Villa in Villaggio is a charming independent
house located in the Crete Senese near Pienza. Its entrance gate opens to the sweet village of Castelmuzio where guests will be charmed by the church bells and authenticity of this small Italian village. This house is endearing
for a variety of reasons including: the views (made famous by the film ‘The
English Patient’); the medieval walled village (originally founded by the
Etruscans, over 2500 years ago); the proximity to major cultural centers such as
Siena, Florence and Rome, as well as the wine areas of Montipulciano,
Montalcino & Chianti among others; good restaurants within comfortable distance
of the villa, which use local ingredients such as truffles, porcini & wild boar
found in the nearby woods.
Villa in Villaggio sits at the end of an
olive grove known for producing one of Italy's premier extra virgin olive oils.
The villa, the pool & the gardens are totally private - separated from the main
house by a large expanse of olive grove.
The house has two stories with an external
staircase (traditional in Tuscan architecture). It has been completely restored
with terra-cotta floors, travertine marble in the bathrooms and an overall
careful eye for comfort.
On the ground floor, the main kitchen is
fully equipped with marble work surfaces, dishwasher, fridge-freezer, electric
kettle, coffee-maker, micro-wave oven, a multitude of utensils, & a large
fireplace with a traditional wood burning stove. It is not only adjacent to the
dining room, but also opens on to the outside dining and BBQ area. The
sitting/dining room is furnished with a large oak dining table, chairs &
sideboard, sofa & hi-fi system.
The ground floor also has a double bedroom
with en-suite bathroom, a second double bedroom with walk through dressing area
and a bathroom that is shared with the third small twin bedroom. All rooms have
french windows that open directly onto the gardens.
On the upper-floor is another double bedroom
with en-suite bathroom, a small bedroom and second bathroom. The bedrooms are
divided by a large sitting/dining room which is furnished with sofas,
dining-table and chairs, TV, DVD/CD & Video players. A discreetly placed
kitchenette allows for the independent provision of snacks, breakfast or tea, to
be taken on the adjacent balcony while enjoying the views of the hill towns of
Pienza & Montalcino, and the majestic Monte Amiata rising in the distance.
Guests are provided with a pool towel, a bath
towel, a hand towel and a face washer. These are changed mid week. All beds are
orthopedic and come with two pillows per person, feather comforters in winter,
100% cotton linens and all other covers made of natural fibers. Hairdryers are provided. There is a
laundry room with washing machine, iron and board & sink.
The grounds are comprised of the olive grove,
a small pine glade and several patios with grape covered pergolas equipped with
out door furniture for dining al fresco or simply relaxing.
The infinity-style swimming pool is large (7
x 16 meters or 21 x 52 ½ feet) and secluded. The shallow end is raised above the
natural slope of the land, giving bathers the impression of swimming into the
Tuscan landscape. It is well furnished with sun loungers and has both shady and
sunny places.
Guests at Villa in Villaggio will find it
stocked with a welcome basket containing the owner’s olive oil, local wine, free
range organic eggs laid by local chickens, fresh baked goods and other local
products to see you through the first evening and breakfast. There is a
telephone for local calls, and satellite television channels in English, Italian
& other languages.
Prices include: All utilies except heat, mid week towel change, bi-weekly cleaning, pool towels, welcome basket of local produce.
Upon request: cook, cooking classes and extra cleaning
AVAILABILITY UPON REQUEST
Rental prices 2009
|
High season |
May 23 - Sept 4 |
Euros
4345/week |
| Mid season |
April 4 - May 22
Sept 5 - Oct 16
|
Euros
3575/week |
|
Low season |
All other weeks |
Euros
2915/week |
Plus $35 booking fee
LOCATION:
Villa in Villaggio is within easy reach of many major places of interest in
Tuscany as well as many less well-known, but equally interesting locations. The
nearest airport is Florence, 1 ½ hours by car. Pisa and Rome are equidistant (2
½ hours). The nearby towns are Pienza, Montepulciano, Montalcino and many other
well known places all providing restaurants, wine bars, enotecas, medieval and
renaissance art and culture. It is an hour and 15 minutes from central Florence
and 30 minutes to Siena.
All around are wonderful nature walks and
hikes, inspiring views, as well as horse riding, hot air balloon rides, mountain
bike hire and several natural thermal spas that offer massages, facials and
other well being treatments, or simply wallow in the curative waters (an
excellent jet lag cure).
Please note that this property does not have
air conditioning. Air conditioning is rarely necessary in Tuscany due to the
lack of humidity and the temperate climate. Tuscan properties generally have
very thick walls and high ceilings; most are built on the tops of gently rolling
hills where they catch the breezes that spring up at midday and in the evenings.
