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Halfway up a valley and commanding breath-taking views over the rolling landscape of the Val di Chiana to the mountain range dominated by Monte Amiata, the Casa del Mulino enjoys a secluded setting with no buildings overlooking the house or swimming pool. Pool available most months. See website for more details.
This farmhouse, built over 200 years ago and sensitively restored over the past 30 years, stands in extensive grounds. These include a 'secret garden' with statues and surrounded by a wisteria-covered pergola, classically inspired parkland with a 'temple' and monuments, and a woodland hollow with a stream running through it and flowers on its banks.
It is a fine location for walks and bird watching. Ideally situated to discover lesser known towns and sites in southern Tuscany and nearby Umbria, it is also within easy reach of such famous centres as Siena, Assisi, Arezzo, Cortona, Perugia, and Florence. Seasonal pleasures vary from birdsong and wild flowers in spring and early summer to the grape harvest in autumn.
In addition to the extensive shopping resources of Cortona/Camucia some 3 kilometres away (and designer outlets in the area), there are local bars and shops, including a pharmacy, and a regular bus route all within 15 minutes' walking distance at the bottom of the valley.
The house can accommodate from two to eight people with one group only at a time and no shared facilities. Costs are scaled according to numbers renting the property, and payment can be in sterling or euros.
Dates still available for 2007 are from 19 May to 23 June (this is the best period for fireflies and nightingales; it is also when the roses and blue and white flowers in the 'secret garden' are at their best), and from 29 September onwards (grape harvest time and pomegranates in the hedgerows). |
