With ICON Italy, we tell the story of Italy and the truest, most authentic sense of hospitality experienced in the most iconic villas from our exclusive portfolio. We’re ready to embark once again on a journey of holiday homes, breathtaking locations, but above all, emotions; doors that open, rooms that speak, windows that frame landscapes, and most importantly peace – a word that today, more than ever, represents the deepest dream and desire of everyone seeking authentic Italian villa holidays.
We’ve begun again where everything breathes more slowly: Umbria. A region with the voice of the wind, the scent of pine trees, and the rich colour of green that lingers even with closed eyes. After all, Umbria, though less renowned than its cousin Tuscany, is – and will always remain – Italy’s green heart, perfect for a villa rental and authentic Italian experiences.
If you missed the first season, there’s still time to discover the origins of this villa holiday journey 🔗 here
Day 1 – Arrival and Slow Living
We arrived at Casale The Place on a late May morning, with air already warm but gentle. June was knocking at the door… The driveway opens onto the living stone of the farmhouse villa, framed by manicured hedges and trees that seem to have been there forever. The first sensation is one of silence, but you find yourself listening almost without realising… As if nature were whispering something in our ear, something we cannot miss: the first of many secrets this Umbrian villa holds.
We set down our suitcases and immediately went our separate ways. Each of us found our own corner naturally, spontaneously. Others remained to walk barefoot across the tiles of the living area, letting themselves be caressed by the golden light streaming through the large windows. Others opened the bedroom shutters to breathe in all that green. Some sat in the garden with a book, never really beginning to read, whilst others succumbed to the enchantment of the view over Todi.
Casale The Place is an icon of the ‘healiday’ – an invitation to slow down, recover, and take care of oneself. The interior spaces are enveloping and measured, furnished with contemporary taste whilst never losing connection with Umbrian tradition. The kitchen is the heart of the home, with its clean lines, natural materials, and carefully chosen details. The living area opens onto the terrace with views: here, during the central hours of the day, light breaks across surfaces and offers colours worthy of an artist’s palette.
We lunched outside, under the pergola. A simple lunch, like all true things: bread, cheeses, fruit, chilled wine. And then a moment’s pause, each at our own rhythm.
In the afternoon, the swimming pool called to us… And we responded, naturally! Elegant, infinity-edged, set like a reflection between sky and earth. Some swam, others let themselves float in silence, meanwhile some preferred the poolside for chatting with a glass in hand. Around us, only the sound of cicadas in this perfect Italian villa retreat.
Evening arrived slowly. A lavender-coloured sky, a peach-coloured sunset. We cooked together, laughed heartily, shared a little of ourselves. Casale The Place, at night, fills with soft voices, with chatter and laughter under the stars.
Day 2 – Small Rituals and Grand Landscapes
The following day began with coffee sipped in the garden, bare feet on grass still fresh with dew. The scent of morning in Umbria is unmistakable: it speaks of woodland and freshly baked bread.
We decided to explore the surroundings, without haste. A walk along the green paths that open up not far from the villa, amongst olive trees and small vistas that look like postcards from authentic Italy. Some stopped to photograph, others to contemplate. Each found their own rhythm amidst nature in this perfect Italian countryside setting.
In the afternoon, we returned to the villa. One of us chose to read in the shade of a large tree, another prepared a playlist and let music fill the rooms without drowning out nature’s sounds. Some stopped to photograph, others to contemplate. A few took notes, while others simply observed, letting images and new sensations settle. And then, once again, all together around the pool for a final toast to life, to the truest Italy, to this villa that welcomed us without filters, and to this project that surprises and fills us with love every time.
A Journey That Speaks to the Present
ICON Italy starts afresh from here.
From the need for authentic spaces, slow experiences, genuine beauty, and peace. With Emma Villas, we respond daily to a desire for travel that has evolved: today, those who choose an exclusive villa holiday seek a deeper connection, bespoke time, a sanctuary to truly inhabit.
Casale The Place was our fresh beginning. Now we’re ready for the next destination. Puglia awaits us.
