4 Apartments, 2 Cottages and Bed and Breakfast near Florence
On a Private Estate enjoying Stunning Views
1 and 2 Bedroom Cottages / Apartments
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We are set in our own 70 acres of tranquil woodlands and meadows full of wild flowers 635 metres (2000 feet) above sea level with panoramic views to the west towards Florence over vineyards and olive groves. We are also on the wine trail for Chianti Rufina and Pomino and near the Vallombrosa Monastery and Nature Reserve. La Doccia has been painstakingly restored to an extremely high standard whilst leaving the original structures largely unchanged. Many features remain such as stone staircases, a mixture of chestnut and terracotta ceilings, and much of the original terracotta and brick flooring. Where it has been necessary to improve certain areas the same hand-made or original materials have been used. La Doccia is open all year with double-glazing, external glass doors to all the main wooden doors, and full central heating. Every room at La Doccia is unique and contains an eclectic mixture of local hand-crafted furniture made in the small mountain village of Tosi. Florence 45 mins.
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| Rental periods | Accommodation type | Price per night |
| Main House - En suite Bedroom | Bed and Breakfast | 90 euros |
| The Bergerie or Casa Cassia | Self catering 1 Bedroom cottage | 115 euros |
| Milton or Francesca | Self catering 1 Bedroom Apartment | 95 euros |
| Larissa | Self Catering 2 Bedroom Apartment | 110 euros |
| Maria | Junior Suite | 70 euros |
Notes on prices
We let out bedrooms and self catering units for minimum three day stays and will provide extra discounts for stays above 1 week and for group bookings, wedddings and suchlike
Autumn, winter and spring lettings available in the cottages and the apartments and we provide firewood. Please enquire.
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Larissa (2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4)
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Larissa is a two bedroom apartment ideal for small families. There is a double bedroom, a twin bedroom and a private bathroom also with handmade tiles. It also has a small kitchenette with a separate enclosed loggia dining/living area and a South and East facing terrace - all off its own private hallway which was once the old forno (pizza oven). The kitchenette is ideal for the preparation of breakfast and other light meals having wash-up facilities, microwave oven, hot plate and fridge. The apartment is approached over its terrace from the Courtyard. The terrace faces across the courtyard and up into the attractive woods above La Doccia. BBQ. |
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Casa Cassia (1 Bedroom, Sleeps 5)
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This charming cottage commands south and west facing views into the Arno and Sieve valleys below and above towards the Appennini, the far Carrara Massa and a twinkling Florence at night in the distance. Casa Cassia is a traditional Tuscan farm building that has been converted to an exceptionally high standard and is surrounded by oak trees and enjoys views into our orchard. It is about a minutes walk from the swimming pool. Casa Cassia is on two floors, has a good sized family room upstairs with a double bedroom and two single beds while downstairs is a large living room with a further sofa bed and an open plan kitchen. The front door leads to a private south and west facing stone paved terrace shaded by oak trees. This cottage faces the Arno valley and enjoys spectacular views, is extremely private and now retains all the original features and traditional furniture as well as a private terrace and exquisite views. |
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The Bergerie (1 Bedroom, Sleeps 3)
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This converted old stone built cottage has a double bedroom with a queen sized bed and bathroom upstairs while downstairs is a large open plan living room and kitchen with french windows out onto a large stone paved terrace with BBQ. The private terrace and the cottage are reached by a stone built staircase from the car park. The Bergerie is finished in a traditional Tuscan style, with terracotta floors, oak beams and locally made furniture. The Bergerie is ideal for a romantic getaway in your own small corner of Tuscany. Both our cottages command south and west facing views into the Arno and Sieve valleys below and above towards the Appennini, the far Carrara Massa and a twinkling Florence at night in the distance. The two cottages are traditional Tuscan farm buildings that have been converted to an exceptionally high standard and are surrounded by oak trees and enjoy views into our orchard. They are about a minutes walk from the swimming pool. |
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Accessibility
The apartment Francesca is ideal for wheelchair users, it is easily reached from the courtyard and both the kitchen/sitting room, double bedroom and bathroom in Francesca are on the ground floor and separated by just two steps, for which we have made a ramp to allow wheelchair access.
Outside
Each apartment comes with a private terrace and furniture for al fresco eating as well as a bbq.
Some apartments have private gardens while Francesca has a private lawn. Each is very private and all enjoy lovely views. The main garden is spread over a number of terraces and contains rosebeds, herbaceous borders and walks in the woods as well as a 12m by 6m swimming pool.
Beyond the house are oak woodland, above La Doccia, while olive groves, vineyards and orchards surround the property and gardens.
Coast/Beach
The nearest beaches are at Cecina which is 90 mins away by car. The best beach in the area is, in my opinion, Baratti, which is to the north of Piombino and is really a super beach around a bay and with a few small buildings, one a restaurant, overlooking.
Special interest holidays
We provide wine-tasting trips, cookery classes, yoga, mountain biking, hiking and nature tours to name a few either here at La Doccia or nearby.
We are keen to welcome groups and organise courses here, in particular we can organise anything from on site art courses to napkin folding classes - with Luigi who will guarantee to entertain everyone.
We know the area very well and can arrange all sorts of one off events, such as a game of cricket or an olive picking weekend. Just ask us.
Travel
Pisa Airport 90 mins
Florence Airport 50 mins
Pontassieve Train Station 20 mins
Car hire recommended.
Distances
10 Minutes to Pelago
20 Minutes to Pontassieve
30 Minutes to Vallombrosa
45 minutes to Florence
50 minutes to Greve-in-Chianti
60 minutes to Arezzo and Cortona
90 minutes to Siena and Monteriggioni
90 minutes to San Gimignano
Further details
La Doccia is part of the mediaeval settlement of Ristonchi, which takes its name from the Etruscan "Ristona" meaning a crest of a hill.
During the wars of the early 14th century, the small Castello of Ristonchi sheltered Guelfi families defeated in battle with the Ghibellines of Florence.
The new addition to La Doccia is dated 1632, but it is built onto a much older farmhouse and the thick walls make the place cool in the hot summers and warm in the winters. We have superb terraces with breathtaking views of deep valleys and distant hills, perfect for escaping the concerns of everyday.
The accent at La Doccia is on the simple traditional pleasures of country living. Spend the day sightseeing, shopping, and visiting vineyards. then return to La Doccia in the late afternoon or early evening and relax over a bottle of great Italian wine. Of course, you don't have to leave La Doccia at all, but are welcome to pass the hours curled up in one of its many nooks and crannies around the property, reading a book, sunbathing by the pool, or painting or sketching calmly beneath a tree.
The Gourmet Evening... at La Doccia
In the relaxed atmosphere of a country house party, we like to feel our close attention to quality menus and outstanding wines gives our guests the best of Italy in a superlative setting. Cena, the Italian evening meal, is served either on the main terrace or in the La Doccia dining room where guests dine together at one table. Visit La Doccia Wine List.
Our evening meals are intended to be examples of the best home cuisine available here in Italy. Using only the freshest ingredients available, we concentrate on producing a daily changing menu that looks not only to Tuscan recipes, but also to those of the many different parts of this country's varied food culture.
Edward normally cooks three or four times a week for guests and please let us know in advance.
Booking notes
General Policies and Definitions: -
By serviced, we mean we provide daily maid service though we do not include breakfast in the price.
A week means at least 7 consecutive nights.
Breakfast may be available at € 7.50 per person by prior arrangement only (serviced apartments only).
Extra person (for extra bed) € 25.00 per night.
Use of baby cot free of charge.
Arrival times between 5 pm and 7 pm - Departure by 10:30 am.
Swimming pool open from 1st May to 30th September.
Guest comments
The wedding was totally fabulous. Often one spends years dreaming of something and all too often it falls short of the mark, but our wedding and reception surpassed all of our dreams and we can honestly say that it was the most perfect day in every way. You made it all look so easy, and I know it wasn't, but you did us proud and all of our guests want a re-union next year so we'll probably be coming for a long weekend as a group again. Thank you again for the most perfect wedding anyone could wish for....'. (Sharon and Karl, England).
"We had an excellent, excellent time in Italy (just quietly I asked Gab's for her 'out of 10' toward the end and she said 9 which rates it as high as any holiday I can remember... including our honeymoon... I would give it a 9.5 so there you go - mainly because I can add in the opportunity of facing half of Italy's opening bowling attack (in between international cricketing duties) and thanks for organising that too. (David, Gabs and Darcy Kent, Sydney
For booking and further information
Property Ref IT2104
Rupert Mayhew
Tel: (Italy) + 39 392 775 0535
Owners Website: Click here
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This advertiser joined Owners Direct in March 2008,
and has advertised this property with us since March 2008.
Property Ref IT2104
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