Most holiday homes around Lake Trasimeno sit out in the countryside, where every coffee and every dinner means a drive. Casa Monte is different. It is a restored townhouse inside the medieval walls of Panicale, one of Umbria's loveliest hill towns, a minute's walk from the piazza. You park the car outside the walls and leave it there. This is village life, from the inside.

Our family first came to Panicale in 1997. We bought Casa Monte in 2004, restored it with great care over a year, and it has been our special place ever since. Now we share it with guests who want to live the village, not just visit it.

THE HOUSE
Set across three levels, the house blends old stonework and timber beams with thoughtful modern comfort. The open-plan kitchen and dining room is made for food lovers: a gas stove and oven, a dishwasher, and wine glasses for every occasion. Cook with fresh local produce, pour a glass of wine and gather around the table for a long, laughter-filled meal. Afterwards, settle into the leather sofas with a book, a film or simply the stillness of an Umbrian evening.

Three bedrooms sleep up to six:
- Bedroom 1 (top floor): a serene king bedroom, with its own staircase up to a mezzanine (in Italian, a soppalco) with views across the valley.
- Bedroom 2 (top floor): a flexible room with a king bed beneath a towering antique mirror. It can be set up as two king singles, perfect for families with two young children.
- Bedroom 3 (ground floor): a quiet queen suite with an ornamental fireplace, antique furniture and its own ensuite (shower and toilet), ideal for anyone who would rather avoid the stairs.

The main bathroom has a deep soaking tub with views across Panicale's rooftops. There is also a separate toilet. You'll find fast Wi-Fi, a large dining table that doubles as a desk, an HDTV with Apple TV, a Bosch washer and dryer, and hydronic heating that keeps the house cosy in winter. Linens and towels are provided, and a cot is available on request.

THE VILLAGE
The real luxury is where the house sits. The barista knows how you take your coffee. The grocer tells you what's fresh. You might stumble into a concert at the little theatre just down the street, or join a procession without planning to. It's a minute's walk to the restaurants Lillo Tatini, Ristorante Masolino and Il Gallo nel Pozzo, two minutes to Rastrello and the village grocer, and the bars Bar del Gallo and Caffè della Piazza sit in the sunny piazza even closer. Walk in off the street to stand before a Perugino fresco, or stroll the lane around the walls for views across the countryside.

Lake Trasimeno, Cortona, Montepulciano, Pienza and the Val d'Orcia are all easy day trips. Come home in the late afternoon, then join the village for aperitivo in the piazza.

YOUR WELCOME
Mario, who looks after Casa Monte, meets every guest at the door, shows you around and hands over the keys. He's happy to answer questions about the house and the village. Before you arrive, Jules shares her favourite restaurants, walks and day trips, the itineraries our guests keep telling us about.

Check-in is between 1pm and 6pm, and checkout by 10am. Because Mario welcomes everyone in person, times are flexible by arrangement.

GETTING HERE
Many guests hire a car, and we're happy to help arrange one. Cars can't enter the historic centre, so you park just outside the village walls (there is usually free parking near Porta Fiorentina) and walk two or three minutes to the house. If you're coming by train, the nearest station is Chiusi-Chianciano Terme, with connections to Rome (about two hours) and Florence (about an hour and a half). There are taxis at the station, and a car hire office right across the road, where we can arrange a car for you in advance.

GOOD TO KNOW
- Casa Monte is a historic townhouse on three storeys, with stairs between floors. There is no terrace or garden; the views are from the windows.
- Summer at Casa Monte: like many homes in Umbria's medieval villages, Casa Monte has no air conditioning. Its thick stone walls hold the cool, the two upstairs bedrooms have ceiling fans, and pedestal fans keep the air moving. In July and August the village keeps the old rhythm: shutters closed by late morning, a long lunch and a rest through the afternoon heat, then everything thrown open in the evening as the piazza comes alive. In a heatwave it can still be warm inside, so if you need air conditioning to sleep well, we'd gently suggest spring or autumn, when Umbria is at its loveliest.
- Winter stays: November to March is quiet, golden and ideal for longer stays, remote work or writing. Ask about weekly and monthly rates.
- Registration code (CIN): IT054037C24T034814

We are Steve and Jules, from Melbourne. Our son Monty had his first birthday and first school in Panicale, and Casa Monte is always waiting for us to come home. We hope you'll love it too.