History lovers will enjoy staying at Gens Flavia, a modern and artsy apartment located in the historic centre of Spello – one of central Italy’s many charismatic towns located in Umbria. The Umbrian region is well known for its vibrant nature, bustling wine scene and picturesque villages, and this welcoming apartment is a great base for enjoying your stunning surroundings.
The one-bedroom property is a real hidden gem. As you step in, you’re immediately immersed in a marvellous mingling of colours – think corals, pinks and greens – adding a splash of fun to the otherwise laid-back space. With a homey living room overlooking the dipping hills of the Chiona valley, you’ll never be short of amazing views.
This apartment is a treasure trove of vintage delights, tastefully decorated with art and eclectic touches throughout. After a long day, relax into the cloud-like sofa or nap on the king-size bed – the bedroom is finessed with heavenly throws in pastel shades and with wooden furniture adding a sense of modern-day bohemia.
The inviting terrace is located on the lower level with the bathroom and is the absolute highlight of the apartment. Perfect for a morning coffee or an afternoon aperitif, it has potted olive and citrus trees as well as strings of lights creating a lovely ambience when the night approaches. As the sun slips behind the horizon, watch with a glass of wine from the nearby vineyards before getting ready for dinner in one of the many authentic trattorias below. A garden of 360sqm shared with the other owner's unit (La Camerata) is at guests' disposal. It's close to the apartment and enjoys mesmerising views of the Chiona Valley.
One of the best-preserved medieval towns in the region with an excellent restaurant scene typical for robust Umbrian cuisine, fine wines and historic buildings, Spello is the ideal base for a romantic getaway from which to discover the extraordinary region also known as the ‘green heart of Italy’.
Venture outside of the city to soak up the magnificent views and breathtaking landscapes of the surrounding hills. The Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini offers many walking trails among peaks up to 2,476m as well as rich fauna, flora and medieval hilltop towns to admire. The rolling mountains of the Monte Cucco Park located only a one-hour drive away are a part of a tranquil nature reserve fantastic for hiking and paragliding.
When you wish to explore more historic places, take a scenic 15-minute drive to Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis. Climb up the massive UNESCO Basilica of St. Francis to see its 13th-century frescoes portraying the life of the Italian saint as well as the crypt which houses his tomb.
Among the other lovely cities dotted around the undulating hills is Perugia, known for its defensive walls built around the historic centre and the Priori Palace that exhibits regional art from the 13th century onwards.
Terni is located an hour’s drive away while the famous hill towns of Orvieto as well as Todi, Gubbio and Montepulciano are also within easy reach.
During spring and summer, why not escape the blazing Italian sunshine and head to the closest city on the Adriatic coast, Ancona? The capital of the Marche region, it has many sandy beaches where you can spend the day.
