Accommodation with Shared Pool
Peaceful Location with Stunning Views
Sleeps 4/6 (2 Bedrooms)
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Podere Torrichi 'Casa Florio' is a newly restored apartment in a 16th century Tuscan farm building and is available for rent all year round. It is one of 13 apartments with a 14m x 7m communal swimming pool with stunning views over the rolling Tuscan landscape. Ideally located for visiting San Gimignano (20 mins), Volterra (20 mins), Siena (30 mins), Florence (45 mins) and the beaches at Vada (45 mins).
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| Rental periods | Per week |
| 1 January - 27 March | £450 |
| 27 March - 29 May | £500 |
| 29 May - 10 July | £625 |
| 10 July - 28 August | £750 |
| 28 August - 25 September | £650 |
| 25 September - 30 October | £500 |
| 30 October - 18 December | £425 |
| 18 - 31 December | £450 |
Notes on prices
Prices are for the property per week in UK Pounds.
Short breaks available by negotiation are also available in these periods - minimum 4 nights. Discounts available for last minute bookings - please contact us for details.
Changeover day
Properties are available for occupation from 4pm on arrival day and must be vacated by 10am on the day of departure. Changeover day is Saturday (but can be flexible). Keys are accessible by way of a key safe at any time. Long week-ends may be available.
Accommodation
| Bedrooms: | Bedroom 1 has a king size bed, bedside table and chair, wardrobe, chest of drawers. Bedroom 2 has two single beds, bedside table and chair, wardrobe. |
| Bathrooms: | Bathroom has a large shower, sink, wc, bidet. The washing machine is also located here. |
| Kitchen: | The kitchen is fully equipped with a cooker, hob, kettle, toaster, fridge. |
| Utility Room: | Freezer plus iron/ironing board. Clothes airer, pegs, mop, bucket, broom. A large utility cupboard next to room has shelves with spare light bulbs, cleaning equipment and extra bedding. |
| Living Rooms: | The living room has a comfortable leather sofa bed (double) and armchair, so that you can enjoy watching TV or listening to music. There is a DVD and CD player (bring your own DVDs and music). Dining table opens out to seat 6. |
| Other: | Traditional 1st floor stone apartment with beamed ceilings and 'cotto' style tiled floors. Fully furnished to a high standard with comfort in mind. Corner log fireplace. Full gas CH. CD player. |
| Cleaning/towels/ linen/maid service: |
Bedlinen and towels are provided. Please bring your own pool towels. For two week stays, a mid-stay cleaning and linen change are included. |
Notes on accommodation
Fabulous walks, local horse riding (Western style), golf close-by at Castelfalfi. This farmstead is off the beaten track providing peace and tranquility. There is a large communal pool with its own sunbathing terrace, lawns and gazebo serving the 13 apartments that comprise this little farmstead. Breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and Volterra from the pool area. The shared pool is 7m x 14m and 1.5m deep and is open from May to October. It is unfenced, so small children must be supervised.
- hob/stove,
- oven,
- fridge/freezer,
- fridge,
- washing machine,
- iron/ironing board,
- tv,
- central heating,
- barbecue,
- shared pool
Accessibility
The apartment is located on a slight hill with gravel paths, so wheelchair access would be difficult.
Outside
Private garden with gazebo and sun/shade terrace equipped with patio table and chairs for alfresco dining. A further area with a comfortable swing seat lets you experience the panoramic views of an ever-changing landscape across wooded hills and rolling countryside. Breathtaking sunrises and beautiful sunsets are the norm. Animal life is abundant in the area; wild boar, deer, pheasant and birds of prey can often be seen. There is a brick built BBQ and sun loungers for your use.
Coast/Beach
There are beautiful beaches along the Tuscan coast, Marina di Castagneto Carducci, Maremma and Versilia which is 80km. Lovely beaches at Cecina and Vada with tourist information centre, beach bars, shops approx 1 hour: 40km away.
Golf
Castelfalfi Golf Club is situated near the ancient medieval hamlet of Castelfalfi, which is approximately 20 minutes away. The Castelfalfi Golf Course, is said to be the 'most difficult of Italy,' because of its special features.
Special interest holidays
San Gimignano (14km), famous for its medieval architecture, especially its towers, can be seen from several miles outside the town. This city evokes the atmosphere of Medieval Tuscany, with its cobblestone roads, high walls, and narrow street. It has many restaurants to suit all budgets. To the south west lies Volterra (15km), the jewel of Roman, Etruscan, medieval, and Renaissance architecture. It is only 20 minutes away. There is a good selection of restaurants as well as a Saturday market. Sienna (35km), is only a 45 minute drive. It is a beautiful walled city, famous for the Palio, a horse race in the main square II Campo piazza, which is lined by numerous restaurants. Nearby is its beautiful cathedral, the Duomo. Florence is full of museums, churches, great shopping and plenty of restaurants and is less than an hour away. Pisa, with its world famous leaning tower of Pisa and Lucca another walled town are less than 1 hour away.
Travel
A car is essential. There are budget flights from many UK airports to Pisa. Ryan air, Easy Jet, Jet 2 and Thomson Fly all fly into Pisa. Podere Torrichi is approximately an hour's drive (60km) from Pisa airport. Florence Airport is over an hour away. The nearest railway station is located at Poggibonsi, which is 25km away. The property is a renovated farm building, and set in a very beautiful and rural location which is located at the end of a 2km private unmade road, which can be bumpy.
Distances
5km from Certaldo, San Gimignano 10km, Volterra 25km, Siena 35km, Firenze 40km, Pisa e Lucca 65km, Arezzo 80km. Nearest shop/restaurant is in Il Castagno, 8-10 mins away, banks and supermarkets at San Gimignano, Volterra.
Further details
During the Summer period, there are cultural, musical and artistic events. During the second week of July, in Certaldo Alto there is an amazing festival called 'Mercantia' with its street artists and artisans on every corner, and in San Gimignano there is an opera festival in during the month of August. In Gambassi Terme you will find supermarkets, banks, bars, restaurants, pharmacy, food shops and you can enjoy recreational and sport activities - riding, swimming, tennis, trekking, golf. For all Andrea Bocelli fans, The Teatro del Silenzio (or Theatre of Silence) is an Italian open air amphitheatre which is located in Lajatico, Tuscany - the hometown of Andrea Bocelli. The theatre hosts a concert once every July - a real must for Bocelli fans! Next concert date is July 25th 2010. Venue is about 15-20 minute drive away. Property will be reserved solely for those persons named on booking form. The number of people staying at the property must not exceed 6. Prices include all utilities, linen and towels and final clean, except for Winter lets when gas is charged additionally. For 2 week holidays linen is supplied on Saturday. Late bookings may be discounted, please ask. Minimum stay 4 nights.
Booking notes
20% deposit required to reserve booking. The balance is payable 8 weeks before holiday. Should cancellation be necessary a refund less £50 admin fee will be made providing we can re-let. Cancellation 12 weeks before holiday - 25%
cancellation 12-6 weeks before holiday 40%, cancellation 6 weeks or or less- 75%, cancellation 1 week or less- 100%. £100 damages deposit payable, refunded on return after inspection. Payment should be made by cheque or bank transfer.
Owner profile
About the owner
I live in Hampshire, England with my husband and 2 boys (ages 16 and 18). We are joint owners with my brother, his wife and 7 year old daughter who live in Kent.
Being half-Italian, we love everything Italian from its climate, to its culture and of course, its food.
We like to treat everyone who visits Casa "Florio" (our family name) with a warm welcome like 'old' friends when you visit our property.
We particularly like to make our apartment as comfortable as possible and we have information available on your arrival to make the most of your stay.
The feedback has been very heartwarming. Our aim is to have happy holidaymakers and you never know, you may even want to recommend to your friends and come back again yourselves for another visit.
Year purchased: 2007
Why the owner chose an apartment in this location
We are half Italian. Our father was from Amalfi, Southern Italy. When our parents passed away, we decided to buy a little piece of Italy in honour of them and this is why we own in such a beautiful, tranquil place.
We have been brought up in the Italian way of life and so we love the mediterranean diet with plenty of pasta, oilves, and of course 'il vino'! We also love the music. Our father sang classical Italian songs and so we love to go and see Andrea Bocelli in Lajatico. To go to a concert on a warm summer's evening, sit in a beautiful open-air amphitheatre surrounded by Italian Cypress trees is truly amazing!
Casa Florio, in Torrichi, sits on a hilltop in an unspoilt, tranquil setting with the most amazing sunsets and ever changing scenery.
Unique benefits of the property
Although only 45 minutes from Pisa Airport, the property is lovely and rural. For those wanting to chill out and unwind, then this is the perfect venue to stay by the pool and read a good book.
For those "culture vultures" then this is also the place. With Florence, with its amazing duomo, architecture, markets for buying beautiful leather and fabulous eateries, then San Gimignano, an ancient medieval town with lots of history and rustic shops. There are many more locations that are only 45 mins to 1 hour away with abundant restaurants, walks and festivals taking place throughout the year. (Visit early in the day when not so hot and return in the afternoon as its cooler on our hilltops!)
For beach lovers, again these are just an hour away with breathtaking scenery.
For booking and further information
Property Ref IT2603
Kathy and Gary Justice
Tel: (UK) + 44 (0)1730 895 663
Mob: (UK) + 44 (0)7795 670 962
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This advertiser joined Owners Direct in October 2008,
and has advertised this property with us since October 2008.
Property Ref IT2603
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