Kim Hopkins pictured here with her son, Brady, in Umbria. “Italy is a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life.” –Anna Akhmatova.

 

 

 

KDHamptons Travel & Lifestyle Contributor, Kim Hopkins has had a lifelong love affair with Italy. She shares, “Like many firsts that remain fresh in our minds, I will never forget my first trip to Umbria: Its rolling green hills, miles of sunflower fields, gently winding country roads, and medieval villages that preside over flowering valleys along the Tiber River. Known as “il cuore verde d’Italia,” the green heart of Italy, it is the only region that neither borders the sea or another country. While Tuscany has been the more famous tourist draw, Umbria is still relatively peaceful, slower-paced, and authentic; a place where you can still chat to the local butcher and practice your Italian in the supermercato, without getting a raised eyebrow.” La Bella Vita may seem an easy concept to fold into, but navigating your way throughout the countryside can prove a bit more complicated. Kim shares her secrets to finding the perfect villa in Italy in this NEW KDHamptons Travel Diary, below:

 

 

 

Villa Palareto, outside of Cortona. [go to TuscanyNow.com]

 

 

 

Kim shares: For the past seven years, I have rented villas in Umbria, Tuscany, Rome, Florence and Lake Como. While I travel throughout the year, I always find myself looking forward to returning to Italy in the summer, to rejuvenate in thermal hot springs, explore Etruscan villages, and sip a cool Campari in the piazza. Heaven. A few of my favorite Umbrian cities are Orvieto, Assisi, Gubbio, and Spoleto. In Tuscany, I adore Cortona, Arezzo, and Montepulciano.

 

 

 

Kim Hopkins with her husband Steve at one of their past summer villas in Lake Como

 

 

 

The rolling sunflower fields of Arrezzo

 

 

 

Villa Palareto

 

 

 

So let’s get started. Renting a villa in any foreign country can be daunting, and often laborious. Although, if you’ve ever rented a home in the Hamptons, you know it’s not easy either! Finding a Hamptons house to rent is just half the battle….then comes all of the extra costs on top of the rental price: a huge security deposit that is often difficult to get back, landscaping/pool costs, A/C charges, housekeeping, and much more.

 

 

 

 

Villa Torre, Tenuta di Murlo‎, [go to murlo.com]

 

 

 

Brady navigates the way with his buddy, Lucas

 

 

 

In Italia, it is very easy, straightforward and fun, as long as you know what to look for. The listed price usually includes everything, except for a small security deposit that you get back in cash the day you leave, unless of course you’ve broken something. While most villas don’t have air conditioning in Tuscany and Umbria, the ones that do may charge for it, but the cost is minimal.

 

 

Charming Villa San Martino [myhomeinumbria.com]

 

 

 

Brady with his aunt Kelli (KDHamptons!), in Cortona

 

 

 

One of the best parts about renting your own villa is cooking up a storm with local ingredients like black truffles.

 

 

 

Eight Important Things To Watch Out For:

1. If you find a villa you like, search for it on other rental sites as well, by entering the location, price range, etc. Often, the same villa is listed on multiple sites under different names and with a different price. Some agencies have exclusive listings, so just ask.

2. As you look at the villa listings, make sure there are pictures of all of the rooms, especially the bedrooms. I always ask for pictures of the bathrooms as well. And be sure to ask if the bathrooms have tubs or showers, as many just have tubs.

3. Internet: Most listings will say there is internet available. This doesn’t necessarily mean that it actually works. Ask if there is Wi-Fi throughout the home, and if not, request additional hot spots in the desired areas.

4. Location: Be careful not to be charmed by a villa and forget to check the precise location. On all listings, the house location on the map is usually just the general area, not the exact position of the villa. Ask the owner/rep for the address, and how far to town, restaurants, market, etc. I have fallen in love with a few villas that were very remote, but grew weary of driving up and down a mountain 25 minutes to get groceries. The best villas are in a secluded, but not remote position.

5. Neighbors: I have never rented a villa close to neighbors. Don’t do it. The sounds of barking dogs and screaming children shouldn’t take the place of nature’s music. When looking at property photos, be sure the villa is isolated.

 

 

 

 

 

The view of Citta’ di Castello from our pool at Villa San Martino

 

 

6. Views: It’s natural to want an expansive view of the countryside, but sometimes this means a long, winding road up a mountain to get to it. There is also what the Italians call a “white road,” which is a bumpy, dirt road to us. Ask how long the white road to the house is. Could be a deal-breaker.

7. Bedrooms: All kings are not alike! A king bed in Italy is not what Americans know of as a king-sized bed, so ask. It is usually a queen or even a double bed. Most listings will now add the actual measurements of the beds to be clear, but double-check if not. Also pay attention to the number of beds and bedrooms. The listing will say “sleeps 10” but then may have only three bedrooms, meaning sleeper sofas, bunks, etc. are involved.

8. Don’t settle for a villa without a pool, well-equipped kitchen or internet. No A/C is fine if you are in the countryside, because there is usually a breeze from the valley, but if you are renting in a city during the summer, you must have air conditioning.
-Ask for a discount before booking. They will usually offer 5 or 10 percent off the asking price.

 

 

 

Parco dei Mostri, (Monster Park), in Viterbo, devised by architect Pirro Ligorio (left), and Civita di Bagnoregio, “The Dying City”‎, in Viterbo, 75 miles north of Roma

 

 

 

Magical Assisi

 

 

 

Keep these pricing details in mind:

-Villa rentals are by the week, from Saturday to Saturday. This is not flexible.

-Payment is generally half upon booking and the remainder 30-60 days before arrival.

– Depending on the villa owner or agency, payment can be made by wire or credit card (larger agencies).

-Agency commissions are built-in to the weekly rental cost. Renting directly from the owner will be much cheaper. (See below.)

-Rental price usually includes all utilities, final cleaning, internet, linens/towels.

-July and August are high season, and prices reflect that. The best villas typically book by January.

 

 

 

Brady paints in the lavender garden

 

 

 

Villa Palareto, near Castiglione del lago and Cortona. TuscanyNow.com

 

 

 

Here’s a list of my favorite rental agencies:
Tuscany Now
Home in Italy
ItalyPerfect
Homes in Rome
Homeaway.co.uk
VRBO.com [Villa Rentals by Owner], associated with homeaway.com. TIP: Always check this site before renting through an agency because villa owners will often list their property here, and list it with agencies as well. Renting from the owner will save you the commission fee.

* Other well-respected agencies are rentvillas.com and invillas.com, though I have not used them personally.

 

 

 

The magical views from Citta’ di Castello

 

 

 

Bella Umbria

 

Favorite Villas with Golf Course in Umbria:

Tenuta di Murlo (look for an upcoming travel diary on Murlo). An exclusive luxury estate on thousands of hectares, twenty minutes from Perugia. The most beautiful stone villas, pools and the 18-hole Antognolla Golf Course on property. www.murlo.com

 

 

 

Palazzo Antellesi, Florence. Book at Italyperfect.com

 

 

 

My Favorite Apartment in Florence:

Palazzo Antellesi Donatello, a landmark Renaissance palazzo, in the historic center of Florence, located in Piazza Santa Croce. Sometimes listed as Palazzo Santa Croce. Go to Italyperfect.com to view all of the apartments available. I always rent the three-bedroom #22 on Piano 2 (second floor).

 

 

 

Tiberio Deluxe apartment, Rome. Book on homesinrome.com

 

 

 

When in Rome:

Homes in Rome has fabulous apartments at affordable prices and their service is excellent. Go to homesinrome.com. I have rented the Tiberio Deluxe apartment, located on via Merulana, directly across the street from the beautiful Museum of Oriental Art. Two bedrooms, two baths, nice kitchen (not that we cook in Rome), fast internet and great A/C.

 

Avere una bella vacanza!!

**To see more of Kim’s Italian villas and luxury travels, follow her on Instagram @KimHopkins