2 Apartments in an Old House and a Seperate Cottage
Superb Location at foot of Pratomagno Mountains
Two x 1 Bedroom Apartments, and 2 Bedroom Cottage
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Set in a small hamlet with spectacular views into the beautiful Pratomagno Mountains, the property includes an old stone house 'La Villetta', and a separate cottage 'La Capanna'. La Villetta may be used as 2 fully self-contained apartments, or as a single unit. Both buildings have recently been renovated so as to retain a traditional Tuscan character, and all 3 units have air conditioning and all necessary domestic facilities: fridge, freezer, washing machine, etc. There is a large garden with flowers, lawns, pergolas and BBQ’s. The property is near the country town of Reggello, about 35km south-east of Florence, in the direction of Arezzo (about 50km). This is classic rural Tuscany - old stone buildings and lines of cypress trees scattered amongst olive groves, and vineyards. The mountains offer superb scenic walks, and there is easy access by rail or motorway to Florence, Arezzo, Siena and beyond. The nearby village has excellent restaurants, bars and shops.
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| Rental Period | Per Night | Per Week | Per Month | Min. Stay (Nights) |
| 10 September 2011 - 7 October 2011 | £330 | 3 | ||
| 8 October 2011 - 30 March 2012 | £291 | 3 | ||
| 31 March 2012 - 13 July 2012 | £330 | 3 | ||
| 14 July 2012 - 7 September 2012 | £390 | 3 | ||
| 8 September 2012 - 19 October 2012 | £330 | 3 | ||
| 20 October 2012 - 31 March 2013 | £291 | 3 |
La Villetta downstairs (Sleeps up to 5) Prices
| Rental Period | Per Night | Per Week | Per Month | Min. Stay (Nights) |
| 10 September 2011 - 7 October 2011 | £330 | 3 | ||
| 8 October 2011 - 30 March 2012 | £291 | 3 | ||
| 31 March 2012 - 13 July 2012 | £330 | 3 | ||
| 14 July 2012 - 7 September 2012 | £390 | 3 | ||
| 8 September 2012 - 19 October 2012 | £330 | 3 | ||
| 20 October 2012 - 31 March 2013 | £291 | 3 |
La Capanna (Sleeps up to 6) Prices
| Rental Period | Per Night | Per Week | Per Month | Min. Stay (Nights) |
| 10 September 2011 - 7 October 2011 | £378 | 3 | ||
| 8 October 2011 - 30 March 2012 | £321 | 3 | ||
| 31 March 2012 - 13 July 2012 | £378 | 3 | ||
| 14 July 2012 - 7 September 2012 | £438 | 3 | ||
| 8 September 2012 - 19 October 2012 | £378 | 3 | ||
| 20 October 2012 - 31 March 2013 | £321 | 3 |
Notes on prices
Prices are for the property per week in UK Pounds, but payments can also be accepted in euros.
There is a 10% discount for all 2-week bookings, and also for 2 apartments for 1 week. Negotiable discounts are available for last-minute and long period bookings.
Changeover day
Changeover days are usually Saturday in peak season but are always negotiable when necessary.
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La Villetta downstairs (Sleeps up to 5)
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This is the downstairs apartment and has many traditional features associated with old Tuscan houses such as chestnut beams and terracotta floors. The backdoor leads onto a small terrace which leads to the garden. One room is set up as a living/dining room with a fully equipped kitchen area and also has a good double sofa-bed. The main bedroom has a large double bed and a folding single bed. The recently restored bathroom contains a shower, WC and hand basin. |
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La Capanna (Sleeps up to 6)
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La Capanna was recently converted from an old agricultural building. As with the main house all traditional Tuscan materials were used. The living/dining room has a superb view into the mountains and has a large fully equipped kitchen area. It also contains a good double sofa-bed. The master bedroom has a large double bed and a second bedroom has 2 single beds. The large bathroom contains a shower, WC, bidet and hand basin. |
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Notes on accommodation
A large garden shed, shared by both buildings, contains a freezer and washing machine. Both La Villetta and La Capanna have air conditioning and central heating. Each unit has a radio/CD player, a range of books for all ages (including some guide books), and a few games.
A cleaning service is available, and a local cook will prepare a five course dinner including wine for 30 euros. All 3 units are 'No Smoking'. Guests may smoke in the garden.
Accessibility
The downstairs apartment of La VIlletta is has only one very small step at the entrance, and is suitable for anyone with mobility problems. Upstairs is not suitable. La Capanna is on 2 levels, but with only 2 small steps difference. It is therefore suitable for people with limited mobility, but people confined to a wheelchair will require help between the sitting room and bathroom.
Outside
The extensive garden has trees, shrubs, lawns, flowering plants, herbs for cooking, BBQ’s, pergolas, sun loungers and plenty of places to sunbathe, sit in the shade or eat outdoors. Much of the garden is not overlooked by any other property.
Coast/Beach
The sea is easy to reach by train or motorway e.g. Viaréggio or Castiglioncello (both about 150km) but the coast west of Florence can get very busy. We recommend a longer journey to Marina di Alberese (a nature reserve, so no shops etc.) just south of Grosseto (about 200km).
Golf
The Ugolino Golf Course is just south of Florence on the ancient Chianti road between Florence and Siena, and is easily reached by car in about forty minutes.
Travel
Nearest airports are: Florence 35km (very few flights), Pisa 127km (best option) or Bologna 141km. Car hire is recommended but not essential. For getting about locally there are 2 mountain bikes for the use of visitors.
Distances
The nearest village is Cascia at about 1km, and the small town of Reggello is 2km. Figline Valdarno (shopping, market and station) and Incisa (motorway) are both about 8km.
Further details
The local countryside is superb for walking. Other activities available locally include swimming, horse riding and fishing. There are plenty of shops close by for all basic necessities, including a modern supermarket, a chemist, banks and several restaurants. There is a local market on Saturdays. Excellent wines can be bought directly from local producers. For people interested in finding a real bargain in the world of ‘haute couture’ a nearby shopping centre called The Mall is home to the factory outlets of Gucci, Giorgio Armani, Yves Saint Laurent, and other top designer labels. Not far away there is a similar Prada outlet.
Booking notes
All prices are for 2 people per apartment in the main house or in the cottage. For all additional people there is a surcharge of £21 per person per week to cover the increased utility costs. Use of sheets and towels is charged at £8 per person per week. A payment of one third is payable at the time of booking, and the remaining amount should be paid 8 weeks before the first day of the booked period.
Guest comments
'Thank you for sharing your fantastic house and garden with us. We've had one of our most memorable holidays to date. We've gone for bike rides, done walks, been to all the main places...dined at some superb restaurants, drunk fine wines, barbecued many times in your garden (what a spectacular setting), seen the amazing fireflies...had a trip to The Mall (gulp) where I bought a beautiful leather bag for a fraction of the price I would pay here...can't wait to go again...perfect location for that area and all its wonderful sites and places to visit...Thank you again for a fantastic holiday.' W & J T (Derby)
'We found our stay absolutely wonderful. The 'Suggestions Book' was truly excellent. It encouraged us to walk around the vicinity as well as visit the historic towns nearby. Neither of us wanted to leave by the end of our stay.' (A honeymoon couple, Worcestershire).
Owner profile
About the owner
I'm Gwyn Pritchard, a professional composer (classical) and a professor of composition at Trinity College of Music, London. My wife Claudia is a singer and singing teacher. We are currently in our early sixties and getting younger every year!!
Italy is obviously a passion, which is why we bought our property there. However, we love travel, not only to our Italian retreat or for concerts of my music in various countries, but also (when time and circumstances permit) to India, the far east and other far-off corners of the globe.
Other passions we share include painting and sculpture, the theatre, good wine, cycling and above all each other's company.
We have two adult daughters - one a composer like her father, the other an actress (who you may well have seen on the TV).
Year purchased: 1980's
Why the owner chose an apartment in this location
We chose La Villetta when we were looking for a place near Florence where we had many friends and so visited the area often. When we saw the stunning setting of the property we had no doubt it was the place for us, especially as it is ideally located for easy access to everywhere we wanted to visit.
When the neighbouring house, La Capanna, came on the market we bought it both to guarantee the continued privacy and tranquility of La Villetta and also to enjoy it's extensive garden.
Unique benefits of the property
We never cease to be amazed by the sheer beauty of the mountains behind the property, especially the ever-changing light on the trees, which we can enjoy whilst sitting or dining in the large garden. The mountains offer some of the best walking in Tuscany, but for anyone who wants less strenuous activity there are numerous artistic and architectural delights locally, or excellent restaurants serving delicious local fare. The wines and oils from this area are world renown.
For booking and further information
Property Ref IT916
Gwyn Pritchard
Tel/Fax: (UK) + 44 (0)208 699 8883
Mobile: (UK) + 44 (0)7714 193 108
Owners Website: Click here
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This advertiser joined Owners Direct in October 2006,
and has advertised this property with us since October 2006.
Property Ref IT916
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