Luxury Tuscan Farmhouse
Peaceful Seclusion in the Romantic Chianti Hills, 30 mins to Florence
Sleeps 7 main house, 4 in apartment, La Cantinetta
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La Casermetta is a rare holiday rental find – a free-standing, ancient stone farmhouse hidden in the Chianti Classico hills – our Italian friends call it a jewel. It nestles above San Polo in Chianti, a town slightly removed from the tourist turmoil, yet with excellent essentials shopping and nearby restaurants, plus good road access to the towns and sights of Tuscany. Restored as a family home with great attention to detail, it is much loved and cared for. The main house (140 sq m) features a large live-in country kitchen. A huge oak refectory table and ancient boudoir grand loaded with family photos dominate the dining and living rooms. There are comfortable, quality furnishings and restored Tuscan antiques. La Cantinetta (90 sq m), being in the oldest part of the house, has tremendous character and sense of history. It shares no common doors or walls with the main house upstairs, has its own driveway, entrance and dining terrace, plus pretty views across the valley from all windows.
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| Rental Period | Per Night | Per Week | Per Month | Min. Stay (Nights) |
| 20 February 2012 - 2 April 2012 | €1140 | 7 | ||
| 2 April 2012 - 29 October 2012 | €1420 | 7 | ||
| 29 October 2012 - 24 December 2012 | €1140 | 7 |
La Cantinetta Prices
| Rental Period | Per Night | Per Week | Per Month | Min. Stay (Nights) |
| 20 February 2012 - 2 April 2012 | €640 | 7 | ||
| 2 April 2012 - 29 October 2012 | €800 | 7 | ||
| 29 October 2012 - 24 December 2012 | €640 | 7 |
Notes on prices
Prices for each property are per week in euros. Enquire about whole-house rate.
Rates include electricity, towels, linen, phone in main house only (local + incoming calls) + weekly clean and linen change.
Gas is included from May to September.
Gas/heating is additional from October to April incl.
Please enquire about rentals shorter than one week, or alternate start days (we usually rent from Monday to Monday). We try to accommodate these requests. It's usually easier in the quieter months.
Changeover day
La Casermetta is rented on a weekly basis from Monday to Monday. When it's possible we try to be flexible, so it is certainly worth enquiring. Check-in time is 5pm and check out time is 10am.
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La Cantinetta
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Bedroom 1 with king bed. Bedroom 2 with large single bed. Generous wardrobe and drawer spaces in both bedrooms. Bathroom with full bath, shower over, wc, bidet, washing machine. Sofabed for 4th person in corner position near bedrooms/bathroom (separate from living area). Lounge room with 2 comfortable sofas, TV, CD + DVD player, books, music, movies, Tuscan farmhouse antiques and large writing desk beneath window with lovely valley views. Separate dining area with antique table and sideboard. Kitchen has electric oven, gas hob, full-sized fridge/freezer, dishwasher, microwave, generous cupboard space and all the necessary accoutrement for cooking and indulging. Small private terrace with outdoor table and chairs for alfresco dining; pretty valley and rural views. Towels and linen included + weekly clean and linen change. |
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Notes on accommodation
As the house was restored to be our family home it is furnished and equipped to a very high standard. Restored farmhouse antique wardrobes, drawers and cupboards, treasures from local antique markets, offer generous spaces so guests can unpack, settle in and feel completely at home. Children are welcome. Additional power supply to the entire house, a luxury in the countryside, supports the many appliances. There's good reliable plumbing and strong water pressure. All windows have fly screens as well as internal cypress shutters. Efficient central heating keeps the house warm and cosy in the winter months. In summer, La Casermetta's 400 m elevation promotes refreshing breezes, while thick stone walls help keep the interior cool. Main house has a phone, local & incoming calls only. Mobile reception only in parts of the house, but quite strong in garden and olive grove. A booklet of information covers the A to Z of how things work with support phone numbers just in case you need help.
Accessibility
While the property is not wheelchair-suitable, for people with other mobility issues, there is level access throughout the main house, the only exception being access to the little loft room which is the fourth (single) bedroom.
Outside
La Casermetta is set in a large fenced private garden beyond which rambles a further 10 acres of forest. The lawn is often scattered with daisies and fireflies sometimes come out at night. From the marble garden setting are views of the Arno valley and across to the famous Vallombrosa Monastery, nestled in the magnificent oak and pine woodlands of the central Apennines. La Cantinetta does not share the garden, but has its own little dining terrace which faces both the valley and the cypress lined track that weaves towards Florence. Take a gin and tonic and watch the sun set over our little olive grove. The apricot tree here bears a surprising amount of fruit, if you can beat the locals. Depending on the season, around the house and garden you may find grapes, plums, raspberries, apricots or figs. The squirrels usually get the hazelnuts and almonds. The main house and the apartment each have their own barbecue, alfresco dining settings, deck-chairs and umbrellas.
Coast/Beach
Castiglioncello is the Florentines’ delightful ‘secret’ beach, about 15 km south of Livorno (drive or train from Florence, 60-90 mins). Charming village, great seafood, convivial seaside atmosphere. Viareggio + Forte dei Marmi 90 mins drive. Cinque Terre, long day trip, 2 hrs. Portovenere, 90 mins, colourful fishing town offering a taste of the Cinque Terre. Spectacular cliff walk goes to the next village. Whilst not viable access to all five villages, the views from here are also breathtaking.
Golf
Club Ugolino (or Chianti Country Club) accepts day visitors on a casual rate, for both golf and swimming. Club Ugolino is 14 km, approximately 25 mins drive, from La Casermetta, signposted off the Chiantigiana just out of Grassina.
Travel
Airport distances - Florence approx 40 km, Pisa 110 km, Rome 270 km. Good bus service from San Polo to Florence but you'll definitely need a car for your stay to get up and down the hill to the village and for those Tuscan countryside day trips for which La Casermetta is so well placed. (Directions supplied.) Whilst a short drive from its north + south entrances, we are tucked well away from the autostrada and all major roads. You cannot see, hear or even imagine a main road at La Casermetta!
Distances
La Casermetta is 3 km from San Polo in Chianti which is nestled in the north east of the exclusive Chianti Classico wine area of Tuscany, 17 km from Florence (easy 30 min drive into historic centre) and a panoramic 1 hour drive to Siena. Grassina, 10 km north, Figline Valdarno 10 km south. Greve in Chianti 17 km, Pisa and Bologna 100, Rome 270, Venice 250 km. Many easy day trips such as Pisa, San Gimignano, Radda, Arezzo (antiques), Lucca, Viareggio, Massa Carrara, Cortona, Pienza and Volterra.
Further details
The village of San Polo has 2 small supermarkets, a butcher and a chemist amongst other basic shops, 2 restaurants (many more nearby), a post office, a bar/tabacchi where you can buy bus tickets to Florence, a petrol station with after-hours self-service and a bank with ATM. Ten km north towards Florence is Grassina with many shops and boutiques, elegant bars and pasticcerie. The large hospital at Antella is a few mins out of Grassina. 10km south is Figline Valdarno which has a lovely piazza similar to Greve in Chianti, also close by, and a huge supermarket selling absolutely everything. (Watch out for Sting at the check-out, his Tuscan hideaway is nearby.) There are charming walks around the house along chestnut shaded tracks leading to sudden, surprising views of Florence. Our own land abounds in interesting fauna and vegetation. (The cinghiale sleep by day.) Stroll, hike or picnic around the area and experience the seasonal offerings of the land. Keen-eyed locals inhabit these woods on weekends and can often be seen clutching trophies like bundles of asparagus as fine as wheat which make delicious frittata. Funghi porcini and chestnuts are also plentiful in these hills. Ours is a very personal service. If you need advice on your trip we’re happy to help if we can. We provide guests with a comprehensive booklet of extra information, revised and updated each year. It includes day trips with detailed driving directions, restaurant recommendations, local specialty shops, where to get the tastiest food, weekly markets, festivals, tips on food and customs and our pick of the best on offer close at hand such as the dazzling designer outlet shopping mall, surprisingly close and very popular, the famous Panzano butcher Dario Cecchini, non-touristy places to shop and sightsee, the antique market circuit and even some suggestions for those travelling further afield, particularly Ravello on the Amalfi coast where we spend a great deal of time and have some useful contacts.
Booking notes
First confirm by email that the period you require is available. You will be sent a booking form to complete and return. We are happy to hold a tentative booking for a short period to prevent losing your chosen dates as you firm up final plans. We don’t ask for a deposit, but we do ask for full payment 90 days ahead of the booking period, payable by international bank transfer. You will receive an invoice with all the necessary details for the transfer for which the bank will charge a small fee.
Guest comments
The house is everything we hoped. In Panzano, macelleria Dario filled us with red wine and salami. Your info is so helpful. Andrew C Jan 2011
Great kitchen, obviously set up by people who love to cook. Monique C April 2011
It was with a fair deal of heartsore that we left casermetta. We simply loved it there, it got deep under our skin. Bertus D May 2011
We had an amazing time, exploring the grounds, walking to San Polo and visiting the many beautiful villages nearby. Having a “ home” to return to was a true delight. David E Sep 2011
The house was simply beautiful. Highlights included meeting Stefano at Buon Gusto (good tip), walking to the village, the friendliness of the locals, the beautiful scenery. I could go on forever. Ros L May 2010
One of the best Tuscan villas we have stayed in (and we have been going for years), such a wonderful location. Richard H July 2010
Enjoyed the unique friendliness of Casermetta, the website shows it exactly as it is. Sue B Sep 2010
House swap
House swap considered.
For booking and further information
Property Ref IT2255
Suzanne Byford
Tel: (AUSTRALIA) + 61 (0) 411 241 406
Fax: (AUSTRALIA) + 61 (0) 2 6628 5808
Mob: (AUSTRALIA) + 61 (0) 411 241 406
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This advertiser joined Owners Direct in March 2008,
and has advertised this property with us since May 2008.
Property Ref IT2255
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