Griffin's Resort

Arriving somewhere in the evening isn’t much fun, but I soon forget about my tiring journey when I started my adventure off by driving through the hills to arrive at this traditional working farm and hotel nestled among 87 hectares of vineyards and olive groves. Griffin’s Resort is an old building which has been renovated by combining tradition and modernity to create the perfect holiday destination.

Before heading to ‘San Michele’ restaurant for an authentic Italian meal, I spent an hour or two lazing by the pool, allowing the permeating lavender smell to completely relax me. If you’re feeling a bit more active, take a refreshing dip or even try out aqua aerobics – don’t worry, the bellisimo views will distract you so you won’t even feel exhausted. I then wandered over to the restaurant for a superb three course meal. Surrounded by the comfort of leather sofas, soft lights and elegant stone walls, the dining room offers a refined and typically Umbrian atmosphere – the ideal location for a romantic dinner and a few glasses of wine on a warm summers evening. You can also choose to enjoy your banquet sitting in the veranda, with beautiful views of the sun setting in the rolling green hills. The food itself expresses a proud link to the region but is prepared with imagination and experience to create surprising combinations, using the fresh raw materials grown on the farm and perfectly complimented by the taste of the wine produced in the vineyards.

After supper, I curled up with a book on one of the cosy sofas in the lounge, where I discovered fascinating facts and stories that enlightened me about the local area and let me think about the endless possibilities that the next day might bring. I wandered up to the superior bedroom with its modern amenities including a rainfall shower, a hot tub, a satellite TV and high speed wi-fi.  Griffin’s Resort has thought of every tiny detail to make for a truly pleasurable stay, allowing you to escape from the stresses of the real world and remember how amazing nature is.

After waking up from the supremely comfortable king sized bed, I freshened up in the unique rainfall style shower.  You couldn’t ask for a better way to start the day than with the marvellous gourmet breakfast. Nibble on homemade breads, preserves, cakes and tarts or try some fresh fruit or juice from the garden. An assortment of cold cuts, eggs and local cheeses will also be on offer for you to enjoy in the midst of the colourful and fragrant trees in the veranda.

Perhaps spend the rest of the morning browsing the pamphlets and written materials provided about the area to help you organize your day. The friendly staff will provide you with all the information you need about what activities are on offer: horse riding, garden visits, wine tasting and tours, cultural visits, yoga and massages to name just a few. There’s something to satisfy everyone so the rest of it is entirely up to you.

I’ve tried my best to paint a picture of this exquisitely Italian farm, but the only real way to discover its beauty is to experience it for yourself. I can’t promise you that it will remain unspoiled forever though, so my advice is to get in there quickly before it’s too late.