Things to do
Walking, hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, golf
The countryside around Martinozza di Sopra is incredibly unspoilt and unused - and is teeming with wildlife (deer, wild boar, porcupines, hares, toads, owls to name but a few). A guide to local walks is provided at the house. More serious hikers/ mountain bikers could try the 116 km Lake Trasimeno cycling trail.
Sightseeing, culture and history
The house is surrounded with them! Pian di Marte (the Plain of Mars, named after the Roman God of War) and Lake Trasimeno were key locations in 217 BC, when Hannibal and his elephants took on the Romans and various other local placenames appear to be testament to the carnage (Ossaia - the place of bones and Sanguineto - the place of blood, for instance). Cortona - about 40 minutes away - is a must. It is lovely with plenty of art, history, cafes, restaurants, pretty views etc. Perugia, Arezzo, Siena, Assisi, Chuisi, Gubbio, Sansepolcro are all within a hour's drive. All beautiful. Florence is about 1.5 hours away.
The world-reknowned Umbria Jazz Festival takes place every year in July (10th to 19th July 2009). And the Perugia Chocolate Festival takes place annually in October (16th to 25th Oct 2009).
Shopping
Although this is most definitely rural Italy and not Roma or Milano, there are some real shopping gems. Umbertide - a very pleasant little town about 30 minutes from the house, for example, is home to Anelli and Pagelli which are (not cheap) but rather fantastic shoe and clothes shops, respectively. They are both just off the main square in Umbertide. And if you like your labels, various outlet shops - including Prada, Gucci, Dolce and Gabbana - are about an hour's drive towards Florence. And there are huge fun antiques markets at Arezzo and Perugia once a month.
Sailing, boating, other watersports
Lake Trasimeno, at 128 square km, is the largest inland lake on the peninsula of Italy and, although it never gets very deep, it provides the opportunity for watersports of all kinds. If you don't want to get wet, you can take a ferry to Isola Maggiore from Passignano. Why not go for lunch? Several of the restaurants cook excellent freshwater fish during the Summer months. (In the Winter, you'd do better to take a picnic!)
Eating and drinking See Food and drink
Prefer to just relax? See Gardens and pool, House, Food and drink......Some visitors never leave the house!