0:00:02 > 0:00:05Sixteen 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.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37On today's show, we're helping a couple
0:00:37 > 0:00:41on a mission to put some 1,500 miles behind them
0:00:41 > 0:00:44by leaving Scotland to find their dream home abroad,
0:00:44 > 0:00:48where they can revel in culture, creativity...
0:00:48 > 0:00:50as well as carbs.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52Really good.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55And one property could see them going the distance.
0:00:55 > 0:00:56It's pretty impressive.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59I think I need to sit down now, to take that in.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04Welcome to Escape To The Continent.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07I'm in Umbria, right in the heart of Italy,
0:01:07 > 0:01:09in the medieval town of Assisi.
0:01:09 > 0:01:14And behind me is the basilica of St Francis, one of the most
0:01:14 > 0:01:17important destinations on the Christian pilgrimage map.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21Now, in 1997, this town was rocked by two earthquakes,
0:01:21 > 0:01:23and the building was severely damaged.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25But thanks to two years of hard restoration work,
0:01:25 > 0:01:27it's been brought back to its former glory,
0:01:27 > 0:01:30and so, 800 years later,
0:01:30 > 0:01:33it still sits proud on top of the Hill of Paradise
0:01:33 > 0:01:37in homage to this region's rich history and breathtaking scenery.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43Lying in central Italy, Umbria's position makes it
0:01:43 > 0:01:46one of the few landlocked regions in the country.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49And what Umbria may lack in coastline,
0:01:49 > 0:01:53it most definitely makes up for with its arresting landscape.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56A verdant spectrum of countryside that has, quite rightly,
0:01:56 > 0:02:00earned Umbria its title as "the green heart of Italy".
0:02:01 > 0:02:04But the water isn't too far away, as the picturesque Lake Trasimeno
0:02:04 > 0:02:09in the north-west is the largest on the Italian peninsula.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12History surrounds you everywhere in Umbria,
0:02:12 > 0:02:16and one particular gem is the medieval town of Gubbio,
0:02:16 > 0:02:20whose chief relic is a ruinous first-century Roman theatre.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27And, of course, there's Roman architecture at almost every turn.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30Highlights include the soaring Bridge of Towers at Spoleto,
0:02:30 > 0:02:33and the powerful cascades at Marmore,
0:02:33 > 0:02:36which boast the tallest man-made waterfall in the world.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41With all this as temptation, not forgetting the world-famous
0:02:41 > 0:02:45food and wine, it's not hard to understand why Umbria
0:02:45 > 0:02:48makes a particularly attractive place to set up home.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57So how is all of this reflected in property prices?
0:02:57 > 0:03:02Well, the average price of a home in Italy is about £144,000.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05That's £100,000 less than in the UK.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09And Umbria is becoming increasingly popular with us Brits
0:03:09 > 0:03:10wanting to move to Italy.
0:03:10 > 0:03:15And that's because prices here are about 30% to 50% less
0:03:15 > 0:03:18than its rather fashionable neighbour, Tuscany.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21Now, the northern part of this region does command a premium
0:03:21 > 0:03:25over the southern, especially around areas like Lake Trasimeno
0:03:25 > 0:03:27and the highly desirable Niccone Valley.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29But the good news is that, on average,
0:03:29 > 0:03:33properties here sell for about 13% less than the asking price.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37But what is it about this area that's attracted our buyers?
0:03:37 > 0:03:40Let's meet them to find out.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Umbria has been the prize destination in the eyes
0:03:44 > 0:03:47of Scotsman Stuart and his English wife Ruth
0:03:47 > 0:03:51ever since they chose Italy for the backdrop of their wedding in 2010.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57We met online about six or seven years ago, and got together,
0:03:57 > 0:04:00and we married, what, three years ago I think?
0:04:00 > 0:04:03We got married in Italy, not too far from the area we want to live.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06We'd only been to the region to plan the wedding,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09and by doing the wedding there, we just fell in love with Umbria.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12We've looked at many other places, but keep coming back to Umbria
0:04:12 > 0:04:14as the place we want to live.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17And plans to jet off are already under way.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20They've just secured their cocker spaniel Bertie
0:04:20 > 0:04:22with his pet passport, and within the next week,
0:04:22 > 0:04:25they will have sold their current Linlithgow home, that lies
0:04:25 > 0:04:29in a small town just 20 minutes outside of Edinburgh.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33And that leaves the focus solely on their Italian relocation.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37The weather's fantastic. The food is amazing.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40The wine, the coffee, the culture and the scenery.
0:04:40 > 0:04:45Beautiful old hilltop towns. It's just a fantastic place to be.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48We have had Italian lessons for about three years.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51Whether we can speak it or not is up for debate.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53We're hoping that it will come rushing back to us
0:04:53 > 0:04:55when we live there.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59The thought of immersing themselves in all aspects of Italian traditions
0:04:59 > 0:05:02and history is something that's particularly inspiring.
0:05:02 > 0:05:07I love going to art galleries, but also I'm a bit an amateur artist.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09And in Italy I'll get the chance to do all those things,
0:05:09 > 0:05:12to visit great art galleries, hopefully do a bit more painting
0:05:12 > 0:05:16because I might have some more time to do lessons.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22But this move isn't simply an extended holiday.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25Both Ruth and Stuart need a regular income,
0:05:25 > 0:05:28and with the help of the internet, are hoping to maintain careers
0:05:28 > 0:05:30back in the UK.
0:05:30 > 0:05:31We are both solicitors,
0:05:31 > 0:05:34but I've actually left the firm I was working for
0:05:34 > 0:05:37and hope to be a consultant going forward, working from home.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39Stuart, on the other hand, has got a different plan.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43I've got a property development business. We buy older properties
0:05:43 > 0:05:46and do them up, and hopefully sell them on for profit.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49We can continue to work from any base,
0:05:49 > 0:05:51so that's why we thought, why not be in Italy,
0:05:51 > 0:05:55and work from Italy rather than work from your home in Scotland?
0:05:56 > 0:05:59And when painting a picture of the ideal home office,
0:05:59 > 0:06:03Ruth and Stuart have a clear vision of what they hope to find.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07One of the important things that we need is a little back garden
0:06:07 > 0:06:10for Bertie, and a little bit of grass that is enclosed.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13Other than that, we're looking really for somewhere
0:06:13 > 0:06:16that possibly we could do some work on at a later date.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18We don't want to be too isolated or remote.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21We like the thought of being able to walk in for dinner,
0:06:21 > 0:06:24or for a coffee, or to get our groceries.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28We'd love a really old, traditional Italian house, stonework,
0:06:28 > 0:06:32nice big terracotta pots with geraniums,
0:06:32 > 0:06:35that kind of idyllic Italian look.
0:06:35 > 0:06:36It certainly sounds magical,
0:06:36 > 0:06:40but of course finding that dream property comes at a price.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44Our budget for the move to Umbria is £200,000.
0:06:44 > 0:06:49We could possibly stretch that to £250,000 for the right property.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54Ruth and Stuart have now completed on their property in Scotland,
0:06:54 > 0:06:58so with time of the essence to find a new Italian home, they've arrived
0:06:58 > 0:07:02here in Umbria to meet me on the beautiful banks of Lake Trasimeno.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06- Hello, Stuart!- Hi, Anita. - Pleased to meet you, Ruth.- Hi.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09So, tell me why you'd like to move to Umbria?
0:07:09 > 0:07:12Well, I mean, there's so many things. It offers so much.
0:07:12 > 0:07:17A quality of life, the views, the food, the value for money as well.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Because it's a little bit cheaper than some of the other Italy regions.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23The great thing about here is, you can get to Rome,
0:07:23 > 0:07:25you can get to Florence, so you can get a bit of city
0:07:25 > 0:07:27when you need it, and you need some culture.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30Do you have a particular part of Umbria
0:07:30 > 0:07:31that you'd really like to live?
0:07:31 > 0:07:34Actually, we'd like to be around here, Lake Trasimeno.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37- Yeah, it's pretty obvious why. - It's stunning.- Yep.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40People who get married abroad I think have a certain attachment,
0:07:40 > 0:07:45a romantic ideal of what it might be like to live in that place.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47- Is that you?- The short answer is no.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50We're actually not particularly romantic people.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52- Oh, sorry, Ruth!- Sorry about that.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54We've travelled around a lot of Italy, and we decided probably
0:07:54 > 0:07:58five or six years ago that we wanted to move here.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02I've had a 20 year plan to be working conventionally in the UK
0:08:02 > 0:08:03for 20 years, I used to be a lawyer.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06I always planned to give it up and do something completely different,
0:08:06 > 0:08:09and go and live somewhere else. Because life is very short,
0:08:09 > 0:08:13and you can end up stuck in the same place, and stuck in a bit of a rut.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16And that wasn't me. And it's not you either.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18So, how is your Italian? What's an artichoke?
0:08:18 > 0:08:20- Carciofo.- Very good!
0:08:20 > 0:08:22You've passed the first test. I didn't know the answer to that.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25You could have said anything, and I'd have believed you.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28Tell me about this property, then. Let's get to the nitty-gritty.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31We're really looking for two bedrooms and a study,
0:08:31 > 0:08:34or three bedrooms. Because I'll obviously be working from home.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36So we need that flexibility.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39And because we've got a dog, we need a little bit of garden.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43And that's really the major criteria.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45Are you a handyman? Do you want something that's done up?
0:08:45 > 0:08:48I'm not a handyman at all, as anybody that knows me
0:08:48 > 0:08:53will definitely attest to. But we want something that we can live in.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55But we're quite happy to do a bit of work.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57It won't necessarily be me on the tools,
0:08:57 > 0:09:00but something that we can do something with would be good.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03So, I've got four properties to show you.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07- One of them is the mystery house. Very exciting.- Are you ready?
0:09:07 > 0:09:09- Oh, yes.- Shall we go and crack on with it and see the first one?
0:09:09 > 0:09:11- Let's do it.- Follow me, this way.
0:09:13 > 0:09:18For an absolute maximum budget of £250,000, Stuart and Ruth
0:09:18 > 0:09:21hope to find a traditional-looking Italian home
0:09:21 > 0:09:24with at least two bedrooms, the potential for a study,
0:09:24 > 0:09:28and a decent-sized garden for their dog, Bertie.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30They'd consider some minor renovations,
0:09:30 > 0:09:33and want a location within walking distance of local amenities.
0:09:33 > 0:09:39And we've got a veritable variety of Italian homes to tempt our buyers.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41But they won't know what pounds or euros are involved
0:09:41 > 0:09:44until the end of each tour.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47Then, we could be starting from scratch with our final option,
0:09:47 > 0:09:49the mystery property.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57We're headed for the very first property, which is
0:09:57 > 0:10:01in Castiglione del Lago on the Western banks of Lake Trasimeno.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07The ancient town of Castiglione del Lago is one of Umbria's most
0:10:07 > 0:10:11desirable residential locations, and the historic street and preserved
0:10:11 > 0:10:15architecture also attract scores of tourists from all over the world.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19Still ringed within medieval walls,
0:10:19 > 0:10:23the primary feature of the beautiful old town centre
0:10:23 > 0:10:25is the 13th century pentagon-shaped fortress
0:10:25 > 0:10:29that proudly sits in an imposing position overlooking the lake.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32And as requested,
0:10:32 > 0:10:35our first property is just a 10 to 15-minute stroll
0:10:35 > 0:10:37from all the rich range of facilities
0:10:37 > 0:10:40this stunning old town has to offer.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46So, guys, here we have the first property.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50OK? So, around you you've got lots of houses.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54All of these homes are owned by Italians.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57- So, is this the sort of setting you were after?- I'm not sure, actually.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59I think we probably need to see a bit more of it.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03We probably envisaged something higher up, you know?
0:11:03 > 0:11:06- This is obviously quite flat.- Are you ready to see inside this property?
0:11:06 > 0:11:08Certainly are.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10Let's take you in. Follow me.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13'Although in the midst of a predominantly Italian community,
0:11:13 > 0:11:16'this first semi-detached house currently has British owners
0:11:16 > 0:11:19'who use the property for rental income.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23'So I hope Ruth and Stuart can see past the simple decor,
0:11:23 > 0:11:25'which does lack some homely touches.'
0:11:27 > 0:11:30And straight into the kitchen.
0:11:30 > 0:11:31So, it's a galley kitchen.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35You've got a nice little inlet here where you can have breakfast
0:11:35 > 0:11:38in the morning, looking out onto the neighbour's chickens.
0:11:38 > 0:11:39So, what do you think?
0:11:39 > 0:11:42My first thoughts are, it's a little bit small.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45It's quite a dark, enclosed kitchen at the moment.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48But, as you say, there are so many things you can do
0:11:48 > 0:11:49with kitchens these days,
0:11:49 > 0:11:51lighten it up and do things, put our own stamp on it.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53I'd expect we'd have a lot of people here staying with us,
0:11:53 > 0:11:55and it really is quite a small area.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58And you'd hope you'd be eating outside a lot as well,
0:11:58 > 0:12:00so I don't think you necessarily need a huge area.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02There's a lot you could do in here.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04I think the cupboards make it quite oppressive.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06I think you could open it up and do something with it.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10So, a bit of a mixed reaction in the kitchen.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12But there is still the rest of the house to see. Shall we move on?
0:12:12 > 0:12:14- Absolutely.- Follow me.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20- And you come straight into the living room. Right?- Yep.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24- What do you think?- Yeah, I like this, actually. This is nice.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27I like the beams. The ceiling heights are reasonable.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30They're quite cosy, because they're not too high.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32- I think it works. - Quite a good blank canvas.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35Because I think the beams are lovely, the floor is lovely.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39You can take out the furniture. Which isn't maybe to our taste,
0:12:39 > 0:12:40and put your own stamp on it.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42You can see how you can do that quite easily here.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46I think as it's currently laid out, it feels a bit small.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48But I think if you could open it up, and maybe have the kitchen
0:12:48 > 0:12:51and living room together, as a kind of open-plan living,
0:12:51 > 0:12:53I can see how this space could work.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59'With an internal footprint just under a thousand square feet,
0:12:59 > 0:13:01'this isn't a sprawling property.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04'But it does have the two bedrooms our buyers asked for.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07'One sits next to a four-piece shower room downstairs,
0:13:07 > 0:13:09'and is a good-sized double room
0:13:09 > 0:13:12'that could, for the time being, be used as an office.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14'The other bedroom lies upstairs
0:13:14 > 0:13:17'and is the one we're proposing as the master.'
0:13:20 > 0:13:25So, guys. Come on in. This would be your bedroom.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28This is a nice room. I think it's quite a good size, actually.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31It just doesn't feel like a home. It feels like a holiday let.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33So I think it needs some personal touches.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36- I'm not quite feeling it yet. - You're absolutely right, Ruth.
0:13:36 > 0:13:37It IS a holiday let.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40That's probably why it feels a bit impersonal.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43There are three of you in this family, though. Bertie the dog.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46- Of course.- And you wanted an outside space for him, very important.- Yep.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48- Shall we go and have a look at the garden?- Absolutely.
0:13:48 > 0:13:49Please follow me.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54'Happily, the plot really opens up outside, with more than enough room
0:13:54 > 0:13:58'for the dog to stretch his legs in a secure, fenced back yard.'
0:14:01 > 0:14:05And here you have your, I'd say pretty decent-sized, garden.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07Not the most well maintained.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10You could really make this garden gorgeous.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12- What do you think?- Yeah, it's a good-sized garden.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15The location is a problem really, rather than the size of the garden.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17We've got the road here.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21Look, I'm sensing that this property doesn't have the wow factor for you.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23We like this side of the lake, but higher up
0:14:23 > 0:14:24with a view over the lake.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27Not necessarily from the property, but from the town itself.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30- So a view is important?- A view, not for the property itself...
0:14:30 > 0:14:33We know that in our budget there's compromises you have to make,
0:14:33 > 0:14:37and we don't expect to have, in the property we live in, a great view,
0:14:37 > 0:14:40but the town itself, we'd like to have a view.
0:14:40 > 0:14:41Having said all that,
0:14:41 > 0:14:44- you still don't know how much this is the market for.- No.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48Mmmm... I think, given where we are, it's probably quite expensive.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51- So I'd say about £180,000.- Ruth?
0:14:51 > 0:14:53I think maybe because of the location,
0:14:53 > 0:14:57because Castiglione is sought after, it might be more like £195,000.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01OK. Well, the property is actually on the market
0:15:01 > 0:15:05- for £170,000.- OK.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08OK, well, I'd like the two of you to go back into the house,
0:15:08 > 0:15:10have a good look, and just talk amongst yourselves.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12Take your time, and feel the space.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15Kicking off well under budget,
0:15:15 > 0:15:17this semi-detached property offers two bedrooms,
0:15:17 > 0:15:19a galley kitchen-breakfast room,
0:15:19 > 0:15:22a living room with double doors out to a reasonably-sized garden,
0:15:22 > 0:15:26and it all lies just a short walk from a popular Umbrian town.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29But I don't sense it's the one that will put Stuart's
0:15:29 > 0:15:3120-year plan in motion.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34The main thing I don't like about the house is the lack of space.
0:15:34 > 0:15:35We need another room.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38I also don't like the way the kitchen is currently configured.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- That would certainly need to change. - I think it's got lots of potential.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44It's a reasonable size and there's things you can do here,
0:15:44 > 0:15:47but really it's the location that I don't like, and with the road
0:15:47 > 0:15:50so nearby, it's just not quite the right location for us.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55OK. Property number one done. Let's go.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07That wraps up the first day of our property-seeking journey,
0:16:07 > 0:16:09leaving Stuart and Ruth to get out and about
0:16:09 > 0:16:13to soak up some of the Italian culture they yearn for,
0:16:13 > 0:16:15as well as a chance to practise their language skills.
0:16:16 > 0:16:21THEY SPEAK ITALIAN
0:16:22 > 0:16:26And what better way to end the day than with a well-earned drink
0:16:26 > 0:16:27and some local gastro fare?
0:16:33 > 0:16:38We're in Italy, helping husband and wife Stuart and Ruth to swap life
0:16:38 > 0:16:40in Scotland for the dolce vita
0:16:40 > 0:16:43the country's central region of Umbria.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46And in true Italian spirit,
0:16:46 > 0:16:50our buyers are beginning their day with a caffeinated beverage
0:16:50 > 0:16:52in the main square of Panicale,
0:16:52 > 0:16:54their favourite hilltop Umbrian town.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57Un macchiato per me.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01Grazie.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04- It's all part of the lifestyle, being somewhere beautiful.- Yep.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08And it's sitting having coffee in a square like this, and having views,
0:17:08 > 0:17:13and enjoying that on your doorstep, is really what you're after.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15It's one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18It would be a shame, if you were staying here, not to be part of that,
0:17:18 > 0:17:20and be part of something beautiful.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26The property yesterday didn't quite sing for Stuart and Ruth.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29But all is not lost, because what we've established is that location
0:17:29 > 0:17:34is key for this couple. And I've got another house to show them.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37So let's see if I can't inspire them with this next property.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42The village of Pucciarelli is our next stop,
0:17:42 > 0:17:46which is less than a mile away from the shore of Lake Trasimeno.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49And Pucciarelli offers up a more rural, tranquil pocket
0:17:49 > 0:17:54around the lake, framed by rolling hills and olive groves.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58The village is split into old and new parts, with basic shops
0:17:58 > 0:18:01and amenities located within the newer side.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03And just a 10-minute walk away from the shops,
0:18:03 > 0:18:08up on the elevated slopes of the old part, we find our second house,
0:18:08 > 0:18:12whose origins are believed to span at least 200 years.
0:18:12 > 0:18:19- And this is the property.- It's lovely.- Quite lovely, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23Now, this used to be the hub of this little village.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25- That was the post office...- Yes.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27- ..and you can still see the postbox over there.- Yes.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30That was the hairdressers. And that was the bakery.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34- You can see the old bread oven.- It looks absolutely lovely. Really nice.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36And, you know you wanted to be up high?
0:18:36 > 0:18:38Well, look at the view down there, and turn around,
0:18:38 > 0:18:41- and look through there.- Oh, really? - That's gorgeous, isn't it?- It is.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44- I think it's really pretty.- It is pretty, isn't it? Shall we go in?
0:18:44 > 0:18:45This way.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49'A historic property that's been gently modernised.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53'Once again, the owners are British, but this time around it's evident
0:18:53 > 0:18:58'throughout that this house has been used as a home.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00'And what I'm keeping back from Stuart and Ruth is the fact
0:19:00 > 0:19:04'that this place is actually a house of two halves.'
0:19:06 > 0:19:11In you come. So, I've brought you to the upstairs part of the house.
0:19:11 > 0:19:17And this is where you'd be living. So nice, open-plan entrance way.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20Come with me, I want to show you something else.
0:19:21 > 0:19:26Now, this is your lounge-dining area. Really decent size.
0:19:26 > 0:19:27Nice high ceilings again.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31And the double doors over there lead out onto a gorgeous terrace
0:19:31 > 0:19:34that overlook the beautiful garden.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38There is also a wood burner in here which warms up the entire flat.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40Yeah, I like it. I like the windows with the view.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43A good sized space, with wooden beams. It's nice.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46- It feels homely, doesn't it?- It does, yeah.- Yeah, it's a good space.
0:19:46 > 0:19:47You could use it very well.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50I suppose it's marginally smaller than I would like.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52But it will be interesting to see the rest of it
0:19:52 > 0:19:54and see how that would work for us.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56- Do you want to see more? - Certainly do.- This way.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02The accommodation up on this first floor lends itself
0:20:02 > 0:20:05to a wholly separate private level.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08Back off the entrance hall, there is a roomy kitchen-diner,
0:20:08 > 0:20:11a large family bathroom, and two double bedrooms,
0:20:11 > 0:20:14one being used as a study and the other as a master,
0:20:14 > 0:20:18complete with built-in wardrobes.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21But I'm about to reveal to our buyers the ground floor,
0:20:21 > 0:20:24as this property is actually a detached proposition,
0:20:24 > 0:20:28'whose entire bricks and mortar are up for grabs.'
0:20:28 > 0:20:31And in you come.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34Now, you know what you were saying upstairs, Stuart,
0:20:34 > 0:20:36about it maybe being a little bit pokey?
0:20:36 > 0:20:38Well, this would be yours as well,
0:20:38 > 0:20:42as an entirely self-contained apartment.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46Huge kitchen-living area, fantastic brickwork arch.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49In there you've got a single bedroom -
0:20:49 > 0:20:50they've got a bunk bed in it at the moment -
0:20:50 > 0:20:52which you could use as a study.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56They've also got a double bedroom, a really big double bedroom,
0:20:56 > 0:20:58that they're using as another sitting room.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00And you've got really decent-sized shower room.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03It's just got a lovely airy feel about it.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06Now, it's entirely up to you how you would use this,
0:21:06 > 0:21:08whether you would use it for yourselves, whether you would put
0:21:08 > 0:21:11your friends and family in here if people were coming to stay.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14Or, if you wanted to supplement your income,
0:21:14 > 0:21:16you could rent the thing out.
0:21:16 > 0:21:21And apparently, you can earn up to around £5,000 per annum.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23This is really nice.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26I didn't actually expect that we would have the downstairs as well,
0:21:26 > 0:21:29and actually having this is fantastic. Love the brickwork.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32If you used it for yourself, you could just redo the kitchen.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34You could also just use it as a summer kitchen.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37That's right. Without seeing all of it, it feels very spacious
0:21:37 > 0:21:40and very big. I can't quite work out what you'd use for what yet,
0:21:40 > 0:21:42but I'm sure we'll get an idea.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45- It's really charming, isn't it? - Yeah, it's quirky.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48'With a long-held dream to emigrate,
0:21:48 > 0:21:51'it's not surprising that it's Stuart
0:21:51 > 0:21:53'who seems the most enthusiastic.
0:21:53 > 0:21:54'And although I'm not sure
0:21:54 > 0:21:56'the unconventional layout is working for Ruth,
0:21:56 > 0:22:00'the reactions here are a marked improvement on yesterday.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03'And to meet their small project aspirations, the old bakery
0:22:03 > 0:22:05'is being used as a workshop.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08'But, with a little bit of thought, could be transformed
0:22:08 > 0:22:11'into more office space.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13'There's also Bertie the dog to consider.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15'And I think he'll be well catered for
0:22:15 > 0:22:17'in the mature and well-tended garden,
0:22:17 > 0:22:21'which also features a brick and timber double garage.'
0:22:23 > 0:22:27- I mean, talk about birdsong. Have a listen to that.- Yeah, it's lovely.
0:22:27 > 0:22:28Isn't this special?
0:22:28 > 0:22:32It's perfectly big enough for Bertie, and having the car space
0:22:32 > 0:22:35and the garage to store things is brilliant.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38- What's the cost, in your opinion, Stuart?- Um...
0:22:38 > 0:22:40I think...
0:22:40 > 0:22:42£250,000, £260,000.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45- OK. Ruth?- What do you think it's on the market for?
0:22:46 > 0:22:51- Maybe £245,000?- £245,000. OK.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54- It's actually under your budget. - Really?
0:22:54 > 0:22:58Just under £200,000, by a couple of hundred quid.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01Yeah, I'm surprised at that.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03- Mmm.- It's good value for the amount of house you've got.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05You get a whole lot of house for that, don't you?
0:23:05 > 0:23:08Do you know what, I am delighted that the two of you are happy
0:23:08 > 0:23:11and smiling. I want you to take your time, go back into the house
0:23:11 > 0:23:13and have an explore.
0:23:13 > 0:23:18'Again, hugely under the top budget of £250,000,'
0:23:18 > 0:23:21this detached, characterful house is divided
0:23:21 > 0:23:23into two independent apartments,
0:23:23 > 0:23:26but as a whole, offers four bedrooms, two bathrooms,
0:23:26 > 0:23:29two kitchens, and two spacious living dining rooms
0:23:29 > 0:23:32overlooking a well maintained garden.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35I like this house a lot. It's really spacious.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38It's got a lot of character to it. The outside space is lovely.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42'The best thing about the house is actually something I just discovered
0:23:42 > 0:23:45'when walking back in. It seems to have a wine cellar.'
0:23:45 > 0:23:48I love my wine, so having a wine cellar is such a bonus.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51I'm someone that really thinks with their head, not their heart.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53Although the heart still counts.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55So there's a good vibe here, which means the heart is happy.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58But the head thinks of all the practicalities of it.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02This house surpassed expectations in terms of size and what it offers.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05The outside space, the upstairs, downstairs.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08We're not really looking at rental income,
0:24:08 > 0:24:10but having space for people to come if they wanted to spend
0:24:10 > 0:24:13a fortnight's holiday with us, that would be fantastic.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16The house offers everything on the list of what we wanted.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19The only thing we need to check out is exactly
0:24:19 > 0:24:21whether this is the location for us.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30In Italy, food is king,
0:24:30 > 0:24:34and each region has its unique speciality, which invariably derives
0:24:34 > 0:24:38from the abundance of local ingredients found here.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42And with real Italian fare being one of the contributing factors
0:24:42 > 0:24:43to Stuart and Ruth's move here,
0:24:43 > 0:24:46we sent them to the historic and sacred town
0:24:46 > 0:24:49of Santa Maria Degli Angeli, near Assisi,
0:24:49 > 0:24:50to gain a more thorough understanding
0:24:50 > 0:24:53of authentic Umbrian specialities,
0:24:53 > 0:24:57with local gastronome Letizia Mattiacci.
0:24:57 > 0:24:58Buongiorno! Buongiorno.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03And our buyers' foodie journey starts at a deli
0:25:03 > 0:25:06run by Letizia's friend, Barbara Righetti.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12One of the most important products that we have here is olive oil.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16So, Barbara, if you can let us try some olive oil, please,
0:25:16 > 0:25:17because then you can try some.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20The olive oil from Umbria is considered one of the best
0:25:20 > 0:25:25olive oils in the world. It's full, it's bodied, it's aromatic.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28It's very, very special. Let's taste it now.
0:25:28 > 0:25:29This is oil from the last harvest,
0:25:29 > 0:25:32so it has been produced last November.
0:25:33 > 0:25:38And it's nice and thick and buttery. Fresh and complex.
0:25:38 > 0:25:39It's not flat,
0:25:39 > 0:25:42like some of the oils that maybe you buy in the supermarket.
0:25:42 > 0:25:43But it has a personality
0:25:43 > 0:25:48and, as such, it imparts a special flavour to your food.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51- Shall we try some of the cheeses maybe?- Oh, yes, please.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55The majority of our cheese is pecorino.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58Pecora, sheep. Pecorino, sheep's milk cheese.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01Oh, grazie. OK. So...
0:26:01 > 0:26:03Thank you.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07- It's good, huh?- Very good. - It's special.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09It's not only salty and hard,
0:26:09 > 0:26:11that you want to grate it just on something.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13- Nice and soft. - You can eat it as it is.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17There is one other highly prized and covert delicacy
0:26:17 > 0:26:20to introduce to Stuart and Ruth.
0:26:20 > 0:26:25- Look at this.- Oh, wow.- You know what is this?- What is that?
0:26:25 > 0:26:28This is a truffle. A truffle is an underground mushroom.
0:26:28 > 0:26:32Smell it, please. This is such an incredible flavour, isn't it?
0:26:32 > 0:26:36- It's quite special to have some. - I think we had this at our wedding.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38I think we did, yes.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40- Special, hey?- Very. - I'm going to buy some,
0:26:40 > 0:26:45because now we go to my house and we cook some nice fresh pasta with it.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51Letizia runs a B&B and cookery school from her eco-farmhouse
0:26:51 > 0:26:53and has invited Stuart and Ruth
0:26:53 > 0:26:57to help her cook a typical Umbrian pasta dish called stringozzi.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59This is 00 flour.
0:26:59 > 0:27:04Italian 00 flour and egg, a little salt, and a drizzle of olive oil
0:27:04 > 0:27:07are combined in a mixer to create the pasta dough.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11Then the dough is kneaded by hand before it's divided
0:27:11 > 0:27:14into smaller pieces and flattened with the heel of the hand.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16Flatten it down on the board.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Keeping the dough floured to ensure it doesn't become too sticky,
0:27:19 > 0:27:22Ruth is trying her hand at the pasta machine.
0:27:23 > 0:27:28Fine. Stop a second, please. And prepare your hand to collect it.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30And now turn. Not too slow, please.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38- Excellent.- I've always wanted to learn how to do this.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41- I've never done it before.- Yes, yes. - It's not too hard.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45It's actually very, very easy, once you have done it a couple of times.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48The dough is then folded and fed through the machine a few more times
0:27:48 > 0:27:51before it's cut into long rectangular noodles.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55These are again kept well floured
0:27:55 > 0:27:59and put aside whilst a sauce of olive oil, spiced sausage
0:27:59 > 0:28:03and onion is prepared along with a good glug of white wine.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09You should always deglaze an Italian meat sauce with white wine,
0:28:09 > 0:28:13not with the red wine. Red wine is for braising meat.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15White wine is to make a sauce.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18Often referred to as cucina povera,
0:28:18 > 0:28:22which translates to peasant cooking, Umbrian food centres on fresh,
0:28:22 > 0:28:26flavoursome and simple recipes handed down the generations.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30And the final touch to this delicious-looking dish
0:28:30 > 0:28:32is left to Stuart.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34- Oh, thank you.- Please.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37It's a little hard, but...
0:28:37 > 0:28:39OK, let's taste it now.
0:28:45 > 0:28:46Really good.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48After savouring a true Umbrian taste,
0:28:48 > 0:28:52we trust that Ruth and Stuart have been inspired to practise
0:28:52 > 0:28:56their new-found cooking skills in their very own Italian home.
0:28:56 > 0:29:00But we're yet to find it, so let's get back to the house hunt.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10Our next property takes us around three miles south of Lake Trasimeno,
0:29:10 > 0:29:15and back to Ruth and Stuart's treasured hilltop town of Panicale,
0:29:15 > 0:29:18where they started the day this morning with a coffee
0:29:18 > 0:29:19in the main square.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22And, armed with the knowledge that location is such a key factor
0:29:22 > 0:29:25to our buyers' move, I'm really excited that we've managed
0:29:25 > 0:29:29to track down a house so close to their preferred spot.
0:29:29 > 0:29:34- So, you wanted views. How's that for a view?- That is pretty stunning.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37- It's quite special, isn't it? - It really is, yeah.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39- And that there is the property. - Very interesting, I think.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42And we're only a kilometre away from Panicale,
0:29:42 > 0:29:45the little village that you absolutely adore.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47That's why we wanted to be in this area. Because of the views.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51We'll obviously have to make sure the inside actually works for us,
0:29:51 > 0:29:54but assuming it does, then, yeah. It's just stunning.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56Right, well then, follow me. This way.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01'The outstanding views certainly are seductive,
0:30:01 > 0:30:04'and the layout of this two-storey property was designed
0:30:04 > 0:30:07'to really make the most of this beautiful setting.
0:30:07 > 0:30:11'We're starting the tour on the top floor.'
0:30:11 > 0:30:16In from the entrance way, into... this sitting-room.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19- Wow, this is lovely. It's really nice.- Nice feel to it.
0:30:19 > 0:30:23Lovely big windows. You can see that they've got a desk in here,
0:30:23 > 0:30:25which I think is quite interesting,
0:30:25 > 0:30:28- because actually this is one of two sitting rooms.- OK.
0:30:28 > 0:30:33- So potentially, you could have this as your study.- Wow. What a study.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35It's my room.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38- Fighting over the room! - Looks like it, yes.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41Well, we'd just been discussing how I'd quite like my own study,
0:30:41 > 0:30:44where husbands aren't allowed.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46- A woman cave.- Yeah, exactly. - (No chance.)
0:30:47 > 0:30:49It's gorgeous, isn't it?
0:30:49 > 0:30:52You can imagine sitting here and just whiling away the hours,
0:30:52 > 0:30:53being inspired.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57You've got two double bedrooms, lots of storage, and a bathroom.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59You can see it's tastefully done, nice and white.
0:30:59 > 0:31:03- But that's not the only thing on this floor.- Mmm?- This way, please.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12- Here we are.- Wow.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15- A lovely little sun terrace. - Beautiful, isn't it?
0:31:15 > 0:31:18Did you mention something about wanting a lake view to me?
0:31:18 > 0:31:21- May have done, Anita.- Turn around.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24- Wow, yeah.- You've got it. Right there.
0:31:24 > 0:31:26- It's pretty spectacular, isn't it?- It really is.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29- I mean, this location, Ruth. - It's absolutely gorgeous.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31I'm afraid I don't really do enthusiasm very well,
0:31:31 > 0:31:34- but it is lovely!- You're just going to have to tell me.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36- I'll be enthusiastic for her. - You be enthusiastic.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40- Inside you're dancing around? - Not quite.- Not quite?
0:31:40 > 0:31:44- You're hard to please.- She is, isn't she? But you know what?
0:31:44 > 0:31:46I'm going to give this a good go. There's more. Are you ready?
0:31:46 > 0:31:48- Oh, yes.- This way.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53And down we descend into...
0:31:56 > 0:32:00..a gorgeous kitchen, really good size,
0:32:00 > 0:32:04enough space for a dining table. You could cook, you could entertain.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07Sitting room next door. A bit of a snug lounge area.
0:32:07 > 0:32:09They've got the TV in it at the moment.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11You could do whatever you like.
0:32:11 > 0:32:16Also down here you've got a utility room-cum-shower room, a pantry,
0:32:16 > 0:32:19and, if you take the upstairs room as your office,
0:32:19 > 0:32:22there's another room down here you could use as your office.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25- Or a man cave.- Or a man cave. - Excellent.- Exactly.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28Could you imagine yourself living here?
0:32:28 > 0:32:31- I could.- I can absolutely imagine myself living here.
0:32:31 > 0:32:33But it's probably above the snow line,
0:32:33 > 0:32:36so we've got that little sort of...
0:32:36 > 0:32:38What would it be like in winter?
0:32:40 > 0:32:44Ever the pragmatist, now Ruth seems to be letting the seasons
0:32:44 > 0:32:48hold her back, leaving Stuart as the most enthusiastic once again.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50'But there is one more space to see.'
0:32:51 > 0:32:55And you've got this gorgeous terrace attached to the kitchen,
0:32:55 > 0:32:59where you can have your breakfast and stare out at this view.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04- A pretty impressive view.- Fantastic.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07It's practicalities we need to think about, whether it'd work.
0:33:07 > 0:33:09The property itself and the views are dreamy.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12That and price, because obviously we don't know whether it's in budget,
0:33:12 > 0:33:14or how much it will cost.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18Well, why don't we have a stab and see whether you can guess. Ruth?
0:33:20 > 0:33:23Maybe it's £225,000?
0:33:23 > 0:33:25I'll go £220,000.
0:33:25 > 0:33:29It's actually at the very, very top end of your budget.
0:33:29 > 0:33:34In fact, just a fraction over, just over £250,000 for this.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36For this, basically.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39I think you should take some time, have another wander,
0:33:39 > 0:33:44- really look around, and talk between yourselves.- OK.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48'Only just tipping over budget,
0:33:48 > 0:33:52'this semi-detached villa comes with the potential for four bedrooms,
0:33:52 > 0:33:55'two shower rooms, an open-plan kitchen-diner,
0:33:55 > 0:33:58'and two large terraced balconies that pour out
0:33:58 > 0:34:01'onto the far-reaching Umbrian countryside.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03This is definitely the best house we've seen,
0:34:03 > 0:34:07just because of the location, really, and also the way it's been done up.
0:34:07 > 0:34:08The views are stunning,
0:34:08 > 0:34:10and there is nothing we'd need to do to this house.
0:34:10 > 0:34:12The previous owners have done it to perfection, really.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15All you'd need to do is bring your own furniture,
0:34:15 > 0:34:17your own paintings, and you could just move in.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19The only criticism I would have about the house,
0:34:19 > 0:34:24and this is incredibly nit-picking, is that ideally I would like a bath.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27We've got two showers. But it's not a deal-breaker.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29The only thing that's wrong with this property is the fact
0:34:29 > 0:34:32it's that little bit far out of town.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34And with winding country roads,
0:34:34 > 0:34:37being reliant on a car as much in the winter...
0:34:37 > 0:34:38It's really the only concern.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41It just holds you back from being completely enthusiastic.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44Otherwise, it's a gorgeous property.
0:34:44 > 0:34:50- Hello, guys. All good?- Yes, great. - Satisfied?- Lovely house.- All right.
0:34:50 > 0:34:51Come with me, then.
0:34:56 > 0:35:00Like much of Italy, Umbria has a close affiliation with art,
0:35:00 > 0:35:04and the region has produced its fair share of talented,
0:35:04 > 0:35:07internationally renowned artists, such as the Renaissance masters
0:35:07 > 0:35:11Raphael and Piero della Francesca, who were both schooled here.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15The shores of the River Tiber also provide wonderful clay
0:35:15 > 0:35:18that the locals have been using to make beautifully vibrant ceramics
0:35:18 > 0:35:22since as far back as 900 BC.
0:35:22 > 0:35:26In particular, the town of Deruta is famed for its high-quality
0:35:26 > 0:35:29and brightly-coloured pottery.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32Ruth and Stuart are keen to expand their love affair with art
0:35:32 > 0:35:33when they move to Italy.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36So, I took them to meet Sarah and David Moody,
0:35:36 > 0:35:40expats from Kent who run an art school from their Umbrian home,
0:35:40 > 0:35:42catering for culture-hungry Brits and Italians alike.
0:35:42 > 0:35:44- Hello, there!- Hi.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47- Good afternoon. Welcome to Poggiolame.- Thank you.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51- Lovely to see you.- I'm Sarah. - Lovely to see you, Sarah.- David.
0:35:51 > 0:35:55- This is quite some spot you've got here, really wow.- Great views.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58Autumn, spring, summer and winter, it changes all the time,
0:35:58 > 0:36:01so it's really refreshing to get out in the morning and look.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05- It's just spectacular.- What brought you to this part of the world, Sam?
0:36:05 > 0:36:09Well, I've got a background in art, so Italy is the place to be, really.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11And I specialised in the Renaissance.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14And I'd always wanted to run painting courses.
0:36:14 > 0:36:15And then I met David,
0:36:15 > 0:36:18and that gave me the opportunity to come down here.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20And we've just been off and running ever since.
0:36:20 > 0:36:24So, Ruth and Stuart are basically wanting to move to Umbria.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27They absolutely love the place.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30And Ruth, you do fancy yourself as a little bit of an artist as well.
0:36:30 > 0:36:32I'm quite a rubbish artist, but I enjoy it.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34- That's the most important thing! - Enthusiastic beginner.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37Perfect. We thought it would be nice, since you like Umbria,
0:36:37 > 0:36:39and we live here, and we love it,
0:36:39 > 0:36:42if you wanted to have a go at doing some watercolours this afternoon.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44Could be quite interesting.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46THEY ALL LAUGH
0:36:46 > 0:36:48Just an hour from the art architectural capitals
0:36:48 > 0:36:51of Florence and Rome, Sarah and David moved out here
0:36:51 > 0:36:55and bought their traditional Umbrian country house three years ago.
0:36:55 > 0:36:59Most of the 220-acre estate is wild with woodland,
0:36:59 > 0:37:03flowers and fruit trees, and terraces blessed
0:37:03 > 0:37:06with absolutely sensational vistas of the landscape.
0:37:06 > 0:37:10Sarah, this is pretty special.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12'And, not surprisingly,
0:37:12 > 0:37:14'this magnetic panorama that takes in
0:37:14 > 0:37:17'the medieval village of Montegabbione
0:37:17 > 0:37:21'and the mountains beyond is the subject matter for our masterclass.'
0:37:23 > 0:37:26I suggest we just mark in the lines of the mountains
0:37:26 > 0:37:29very faint in the background, and then a silhouette of the town.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32And then, just lay it in as quickly as you can.
0:37:35 > 0:37:39Ruth, is this the sort of life you envisaged for yourself and Umbria?
0:37:39 > 0:37:41- Doing this sort of thing? - Oh, definitely.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44- The different lights and colours here are amazing.- They are beautiful.
0:37:44 > 0:37:48Do you know about mixing colours? Blue and yellow gives you green.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51- Yep.- Blue and red will give you a purple, or a lilac.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54And the more water you have, the more translucent the colour will be.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56- Lovely.- So, the more paint, the heavier the colour.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59- This is good fun, actually. - It is good fun.- Yeah!
0:38:02 > 0:38:03Is this you, Stuart?
0:38:03 > 0:38:08- I mean, we know that Ruth is into art and architecture.- How about you?
0:38:08 > 0:38:11Um... I love my art and architecture.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15I don't really consider myself somebody who has any great
0:38:15 > 0:38:21ability at art. But you know what, I could really get into this.
0:38:21 > 0:38:25You cannot help but be inspired by this view. It's stunning.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28- Sarah, you have a convert at the end.- I have.- Look at that.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31We've been here two minutes and he's signed up for the course.
0:38:33 > 0:38:37- OK, I think it's time to show and tell.- I think so.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40To reveal our masterpieces. Three, two, one...
0:38:40 > 0:38:44- Ta-da!- Oh. Come on.- He's really good.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47Mine looks exactly like that, mister.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49I don't know what you've been looking at.
0:38:50 > 0:38:54Well, I think if I have to choose the best one...
0:38:54 > 0:38:58- It has to be Stuart's, really.- Well done, Stuart.- Thanks very much.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04'That's one tradition mastered by Stuart, at least.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07'But there's another one that I think we'll all fare much better at,
0:39:07 > 0:39:11'and that's a glass of the country's fine native bubbly
0:39:11 > 0:39:14'over a chat to enable Sarah and David to paint a deeper picture
0:39:14 > 0:39:18'of expat life in the heart of the Umbrian hills.'
0:39:18 > 0:39:19- CORK POPS - Hey! There we go.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21You've done that before, David.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24So, Ruth and Stuart are looking to move here.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26You've been here for three years now.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29Why are they making the right decision?
0:39:29 > 0:39:32It's great here. Once you get your head round it, it's fantastic.
0:39:32 > 0:39:33The people are really friendly.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36They're very forgiving once you start learning the language.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39- Speaking Italian is a must, would you say?- It's a definite must.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42Italian bureaucracy is really quite difficult
0:39:42 > 0:39:44to get your head round, really.
0:39:44 > 0:39:48So you need to find someone Italian who can speak English, and you get
0:39:48 > 0:39:53on with, and they'll give you some truthful ideas of what's going on.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55We did the insurance on the house
0:39:55 > 0:39:58and Sarah had to sign about 20 times.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00- 37.- Oh, 37!- Wow!
0:40:00 > 0:40:03We witnessed quite a lot of bureaucracy
0:40:03 > 0:40:06trying to get married in Italy. That was quite an experience.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08So, I think we're kind of aware of it,
0:40:08 > 0:40:10- but it's good to have it reinforced.- What about food?
0:40:10 > 0:40:12- Is it reasonably priced? Or more expensive?- Yes.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15No, it is reasonably priced.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17If you shop in the little local village,
0:40:17 > 0:40:19then it will be more expensive.
0:40:19 > 0:40:23But the little supermarket just do produce that's in season.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26It's very fresh. Nothing is done quickly, in Italy, by the way.
0:40:26 > 0:40:27Nothing at all.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29If you're at the supermarket,
0:40:29 > 0:40:32you can't get impatient at the lady in front who wants to talk
0:40:32 > 0:40:34to her friend on the cash desk for 20 minutes.
0:40:34 > 0:40:38You just have to go with it. That's just the way it is.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41Ruth will want to work from out here as well, won't you Ruth?
0:40:41 > 0:40:43How easy is it to get internet connection,
0:40:43 > 0:40:48- and setting up an office from your home? Is it easily done?- Right.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51You need to make sure that you've got what they call ADSL,
0:40:51 > 0:40:53broadband, at your house.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55We've got a private satellite here, which is more expensive,
0:40:55 > 0:40:57but I have to have it to run the business.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59And it's actually very, very good,
0:40:59 > 0:41:01now I've found the right guy to go to.
0:41:01 > 0:41:05- Who's really gorgeous, by the way. - I like how you looked at me.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09- I'm with you, sister! - Gorgeous Massimo.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11Technically they say I could have broadband here,
0:41:11 > 0:41:12but it's not fast enough.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14And if you're running a business, you do need it.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17But normally the agents will say, but you need to check,
0:41:17 > 0:41:20because they said we had it here, and we didn't.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23What was the one thing you really wanted to know, or you would
0:41:23 > 0:41:26have wanted to know, before you moved here?
0:41:26 > 0:41:28I would have liked to have been your situation.
0:41:28 > 0:41:32To meet someone locally that's spent a couple of years here,
0:41:32 > 0:41:37and being able to tell you, beware of this, or make sure of that.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40Well, Sarah and David, thank you so much for having us here,
0:41:40 > 0:41:43the art lesson, sharing your lovely Prosecco.
0:41:43 > 0:41:48And you've really opened our eyes to the realities of living in Umbria.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51- So, thank you.- Thank you. - Cin, cin. Or should it be "salute"?
0:41:51 > 0:41:53- Salute or cin, cin!- Salute.- Cheers.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56- It's lovely to meet you all. - It's lovely to meet you.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00- And good luck in your search. - Yes. Absolutely.
0:42:00 > 0:42:04Hopefully, this introduction will be the start of Stuart and Ruth's
0:42:04 > 0:42:06new Italian network.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08But before committing to any property purchase,
0:42:08 > 0:42:12there are a few things to bear in mind first.
0:42:12 > 0:42:14It's vitally important to know that in Italy,
0:42:14 > 0:42:16on top of the figure you're paying for the house,
0:42:16 > 0:42:19you'll need to put about 8% of the price to one side
0:42:19 > 0:42:23for solicitor's costs, stamp duty, and agent's fees.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26Be aware that the tax system can be confusing
0:42:26 > 0:42:30and non-residents may be taxed more than native Italians.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33And, if you aren't fluent in the language,
0:42:33 > 0:42:36a good idea is to get all potential purchase documents
0:42:36 > 0:42:40professionally translated before signing on the dotted lines.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42Finally, as with any legal transactions,
0:42:42 > 0:42:44be sure to seek professional advice.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52It's the final day of house-hunting here in the majestic Italian
0:42:52 > 0:42:56countryside, where we're helping husband and wife Stuart and Ruth
0:42:56 > 0:42:58up sticks from Linlithgow, Scotland,
0:42:58 > 0:43:04to realise Stuart's long-standing dream of trying a new life abroad.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07Today is a new day, and I have a mystery property to show them.
0:43:07 > 0:43:12The house is a wild card, but the location is a winner.
0:43:13 > 0:43:17So, it's time to head to our last house and find out if the Umbrian
0:43:17 > 0:43:23property market will finally uncover Stuart and Ruth's perfect home.
0:43:23 > 0:43:26Our final property destination is on the south-eastern corner
0:43:26 > 0:43:28of Lake Trasimeno,
0:43:28 > 0:43:31just a five-minute walk from Sant'Arcangelo.
0:43:31 > 0:43:33A good-sized town,
0:43:33 > 0:43:36Sant'Arcangelo offers a decent range of amenities and sits
0:43:36 > 0:43:41in a landscape of vineyards, orchards, and silvery olive groves.
0:43:41 > 0:43:45'The mystery house lies in a quiet corner on the edge of the town.'
0:43:47 > 0:43:50So, this is the gorgeous little hamlet
0:43:50 > 0:43:52where the property is situated.
0:43:52 > 0:43:55You've got a lovely little cafe where you come and grab
0:43:55 > 0:43:57your morning coffee, maybe a bite to eat.
0:43:57 > 0:43:59And there are only actually 14 people that live here.
0:43:59 > 0:44:01What do you think?
0:44:01 > 0:44:04- It is absolutely beautiful. A really stunning setting.- Ruth?
0:44:04 > 0:44:07- Yes, it's picture postcard.- Well, wait till you see the property.
0:44:07 > 0:44:08This way.
0:44:11 > 0:44:16- The property, guys, is this one right here.- Oh, right.
0:44:16 > 0:44:20- It's quite big, isn't it? - Yeah, it looks it.- It's huge.
0:44:20 > 0:44:23Can you guess why this might be the mystery property?
0:44:23 > 0:44:27- Er... It needs some work? - You're very good.
0:44:27 > 0:44:29It is a renovation project.
0:44:29 > 0:44:31I know that you said you'd like to have somewhere
0:44:31 > 0:44:33that you can move straight in.
0:44:33 > 0:44:36But I just needed to show you this place, cos it is really special.
0:44:36 > 0:44:39- And you've seen the location.- I like the property, I like the building.
0:44:39 > 0:44:43It looks like it is absolutely enormous. And I love the setting.
0:44:43 > 0:44:47- So, yeah.- OK, well, I'm dying to go inside, so follow me this way.
0:44:50 > 0:44:53'This old, rustic, semi-detached mystery property hasn't been
0:44:53 > 0:44:55'lived in for a couple of years,
0:44:55 > 0:44:57'and so is a little rough around the edges.
0:44:57 > 0:45:01'Therefore Stuart and Ruth will definitely need to exercise
0:45:01 > 0:45:04'a little imagination while looking around.
0:45:04 > 0:45:08'First to see on the ground floor are a cellar and storerooms.'
0:45:08 > 0:45:11Watch your heads. And in we come,
0:45:11 > 0:45:15into what is currently being used as an artist's studio.
0:45:15 > 0:45:16Now, what with your hidden talent
0:45:16 > 0:45:19for painting that we've discovered, Stuart,
0:45:19 > 0:45:23and obviously, Ruth, you do fancy a bit of drawing and painting
0:45:23 > 0:45:25and sketching, you could use this, as it is,
0:45:25 > 0:45:29as an artist's studio. Maybe you'd be inspired down here.
0:45:29 > 0:45:33Also, there are three other rooms on this floor.
0:45:33 > 0:45:35This floor is huge. And they're completely untouched,
0:45:35 > 0:45:38so they do need a lot of work.
0:45:38 > 0:45:40If you didn't want to use it as an art studio,
0:45:40 > 0:45:43or use it for yourselves, and fancied being a little bit savvy
0:45:43 > 0:45:46and doing some work, you could turn it into a holiday let.
0:45:46 > 0:45:48Cos there is plumbing, there's a sink around the corner.
0:45:48 > 0:45:52You could easily turn this into a two-bedroom apartment or something.
0:45:52 > 0:45:55I can certainly see some potential here. It's a big space.
0:45:55 > 0:45:57At the moment obviously it looks a bit dark and dingy,
0:45:57 > 0:46:01but there's lots of things you could do with it.
0:46:01 > 0:46:05There's lots more to see. This is just the ground floor. Follow me.
0:46:05 > 0:46:08'Stuart's eyes have lit up with all the potential on offer here,
0:46:08 > 0:46:11'though I think we'll have to work a little harder with Ruth.
0:46:11 > 0:46:15'So, onwards and hopefully upwards to the first floor.'
0:46:16 > 0:46:22And in we come to the living area-cum-kitchen.
0:46:22 > 0:46:24Brilliant size.
0:46:24 > 0:46:29Behind there's a little bit of storage. A huge fireplace.
0:46:29 > 0:46:31It's got charm, it's got character.
0:46:31 > 0:46:33No-one's lived here for a while,
0:46:33 > 0:46:35but you can really sense the warmth in this room, I think.
0:46:35 > 0:46:38- Yeah, it's lovely.- What do you think? Is this a good size?
0:46:38 > 0:46:41- Could you see yourself living here? - It's a really good size.
0:46:41 > 0:46:42And doesn't look
0:46:42 > 0:46:45as scary renovation-wise, either, as we were thinking.
0:46:45 > 0:46:49Also on this floor you've got a double bedroom, a very large
0:46:49 > 0:46:52double bedroom with a lovely terrace overlooking the garden.
0:46:52 > 0:46:56You've got another huge room with a big fireplace that they are
0:46:56 > 0:46:59using as a sitting room, but you could have that as another bedroom.
0:46:59 > 0:47:02There is also a bathroom on this floor. How about this size?
0:47:02 > 0:47:03The size of the space in here.
0:47:03 > 0:47:07The space is fantastic, and that fireplace is amazing. Really nice.
0:47:07 > 0:47:09Good high ceilings. A lot of character, yeah.
0:47:09 > 0:47:14There's also another floor upstairs, with two bedrooms
0:47:14 > 0:47:18and another bathroom. Lots of space for people to come and stay.
0:47:18 > 0:47:23And from the bedrooms upstairs, you have a view of the lake.
0:47:23 > 0:47:25Oh, fabulous. Icing on the cake.
0:47:25 > 0:47:28There is something else I want to show you though. Follow me.
0:47:30 > 0:47:31Ta-da!
0:47:31 > 0:47:34- What do you think? - Wow, that's stunning, isn't it?
0:47:34 > 0:47:38- It's an amazing view. - I know. Pretty spectacular.
0:47:38 > 0:47:41Now, this is your terrace, that's your garden,
0:47:41 > 0:47:45and in your garden you have an olive tree, a fig tree.
0:47:45 > 0:47:51The quiet country lane is covered in plum trees ripe for picking.
0:47:51 > 0:47:54You could nip down to the local shop, buy a coffee, sit out here
0:47:54 > 0:47:56- and just dream.- Perfect.
0:47:56 > 0:47:58So, you can imagine yourselves living here?
0:47:58 > 0:48:02- Yes.- I think, looking at that view, you'd be a bit mad if you didn't.
0:48:02 > 0:48:05But you still don't know the price.
0:48:05 > 0:48:08So let's go down to the garden and talk money.
0:48:13 > 0:48:17- Well, that's some view, isn't it? - It certainly is.
0:48:17 > 0:48:22There's your garden. It needs a bit of love and care.
0:48:22 > 0:48:24And that is the house.
0:48:24 > 0:48:27Yeah, it's really pretty, isn't it, from this side too? Lovely balcony.
0:48:27 > 0:48:30You can see the space that you've got.
0:48:30 > 0:48:34Let's find out what you think this property is on the market for.
0:48:34 > 0:48:36Ruth, let's start with you.
0:48:36 > 0:48:39I'm thinking maybe £175,000.
0:48:39 > 0:48:43I really hope Ruth's right, but I think, top of our budget, £250,000.
0:48:43 > 0:48:44Big difference.
0:48:44 > 0:48:48It's actually on the market for...
0:48:48 > 0:48:51- £153,000.- No!
0:48:52 > 0:48:55I was happy before. I'm very happy now.
0:48:55 > 0:48:58- That's a very good price. - It is a very good price.
0:48:58 > 0:49:01In fact, the people who own this gorgeous house
0:49:01 > 0:49:04would probably take an offer of £120,000.
0:49:04 > 0:49:07- OK!- That's pretty impressive.
0:49:07 > 0:49:10- I think I need to sit down now to take that in.- I could cry!
0:49:10 > 0:49:15- So could I.- Have another look around the house. We'll catch up in a bit.
0:49:15 > 0:49:18- OK.- Enjoy. Thank you.
0:49:18 > 0:49:20Yes!
0:49:20 > 0:49:24I was so worried that this was going to be too much house for them,
0:49:24 > 0:49:28too big a project. And they love it. And you know why?
0:49:28 > 0:49:31Because that house is fantastic.
0:49:31 > 0:49:36Practically £100,000 under budget,
0:49:36 > 0:49:39this three-storey semi-detached property currently presents
0:49:39 > 0:49:42four bedrooms, and open-plan kitchen and family room,
0:49:42 > 0:49:45as well as a separate living room.
0:49:45 > 0:49:46In need of a basic make-over,
0:49:46 > 0:49:50there's also further scope to convert the ground floor.
0:49:50 > 0:49:54So, it could be that the mystery property will not only bring Stuart
0:49:54 > 0:49:57a little closer to his plans for the next two decades,
0:49:57 > 0:50:01but also makes the prospect a very joint reality.
0:50:01 > 0:50:04I do really like this house. I can see the potential.
0:50:04 > 0:50:08It's in a fantastic location. There's views all the way around.
0:50:08 > 0:50:10It feels like you're in a community, which is something
0:50:10 > 0:50:13- we've been looking for. - For me, this is a perfect location.
0:50:13 > 0:50:17We're in a beautiful little hamlet, we've got a restaurant next door,
0:50:17 > 0:50:19four or five minutes' walk into town with more services.
0:50:19 > 0:50:21This is perfect.
0:50:21 > 0:50:24I think that both Ruth and I really like this house.
0:50:24 > 0:50:27I think it gives us everything that we were looking for.
0:50:27 > 0:50:30This potentially could be a house I could be living in
0:50:30 > 0:50:31in six months' time.
0:50:31 > 0:50:35It's a fantastic location, offering everything we need to live in Italy.
0:50:37 > 0:50:42- Hey, guys.- Hi, Anita.- Happy?- Very, very.- Had a really good look around?
0:50:42 > 0:50:46Because that's it for the properties. Are you ready to leave?
0:50:46 > 0:50:49- We are.- Can I extract you away from this place?
0:50:49 > 0:50:52- It is difficult to leave, but, yes, let's go and do that.- Come with me.
0:51:01 > 0:51:07Umbria's prolific artistic heritage is a rich and beautiful tapestry
0:51:07 > 0:51:12that covers a range of many skilled and centuries-old disciplines.
0:51:12 > 0:51:14And in the northern portion of Lake Trasimeno,
0:51:14 > 0:51:19one tiny island lays claim to one particularly exquisite craft.
0:51:20 > 0:51:24'Accessible by boat, Isola Maggiore is the only inhabited island
0:51:24 > 0:51:28'on the lake, with a history spanning hundreds of years.
0:51:28 > 0:51:31'And I'm making the scenic ferry journey across the water
0:51:31 > 0:51:36'to meet curator Sarah Spidalieri to find out
0:51:36 > 0:51:39'what makes this small island so very special.'
0:51:39 > 0:51:41How many people live on this island?
0:51:41 > 0:51:45Well, in the winter time, there are 17 who live steadily here.
0:51:45 > 0:51:48And in the summer time, there are some tourists,
0:51:48 > 0:51:50and there are 30 or 40 people.
0:51:50 > 0:51:54- So everybody knows everyone's business.- Exactly!
0:51:54 > 0:51:56So, what do people do for a living here?
0:51:56 > 0:51:59There is a great tradition of lace-making here,
0:51:59 > 0:52:02still alive. If you come with me, I will show you.
0:52:02 > 0:52:04I would love to see that, yes!
0:52:04 > 0:52:08'Lace-making was introduced to Isola Maggiore in the early 1900s
0:52:08 > 0:52:10'by Irish women,
0:52:10 > 0:52:13'hired by the then inhabitant of the island's castle,
0:52:13 > 0:52:15'Marquise Elena Guglielmi.
0:52:15 > 0:52:18'She founded a lacework school here to teach local girls
0:52:18 > 0:52:21'a traditional Irish technique.'
0:52:21 > 0:52:24So, what is this then? Is it Italian lace or Irish lace?
0:52:24 > 0:52:26No, no, it is Irish lace.
0:52:26 > 0:52:29This is one made by the crochet, very thin thread.
0:52:29 > 0:52:32Right, and very difficult, I'm guessing.
0:52:32 > 0:52:34It's very, very difficult, this one.
0:52:34 > 0:52:37'Originally the island's women wove and mended
0:52:37 > 0:52:40'fishing nets, which required high precision skills.
0:52:40 > 0:52:43'But they switched their expertise to crochet lace-making
0:52:43 > 0:52:44'for wealthy Italians.
0:52:44 > 0:52:48'Soon the reputation of the islanders' beautiful handiwork grew,
0:52:48 > 0:52:51'and their pieces were sold all over the world.'
0:52:51 > 0:52:54So what's the most expensive piece that you have here?
0:52:54 > 0:52:57Without any doubt, the tablecloth that you see over there,
0:52:57 > 0:53:03- made out of little squares.- So, how much is that tablecloth worth?
0:53:03 > 0:53:09- Hundreds of thousands of pounds. It's very expensive.- Unbelievable!
0:53:09 > 0:53:13It's big, and it's old, and it's very, very elaborate.
0:53:16 > 0:53:20Today the Irish lace tradition is sadly dying out,
0:53:20 > 0:53:23but the art is still practised by a few of the islands' inhabitants,
0:53:23 > 0:53:27who sell their delicate patchworks of lace to the stream of tourists
0:53:27 > 0:53:28passing through.
0:53:30 > 0:53:34- Buongiorno, signore. - Buongiorno, signore.- Que bello!
0:53:34 > 0:53:37I'm going to join you ladies. Why don't we join them, Sarah?
0:53:37 > 0:53:39We can be the lace-makers for the day.
0:53:39 > 0:53:42- So your mother was a lace-maker? - SARAH SPEAKS IN ITALIAN
0:53:42 > 0:53:47- Si.- And your grandmother? - Si.- And her mother?- Si!
0:53:48 > 0:53:51So how long would it take to make something like this, Sarah?
0:53:51 > 0:53:54Well, if it's made from the morning to the evening,
0:53:54 > 0:53:56something like a couple of weeks.
0:53:56 > 0:53:59Wow! That's a lot of work.
0:53:59 > 0:54:00So what happens next?
0:54:00 > 0:54:04Have their daughters learnt how to make the lace?
0:54:04 > 0:54:07SARAH SPEAKS IN ITALIAN
0:54:07 > 0:54:09- No.- No.
0:54:09 > 0:54:12OK, so I know that the daughters haven't really kept up
0:54:12 > 0:54:15the tradition. I'd quite like to have a go.
0:54:15 > 0:54:18- Put it on there? - LACE-MAKER SPEAKS IN ITALIAN
0:54:18 > 0:54:21OK, now. Got it. So loop it under?
0:54:22 > 0:54:24And then pull it through?
0:54:25 > 0:54:29Yeah? Yeah!
0:54:29 > 0:54:32THEY CONGRATULATE HER IN ITALIAN
0:54:32 > 0:54:33You're very sweet.
0:54:34 > 0:54:40It just feels like I'm learning a beautiful ancient tradition... Argh!
0:54:40 > 0:54:42Oh, Gina!
0:54:44 > 0:54:46Well, it's been a real honour to have learned
0:54:46 > 0:54:48the art of lace-making with you, ladies.
0:54:48 > 0:54:51- So, thank you very much. Grazie...mille grazie.- Prego, prego.
0:54:55 > 0:54:58You know, it's not always been easy to figure out what it is
0:54:58 > 0:55:01that Stuart and Ruth want. I think they're looking for perfection.
0:55:01 > 0:55:05But when you're working to a budget, you've got to compromise somewhere.
0:55:05 > 0:55:08Now, I've shown them a couple of great houses.
0:55:08 > 0:55:12And I can't wait to find out what it is that they're really thinking.
0:55:17 > 0:55:21Stuart and Ruth, you have such a strong idea of what it is
0:55:21 > 0:55:23you were looking for when we started this journey together.
0:55:23 > 0:55:26- So, how have you found your time? - I think we just love being in Italy,
0:55:26 > 0:55:27and it's just reinforced to us
0:55:27 > 0:55:30we definitely, definitely want to come and stay here.
0:55:30 > 0:55:33That's good, cos I was going to say, after these last few days,
0:55:33 > 0:55:35do you still want to live in Umbria?
0:55:35 > 0:55:39- Oh, yes.- I have to say, I found the two of you quite difficult to read.
0:55:39 > 0:55:43But did I get close with any of the properties?
0:55:43 > 0:55:44Yeah, I think so.
0:55:44 > 0:55:48I think you got what we were looking for in the mystery property.
0:55:48 > 0:55:52For us, it was always about feeling like you were part of a community.
0:55:52 > 0:55:54And I think with that sort of little hamlet,
0:55:54 > 0:55:56and then close to a town, you've got that.
0:55:56 > 0:56:00And it's really hard to know that's what you want until you see it.
0:56:00 > 0:56:03So, what was it about the property that really sold it to you?
0:56:03 > 0:56:07There's only two of us, at the end of the day, and Bertie the dog.
0:56:07 > 0:56:09So we didn't require a really big house.
0:56:09 > 0:56:13But having something that really is quite big is an added bonus.
0:56:13 > 0:56:17We were veering away from renovation. We didn't want a complete renovation.
0:56:17 > 0:56:19But this one has the partial renovation.
0:56:19 > 0:56:23We could move in with minimal work, and then, over time, do it up.
0:56:23 > 0:56:27We are relatively young, and we've got the next 10 years or so
0:56:27 > 0:56:29that we can do that kind of project.
0:56:29 > 0:56:31Nothing would need to be done too quickly.
0:56:31 > 0:56:33See, I thought you would definitely go for the one
0:56:33 > 0:56:38with the beautiful interior, the one with the view, that was all done up.
0:56:38 > 0:56:39You could move in and you're good to go.
0:56:39 > 0:56:43I think if you had been able to pick up that property, move it halfway
0:56:43 > 0:56:46between where it was and the town that we like so much, Panicale,
0:56:46 > 0:56:47it would have been perfection.
0:56:47 > 0:56:51- But then, that would have been double the price, probably.- Yeah.
0:56:51 > 0:56:54So, the mystery property obviously stands out for you. What's next?
0:56:54 > 0:56:56- Are you going to take it further? - Yes, certainly.
0:56:56 > 0:56:59We are very interested. We'd like to see it again.
0:56:59 > 0:57:02We'd like to do a bit more research on it. But, yeah.
0:57:02 > 0:57:03It would interest us.
0:57:03 > 0:57:06So if I were to call you in six months' time,
0:57:06 > 0:57:07will you still be in Scotland?
0:57:07 > 0:57:10No, I don't think we will.
0:57:10 > 0:57:12We'd like to pursue things quickly, and I would think
0:57:12 > 0:57:15- we'll come out in the next few weeks, maybe a month or so?- Yep.
0:57:15 > 0:57:17It's not a holiday home. This is a life change.
0:57:17 > 0:57:19If you're going to spend that sort of money,
0:57:19 > 0:57:22- and make a decision, you've got to be sure.- Well, you know what?
0:57:22 > 0:57:26I'm absolutely delighted that you loved the mystery property.
0:57:26 > 0:57:27I hope it works out for you.
0:57:27 > 0:57:31And if not that one, I hope you find your dream home in Umbria.
0:57:31 > 0:57:34- So, cheers, and good luck. - Thank you.- Thank you.
0:57:37 > 0:57:41I was worried that Stuart and Ruth's perfect home didn't actually exist.
0:57:41 > 0:57:43But do you know what? They're realistic.
0:57:43 > 0:57:45They've done their research.
0:57:45 > 0:57:48They're ready for this move to Umbria to take it for all its highs
0:57:48 > 0:57:53and its lows. And maybe our mystery home is their dream home.
0:57:53 > 0:57:57Join me next time for another Escape To The Continent.
0:57:57 > 0:58:00Stuart and Ruth wasted no time booking their flights back to Umbria
0:58:00 > 0:58:02for a second viewing at the mystery house
0:58:02 > 0:58:04as well as other properties in the area.
0:58:04 > 0:58:07But they are still undecided.
0:58:07 > 0:58:10So, they've made plans to rent a property near Lake Trasimeno
0:58:10 > 0:58:15whilst the search continues for their perfect future Italian home.
0:58:15 > 0:58:18If you'd like to escape to the continent and need our help,
0:58:18 > 0:58:20please apply online at: