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Elegant & Comfortable Tuscany Farmhouse Villa in Cortona Italy

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Front of Il Rifugio
Gazebo
View from front yard
Pergola
Path to swimming pool

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms5+ bathroomsSleeps 10325.2 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Hot tub
  • Dryer
  • Fireplace
  • Washer
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Cortona, Arezzo
  • Piazza della Repubblica
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Villa Bramasole
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Lake Trasimeno
    ‪22 min drive‬
  • Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi – Umbria Intl. Airport (PEG)
    ‪63 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

5 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Bidet · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 4

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 5

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 6

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Elegant & Comfortable Tuscany Farmhouse Villa in Cortona Italy

Vacation in a Renaissance Painting at Il Rifugio...

where you will enjoy privacy, serenity, and spectacular views. Unwind in this 17th-century farmhouse on 64 acres of gardens, fields, woodlands, and centuries-old terraced olive groves.

Il Rifugio is comprised of a stone farmhouse and 64 acres of private land. The house is situated on the edge of an ancient olive grove located above the village of Montanare in the community of Cortona in Tuscany, Italy. Cortona is just 10 minutes away by car. The house can accommodate 10 people in 5 bedrooms.

There are two charming buildings: one is the main house, which has ten rooms plus 4-1/2 bathrooms, and the other is a small cottage, a few steps from the kitchen, with a laundry room and a bedroom with a bathroom.

Upstairs in the main house are four bedrooms: a master bedroom with a double bed, en suite bathroom, and a second bedroom with a double bed and en suite bathroom; two other bedrooms with en suite bathrooms each with single beds that can be made up as doubles; and a common sitting room with a fireplace.

Downstairs is a large kitchen with a fireplace, a separate walk-in pantry, a dishwasher, a five-burner stove with two ovens, a refrigerator, microwave, toaster oven, American coffee machine, enough pots and pans for cooking gourmet meals, and an outdoor pizza oven. Also downstairs is a half bath, sitting room, formal dining room, and a living room with a large fireplace fitted with a cast-iron wood-burning stove.

The cottage has a laundry room with a washer, dryer, and deep sink, and a bedroom with two single beds and an en suite bathroom. Il Rifugio can comfortably accommodate up to ten people, with ample space for privacy. There is plenty of garden furniture and a pergola on the spacious stone terrace for eating or relaxing outdoors, with spectacular views of the surrounding olive grove and the rural valley below.

Utilities are included in the rental price. Of course, the house is completely cleaned and supplied with fresh towels, soap, bed linens, and basic supplies before you arrive and every week. Additional maid service during the week can be arranged at a minimal cost depending on the number of guests. Additional services, such as private city and winery tours, Tuscan garden tours, private in-house dinners, cooking classes, wine or olive oil tasting, etc., can be prearranged at the time of booking.

PLEASE NOTE: Il Rifugio only rents by the week from Saturday to Saturday.

Keywords: Villa, Farmhouse, Casa, House, Home

Property manager

Chuck Ofria

Languages

English, Italian

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events are allowed on site
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

We should mention

All guests, including children, must be present at check-in and show their government-issued photo ID card or passport
Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed USD 5000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Cortona

Located in Cortona, this villa is in a rural area and in the mountains. Santa Maria delle Grazie and Giuseppe Garibaldi Memorial are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Trasimeno and Val di Chiana. Travelling with kids? Consider Naturalistic Oasis La Valle, or check out an event or a game at Autodromo dell'Umbria. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Cortona, Arezzo

What's nearby

  • Cortona Cathedral - 12 min drive - 9.5 km
  • Signorelli Theatre - 13 min drive - 9.9 km
  • Piazza della Repubblica - 13 min drive - 9.9 km
  • Villa Bramasole - 15 min drive - 11.9 km
  • Lake Trasimeno - 22 min drive - 20.8 km

Getting around

  • Camucia-Cortona Station - 25 min drive
  • Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi – Umbria Intl. Airport (PEG) - 63 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Osteria dell'Accademia Tuoro - ‬25 min drive
  • ‪Hotel Oasi Neumann - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Casale l'Antico Carro - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Trattoria Il Buttighino - ‬22 min drive
  • ‪Albergo Ristorante La Corte dei Papi 5 Stelle - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Elegant & Comfortable Tuscany Farmhouse Villa in Cortona Italy have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Elegant & Comfortable Tuscany Farmhouse Villa in Cortona Italy pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Elegant & Comfortable Tuscany Farmhouse Villa in Cortona Italy?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Elegant & Comfortable Tuscany Farmhouse Villa in Cortona Italy?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Elegant & Comfortable Tuscany Farmhouse Villa in Cortona Italy located?

Located in the mountains, this family-friendly villa is within 6 mi (10 km) of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Signorelli Theatre, and Museum of the Etruscan Academy. San Domenico Church and Giuseppe Garibaldi Memorial are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 16 out of 16 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 16 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 16 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 16 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 16 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Gina G.

Home away from home - in Cortona, Italy
Il Rifugio is located just outside of Cortona (less than 10 minutes). The owners, Chuck and his wife, Shirley, have taken care to make Il Rifugio a home away from home - wherever you may have come. The location of the property makes it a great home-base for day trips around Tuscany - however the beauty and tranquility of the property makes it easy to just “stay at home”, relax and unwind with friends and family. The large kitchen is equipped with anything you need - and the herb garden makes for amazing touches to any meal. Each of the five bedrooms has it’s own bath with toilet, sink and shower (the master also having a large tub). Most of the rooms can be set up with either a queen or two singles - making it perfect for our group of ten adults. There are multiple large seating areas around the house, both inside and out, allowing you to make any meal special. WiFi is strong throughout the house - including around the pool - making it easy to stay connected to work...or post those amazing sunset pictures to whatever social platform you like to share. A fully functional washer and dryer (and clothesline) make it easy to pack light for a week in paradise. There is no shortage of amazing views - the 65 acre property includes hundreds of olive trees and grape vines, and, located high on a hill, a breathtaking view of the valley as the sun falls. (You can also purchase wine and olive oil - made from the fruit of Il Rifugio.) Shirley is an established chef who created some wonderful meals for our group. She also showed the patience of a saint as she led seven of us through an AMAZING Italian cooking class. Chuck was quick to respond to any requests, inquiries, etc. He provided recommendations for restaurants, day trips, etc. He also set up two local wine tastings and an olive process tour and meal. We all look forward to a return trip in the not too distant future - and will be recommending Il Rifugio to all of our friends and family looking for an amazing place to stay in Central Italy.

10/10 Excellent

Tamara C., Atlanta, Ga USA

A home away from home - in Cortona, Italy
Il Rifugio is located just outside of Cortona (less than 10 minutes). The owners, Chuck and his wife, Shirley, have taken care to make Il Rifugio a home away from home - wherever you may have come. The location of the property makes it a great home-base for day trips around Tuscany - however the beauty and tranquility of the property makes it easy to just “stay at home”, relax and unwind with friends and family. The large kitchen is equipped with anything you need - and the herb garden makes for amazing touches to any meal. Each of the five bedrooms has it’s own bath with toilet, sink and shower (the master also having a large tub). Most of the rooms can be set up with either a queen or two singles - making it perfect for our group of ten adults. There are multiple large seating areas around the house, both inside and out, allowing you to make any meal special. WiFi is strong throughout the house - including around the pool - making it easy to stay connected to work...or post those amazing sunset pictures to whatever social platform you like to share. A fully functional washer and dryer (and clothesline) make it easy to pack light for a week in paradise. There is no shortage of amazing views - the 65 acre property includes hundreds of olive trees and grape vines, and, located high on a hill, a breathtaking view of the valley as the sun falls. (You can also purchase wine and olive oil - made from the fruit of Il Rifugio.) Shirley is an established chef who created some wonderful meals for our group. She also showed the patience of a saint as she led seven of us through an AMAZING Italian cooking class. Chuck was quick to respond to any requests, inquiries, etc. He provided recommendations for restaurants, day trips, etc. He also set up two local wine tastings and an olive process tour and meal. We all look forward to a return trip in the not too distant future - and will be recommending Il Rifugio to all of our friends and family looking for an amazing place to stay in Central Italy.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Peter and Jean
Excellent country location close to Cortona and other Tuscan destinations in a well manicured, aesthetically beautiful villa. We were there during their olive harvest and were able to go to the mill and witness the pressing of extra virgin Tuscan olive oil....the best in all of Tuscany. The villa is spacious with no detail overlooked. At sunset the view from the patio overlooking the valley was absolutely stunning. In our twelve trips to Italy "Il Rifugio" was by far the nicest place we have stayed. We would definitely return for another visit..
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Dan M.

danfly
Excellent and well organized and laid out retreat. This is the place to stay if you want a view, multiple outdoor and indoor meeting, eating and relaxing spaces, swimming pool and a kitchen for home cooking or chef prepared meals. The view is incomparable and can be accessed from many different rooms and bedrooms. For small or large groups this is the place to be.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

WOW! What a wonderful retreat!
This house is fantastic!! We visited for one week in September with some friends and we had the best experience ever! Especially enjoyed the outdoor patio and it's magnificient view! The house is quiete. is very well located, has a beatiful pool and landscape and is an excellent value for the location. The owners and the manager are very helpful, the place is very well mainteined and clean. The stay was truly incredible and we'll definitely be back.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Eric B.

How do you say amazing in Italian.
This is the spot. Would be triple money a week in US. Everything you need and all you've imagined. Don't look any where else. Rent this place. Bring family or friends and enjoy.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Lisa W.

A Most Amazing Tuscany Adventure!
I finally made it to Tuscany! I have been wanting this trip for over 5 years. A villa in Tuscany with friends. Il Rifugio could not have been any more perfect of a setting, an experience or an adventure. The villa is beautifully appointed and will not disappoint. Every last detail has been thought out and provided. The kitchen had everything (and more!) than we needed. And we cooked and prepared food for 10. The living areas were graced with spectacular views out of every window. The pool was so refreshing to cool down the summer days. The terrace was perfect for our evening meals and long chats over wine. I wanted an amazing Tuscan experience, and i got one. Thank you Chuck and Shirley for the food, the cooking class and for being most gracious hosts.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Bronwyn L.

Great wedding venue
Our family booked a week at Il Refugio to holiday but also use the venue as our wedding event on the Tuesday. It was magnificent. The house was exactly what we needed, luxury, space, beauty with wonderful indoor and outdoor areas to be together but also get away for a quiet read. The house is extremely well appointed with everything you could need, a magnificent kitchen and terraces with stunning views. The pool area is large and well equipped and although it was a bit cool to swim we spent a few hours lounging around in the sun on the sun beds. I would highly recommend this vacation retreat if you like to experience the Tuscan life at its very best.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Charles S., Mechanicsburg, PA

Intrepid Senior Travelers
We were a group of ten looking for a villa from which to explore the hilltowns of Tusany and Umbria. Starting our research we looked at quite a few that would work for us but Il Rifugio seemed to be the right fit. Although one never is certain until the arrival, we found the villa created by Chuck Ofria to be perfect for us. Approximatedly 6 kilometers from Cortona the villa sits on a hillside facing west affording magnificent sunsets. We spent almost every evening outside at one of many exterior tables drinking the best wine we ever tasted watching nature close another day. The interior provides a niche for everyone to find a good place to read, nap or find solitude if needed, while common areas provided opportunites to gather and reflect on the day or plan the next. Each bedroom has a bath providing privacy and convenience. The kitchen is equipped with all the necessary tools to put together a meal. Chuck is great to work with, providing suggestions for your stay including side trips, wine and olive oil tastings, meals at Cortona restaurants, and the best meal catered at the villa. If you are an occasional wine drinkers, Chuck will arrange a tasting in Cortona with Marco who will enlighten the most unsophisticated palate. Be sure to book a walking tour of Cortona early in your stay with Giovanni Adreani. He will educate and entertain about history and life in Cortona. If you are looking for a quiet retreat with all of the comforts of home but an opportunity to experience Tuscany this is the place. We returned home with a greater appreciation of the richness that is Tuscany. But do not come expecting the familiar. Open yourself to the welcoming arms of Tuscany. The people you meet will enrich your lives and leave you better world citizens.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Tony C., New York

The Best Trip Ever
This house has everything you need. We stayed for 2 weeks with 3 related families (6 adults and 4 kids under 11) and it was amazing. The house has so many wonderful touches and all the modern amenities. the kitchen is huge and has all the things needs to make great meals. The bedrooms and beds are so comfortable. The property is secluded and the views are breathtaking. We had so much fun cooking and swimming in the pool and enjoying the local town of Cortona. The owner, Chuck and his wife, were amazing hosts and helped us with anything we needed. This is a special home and place to stay and our families will never forget it so if you are looking for a place in Tuscany I doubt you can do better than Il Refugio.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

A Wonderful Week in the Tuscan Hills
Six of us (three couples) stayed for a week at Il Rifugio. June 1 through June 8. The house is over 300 years old, modernized throughout and not lacking any immenities with plenty of room for twice the number of adults. Room to roam internally and outside in the beautiful Tuscan countryside. An active olive grove and vineyard are just two highlights but also the beautiful pool. The group simply fell into a very relaxed, vacation state of mind. We made multiple side trips to cities in the region but made Il Rifugio our home base. It is located about 8 miles froSm Cortona, a lovely city that has everything we wanted or needed - great food, entertainment, culture, history and friendly people. The highlight of the trip for me and what made it most easy to plan and experience was the service by our hosts Chuck and Shirly Ofria. Chuck worked with me to plan our week and arrange for drivers and tours. He was great! His property manager Lucio was also terrific in checking us in and helping us get settled during the week. Great people, great house and in summary a great week. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Next time I would drive locally.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth R., Chicago

Perfect Tuscany Vacation
Il Rifugio was the perfect place for our family vacation. The beauty of the home and property is beyond words and has all the amenities of the best hotels. We enjoyed our day trips to Cortona, Sienna, Assisi, and Deruta; but had our most fun at home in the evening preparing dinner. We loved the night we made fresh pizza in the brick, wood burning, oven using fresh herbs from the garden. Our hike each day up to the lake in Umbria was a perfect morning workout. Thank you Chuck for being such a great host, and to your wife for the delicious dinner she prepared for us one evening!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Diane P., Chicago

I can't say it any better than the previous reviewers!
We were a group of 8 (and I might add some pretty picky people) who were all thrilled with the villa and our stay. The view, the villa, and the wine was all delightful. We too look forward to going back some day.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Old World Beauty with all the Conveniences!
Il Rifugio is a truly authentic Tuscan experience! The house and the property have been lovingly restored and maintained by the owners. From the beautiful stone walls, wood beams and decorative iron grates on the windows to the well manicured olive grove that surrounds the house, you feel like you've stepped into another time. Yet, this house has everything you could ever need including a beautiful, spacious kitchen, an authentic pizza oven, dishwasher, washer/dryer, etc. Even the lovely swimming pool is beautifully incorporated into the personality of the landscape. We were a group of 7 and spent a lot of time at the house sitting together, cooking and enjoying meals together, drinking wine, laughing and just enjoying each others company. Yet, if you wanted to slip away for private time, there were plenty of places to go to relax, read or just enjoy the beauty that is Tuscany. The location of Il Rifugio is ideal as it's a quick 10 minutes by car to the beautiful little hillside town of Cortona yet, when you're there, you feel like you're a million miles away from everything. It's a perfect place to use for a base camp for day trips to the chianti region, Siena, Florence and many other areas within a few hours ride. Chuck & Shirley are wonderful hosts and are so helpful with anything you need. This was truly the most relaxing and enjoyable vacation we've ever had!! We have and will continue to recommend Il Rifugio to anyone who is looking for a one-of-a-kind vacation experience!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Mel S., Chicago, Il.

Better than we anticipated!
We expected a unique and special vacation property but this exceeded our expectations both in terms of the home and property as well as the activities offered by the owner. The owner was very available to answer questions as well as the property manager who made reservations for us when needed. Since none of us speak Italian that was very helpful. The"extras" such as a tour of Cortona, a wine tasting in town, an extensive olive oil primer, and a tour of a local winery including a fabulous lunch were unexpected. We have done these things before on other vacations but never with the quality of people providing the tours. First rate!! The owner's wife is a gourmand chef and our only disappointment was that she was only available for two dinners. Really terrific and to be able to chat with them while dinner was being prepared really gave us a sense of what it would be like for Americans to live in Tuscany. The weather was cool and iffy so we were only occasionally able to use the outdoor spaces but what spectacular views of the Tuscan countryside...and the pool would have been amazing if the weather had permitted. However, just viewing the wine vineyards and olive bushes from our windows offered us a real sense of why people talk about Tuscany in such glowing terms. Would we return? We are already trying to figure out how to arrange it!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Angie D., Chicago IL

Guest
UNBELIVABLE!! Is the only word I can use to describe this property! If you close your eyes and imagine a postcard view of a Tuscan villa, rolling hills, cypress trees and olive trees. You have imagined Il Rifugio… this property is a must!! The owner and his wife go out of their way to ensure your stay is the best is can be.

About the host

Hosted by Chuck Ofria

Host profile image
In 1988 my wife Shirley and I decided to travel the length of Italy by train to Sicily where all of my grandparents were born. It was also a transition time for me as I was leaving the corporate IT world and starting a one person business as a software developer. The seed was planted on that train ride passing through the Tuscan countryside. The rural terrain spotted with old stone farmhouses in varying degrees of decay struck a deep cord within me. The dream faded away when I woke up upon returning from vacation and had a business to get up and running.

In 2000 I was getting tired of what I was doing and revisited my dream from 12 years ago. I came to Siana for about five weeks and visited a different town every couple of days. I finally decided on Cortona and came back in 2001 to stay for five weeks to get to know the area and confirm my previous feelings about the town and the area. I talked to some real estate agents to check out the market and have some properties to look at knowing Shirley was coming out later.

After looking at several properties we went to see a property we knew was outside of our budget. As soon as we walked on the property it was like getting hit in the chest with two open hands. I was physically taken back and instantly knew this was the property we have been looking for. We just looked at each other and said, 'whatever it takes...'

In 2001 we started the purchase process. In 2002 we finalized the purchase and started a cosmetic restoration. In 2003 we had our first guests. Splitting my time between Cortona and Santa Barbara got old, so in the Spring of 2005 Shirley early retired, I wound down my business, we put our house in Santa Barbara on the market and moved here permanently.

We were never running away from anything but rather running to something we found in Cortona. We very much like the culture, lifestyle and of course meeting and accommodating our guests. Any regrets? Yes. I wish I did it 20 years sooner.

Why they chose this property

What makes this property unique

Languages:

English, Italian