-lovers with its pretty lakeside beaches perfect for picnics, seasonal watersports and summer swimming. The medieval lakeside towns of Castiglione del Lago and Passignano sul Trasimeno are a joy to explore and there are boat trips across the lake and to the little islands.

If you can find the time, Perugia (45km) is a wonderful University city in Umbria and a must for history, art and chocolate lovers whilst further artistic treasures can be found in Siena (70km), around an hour away by car. You could even visit the magnificent city of Florence for a superb day out, reached in a 90-minute drive or take the train (80-90 minutes) from the nearby station just a 5-minute drive away.

Accommodation

Villa Interiors (1052m)

Ground Floor

-    Entrance hall
-    Large reception area with sofas, antique billiard table and dining table
-    TV lounge
-    Kitchen, fully-equipped including dishwasher, oven, kettle, toaster, microwave, blender and coffee maker
-    Guest WC
-    Staff WC

First Floor

-    Living room
-    Bedroom 1 with double bed and en suite bathroom with bath and hydro-massage shower
-    Bedroom 2 with double bed and en suite bathroom with hydro-massage bath and shower
-    Bedroom 3 with twin beds and en suite bathroom with shower. This bedroom is on a mezzanine level reached via a spiral staircase from a lounge area
-    Bedroom 4 with double bed and en suite bathroom with bath. This bedroom is reached via the lounge area below bedroom 3
-    Bedroom 5 with double bed and en suite bathroom with shower
-    Bedroom 6 with double bed connecting to bedroom 7 with double bed and shared bathroom with shower

Top Floor

-    Living room
-    Bedroom 8 with double bed and adjacent bathroom with hydro-massage bath and shower
-    Bedroom 9 with double bed and en suite bathroom with shower and access to laundry room

Outside Grounds (6000m2, enclosed)

-    Swimming pool (15m x 5m, depth: 1m - 2m). Open approximately May to mid-October
-    Sun loungers and parasols
-    Gazebo with marble al-fresco dining table
-    Barbecue
-    Private chapel (part of the villa, accessed from outside)
-    Garden
-    Paved driveway and main gate
-    Parking  

Facilities

-    Wi-Fi
-    Heating
-    Fireplace
-    Air-conditioning (throughout excluding bathrooms)
-    TV
-    Board games
-    Billiard table
-    Mosquito nets
-    Hairdryer
-    Ironing facilities
-    Washing machine and dryer