People | 9 |
Bedrooms | 4 |
Bathrooms | 3 |
Property type | villa |
Minimum Stay | 7 nights |
The house is set in the famous Crete Senesi, perhaps the most spectacular example of the essence of Tuscany. On 2 floors, built of warm Sienese stone and brick, encircled by wide terracotta terraces, ancient mulberry trees and huge old cypresses, olive groves, lawns and gardens of aromatic shrubs and fragrant herbs, the cook's delight. Furnished with antique country furniture, books, art and textiles, Turkish rugs, comfortable sofas, good quality bedding, efficient plumbing and lighting, and is generally light, airy and stylish. All rooms with beautiful view. Persian blinds, mosquito screens, ceiling fans in the bedrooms. Shady entrance loggia, pergola covered by jasmine and roses for eating out at a travertine marble table, with barbecue. Plentiful garden furniture and hammocks are provided. A path through the gardens brings you to the swimming pool (ozone treated, virtually chemical free), surrounded by terracotta sun terraces, immersed in decorative shrubs, roses and lavender.
Hardress is an anglo-irish painter who first came to Tuscany 45 years ago from London, and travelled in the whole of Italy studying art history. Since then he has lived in Spain and Uk,returning to Italy first of all near Lucca for 12 years, then moving south of Siena.
I love music, literature,cinema, art, our friends, life, food, wine, and italian culture.
I didn't really buy this as a vacation rental house,but lived in it for a period as my own home before beginning to rent it out. I think this is why guests coming to the house, many of whom return year by year, find a hospitable atmosphere and feel at home.
I always had very old friends living near here, and used to enjoy visiting because of the pleasant company and interesting community of people, considering it almost the most beautiful part of Tuscany.
Our home is in a unique unspoilt natural setting, but close to the village and all amenities, as well as the delights which this special part of Tuscany offers,not far away from Montalcino, Pienza, San Quirico d'Orcia, Siena and Florence.
There are also many local attractions, village medieval festivals,cultural events, beautiful local museums and notable culinary specialties, above all the white truffle, pecorino sheep cheese and famous wines. We have personal contacts with excellent restaurants and wineries where with pleasure we can introduce our guests.
Special interest holidays:
Horse riding, ballooning, tennis court nearby.
Painting and cooking classes , Italian lessons.
Yoga, shiat-su and ayurvedic massage.
Coast/Beach:
Grosseto, Maremma Coast 80km.
Travel:
Car essential.
Airport:
Florence and Perugia: 1 hour 30 mins,
Pisa: 2 hours 30 mins
Rome: 3 hours
Railway: Buonconvento: 15km
Ferry: Livorno: 160km.
Distances:
Local village 1km.
Florence 1 hour 30 mins, Siena 40 mins, Pienza, Montepulciano and Montalcino 20-30 mins.
Further Details:
Excellent shops, supermarkets, weekly markets, restaurants, speciality wine bars are all nearby in this beautiful area, full of many historic sites and towns to visit, summer festivals, pageants, concerts, art exhibitions, museums. Many artisan products, ceramics, linen, leather goods, etc are on sale in local boutiques. It is the perfect place for walking and mountain biking. Balloon trips with champagne breakfasts can be booked. Thermal baths, horse riding, tennis courts at short distance. The village has a bank, supermarket, general store, bakery, bar with newsagent and tobacconist, post office, doctor surgery and chemist, butcher, wine tasting and local delicacies shops. Specialities are the local White Truffles, Pecorino sheep cheeses and Orcia Wine.The Festival of the White Truffle is held in November. The Castle is an imposing medieval structure beautifully restored, on its square an inviting "hotel de charme" with an excellent restaurant offers tasteful and refined dinners.Another interesting local feature is the ‘Bosco della Ragnaia’: a wood landscaped by a local American artist. Montisi is another integral small medieval settlement, with its own festival in august, La Giostra di Simone, with a jousting on horseback and pageantry in period costume. In June and July it hosts its own Art Festival, Montisi Art. Montalcino and its superb wines and imposing Fortress hosts a jazz festival in July. Siena:the real centre of Siena is the renowned Piazza del Campo, which hosts its famous Palio in July and August, where the competing Contrade,17 in number, run a fiercely challenged horse race round the perimeter of this extraordinary shell shaped Square, which is overlooked by the height of the Torre del Mangia. This and the Duomo of Siena, both with their magnificent museums, form the heart of the unique complex of architecture and artistic heritage belonging to this enchanting city.
Rental Period | Minimum Price | Additional Nights | Weekend Night | Weekly | Monthly | Event Price | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
My Standard Rate
7 night minimum stay
|
£1,800
for 7 nights
|
|
£1,800
|
|
|
||||
Fees | No additional mandatory fees |
Changeover Day:
Changeover day: Saturday, arrival times from 4 to 7 pm.