Ciao tutti e benvenuti nel mio site. My name is Lisa Nanna DeNunzio. I am a second generation Italian American originally from New York who became fascinated with my Italian roots and history. After years of traveling to Italy, my husband, Arturo and I have purchased a farmhouse in Umbria.
Courageous or crazy?
Our first instinct was to buy a ‘city home’ in Firenze or Lucca that could be rented when we were at our home in Coral Gables. However, after looking at several properties in various locations in Tuscany it became evident that city living offered little opportunity for outdoor space (or much space) as well as precious little light. After living in Florida for the past 38 years la luce (the light) is an integral part of my existence and something I cannot do without. So after a disappointing start, we threw our net further afield and ventured into the countryside of Umbria to search for a place to live.

When we found Via dei Colli Realtors through Italy Magazine and we began our correspondence with Stefano, we had no idea where it would lead. Stefano began putting together a myriad of homes within our price range that my husband and I would visit when we arrived in Italy. He organized a trip, in giro (around) to visit several properties. As we disembarked the train from Firenze to Chiusi we were met by the gracious Stefano, a source of knowledge, comfort, assurance, and the principal of the company.

And so off we went. We drove the back roads of Tuscany weaving into Umbria and visited an apartment in Citta della Pieve. As lovely and scenic as this stone city was, we still felt the need for more light and green space. Then Stefano announced that a property which had been under contract had come back on the market. Even though it was larger than we had desired, it was priced well and certainly worth a look.

In Peter Mayle’s evocative memoir, ‘A Year in Provence’, Mr. Mayle writes

“We saw the house in the afternoon and had mentally moved in by dinner”

That was our reaction when we found Le Crete in Ficulle, Umbria. In short, even though we visited the house only one time and with an overcast sky, the view took our breath away. We simply knew it would be a wonderful home for our family to gather and make wonderful memories together.

They say it’s the journey that teaches you about your destination; and that the best part of the journey is the surprise and wonder discovered along the way.