Tucked away in the hills of Umbria is unspoilt hideaway, Palazzo Terranova, a sanctuary from the stresses and strains of everyday life created by Brits Sarah and Johnny Townsend.
The pair have managed to achieve the impossible, a hotel which feels as relaxed and comfortable as home yet still manages to make you feel spoilt. To say that it is unique is an understatement. It took six years to restore the former farmhouse, which commands a view of the Umbrian hills and valleys that is unparalleled.
After braving the pot-holed, dusty track which winds its way up to Terranova you're greeted by two lovable black labradors closely followed by a King Charles Spaniel, who lavish you with so much affection you're instantly won over.
In fact you'll be won over by pretty much everything at Terranova. Even finding your room is a delight, clicking up the flights of stone stairs you get peeks of lounges which are located at the centre of each storey and are full of over-stuffed sofas, piles of books, exquisite local art work, vases of flowers and even a piano on one floor.
All the bedrooms are individually decorated with their own quirky style. Verde is the honeymooners' delight, painted green (Sarah's pun) with a four-poster iron bed complete with heart swirls, beamed ceilings and views so good they look like paintings when the shutters are flung open. The bathroom has the same jaw-dropping view, so you can gaze at the Umbrian hills from your tub.
Meal times here are very special, not just because of the location but also because of the quality of the food. It's all very relaxed, you simply wander down when you wake and help yourself to whatever has been laid out on the kitchen table. This is likely to include delicious home-made bread with fresh honey, fruit, cheeses and cereals. Lunch can be taken at the house, in the grounds or by the swimming pool.
The swimming pool needs a special mention as it's one of the world's best. Perched at the tip of the hill above the main house, it is reached by a little dirt track which causes even the fittest guest to break into a sweat. It's well worth tackling the steep climb however, as the infinity pool which greets you with panoramic views of the surrounding hills is sensational. To add to the glamour of it all, there's also a pool house with fridge stocked full of wine and water and even sun tan lotion and towels.
Dinner is either al fresco beneath the stars or taken in the art-festooned dining room. It's all good quality, tasty Umbrian cuisine, such as tomato and garlic bruschetta, chicken in rosemary, roasted peppers and sublime desserts.
The villa is very isolated, so if you want to take advantage of the nearby countryside and visit some of the ancient villages nearby, such as Cortona, then it's best to hire a car during your stay. However, many people are content to chill out at Palazzo Terranova and drink in the glorious surroundings.
Die-hard romantics can marry at Palazzo Terranova, weddings are arranged on an individual basis and Sarah will take care of everything from flowers to menus. Ceremonies tend to take place in the rose-filled gardens followed by a candle lit reception.
The only problem you'll encounter here is that you simply won't want to leave. It's been known for honeymooners to book for a couple of nights and then end up cancelling the rest of their trip and lazing around Terranova, after all when you've found somewhere this good, why would you want to give it up? A gushing entry in the guest book sums it up; "Thank you for letting me share your piece of paradise."
Honeymoon factfile: Chic Retreats (020 7978 7164, www.chicretreat.com) offers Palazzo Terranova from £203 per room per night, based on two sharing. For vehicle hire throughout Italy call Hertz reservations (08708 448844, www.hertz.co.uk). A lead in price for four days' car hire from Milan Bergamo Airport starts from £81.50, payable locally, including unlimited mileage, cd players, theft protection, service charge, road tax and VAT. Flybe (08705 676676, to www.flybe.com) offers regular flights of to Milan Bergamo Airport and other locations all over Europe. Climate: It can get very hot in the summer months of June to August, with temperatures hitting the high 80s and 90s. If you're looking for warm weather without the blistering heat, April and May, and early autumn are particularly pleasant times of the year to visit all areas of Italy.
