0:00:02 > 0:00:0516 years ago, that incredible 13th-century Gothic cathedral
0:00:05 > 0:00:07was struck by disaster.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11The building and its priceless frescoes were nearly lost forever.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Find out what happened, and where I am, in just a moment.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36On today's show, we're helping a couple
0:00:36 > 0:00:39on a mission to put some 1,500 miles behind them
0:00:39 > 0:00:43by leaving Scotland to find their dream home abroad.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47And one property could see them going the distance.
0:00:47 > 0:00:48It's pretty impressive.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51I think I need to sit down now, to take that in.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53- I could cry! - So could I!
0:00:57 > 0:01:00Welcome to Escape To The Continent.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03I'm in Umbria, right in the heart of Italy,
0:01:03 > 0:01:05in the medieval town of Assisi,
0:01:05 > 0:01:10and behind me is the basilica of St Francis, one of the most
0:01:10 > 0:01:13important destinations on the Christian pilgrimage map.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17Now, in 1997, this town was rocked by two earthquakes,
0:01:17 > 0:01:19and the building was severely damaged.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21But thanks to two years of hard restoration work,
0:01:21 > 0:01:23it's been brought back to its former glory,
0:01:23 > 0:01:26and so, 800 years later,
0:01:26 > 0:01:29it still sits proud on top of the Hill of Paradise
0:01:29 > 0:01:33in homage to this region's rich history and breathtaking scenery.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39Lying in central Italy, Umbria's position makes it
0:01:39 > 0:01:42one of the few landlocked regions in the country.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45And what Umbria may lack in coastline,
0:01:45 > 0:01:49it most definitely makes up for with its arresting landscape,
0:01:49 > 0:01:52a verdant spectrum of countryside that has, quite rightly,
0:01:52 > 0:01:56earned Umbria its title as "the green heart of Italy".
0:01:57 > 0:02:00But the water isn't too far away, as the picturesque Lake Trasimeno
0:02:00 > 0:02:05in the north-west is the largest on the Italian peninsula.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08With all this as temptation, not forgetting the world-famous
0:02:08 > 0:02:12food and wine, it's not hard to understand why Umbria
0:02:12 > 0:02:16makes a particularly attractive place to set up home.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20But what is it about this area that's attracted our buyers?
0:02:20 > 0:02:23Let's meet them to find out.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26Umbria has been the prize destination in the eyes
0:02:26 > 0:02:29of Scotsman Stuart and his English wife Ruth
0:02:29 > 0:02:33ever since they chose Italy for the backdrop of their wedding in 2010.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38We met online about six, seven years ago, and got together,
0:02:38 > 0:02:42and we married, what, three years ago, I think?
0:02:42 > 0:02:45We got married in Italy, not too far from the area we want to live.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47We'd only been to the region just to plan the wedding,
0:02:47 > 0:02:51and by doing the wedding there, we just fell in love with Umbria.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54We've looked at many other places but keep coming back to Umbria
0:02:54 > 0:02:56as the place we want to live.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59And plans to jet off are already under way.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01They've just secured their cocker spaniel Bertie
0:03:01 > 0:03:04with his pet passport, and within the next week,
0:03:04 > 0:03:07they will have sold their current Linlithgow home, that lies
0:03:07 > 0:03:11in a small town just 20 minutes outside of Edinburgh.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15And that leaves the focus solely on their Italian relocation.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19The weather's fantastic. The food is amazing.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22The wine, the coffee, the culture and the scenery.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26Beautiful old hilltop towns. It's just a fantastic place to be.
0:03:26 > 0:03:31I love going to art galleries, but also I'm a bit of an amateur artist.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34And in Italy I'll get the chance to do all those things,
0:03:34 > 0:03:37to visit great art galleries, hopefully do a bit more painting,
0:03:37 > 0:03:40because I might have some more time to do lessons.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45But this move isn't simply an extended holiday.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48Both Ruth and Stuart need a regular income
0:03:48 > 0:03:51and, with the help of the internet, are hoping to maintain careers
0:03:51 > 0:03:54back in the UK.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57We can continue to work from any base,
0:03:57 > 0:03:59so that's why we thought, why not be in Italy
0:03:59 > 0:04:03and work from Italy rather than work from your home in Scotland?
0:04:04 > 0:04:07And when painting a picture of the ideal home office,
0:04:07 > 0:04:11Ruth and Stuart have a clear vision of what they hope to find.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15One of the important things that we need is a little back garden
0:04:15 > 0:04:18for Bertie, just a little bit of grass that's enclosed.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21We don't want to be too isolated or remote.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23We like the thought of being able to walk in for dinner
0:04:23 > 0:04:27or for a coffee or to get our groceries.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31We'd love a really old, traditional Italian house, stonework,
0:04:31 > 0:04:34nice, big terracotta pots with geraniums,
0:04:34 > 0:04:37that kind of idyllic Italian look.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39It certainly sounds magical,
0:04:39 > 0:04:42but of course finding that dream property comes at a price.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46Our budget for the move to Umbria is £200,000.
0:04:46 > 0:04:51We could possibly stretch that to £250,000 for the right property.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56Ruth and Stuart have now completed on their property in Scotland,
0:04:56 > 0:05:00so with time of the essence to find a new Italian home, they've arrived
0:05:00 > 0:05:04here in Umbria to meet me on the beautiful banks of Lake Trasimeno.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08So, tell me why you'd like to move to Umbria.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11Well, I mean, there's so many things. It offers so much.
0:05:11 > 0:05:16A quality of life, the views, the food, the value for money, as well,
0:05:16 > 0:05:19because it's a little bit cheaper than some of the other Italy regions.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22The great thing about here is you can get to Rome,
0:05:22 > 0:05:24you can get to Florence, so you can get a bit of city
0:05:24 > 0:05:26when you need it and you need some culture.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29Tell me about this property, then. Let's get to the nitty-gritty.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33We're really looking for two bedrooms and a study,
0:05:33 > 0:05:35or three bedrooms, because I'll obviously be working from home,
0:05:35 > 0:05:37so we need that flexibility.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40And because we've got a dog, we need a little bit of garden.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44And that's really the major criteria.
0:05:44 > 0:05:45We want something that we can live in.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47We're quite happy to do a bit of work.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50It wouldn't necessarily be me on the tools, but something
0:05:50 > 0:05:52that we can do something with would be good.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55So, I've got properties to show you.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59- One of them is the mystery house. Very exciting.- Are you ready?
0:05:59 > 0:06:01- Oh, yes.- Shall we go and crack on with it and see the first one?
0:06:01 > 0:06:04- Let's do it.- Follow me, this way.
0:06:05 > 0:06:10For an absolute maximum budget of £250,000, Stuart and Ruth
0:06:10 > 0:06:13hope to find a traditional-looking Italian home
0:06:13 > 0:06:16with at least two bedrooms, the potential for a study
0:06:16 > 0:06:19and a decent-sized garden for their dog, Bertie.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21They'd consider some minor renovations
0:06:21 > 0:06:25and want a location within walking distance of local amenities.
0:06:25 > 0:06:30And we've got a veritable variety of Italian homes to tempt our buyers.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33But they won't know what pounds or euros are involved
0:06:33 > 0:06:35until the end of each tour.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39Then we could be starting from scratch with our final option,
0:06:39 > 0:06:41the mystery property.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46And without further ado, it's high time we hit the road
0:06:46 > 0:06:48and headed for the very first property,
0:06:48 > 0:06:50which is in the village of Pucciarelli,
0:06:50 > 0:06:54less than a mile away from the shore of Lake Trasimeno.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57And Pucciarelli offers up a rural, tranquil pocket
0:06:57 > 0:07:02around the lake, framed by rolling hills and olive groves.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05And just a ten-minute walk away from the shops,
0:07:05 > 0:07:07we find our proposed house,
0:07:07 > 0:07:11whose origins are believed to span at least 200 years.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15- And this is the property. - It's lovely.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19Now, this used to be the hub of this little village.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21- That was the post office...- Yes.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24- ..and you can still see the postbox over there.- Yes.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27That was the hairdresser's. And that was the bakery.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30- You can see the old bread oven.- It looks absolutely lovely. Really nice.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32And, you know you wanted to be up high?
0:07:32 > 0:07:34Well, look at the view down there and turn around
0:07:34 > 0:07:37- and look through there.- Oh, really? - That's gorgeous, isn't it?- It is.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40- I think it's really pretty.- It is pretty, isn't it? Shall we go in?
0:07:40 > 0:07:42This way.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45'This is a historic property
0:07:45 > 0:07:48'that's been gently modernised by its English owners.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51'And what I'm keeping back from Stuart and Ruth is the fact
0:07:51 > 0:07:55'that this place is actually a house of two halves.'
0:07:55 > 0:08:00In you come. So, I've brought you to the upstairs part of the house.
0:08:00 > 0:08:05And this is where you'd be living. So, nice, open-plan entranceway.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08Come with me, I want to show you something else.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14Now, this is your lounge/dining area. Really decent size.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16Nice, high ceilings again.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20And the double doors over there lead out onto a gorgeous terrace.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24There's also a wood burner in here which warms up the entire flat.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26Yeah, I like it. I like the windows with the view.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29A good-sized space, with wooden beams. It's nice.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31Yeah, it's a good space. You could use it very well.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34- Do you want to see more? - Certainly do.- This way.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39Back off the entrance hall, there's a roomy kitchen/diner,
0:08:39 > 0:08:42a large family bathroom and two double bedrooms,
0:08:42 > 0:08:45one being used as a study and the other as a master,
0:08:45 > 0:08:49complete with built-in wardrobes.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52But I'm about to reveal to our buyers the ground floor,
0:08:52 > 0:08:55as this property is actually a detached proposition
0:08:55 > 0:08:59whose entire bricks and mortar are up for grabs.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04This would be yours, as well,
0:09:04 > 0:09:07as an entirely self-contained apartment.
0:09:07 > 0:09:12Huge kitchen/living area, fantastic brickwork arch.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14In there you've got a single bedroom -
0:09:14 > 0:09:16they've got a bunk bed in it at the moment -
0:09:16 > 0:09:18which you could use as a study.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21They've also got a double bedroom, a really big double bedroom,
0:09:21 > 0:09:24that they're using as another sitting room.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26And you've got a really decent-sized shower room.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28It's just got a lovely airy feel about it.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31Now, it's entirely up to you how you would use this.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35If you wanted to supplement your income, you could rent it out.
0:09:35 > 0:09:40And apparently, you can earn up to around £5,000 per annum.
0:09:40 > 0:09:41This is really nice.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44I didn't actually expect that we would have the downstairs as well,
0:09:44 > 0:09:46and having this is fantastic.
0:09:46 > 0:09:47It feels very spacious
0:09:47 > 0:09:50and very big. I can't quite work out what you'd use for what yet,
0:09:50 > 0:09:52but I'm sure we'll get an idea!
0:09:52 > 0:09:55- It's really charming, isn't it? - Yeah, it's quirky.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57'With a long-held dream to emigrate,
0:09:57 > 0:09:59'it's not surprising that it's Stuart
0:09:59 > 0:10:01'who seems the most enthusiastic,
0:10:01 > 0:10:03'although I'm not sure
0:10:03 > 0:10:07'the unconventional arrangement is working for Ruth.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10'And to meet their small-project aspirations, the old bakery
0:10:10 > 0:10:12'is being used as a workshop
0:10:12 > 0:10:15'but, with a little bit of thought, could be transformed
0:10:15 > 0:10:17'into more office space.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20'There's also Bertie the dog to consider,
0:10:20 > 0:10:22'and I think he'll be well catered for
0:10:22 > 0:10:24'in the mature and well-tended garden,
0:10:24 > 0:10:28'which also features a brick and timber double garage.'
0:10:28 > 0:10:30Isn't this special?
0:10:30 > 0:10:33It's perfectly big enough for Bertie, and having the car space
0:10:33 > 0:10:35and the garage to store things is brilliant.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39- What's the cost, in your opinion, Stuart?- Um...
0:10:39 > 0:10:41I think...
0:10:41 > 0:10:42250, 260.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45Maybe 245?
0:10:45 > 0:10:47- It's actually under your budget. - Really?
0:10:47 > 0:10:53Just under £200,000, by about a couple of hundred quid.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55Yeah, I'm surprised at that.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57- Mmm.- That's good value for the amount of house you've got.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59You get a whole lot of house for that, don't you?
0:11:01 > 0:11:05Hugely under the top budget of £250,000,
0:11:05 > 0:11:08this detached, characterful house is divided
0:11:08 > 0:11:10into two independent apartments,
0:11:10 > 0:11:13but, as a whole, offers four bedrooms, two bathrooms,
0:11:13 > 0:11:16two kitchens, and two spacious living/dining rooms
0:11:16 > 0:11:20overlooking a well-maintained garden.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23I'm someone that really thinks with their head, not their heart.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25Although the heart still counts.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27There's a good vibe, so the heart is happy.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29I like this house a lot. It's really spacious.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32It's got a lot of character to it. The outside space is lovely.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35The house offers everything on the list of what we wanted.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38The only thing we'd need to check out is exactly
0:11:38 > 0:11:40whether this is the location for us.
0:11:47 > 0:11:48Our next property takes us
0:11:48 > 0:11:51around six kilometres south of Lake Trasimeno,
0:11:51 > 0:11:56to Panicale, which is Ruth and Stuart's favourite Umbrian town.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58The property we've chosen
0:11:58 > 0:12:00is on the outskirts of this historic town,
0:12:00 > 0:12:02and I'm really excited that we've managed
0:12:02 > 0:12:06to track down a house so close to their preferred spot.
0:12:06 > 0:12:11- So, you wanted views. How's that for a view?- That is pretty stunning.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14- It's quite special, isn't it? - It really is, yeah.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16- And that there is the property. - Very interesting, I think.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20We'll obviously have to make sure the inside actually works for us,
0:12:20 > 0:12:23but assuming it does, then, yeah. It's just stunning.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25Right, well then, follow me. This way.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30'The outstanding views certainly are seductive,
0:12:30 > 0:12:33'and the layout of this two-storey property was designed
0:12:33 > 0:12:36'to really make the most of this beautiful setting.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39'We're starting the tour on the top floor.'
0:12:39 > 0:12:45In from the entrance way, into... this sitting room.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47- Wow, this is lovely. It's really nice.- Nice feel to it.
0:12:47 > 0:12:52- Lovely big windows. This is one of two sitting rooms.- OK.
0:12:52 > 0:12:57- So potentially, you could have this as your study.- Wow. What a study.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00It's my room.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- Fighting over the room! - Looks like it, yes.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05It's gorgeous, isn't it?
0:13:05 > 0:13:09You've got two double bedrooms, lots of storage and a bathroom.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11You can see it's tastefully done, nice and white.
0:13:11 > 0:13:16- But that's not the only thing on this floor.- Mmm?- This way, please.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24- Here we are.- Wow.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27- A lovely little sun terrace. - Beautiful, isn't it?
0:13:27 > 0:13:29- It's pretty spectacular, isn't it?- It really is.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33- I mean, this location, Ruth. - It's absolutely gorgeous.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35I'm afraid I don't really do enthusiasm very well,
0:13:35 > 0:13:37- but it is lovely!- You're just going to have to tell me.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40- I'll be enthusiastic for her. - You be enthusiastic.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43- Inside you're dancing around? - Not quite.- Not quite?
0:13:43 > 0:13:47- You're hard to please.- She is, isn't she? But you know what?
0:13:47 > 0:13:50I'm going to give this a good go. There's more. Are you ready?
0:13:50 > 0:13:52- Oh, yes.- This way.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58And down we descend into...
0:14:00 > 0:14:03..a gorgeous kitchen, really good size,
0:14:03 > 0:14:07enough space for a dining table. You could cook, you could entertain.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11Sitting room next door. A bit of a snug/lounge area.
0:14:11 > 0:14:12They've got the TV in it at the moment.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14You could do whatever you like.
0:14:14 > 0:14:20Also down here you've got a utility room-cum-shower room, a pantry,
0:14:20 > 0:14:22and, if you take the upstairs room as your office,
0:14:22 > 0:14:25there's another room down here you could use as your office.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28Could you imagine yourself living here?
0:14:28 > 0:14:31- I could.- I can absolutely imagine myself living here.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33But it's probably above the snow line,
0:14:33 > 0:14:36so we've got that little sort of...
0:14:36 > 0:14:38What would it be like in winter?
0:14:40 > 0:14:44Ever the pragmatist, now Ruth seems to be letting the seasons
0:14:44 > 0:14:48hold her back, leaving Stuart as the most enthusiastic once again.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50'But there is one more space to see.'
0:14:51 > 0:14:55And you've got this gorgeous terrace attached to the kitchen,
0:14:55 > 0:14:59where you can have your breakfast and stare out at this view.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03- A pretty impressive view.- Fantastic.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06It's practicalities we need to think about, whether it'd work.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09The property itself and the views are dreamy.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12That and price, because obviously we don't know whether it's in budget
0:15:12 > 0:15:13or how much it will cost.
0:15:13 > 0:15:18Well, why don't we have a stab and see whether you can guess? Ruth?
0:15:19 > 0:15:23Maybe it's 225?
0:15:23 > 0:15:25I'll go 220.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29It's actually at the very, very top end of your budget.
0:15:29 > 0:15:34In fact, just a fraction over, just over £250,000 for this.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36For this, basically.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38'Only just tipping over budget,
0:15:38 > 0:15:42'this semidetached villa comes with the potential for four bedrooms,
0:15:42 > 0:15:45'two shower rooms, an open-plan kitchen/diner
0:15:45 > 0:15:49'and two large terraced balconies that pour out
0:15:49 > 0:15:51'onto the far-reaching Umbrian countryside.'
0:15:51 > 0:15:57- Hello, guys. All good?- Yes, great. - Satisfied?- Lovely house.- All right.
0:15:57 > 0:15:58Come with me, then.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07Like much of Italy, Umbria has a close affiliation with art,
0:16:07 > 0:16:10and the region has produced its fair share of talented,
0:16:10 > 0:16:14internationally renowned artists, such as the Renaissance masters
0:16:14 > 0:16:18Raphael and Piero della Francesca, who were both schooled here.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23'Ruth and Stuart are keen to expand their love affair with art
0:16:23 > 0:16:25'when they move to Italy.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28'So I took them to meet Sarah and David Moody,
0:16:28 > 0:16:31'expats from Kent who run an art school from their Umbrian home,
0:16:31 > 0:16:35'catering for culture-hungry Brits and Italians alike.'
0:16:35 > 0:16:38What brought you to this part of the world, Sarah?
0:16:38 > 0:16:43Well, I've got a background in art, so Italy is the place to be, really.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45And I specialised in the Renaissance.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48And I'd always wanted to run painting courses.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51Ruth, you do fancy yourself as a little bit of an artist as well.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53I'm quite a rubbish artist, but I enjoy it.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56- That's the most important thing! - Enthusiastic beginner.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58Perfect. We thought it would be nice, since you like Umbria,
0:16:58 > 0:17:00and we live here, and we love it,
0:17:00 > 0:17:03if you wanted to have a go at doing some watercolours this afternoon.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05Could be quite interesting.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07THEY ALL LAUGH
0:17:07 > 0:17:09Sarah and David moved out here
0:17:09 > 0:17:13and bought their traditional Umbrian country house three years ago.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15And, not surprisingly,
0:17:15 > 0:17:17this magnetic panorama that takes in
0:17:17 > 0:17:20the medieval village of Montegabbione
0:17:20 > 0:17:24and the mountains beyond is the subject matter for our masterclass.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27I suggest we just mark in the lines of the mountains
0:17:27 > 0:17:30very faint in the background, and then a silhouette of the town.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33And then just lay it in as quickly as you can.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39Ruth, is this the sort of life you envisaged for yourself and Umbria,
0:17:39 > 0:17:41- doing this sort of thing? - Oh, definitely.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45- The different lights and colours here are amazing.- They are beautiful.
0:17:47 > 0:17:52- This is good fun, actually.- You know what? I could really get into this.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55You cannot help but be inspired by this view.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58- OK, I think it's time to show and tell.- I think so.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03To reveal our masterpieces. Three, two, one...
0:18:03 > 0:18:04Ta-da!
0:18:04 > 0:18:07Well, I think if I have to choose the best one...
0:18:07 > 0:18:12- it has to be Stuart's, really.- Well done, Stuart.- Thanks very much.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17'That's one tradition mastered by Stuart, at least.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21'But there's another one that I think we'll all fare much better at,
0:18:21 > 0:18:24'and that's a glass of the country's fine native bubbly
0:18:24 > 0:18:28'over a chat to enable Sarah and David to paint a deeper picture
0:18:28 > 0:18:32'of expat life in the heart of the Umbrian hills.'
0:18:32 > 0:18:34So, Ruth and Stuart are looking to move here.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36You've been here for three years now.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39Why are they making the right decision?
0:18:39 > 0:18:42It's great here. Once you get your head round it, it's fantastic.
0:18:42 > 0:18:43The people are really friendly.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46They're very forgiving once you start learning the language.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49- Speaking Italian is a must, would you say?- It's a definite must.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52Italian bureaucracy is really quite difficult
0:18:52 > 0:18:54to get your head round, really.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58We did the insurance on the house and Sarah had to sign about 20 times.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01- 37.- Oh, 37!- Wow!
0:19:01 > 0:19:05Ruth will want to work from out here, as well, won't you Ruth?
0:19:05 > 0:19:08How easy is it to get internet connection
0:19:08 > 0:19:11and setting up an office from your home? Is it easily done?
0:19:11 > 0:19:13We've got a private satellite here, which is more expensive,
0:19:13 > 0:19:15but I have to have it to run the business.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18Technically, they say I could have broadband here,
0:19:18 > 0:19:19but it's not fast enough.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21And if you're running a business, you do need it.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24But normally the agents will say, but you need to check,
0:19:24 > 0:19:27because they said we had it here, and we didn't.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30Well, Sarah and David, thank you so much for having us here.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32Cin, cin. Or should it be "salute"?
0:19:32 > 0:19:36- Salute or cin, cin!- Salute.- Cheers.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39Hopefully, this introduction will be the start of Stuart and Ruth's
0:19:39 > 0:19:41new Italian network.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44But before committing to any property purchase,
0:19:44 > 0:19:46there are a few things to bear in mind first.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49It's vitally important to know that in Italy,
0:19:49 > 0:19:51on top of the figure you're paying for the house,
0:19:51 > 0:19:55you'll need to put about 8% of the price to one side
0:19:55 > 0:19:58for solicitor's costs, stamp duty and agent's fees.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02Be aware that the tax system can be confusing
0:20:02 > 0:20:05and non-residents may be taxed more than native Italians.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08And if you aren't fluent in the language,
0:20:08 > 0:20:11a good idea is to get all potential purchase documents
0:20:11 > 0:20:15professionally translated before signing on the dotted lines.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18Finally, as with any legal transactions,
0:20:18 > 0:20:20be sure to seek professional advice.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28Today is a new day, and I have a mystery property to show them.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32The house is a wild card, but the location is a winner.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38Our final property destination is on the south-eastern corner
0:20:38 > 0:20:40of Lake Trasimeno,
0:20:40 > 0:20:43just a five-minute walk from Sant'Arcangelo.
0:20:43 > 0:20:48'The mystery house lies in a quiet corner on the edge of the town.'
0:20:51 > 0:20:53So, this is the gorgeous little hamlet
0:20:53 > 0:20:55where the property is situated.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58And there are only actually 14 people that live here.
0:20:58 > 0:20:59What do you think?
0:20:59 > 0:21:02Absolutely beautiful. A really stunning setting.
0:21:02 > 0:21:07- The property, guys, is this one right here.- Oh, right!
0:21:07 > 0:21:10- It's quite big, isn't it? - Yeah, it looks it.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13Can you guess why this might be the mystery property?
0:21:13 > 0:21:17- Er... Would it need some work? - You're very good.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19It is a renovation project.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21I know that you said you'd like to have somewhere
0:21:21 > 0:21:22that you could move straight in,
0:21:22 > 0:21:26but I just needed to show you this place, cos it's really special.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29- And you've seen the location.- I like the property, I like the building.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33It looks like it's absolutely enormous. And I love the setting.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37- So, yeah.- OK, well, I'm dying to go inside, so follow me this way.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43'This old, rustic semidetached mystery property hasn't been
0:21:43 > 0:21:45'lived in for a couple of years
0:21:45 > 0:21:47'and so is a little rough around the edges.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50'Therefore Stuart and Ruth will definitely need to exercise
0:21:50 > 0:21:54'a little imagination while looking around.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58'First to see on the ground floor are a cellar and storerooms.'
0:21:58 > 0:22:02Into what is currently being used as an artist's studio.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06Also, there are three other rooms on this floor.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09This floor is huge. And they're completely untouched,
0:22:09 > 0:22:12so they do need a lot of work.
0:22:12 > 0:22:13You could turn it into a holiday let,
0:22:13 > 0:22:16cos there is plumbing, there's a sink around the corner.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19You could easily turn this into a two-bedroom apartment or something.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22I can certainly see some potential here. It's a big space.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24At the moment it obviously looks a bit dark and dingy,
0:22:24 > 0:22:28but there's lots of things you could do with it.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32'Stuart's eyes seem to have lit up with all the potential on offer,
0:22:32 > 0:22:35'though I think we'll have to work a little harder with Ruth.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39'So, onwards and hopefully upwards to the first floor.'
0:22:40 > 0:22:45And in we come to the living area-cum-kitchen.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48Brilliant size.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52Behind there's a little bit of storage. A huge fireplace.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56- It's got charm, it's got character. - It's a really good size.
0:22:56 > 0:22:57And doesn't look
0:22:57 > 0:23:00as scary renovation-wise, either, as we were thinking.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04Also on this floor you've got a double bedroom, a very large
0:23:04 > 0:23:06double bedroom with a lovely terrace overlooking the garden.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10You've got another huge room with a big fireplace.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12There's also a bathroom on this floor.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16The space is fantastic, and that fireplace is amazing. Really nice.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18Good, high ceilings. A lot of character, yeah.
0:23:18 > 0:23:23There's also another floor upstairs, with two bedrooms
0:23:23 > 0:23:27and another bathroom. Lots of space for people to come and stay.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31And from the bedrooms upstairs, you have a view of the lake.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34Oh, fabulous. Icing on the cake.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37There is something else I want to show you, though. Follow me.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42- Ta-da! - Wow, that's stunning, isn't it?
0:23:42 > 0:23:46- It's an amazing view.- Now, this is your terrace, that's your garden,
0:23:46 > 0:23:50and in your garden you have an olive tree, a fig tree.
0:23:50 > 0:23:56The quiet country lane is covered in plum trees ripe for picking.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59- Perfect.- So, you can imagine yourselves living here?
0:23:59 > 0:24:02- Yes.- I think, looking at that view, you'd be a bit mad if you didn't.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05But you still don't know the price.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08So let's go down to the garden and talk money.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17- Well, that's some view, isn't it? - It certainly is.
0:24:17 > 0:24:22There's your garden. It needs a bit of love and care.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24And that is the house.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27Yeah, it's really pretty, isn't it, from this side, too? Lovely balcony.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30You can see the space that you've got.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34Let's find out what you think this property is on the market for.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36Ruth, let's start with you.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39I'm thinking maybe 175,000.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43I really hope Ruth's right, but I think top of our budget, £250,000.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47It's actually on the market for...
0:24:47 > 0:24:50- £153,000.- No!
0:24:51 > 0:24:54I was happy before. I'm very happy now.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56- That's a very good price. - It is a very good price.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59In fact, the people who own this gorgeous house
0:24:59 > 0:25:03would probably take an offer of 120.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05- OK!- That's pretty impressive.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09- I think I need to sit down now to take that in.- I could cry!
0:25:09 > 0:25:11So could I!
0:25:12 > 0:25:15Practically £100,000 under budget,
0:25:15 > 0:25:18this three-storey semidetached property currently presents
0:25:18 > 0:25:22four bedrooms, an open-plan kitchen and family room,
0:25:22 > 0:25:24as well as a separate living room.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26In need of a basic makeover,
0:25:26 > 0:25:29there's also further scope to convert the ground floor.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33So, it could be that the mystery property will not only bring Stuart
0:25:33 > 0:25:37a little closer to his plans for the next two decades
0:25:37 > 0:25:40but also makes the prospect a very joint reality.
0:25:44 > 0:25:49- Hi, guys.- Hi, Anita.- Happy?- Very. Very.- Had a really good look around?
0:25:49 > 0:25:53Because that's it for the properties. Are you ready to leave?
0:25:53 > 0:25:56- We are.- Can I extract you away from this place?
0:25:56 > 0:26:00- It is difficult to leave, but, yes, let's go and do that.- Come with me.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10Stuart and Ruth, you had such a strong idea of what it is
0:26:10 > 0:26:13you were looking for when we started this journey together,
0:26:13 > 0:26:17but did I get close with any of the properties?
0:26:17 > 0:26:18Yeah, I think so.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21I think you got what we were looking for in the mystery property.
0:26:21 > 0:26:26For us, it was always about feeling like you were part of a community.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28And I think with that sort of little hamlet,
0:26:28 > 0:26:30and then close to a town, you've got that.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34And it's really hard to know that's what you want until you see it.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37So, what was it about the property that really sold it to you?
0:26:37 > 0:26:41There's only two of us, at the end of the day, and Bertie the dog,
0:26:41 > 0:26:43so we didn't require a really big house.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47But having something that really is quite big is an added bonus.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51We were veering away from renovation. We didn't want a complete renovation.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53But this one has the partial renovation.
0:26:53 > 0:26:57We could move in with minimal work and then, over time, do it up.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59What's next? Are you going to take it further?
0:26:59 > 0:27:02We'd like to see it again, do a bit more research on it. But, yeah,
0:27:02 > 0:27:04we're interested.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06We'd like to pursue things quickly, and I would think
0:27:06 > 0:27:09- we'll come out in the next few weeks, maybe a month or so?- Yep.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11It's not a holiday home. This is a life change.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13If you're going to spend that sort of money
0:27:13 > 0:27:16and make a decision, you've got to be sure.
0:27:16 > 0:27:17I hope it works out for you.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20And if not that one, I hope you find your dream home in Umbria.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24- So, cheers, and good luck. - Thank you.
0:27:26 > 0:27:31I was worried that Stuart and Ruth's perfect home didn't actually exist.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33But do you know what? They're realistic.
0:27:33 > 0:27:34They've done their research.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38They're ready for this move to Umbria to take it for all its highs
0:27:38 > 0:27:43and its lows. And maybe our mystery home is their dream home.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46Join me next time for another Escape To The Continent.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50Stuart and Ruth wasted no time booking their flights back to Umbria
0:27:50 > 0:27:52for a second viewing at the mystery house
0:27:52 > 0:27:54as well as other properties in the area,
0:27:54 > 0:27:56but they are still undecided.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00So they've made plans to rent a property near Lake Trasimeno
0:28:00 > 0:28:05whilst the search continues for their perfect future Italian home.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08If you'd like to escape to the Continent and need our help,
0:28:08 > 0:28:10please apply online at: