Agriturismo Borgo Malvà

Borgo Malvà is at vocabolo Tiberio, number 31, in open countryside in the municipality of San Venanzo, province of Terni, on the volcanic land between Monte Peglia and the Tiber valley. It lies in the northern part of the municipal territory, the part that looks towards Todi: the portal puts it about three kilometres from the Teatro della Concordia in Monte Castello di Vibio, and the house gives Todi as ten kilometres away, Monte Peglia nine and a half and the volcanoes and volcanological museum of San Venanzo thirteen. Umbria airport is about fifty kilometres away. Without a car it is awkward, but reception arranges transfers with a chauffeur service.

How it is laid out

It is an organic farm stay born in 2021 from the idea of Laura Ventura, who runs it in person. The name comes from mallow, the soothing wild herb, and sums up the house's intention: organic, reuse of materials, few units and plenty of privacy. There are five apartments, called Il Soppalco, La Torretta, Studio Monte, Valle and Irene, created in the stone buildings of the hamlet, with exposed beams, terracotta, salvaged furnishings and kitchens in alcoves. Il Soppalco is a forty-five square metre two-room unit on two levels, Irene has a kitchen, a bedroom, a private bathroom, a living room and an outdoor patio, and the others are more compact units facing the garden. All have air conditioning and heating, and one is fitted out for guests with mobility difficulties. Outside there are the lawn, the patio with iron tables and free parking. Breakfast, home made, is the thing guests mention most often. In the evening you dine in the dining room with a seasonal menu built on wild herbs and the farm's organic produce, but it must be booked by midday of the same day.

The wellness area and the pool

Here the word spa should not be used, because there is no wellness centre. There is no sauna, steam room, whirlpool tub, relaxation room or treatment cabin: neither the house nor the portal mentions them. What does exist is a holistic massage by appointment, together with taiji lessons, workshops on essential oils, incense and natural cosmetics, cookery courses and walks to identify wild herbs. There is only one body of water: the outdoor pool, facing the hills, from which on clear days you can see the Sibillini mountains and the Gran Sasso. The area is open from nine to eight, has sun loungers and a set of rules posted at the entrance. The property does not state that it is heated or covered, so it is best to consider it a fine-weather pool. Among the bookable activities there are also horse riding, wheel-thrown pottery, electric bicycles, guided walks and tastings in the cellar.

The access rules

The booking portal classifies Borgo Malvà as an adults-only property and writes that children are not allowed, without giving a minimum age in figures. Nor does the official website publish one: the house, that is, does not say from what year upwards you may sleep here, and anyone travelling with a minor should ask for written confirmation. Pets are not allowed and smoking is not permitted. The hours are those of a house run by one person: arrival between 16 and 18, departure between 8 and 10, and for different times you have to make arrangements.

Who it suits

It suits anyone looking for a quiet, little-travelled Umbrian countryside, anyone happy to eat what grows around the house and anyone who appreciates attentive but discreet management. It suits less anyone who wants a spa with a sauna and steam room, anyone travelling with a dog and anyone moving about without a car.