THE AREA
The immediate area is the perfect place to dine out and investigate the culinary prowess of a region renowned for its locally-produced wine and abundance of olives, truffles and wild mushrooms. Your first port of call might be to our favourite (and nearest) restaurant of Calagrana, an Agriturismo just on the other side of the valley.
Calagrana, run by Ely and Alberto, also organises great fun cooking courses in their restaurant, if you want to practise your own cooking skills, or we can organise cooking lessons from other local cooks in the house.
Umbria is also ideal for those wanting to combine relaxation with more active pursuits. It is one of the most beautiful areas of Italy with a fascinating history. Perugia, the region's capital, is a lively university town packed with artistic treasures and home to Perugina chocolate (so well worth a visit!).
The region contains a wealth of evidence of its varied past, from Etruscan through Roman, medieval and Renaissance times. Assisi, Perugia and Orvieto are artistic centres renowned worldwide. Our local towns are absolute gems with plenty of interesting shops, museums and restaurants to discover in Gubbio, Todi, Bevagna, Spello, Citta di Castello and many more.
Lake Trasimeno – central Italy’s largest lake – is also a great place to visit with an abundance of water sports, pretty beaches, lakeside restaurants and ferries to explore the lake’s many islands.
There are also the centuries-old potteries of Deruta, Gubbio and Gualdo Tadino to visit. And in the summer there are local music festivals offering classical, opera and jazz.
FURTHER AFIELD
Casa Matira’s Umbrian/Tuscan location makes some of the most beautiful and culturally rich artistic centres in the world an easy day trip – Florence, with its majestic Duomo immortalised by Brunelleschi and Donatello. Beautiful Siena with its famous square and Palio. Assisi, Lake Trasimeno, Sansepolcro, Arezzo and Cortona.
We had a wonderful time. Your house is beautiful and very well equipped for little ones. Restaurant Girasoli was exceptional and we were very well looked after. Antonella and your cleaner were very helpful please say thank you to them. Finally, thank you so much for all your help from start to finish. The contact and attention to detail from you has been fantastic. Best wishes.
Emma P.
We visited magical Casa Matira in early November and were blown away by the breath-taking views, enveloped in the peace of the Umbrian countryside.
The house was spacious, comfortable and beautifully furnished and the games room was a natural haven for our children.
We would go back to Casa Matira in a heart beat...
Heni G.
“ …the ideal location for relaxing and enjoying the coutryside”
“not recommended for recovering alcoholics”
“ask Rachel for advice as she knows everything about the area and places to visit and see”
Susie B.
