IT’S hard to believe now that just a couple of weeks ago, I was in Italy with my little family.

As I sit here going through the hundreds of photos (!) and look outside my window at another grey day in Blighty, I can only wish I was back in beautiful Umbria enjoying the glorious Italian sunshine.

I was sent to Italy by the wonderful Bookings For You. A company that specialises in luxury accommodation in Italy (and beyond) and one whom I have been proud to work with previously.

It is – dare I say it – an absolute dream come true to work with this brand. Travelling Italy and staying in beautiful places? Yep if I wasn’t me, I’d kinda hate me too! *winks*

Believe me, I know how fortunate I am.

After previously staying in Northern Italy, this time Bookings For You sent us to a region I had never heard of. To Umbria, known as the ‘Green Heart of Italy’.

I’ll be telling you more about this breathtaking region in a future post, but I can tell you know, I’m smitten with the place! (Just wait until you see the places we visited!)

But for now, I want to share with you where we stayed!

This is the beautiful Umbrian property we stayed in, as guests of Bookings For You. The very homely and incredibly lovely Casale Marroggia.

The property is an old traditional Umbrian manor house -that was lovingly restored and converted over a decade – and has a number of apartments of different sizes.

We were very kindly invited to stay in a ground floor two bedroom apartment.

The apartment was everything you would hope for, as a young family.

It was modern and stylish yet comfortable and homely and packed full of Italian rustic charm with original features like stone walls and old beams.

The living room and dining kitchen were bright and airy, full of thoughtful touches such as reed diffusers, magazines, blankets to curl up on the sofa with and charming crockery.

Whilst the bathroom had a real ‘hotel feel’ with it’s generous supply of toiletries and slippers.

Our bedroom was also beautiful.

Cosy, chic and comfortable, the bed was a little slice of heaven and we even had doors which opened to our very own outside area. Great for parents who want a little alone time when the kids are in bed!

Whilst Elsie’s room was probably the cutest room I have ever seen(!), decorated simply and tastefully with the prettiest bedding (much to her delight!) and minimal furniture.

The property itself is set in stunning grounds and you can tell that great care has been taken to make the outdoor area as pretty as possible.

Each property has it’s own designated outdoor eating area and there’s even a swimming pool – which although covered over for our stay because it was too cold – would be heavenly in summer I imagine, in the famous Umbrian heat!

The space was fantastic for children, Elsie being one of many, who enjoyed stretching her legs and having a good run round, collecting a little flower or two on her way!

Besides being full of rustic character and lovingly decorated, I must also mention that the property is superbly located from which to explore the area, with many of the region’s most famous and historic towns being just 15-30 minutes away.

It’s also less than ten minutes from the nearest town and supermarket.

All in all, it’s safe to say we absolutely loved our stay at Casale Marroggia!

Oscar, the owner, was a delight to chat to, incredibly helpful about where to visit and even made Elsie’s Easter by kindly leaving her a surprise giant Easter egg which we discovered after a busy day out.

How thoughtful and generous is that?!

Would I stay again at this beautiful place? In a heartbeat. Should you? Abso-bloomin’-lutely!

As the Italians would say, this place is ‘bounissimo!’

Many, many thanks to the wonderful Bookings For You team and Oscar at Casale Marroggia for making our Easter so special and giving us a holiday we will never forget!

If you’re looking for stunning, family friendly accommodation in Italy, please do check out Bookings For You and their superb collection of luxury yet purse-friendly holiday properties.