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Luxury in an Historic Setting! Perfect for those Special Holidays for Two or Four.
Childfree tranquillity is yours with a choice of two exquisite, lovingly restored, independent, poolside apartments (each for 2) in the grounds of an historic, hillside farmhouse. Casa Valentina is 300 years old, set in an amazing, historic location, with magnificent, uninterrupted views to nearby Cortona that has been a centre of civilisation for almost 3000 years.
Guest Comments: "We were the first!! Thank you for our wonderful stay. Your beautiful house and garden were a sanctuary to return to at the end of each day and your hospitality exceptional"..Pat & Alastair, Australia, April 2007.
"Thank you for our wonderful stay, you have been unbelievably kind and made us so welcome.. but our fondest memory is Valentina - the perfect hostess".. Janice & Pete, UK May 2007
"Thank you for sharing your part of the sky with us.. our stay in your wonderful home was memorable, we will be back!" Joel & Sandra, California, May 2007
The large, secure garden with olive groves and orchard is completely at guests' disposal. The 12 metre by 6 metre pool (with automatic cover) is for our guests' exclusive use. You will never feel crowded. It has a natural stone surround and wonderful panoramic views to Etruscan Cortona and to the Val di Chiana with Monte Amiata in the distance. If you can tear yourself away from this beauty and calm then Cortona, the setting for Frances Mayes book and film 'Under the Tuscan Sun' is just five minutes away. It has a cosmopolitan yet historic atmosphere; cafes - to watch the world go by, antique shops to browse in, wonderful restaurants - you will be spoilt for choice! Cortona is extremely well placed - The main autostrade (A1) just 20 minutes away and Florence, Siena, Arezzo, and Perugia all in an hour.
From La Rosa dei Venti's French doors enjoy the views across to the towers and domes of the Cortona skyline! A large, studio apartment with exclusive, modern Italian furnishing; The kitchen/dining area can seat two or four. The bathroom, the latest in Italian design - toilet, bidet, washbasin, full-size shower, storage, is completed with a separate dressing-room with wardrobes.
From il Melograno look through your French windows to the gardens, pool and Cortona. The large bedroom has some Tuscan antique furniture. It is suitable for guests who require their accommodation all on one level,the shower is also equipped with a fold-down seat. il Melograno also has its own mini terrace right outside the door perfect for breakfast before setting off for the pool - just 30 metres away down a grass slope! The compace kitchen has an exquisitely pretty sink and fast hob burners - perfect for two. The cosy dining/sitting room has easy chairs and storage.
Laundry facilities are available for both apartments in a separate laundry building - on the other side of the garden.
The grounds of Casa Valentina extend over many hectares with green lawns, mature trees, olive groves and orchards. There are countless planters overflowing with colour from the Spring to the Autumn.
The 6 x 12 metre pool, (depth varies from 1.10m to 2.90m) has a large, natural-stone sun deck with sunloungers and chairs for you to enjoy both the sun and the views. It has an automatic summer cover and in this way the heat is conserved for a longer season. So serious swimming is possible here! POOL OPEN DURING THE MID, HIGH AND PEAK SEASON. There is also a large brick-built barbeque and outside dining area for guests' use. Secure shady parking behind automatic gates for both apartments.
Casa Valentina is next to a State archeological park where numerous Etruscan and Roman antiquities have been found and are still being found. Roman remains have even been found in garden! From here there are also many wonderful walks in the woods, along country lanes and even up to Cortona, via the beaten track, where you can see for around 50 miles - south to Lake Trasimeno to Monte Amiata beyond.
Cortona - the beautiful setting for 'Under the Tuscan Sun' (the book and the film) is under ten minutes away - it has not been spoilt and it has everything you could need cafes, banks, restaurants, history, museums, shops, etc... The Internationally renown Music Festival every August and the exclusive antiques fair held every September.
Siena and Florence - each with a proud and different history are only an hour or so from Casa Valentina. The Chianti Classico wine area and the timeless Tuscan hill towns of Montalcino, Montepulciano, Poppi, Anghiari, and San Gimignano are all easy drives for the perfect Tuscan day - touring and tasting! You will not be disappointed!
The St. Francis of Assisi trail - (Assisi itself is also easily reached from here in about an hour), Etruscan historical sites, the birthplaces and locations of many recorded scenes of Michelangelo, Piero della Francesca, and Leonardo da Vinci.
The fantastic Arezzo antiques fair held on the first weekend of every month. The Arezzo Giostra del Saracino, a medieval re-enactment, held in June and September - similar to the Siena Palio but with jousting not horse racing. The Siena palio held every July and August. Numerous International Music Festivals. Wine Tours. Truffle Hunting. Photographic Fair held twice a year in Arezzo.
Finally the fashion designer outlets of Prada, Gucci, Ferragamo, Valentino, YSL, D & G, and numerous others are all under an hour away by car. We'll give you the directions.
Nearest airport - Florence 1.15 hour,Rome 2.00 hour,Perugia 1.00 hour, Pisa 1.45 hour, Bologna 2.00 hours and Bologna (Forli) 2.00 hours. To get the best of all that Tuscany has to offer a car is recommended. Nearest motorway/autostrada exit (The main A1)- Val di Chiana - 20 minutes |
