Il Fienile from the Infinity Pool, looking towards the Pisan Mountains
Location: San Macario in Monte, Lucca Area, Tuscany, Italy, Europe (5 miles from Lucca)
Accommodations: Farmhouse, 6 Bedrooms + Other (See Description), 4 Baths (Sleeps 13-14)
A beautiful 250 sq m (approx 2500 sq ft), newly restored, elegant interior designed 18th century farmhouse, sleeping 8+ and with stunning 180 degree south facing panoramic views over Pisa and Lucca towards Florence and Siena. Solar powered underfloor heating, air conditioned with two large terraces shaded by chestnut pergolas. Large fully equipped kitchen, dining room and living room. Four lavishly appointed double/twin ensuite bedrooms and 12 x 6m infinity pool above house. Two ancillary bedrooms and sofabed in the Soggiorno (Living Room) max the accomodation at 14 people (though we have once had 20 teenagers!). Furnishings are a tasteful mix of antique and modern furniture.
The property is set in 20 acres of olive groves, vineyards and woodland with abundant wild food (notably asparagus and fennel) in season. Quiet and private, yet less than 10 minutes drive from village amenities (including Andrea, our famed butcher who will keep many a gourmet quiet, either with his meat taken home or at his amazing value bistro, with meat presented to you straight from the butcher's chopping board!).
A mandatory minimum of 2 hrs maid service per working weekday (additional hours possible), electricity, gas and telephone, plus cleaning & laundry on departure (all at cost are) charged as extras. The rent quoted also excludes 75 euro manager's check-in check-out fee, charged only once regardless of how many weeks you stay. Fully serviced, all-in, including half/full board with top quality cuisine and daily/live-in maid services, from €4,700pw, depending on the number of people staying in the house and the details of the service you would like us to provide. We can also include limousine service, cultural tours, cooking/ art/ photography/ film courses.
Surcharge of 7.5% of total rent, if at any time during your holiday the number of guests staying overnight, or different number of beds used, exceeds 8.
Reductions for lets longer than 6 weeks.
More details and photos, including a detailed specification of the property including a link to our own private website, if you contact us.
Why do we now charge all expenses as extras? The difficult economic circumstances mean that many of our tenants wish to keep their holiday costs to a minimum. A fixed charge (included within the rent) to cover the costs of utilities and cleaning unfairly penalises smaller groups and/or those who leave the farmhouse very tidy and use small amounts of electricity and gas (because a fixed charge would inevitably be more than what we would charge for a house returned to us clean, especially if there has been low electricity & gas usage). Equally, with a fixed allowance priced into the rent, those who leave the house in a less tidy condition are (effectively) being subsidised by the 'leave it all clean' guys. Hence we now charge for all these items at cost, because it is i) fairer on everyone and ii) encourages everyone to leave Il Fienile as clean as possible.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning: Air-conditioning is provided to all rooms. N.B. In Italy there are regulations which prevent a/c reducing temperatures to those often provided by US air-conditioning systems: we have done our best - our system makes a big difference when it is hot, even if not as cool as below 70F.
- Washer
- Dryer
- Linens Provided
- Off Street Parking
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer
- Wood Fireplace: The fireplaces may be used in winter months. Underfloor heating powered by solar energy, supplemented by gas boiler, keeps it warm enough without wood fires being essential.
- Beds
- King Bed (4) : All bedroom suites may be presented as either super-king doubles or twin rooms. Each bedroom has an en-suite bathroom with bath and shower; two of the showers are walk-in.
- Twin/Single Bed (8) : Alternative to 4 superking doubles, Il Fienile may be presented with up to 8 beds in 4 twin rooms, though we prefer to keep the Master Bedroom as a double and need advance notice to change it to twin (which we will only do for a letting of at least one week).
- Bunk Bed (2) : Two ancillary bedrooms offer basic accommodation and are served by a shared ancillary shower room, adhoining the utility area
- Convertible Bed: The spacious Soggiorno (Living Room) includes a double sofabed
- Crib: We can provide a cot.
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV: We offer UK and Italian freeview Satellite TV and radio, Italian terrestrial TV; flat screen TVs in all bedroom suites, soggiorno and kitchen share the same UK satellite channel; reception is occasionally difficult in adverse weather.
- DVD
- VCR
- Video Library: We have an extensive 250+ DVD library: we hold an annual film festival for schools and can offer film-making courses.
- CD Player (2)
- Stereo System
- Music Library: We offer an extensive collection of classic, jazz and popular music CDs
- Private Pool: Our pool is not exceptional, it is unique. Where else can you have in infinity pool designed so that, with your eyes immediately above water level, the Leaning Tower of Pisa distantly rises from the infinity point?!
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen: We have a large (90cm/3ft wide) oven, as well as gas hob, microwave (all SMEG), American-style fridge and other modern applicances. A second kitchen is available by special arrangement with the owner.
- Cooking Utensils Provided: We provide utensils, crockery and cutlery for at least 14 people.
- Refrigerator: Large American-style fridge with ice unit
- Dishwasher: SMEG
- Microwave: SMEG
- Ice Maker
- Catering Available: We can offer catering from typical Tuscan farmhouse cooking to gourmet meals, by arrangement. All for consumption in summer on our panoramic Lower Terrace or in our chestnut-beamed Dining Room in other seasons.
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill: We offer an electric grill pan: gas or BBQ is not possible outside because of the fire risk in summer.
- Charcoal BBQ Grill: Available by out of summer and other dry periods.
- Deck/Patio: Two terracotta-paved pergola terraces adjoin the Kitchen & Dining Room and the Soggiorno (Living Room); the Lower Terrace is used for dining, the Upper Terrace for lounging and pre-dinner drinks and antipasti
- Balcony: Balcony Terraces extend in two directions (with magnificent vistas) from the upper floor, as noted above.
- Gazebo (2) : The two Terraces feature pergolas and are further shaded by bamboo sheets
- View/Location
- Mountain View: The view is so stunning that the owner of the house (a professional photographer) is sometimes accused by guests of being a bad photographer. There is only one way to appreciate how exceptional our views are: you need to come and see them for yourself. Photographs can never do justice. 180 degrees from seaside hills, then over the plain of Pisa to Livorno and Elba (almost 100 miles), then to the mountains of Pisa and finally towards Siena, Chianti and Florence. Stupendous.
- Monument View: The Leaning Tower, Cathedral and Baptistry of Pisa are distantly visible some 12 miles to the south. The walled city of Lucca and its towers are visible to the south-east
- Communications
- Telephone: We have a Vodafone (i.e. cell) based 'landline' with two portable handsets and recharge its use (including standing charges) at cost. Because it is supplied by a cell company, internet phone call systems (e.g. Vonage) do not work on it.
- Computer: A desktop computer is available to guests. As of late 2009 it has malfunctioned, and we will attempt to have it repaired over the winter. If you need computer access, you are advised to bring a laptop.
- Broadband Internet: We use a Vodafone mobile phone based system. Occasionally it doesn't work at broadband speeds due to weather or atmospheric conditions. The rest of the time it works faster than a landline-based systems do in our area.
- WiFi (Wireless Internet): We have a Vodafone wi-fi router - see under broadband internet. The password is supplied to guests.
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly: Pets are welcome by arrangement with the owner. Additional cleaning costs may be incurred.
- Wheelchair Accessible (may have limitations): The ground floor is easily wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair access to the upper floor via a path is also possible, but requires the ability to push the wheelchair up the short, but inclined, path.
- Kid Friendly: We welcome children. The swimming pool area is enclosed by fences, walls and steep banks.
- Smoking Allowed: Smoking only in the Soggiorno (Living Room), please or outside on the terraces.
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Sailing
- Boating
- Shelling
- Swimming
- Snorkeling/Diving
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Other Activities
- Olive harvest and olive oil production holidays, wild asparagus picking gourmet holidays, photography masterclasses, cooking courses, film-making courses.
Rate Details (In Euro)
Aug 30 - Sep 05 2009 €1500/week reduced for late bargains
Sep 06 - Nov 13 2009 €2000/week (€1000 for Olive Harvest; €2750 24-30 Oct)
Nov 14 - Dec 18 2009 €1000/week (or €1000 - special Olive Harvest rate)
Dec 19 - Jan 01 2010 €3450/week
Jan 02 - Mar 26 2010 €1000/week - an absolute bargain!
Mar 27 - Apr 24 2010 €2750/week
Apr 25 - Jun 05 2010 €3250/week
Jun 06 - Oct 02 2009 €3750/week, booked in 2009; €3950 in 2010
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2002
Why the Owner Chose San Macario in Monte
I have been coming to Italy since I was a teenager, which had included stays at the 15th century villa of a friend, who is now one of my oldest friends, with whom I have also enjoyed many a round of Italian golf. This all introduced me to the joys of Tuscany, its history, its wonderful people and of course Italian food. In 1996 on a Tuscan beach holiday I came to San Macario to visit a friend, who had recently bought and restored a villa in the village. In late 2001 I was looking for a property in Spain on Knight Frank's website, when I accidentally clicked 'Italy' and found myself looking at a photo of a ruined farmhouse with trees growing out of it. But it was the name 'San Macario' that caught my eye: I knew the place and its desirability! A month later my friend and I, accompanied by a property agent and a machete, (literally) cut our way through the undergrowth up to the property. I saw the view, with the Leaning Tower of Pisa in the distance, and (knowing that my friend had found a local team who could be relied upon to do restorations) had the vision...
Almost a decade later, we still have much to do, but neither I, nor my girlfriend and family (all of who originally thought I was mad) have any regrets...
The Unique Benefits of this Farmhouse
Stunning views in every season, peaceful country, and homely, relaxation, wild asparagus (and other wild foods and fruits from our orchard), our own very high quality (Lucca oil is like Bordeaux claret), all wrapped into an authentically restored building, yet complemented with modern eco-efficiencies and communications systems which enable us to enjoy all the benefits of Tuscany, whilst (if ever we want or need to) remaining in contact with everything going on at home through internet and Sky TV facilities. And the 'simpatico' charms of Emilio our wonderful gardener-cum-property manager.
Inspiration - we are all creative people and San Macario has a spirit...
Property Photos
- Il Fienile from the Infinity Pool, looking towards the Pisan Mountains - Tuscany, Italy Vacation Rental
- The Lower Terrace is enclosed by the two wings of Il Fienile - Tuscany, Italy Vacation Rental
- The Lower Terrace, with its rustic, evocative vista to Pisa, at lunchtime - Tuscany, Italy Vacation Rental
- Like all suites, La Camera Verde (Green Bedroom) features chestnut beams
- The Kitchen seats up to 8 and is well-equipped with oven, hob, microwave, TV etc
- The vista from Il Fienile over the olive grove towards the mountains of Pisa
- The magnificent chestnut-beamed Soggiorno (Living Room) is very spacious
- French windows lead from the Soggiorno (Living Room) to the Upper Terrace
- The chestnut-beamed Dining Room is furnished with antiques and paintings
- Like all others La Camera Grigio (Grey Bedroom) includes a flat screen TV
- Like all others, La Camera Rosa (Pink Bedroom) features Busatti designer fabrics
- Sit in olive grove shade, munch wild asparagus (Spring) and go back to nature...
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #127449
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This listing was first published here in 2007.
Date last modified - November 17, 2009
