Villa Pia country house. Image courtesy of Villa Pia.
Villa Pia looks wonderful. It’s a 15th century manor house in the Umbrian village of Lippiano, Italy, where you can stay with your children. Villa Pia offers all-inclusive luxury family holidays in child-friendly accommodation.
I’ve been asked to write about Villa Pia and the more that I research and read about it the more I wish that we’d gone there when my children were small and still needed a babysitter. If you have young children it seems to me that Morag and Kevin, Villa Pia’s British owners, have thought of everything needed to create a welcoming, relaxing holiday environment in a beautiful part of the world.
Accommodation
Let’s start with the accommodation. The rustic buildings look just as you’d like an Italian country house to look: they’re built of old stone, they’re a bit crumbly and they’re beautifully restored. The main house and its converted stables and barn have 17 guest rooms, each with a private bathroom.
Villa Pia bedroom. Image courtesy of Villa Pia
There’s also another building which has space for four families. If you go there with babies or young children I don’t think you’d need much luggage apart from clothes and nappies. Villa Pia provides cots, high chairs, waterproof covers for cots and beds, cot sheets and baby blankets, potties, baby food, fruit juice, bars for beds, children’s plates and cutlery and a microwave for heating and sterilising bottles.
Facilities
There’s not much chance of anyone getting bored at Villa Pia. The villa is set in five acres of grounds and has two swimming pools, a sand pit, a trampoline, an indoor soft play room and an adventure play area. There are slides, swings, pedal cars, bikes, push-along cars, soft toys, dressing up clothes, board games and toys for the pool and sandpit. There are sun terraces to relax on and enjoy the views and woods to explore and play in. There’s an all-weather tennis court and even a vineyard which produces wine for the villa. The one thing which Villa Pia doesn’t have – and I think this is great – is a TV. But it does have wifi.
Villa Pia pool. Image courtesy of Villa Pia.
Food
The food at Villa Pia is seasonal and locally sourced as much as possible and I bet it’s delicious. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the price of your stay and are prepared by local chefs. If you’re hungry between meals then you can help yourself to fresh fruit, yoghurt, bread, baby puree, tea, coffee, soft drinks and alcohol whenever you like. Everyone eats together at a long table in the dining room or on the terrace of the main house. (I like the sound of this but I guess you’d need to be happy socialising with the other guests at the villa for this to work for you.) There’s a children’s dinner for the younger ones at 6pm and then the adults can take their time enjoying a four course meal while the kids are looked after by English-speaking babysitters. Perfect!
Activities
Guests at Villa Pia can use the on-site babysitting service so that they can enjoy beauty treatments, adult cookery classes, Pilates, yoga, wine tasting and more. There are also cookery classes and art classes for children. Villa Pia staff can organise cycling, horse riding, hiking and farm visits for you.
Nearby
The village of Lippiano looks like just the kind of place I like to explore in Italy. It has a 10th century castle, a playground a football pitch and a local bar with homemade gelato. It’s in Umbria but close to Tuscany. Arezzo, Florence, Perugia, Pisa and Siena are all within striking distance if you fancy a day trip to somewhere amazing.
Villa Pia map. Image courtesy of Villa Pia.
Cost
A week at Villa Pia including meals and drinks costs from £540 per adult, £230 per child between the ages of 2 and twelve years old. Children under 2-years old are free if they’re sharing a room with their parent.
This really does sound to me like the perfect place for a family holiday with young children. What do you think? Would it work for your family?
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Villa Pia.
We stayed in Villa Pia a few years ago. It was an amazing holiday, so relaxing (considering we had a 2 and 4 year old), a wonderful setting, incredible food and they had thought of everything that parents of small children might need and more. Our little ones were busy making new friends, playing with the toys, eating the amazingly tasty food and we could actually sit down and relax a bit too – in fact, do the same that they were doing. Our 4 year old (who is now 6) still talks about it and wants to go back. I am currently looking for a similar type place, either in Italy or somewhere else in Europe that I could go….has anyone any ideas?
It does sound lovely there. I don’t know of anywhere with s similar set-up but will let you know if I hear of anywhere.
I’ve heard great things about this place too – sounds wonderful for a fab holiday with young kids.
Sarah Ebner recently posted…When Things go Wrong on Holiday: a supposed trip to Mount Teide, Tenerife…
This looks lovely and I do like a bit of Italy…it’s around this time of year I start yearning for the sunshine, good food and lovely people!
Globalmouse recently posted…My Pop-Up City Atlas – book review
I ‘d love to stop in a villa .
Great blog post
Ninja cat recently posted…Silent Sunday January
OOh a place in Italy sounds idyllic especially in tuscany. I think i’m going to put on a wistful holiday type film now and pretend I’m there. Better still I think i’m going to take a look at some flights! x
Lori recently posted…DIY TWO TONE TOY STORAGE BASKETS
Oh Greta. I am in such need for a sunshine break somewhere, This has me desperately wanting to visit. Oh this looks like just what my family needs
Jen aka Muminthemadhouse recently posted…Feee kids coding lessons
This is exactly the kind of place I think of when I’m thinking of Tuscany. I’ve been lucky enough to visit this region a few times, I’ve stayed in an agriturismo which was amazing and very similar to Villa Pia.
Mari recently posted…Disney On ice – Magical Ice Festival – NEW DATES!
That is stunning and it sounds so child friendly too – we have always fancied Italy, we may have to have a look into this accommodation!
Mummy of Two recently posted…Focus #ThePrompt
This looks lovely, I would love to travel more x
You Baby Me Mummy recently posted…Tired Mummy Bingo
It does look lovely, and a warm welcome is so important when travelling with the family!
Sonya Cisco recently posted…Living In Limbo
Wow!! This looks like a fantastic setting for families!
Lucie Aiston recently posted…Sibling Rivalry
This sounds amazing, definitely a place I’d like to visit! xxx
How lovely. you’re making me yearn for some sunshine and that pool!
Emma (My Little 3 and Me) recently posted…DIY Bird Feeder Craft For Kids
It looks like the perfect idill to escape to, and a babysitting service too!! Heaven. The area looks really pretty and I love the style of the house too, thank you for sharing such a sunny holiday destination on such a dreary day here! 🙂
My Family Ties recently posted…Floral Friday – My Family Ties
It looks amazing and fantastic to have onside babysitters available.
Would definitely be out of our budget though
Clare Nicholas recently posted…Cleaning the Cleaners!!
We have friends who have gone there every summer for the last few years. They absolutely love it. I’ve seen photos of their kids in cooking class and playing in the grounds. The parents have also done day trips to Florence. We’ve been invited to join them but I always spent summer with my parents in the USA. If we didn’t, I would have gone to Villa Pia in a heartbeat.
Shobha recently posted…Artisanal Beadwork from the Ndebele Tribe
That’s lovely to hear – it does look wonderful. I’m not surprised that people go there every year!
Villa Pia certainly sounds delightful for families with little ones (who like socialising with other familieis on holiday). Do I take it though that you haven’t actually been there? Or certainly didn’t eat their food?
Phoebe @ Lou Messugo recently posted…Cruising the Danube
You’re right, I haven’t been there! I was asked to write about Villa Pia and I was happy to do so as it looks amazing and I used to live in Italy.
What an enticing post! Villa Pia does sound absolutely amazing for families and I’ve heard wonders about the food too. Thanks so much for the clear and informative read 🙂
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