Lisciano Niccone, Umbria, Address available on request

Built in 1869, this stone house in the Umbro-Tuscan Niccone Valle was originally the home of farmers, to then later become the schoolhouse for the whole hamlet of San Martino, where it sits on the hillside.

The Niccone Valley offers hundreds of miles of quiet walking and trekking trails, centuries of art and culture, abundant wildlife and mountain cycling. A little further down the Tiber Valley, on its journey to Rome, lays Perugia, an Estruscan fortress city served by direct flights to London, Brussels, Catania, Malta and Tirana.

The modern valley hosts rolling vineyards and olive groves, along with excellent bars, bakeries, butchers and restaurants serving regional specialities, which can also be enjoyed at home thanks to numerous local farmers markets and supermarkets.

The old schoolhouse of San Martino was fully renovated in 2014 and offers on the first floor two double bedrooms with shared high standard bathroom, and a newly completed self-contained apartment downstairs. A gentle garden slopes downward toward the valley and counts mature fruit and olive trees. The roof was refurbished and a new chimney constructed. Modern, high efficiency appliances were specified throughout, and central heating has been installed on all levels.

The kitchen and dining area was custom-built by local craftsmen. The shelving unit and storage areas were constructed with timber reclaimed from restoration projects in other old houses in Umbria and Tuscany.

The lounge benefits from natural light and the large archway to the kitchen and dining room links these spaces to form an open, plan living area. A terrace runs along the front of the house, with splendid elevated valley, mountain, castle and forest views.

Like the upper floor, the basement flat has been recently renovated and offers a custom made cooking area, a modern bathroom, and a good-sized sleeping area. To the right side of the entrance to the apartment is another handy technical room used as a laundry or storage space.