Tuscany Villa 915

A 14 night minimum rental applies. See short stay exceptions below the description.

About the property

Situated in the heart of Tuscany, between Siena and Florence. This villa, owned for centuries by an Italian Aristocratic Family, is encircled by spectacular gardens, offering breath taking views of the surrounding countryside. Dating back to 1400, additional construction was added between 1700 - 1800. The whole structure was restructured with loving care during 1996 - 1997.

After tens years renovation of the entire estate, this superb villa is finally ready to be experienced. Renovations included the reconfiguration of the interior to provide ensuite accommodation in every bedroom, and the inclusion of air conditioning in both bedrooms and gathering rooms. The already commodious Villa can be supplemented by several ensuite bedrooms of the same standard, but in separate buildings, to accommodate groups of up to 31. There is no other villa for this number of people of such uniformly high standards for rent in Tuscany. This is truly a property with the highest standards.

THE GARDENS

The Villa is reached through an iron gate at the end of a long row of cypress trees. The impeccable condition of each and every building and garden is immediately evident. The main structure, started in the 1300's and then added to and changed at the end of the 1800's, rises majestically as the focal point of a pleasant courtyard ringed with additional accommodations for guests and staff. A fresh coat of butter colored paint has been applied to all the buildings.

The gardens, patios and recreational facilities are all carefully designed to provide maximum privacy from the house and make full use of the lovely views.

The open car park is located out of sight next to the tennis court. A garden of 1 1/2 hectares immediately surrounds the house with fruit trees, flowering shrubs, roses, flowering vines and cypress trees. There are characteristic views of green-covered hills, olive groves and vineyards from virtually every vantage point on the property. Following around to the south facade, a broad paved patio, with barbeque, is furnished with iron tables and chairs for 36 people and can be arranged to suit the size and configuration of each group. Retractable awnings provide shade when needed. Five mountain bikes are available for clients' use -- a particularly amiable way to go to Pievescuola. A croquet lawn is also available for everyone's amusement.

POOL AREA

A spacious outdoor lounge where you can relax for your aperitifs or refreshments, open on two sides and fully furnished with teak tables and chairs plus comfortable couches, is set just above the vanishing-edge pool (16 x 8 meters). A canvas-covered pergola provides shade poolside. A jacuzzi is being added since 2003. There are changing rooms and bathrooms, plus an outdoor shower (cold only), in an adjacent renovated dependence. This same structure includes a newly constructed sauna. The tennis court is set below.

MAIN VILLA

Divided into: For 25 person divided into 13 bedrooms: 1 single 2 twin bedrooms 6 double bedrooms 4 suites (1 with jacuzzi)

GARDEN LEVEL

A vast living room, the 'cantinone', in an apple green and velvet-red color scheme with several sitting areas, is all furnished with handsomely upholstered couches, antique sideboards and table lamps. The cotta floor is softened with tapestry rugs, and several cleverly placed floor 'windows' offer tantalizing views of the Cantina below. The walls are hung with oil paintings. The arched ceilings remain bare terra-cotta. Even in summer, this room remains a cool oasis, rarely needing the air conditioning. There is also a CD player and karaoke machine.

Three separate but adjoining dining rooms, accommodating 31 people at round tables set under the vaulted stone ceilings, fill the adjacent rooms. These have been designed so that smaller groups can still feel comfortable eating family-style. Each room opens through arched glass double doors to the south patio.

Main kitchen, designed for professional cooks, is also open to guests throughout the day for the preparation of food as they choose.

Spacious suite with private entrance, off garden or through Cantinore, to large living room with several handsome paintings, fabric-draped tables and sunflower yellow couch. A door leads to a double bedroom (queen) with restored antique iron bed, traditional to Tuscany, finished in red cotton and closed off from adjacent sitting area by means of red and gold plaid drapes. Two white-tiled bathrooms (tub with wall-mounted shower, partition in each) with views of the countryside.

PIANO NOBILE

The main entrance to the private rooms of the house, is up a short staircase from the courtyard. The elegant, refined taste of the owners, who have decorated the house themselves, is immediately evident in the freshly upholstered couches, refurbished antique chairs, fabric-draped side tables, all in a gold and green color palette. A Venetian-glass front alcove houses a collection of porcelains. The walls here, as throughout the house, are newly painted and hung with an extensive collection of oils, engravings and prints.

The sitting room for television (wall-mounted liquid crystal display, satellite, DVD, VCR, Play Station), also finished in a gold and green palette, includes comfortable couches with small antique coffee table and large antique desk for writing. Two windows overlook the courtyard. Cotta floors with area rugs.

Fully restored chapel with frescoes on all walls and a painting of the 'Madonna and Child' over the altar.

Delightful single bedroom has been named 'cavallo' for the horse prints on the walls, window lamp shades and other objects. Lovely countryside view. Large tiled ensuite bath (tub with hand-held shower, no curtain).

Expansive suite in greens, under cassettone ceiling. Sitting room with love seat, glass-topped coffee table and oversize antique armoire separated from double bedroom (queen) by green and coral plaid drapes. Antique restored iron bed on cotta floor. Various prints depict hunting scenes. Three windows open to south-facing a view of tree-covered hills. Ensuite coral bath (tub with wall-mounted shower and partial partition).

Cheerful double bedroom (king), called 'limonaia' for the bright lemon pattern on the linens, drapes and various objects around the room. Fabric draped antique bed has been completely restored. Large closet. White tiled ensuite bath (tub with wall-mounted shower and curtain). There are a couple of steps up and down from the door to the bed and bath.

Elegant double bedroom (queen), the 'rose suite', with a lovely ensemble of antique furniture including a romantic canopied bed, all finished in a rose and yellow print chintz. Dresser, closet and dressing table under a cassettone ceiling. Ensuite bath (tub with wall-mounted shower, partial glass partition).

PIANO NOBILE - NORTH WING

Pale and lovely double bedroom (king) 'affrascati', meaning the walls and ceilings are covered with frescoes from the turn of the century and fully restored. Antique iron bed and pink and white ensuite bath (enclosed shower stall).

Bright double bedroom (king) with restored antique iron bed complete with sitting area, all finished in a heavy coral-colored cotton. TV. Large ensuite bath (massage tub with hand-held shower, no curtain) with inset sinks in marble counter, and south-facing window. Cotta tiled floor and area rug.

Full bath (tub with hand-held shower, no curtain), finished in green and white tiles, used as a guest bath for those in the TV room or on the terrace.

Large terrace furnished with teak dining tables and built-in benches. This terrace makes an especially delightful place for taking breakfast (up to 12 people), and is often where the staff serves drinks and hors d'oeuvres. The views of the countryside are lovely.

FIRST FLOOR

Spacious and elegant double bedroom (twins cannot combine). Black iron Tuscan beds have been completely restored, under high ceiling. The red and gold fabrics, antique armoire and antique dresser add to the refinement of the room. Ensuite bath (tub with wall-mounted shower, partial partition) finished in white tile with yellow and green accents.

Central sitting room, spacious and elegantly furnished with antique wood-framed couch finished in blue damask, antique gilt-framed mirror and samovar. Opens to delightful, large balcony with views of the garden, adjacent buildings and countryside beyond. The walls are original ‹ stenciled in gold on gold in a stylized fleur-de-lis design, and duplicated on a newly constructed marble-framed decorative fireplace.

Pretty, feminine 'Pompeian' double bedroom (queen) with draped bed in peach tones. Hardwood floor with tapestry rug. Antique painted dresser and armoire. Delightful, oversized romantic ensuite bath with claw-foot tub (with shower attachment and curtain) set in middle of the room and a draped dressing table in the corner. Two large windows in the bathroom alone.

Private vestibule leads to elegant, large double bedroom (king) in gold which enjoys both east- and west-facing windows and, as on the top floors, the views are especially expansive. Very large ensuite bath (tub with hand-held shower, curtain), which was originally a kitchen.

FIRST FLOOR - NORTH WING

Cool and pleasant double bedroom (queen), 'azzure', with restored iron bed draped in white linen and finished with fresh white cotton spread. Blue and white color scheme taken from handsome frescoed ceiling. Hardwood floor, armoire and dresser. Blue and white ensuite bath (enclosed shower stall).

Pretty double bedroom (queen) very nicely finished in soft greens and peach tones with lovely woven spread on iron bed. Armoire and dresser, decoratively painted, to fit with style of tapestry rug and bed covers. Ensuite bath (tub with hand-held shower, curtain) with travertine counter.

Private suite of two rooms occupying the end of the hall comprises the 'Popes' room, a double bedroom (twins cannot combine) in sophisticated beige/coral damask stripe with a wonderful oil of a Pope. Across the frescoed hall, depicting the town of Gallina and the Villa as it looked at the turn of the century, is the private bath (tub with hand-held shower, partial partition).

IL GRANAIO

The lower level of the house has been restored but the ancient olive press, originally powered by oxen, remains. Beyond is the large billiard room, with a beautiful, full-size antique pool table. The Cantina is set in two small round rooms, and includes wine of the house. This museum-like series of rooms, set with various interesting artifacts from the estate's agricultural past, is also reached by a separate gated entrance and gravel drive.

DEPENDENCE

3 double bedrooms (1 with jacuzzi)

Private entrance directly from courtyard into elegant double bedroom (king), named 'traforato' for the open brick work characteristic of a 'fienile' or hay barn. The sitting area, with couch, TV and several lovely works of art, opens directly to the courtyard. Spacious bedroom with draped bed, plenty of room for clothes storage, with windows over the courtyard and quiet side lawn. Ensuite bath (oversized jacuzzi tub with hand-held shower, double sinks).

Small vestibule leads to staircase and the first floor. A small frigo is set at the top of the stairs for use by guests. Two lovely double bedrooms (queens) each with restored antique beds and finished in a bright yellow/green fabric. Each bath is ensuite (one with wall-mounted shower and curtain, the other with shower stall).

OWNER'S QUARTERS

Owners' Quarters apartment can also be rented for an additional four people, please inquire. This apartment is composed of one suite room and one bedroom both with ensuite bathroom.

FACILITIES

• RECEPTION: on the courtyard with computer for internet , telephone and staff for assistance
• TENNIS COURT
• SWIMMING POOL + JACUZZI
• SAUNA
• CROQUET LAWN
• FLAT TV WITH SATELLITE ON MAIN TV ROOM 5 TV WITH SATELLITE ON BEDROOMS
• VIDEORECORDER
• PLAYSTATION 2
• KARAOKE
• BILIARD
• 5 MOUNTAIN BIKES
• CENTRAL HEATING
• AIR-CONDITIONING
• ELECTRICITY I
• NTERNET & FAX SERVICE (TO BE BILLED TO INDIVIDUAL ROOMS)
• SMALL PLANES AND HELICOPTERS
• LAND NEAR BY(2KM)

EXCLUSIONS OR ON REQUEST

• TELEPHONE & FAX BILLING
• CHEF EURO 150 PER DAY
• CLEANING SOAP
• FOOD AND DRINKS TO BE PAID IN EURO UPON PRESENTATION OF THE SHOPPING RECEIPTS ON DAILY BASIS.
• MOST IMPORTANT TUSCAN WINES FROM THE CELLAR
• PRIVATE LAUNDRY AND EXTRA LAUNDRY
• TOURS IN THE MOST IMPORTANT WINE REGENTS IN MONTALCINO WITH LUNCH AND WINE TASTING - WINE TASTING ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE VILLA
• 3 LUXURY SPEED BOAT FOR FULL DAY EXCURSION TO MONTE ARGENTARIO

The owners also make available three Itama power boats for up to 17 people (including crew, gasoline, food and wine) leaving from Porto Ercole on the coast of Argentario. The seaside is an hour and a half drive from the Villa but well worth the visit for the glorious ocean swimming, fantastic seafood and dramatic shoreline views.

• TOUR ON MOUNTAIN BIKE
• ORCHESTRA
• MASSAGE SERVICE
• FIREWORKS SERVICE
• HOLIDAY PACKAGE USD 5,500 PER PERSON (MIN.24 MAX 32 PERSON)
• STAFF
• 1 MAITRE
• 5/6 MAIDS
• COOK (UPON REQUEST)

STAFF WORKING HOURS (ARE EXPECTED TO RESPECT PRESET WORKING HOURS) FROM 8:30 A.M. UNTIL AFTER DINNER. THEY SHOULD HAVE 2 HOURS BREAK DURING THE DAY. STAFF IS INCLUDED FOR BREAKFAST AND FOR DINNER. DURING THE DAY. IF BREAKFAST AND 2 MEALS ARE REQUIRED ON THE DAY A STAFF OVERTIME CHARGE OF EURO 150 WILL BE ADDED. STAFF IS TRAINED TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF SERVICE.

GENERAL INFORMATION Saturday - Saturday stay min. one week. Arrival after 4p.m. Departure before 11a.m.

Linens are changed weekly. All bedrooms have ample clothes storage in dressers plus an armoire or built-in cupboard, as well as their own safe and phone extension connected to switchboard. The mattresses are new and comfortably firm. Five TVs are available for use in bedrooms; all have access to satellite service.

Dinner should be planned at approximately 8:30 PM.

Lunch service is E. 155.00 per meal. All food and wine is charged separately, receipts will be presented and are to be paid daily.

The Villa stocks a good selection of Tuscan and Umbrian wines and will purchase specific labels at the client's request. Staff alternates time off of one day per week, per person.

Smaller groups will not have access to the Dependence. Owners' Quarters apartment can also be rented for an additional four people; please inquire.

Customized excursions and events can also be arranged, as well as high-speed boat rentals; please inquire. Nearest towns Pievescuola, Colle Val d'Elsa: 10 - 15 mins. Siena: 20 mins. Pisa Airport: 1 1/2 hrs. Florence: 40 mins.

The Villa is available from April to November

Short stay exceptions: Rentals relating to Corporate events/wedding/films please contact the relevant Villa Getaways agent to ask the suitability of this property.