Location: Montevarchi, Chianti Area, Tuscany, Italy, Europe (30-45 min. Florence/Siena/Arezzo: 60-90 min. Airports)
Accommodations: Villa apartment, 2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath (Sleeps 4-5)
Il Poggiolo is offering the CASA COLONCA an independent half of historic Villa in Tuscany countryside, for short or long-term stays. On two floors with private entrance, sleeps 4+1. There is also a second accommodation possibility on the property (sleeps 6+1), please see website.
Renovated in 2006, the CASA COLONICA was the original owner's apartment, now re-decorated with luxury appointments, antiques and original prints. Upstairs there are two comfortable bedrooms with antique wardrobes and writing tables, as well as a large bathroom with tub/shower. Downstairs are the "daytime" quarters with fully equipped kitchen (microwave, electric oven, 5-range gas burner stove, dishwasher and fridge/freezer), built-in chestnut cabinets, a granite counter and large arched windows with a view on the garden. There is also a washing machine and clothes drying rack, iron & ironing board, as well as other amenities such as satellite TV & DVD, and WiFi internet. The sitting room has a recreational reading shelf with guidebooks and other material; flooded with afternoon sunlight, it is a perfect place to curl up and read. There is also a large living/dining room with a table that opens out to accommodate as many as 12 diners (perfect when both units at Il Poggiolo are used for the same group of friends, or for a family reunion). All rooms have large windows with views. All bedroom and bath windows have screens. Parking on the property.
Outside is an extended garden area with pots of flowers, a table and chairs for dining, and benches to admire the views and breathtaking sunsets. From Il Poggiolo you can see the Valdarno valley, the Appennine mountains, the Sienese hills, and on a good day, all the way to Vallombrosa.
LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION: Guests appreciate the fact that Il Poggiolo is located equidistant from Florence, Siena, and Arezzo (30-45 minutes drive). While a car is necessary for your stay, Florence can be reached by train from Montevarchi in just 35 minutes. Nearby are historic sites, picturesque villages, national parks, thermal baths and, for a day trip, seaside beaches. Swimming nearby in local pools (10-15 minutes drive). Excellent wine and fine restaurants in the area, as well as informal village trattorie. Numerous designer outlets in the area for clothes, shoes, household items, etc. Perfect for day trips to all the historic attractions of Tuscany, for sports enthusiasts and gastronomic tourism, for family vacations, or just to get away from it all.
No pets or smoking (inside) please - allergy controlled environment.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer: Clothes-washing machine in unit.
- Linens Provided: Sheets, towels, kitchen towels, provided. Thermal spa/pool/beach towels provided on request.
- Off Street Parking: Private parking in Il Poggiolo parking area, near accomodations.
- Beds
- King Bed: Can be divided into two wide singles (please request min. 15 days before arrival)
- Twin/Single Bed (4) : Two single beds can be combined into a King bed upon request (please request min. 15 days before arrival)
- Child Bed
- Crib: Sturdy wooden crib available (please request min. 15 days prior to arrival)
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- Video Library: DVDs in multiple languages available for guests, please inquire. Guide books and information on local attractions also provided. Recreational reading library in various languages.
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen: Fully equipped country kitchen with built-in chestnut cabinets and granite tops. View over sink frames the Chianti hills. Extendable table can seat up to 8 with room to spare.
- Cooking Utensils Provided: For tea drinkers, there is a kettle and teapot, for coffee fanatics, three types of espresso pots. Plan to bake a cake or a pie - you will find all you need.
- Refrigerator: Refridgerator is also equipped with freezer compartment.
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Catering Available: Local prize-winning "Gastronomia" in Montevarchi will provide four star meals - just drop in to pick up dinner, or order ahead from their extensive menu.
- Outdoor Features
- Deck/Patio (2) : Two sitting areas outside with chairs, tables, umbrellas and views of the Tuscany hills. One has morning sun, the other evening sun.
- View/Location
- Mountain View: Il Poggiolo is located on a hilltop with views onto the Valdarno and Appenine mountains to the North-East, and the Chianti hills to the South-West.
- Communications
- Cell Phone: Cellphone available for guests' use (fixed fee + set rate calls)
- WiFi (Wireless Internet): Bring your computer already set up for WIFI, you will be furnished a password upon arrival. Guests are required to fill out a form for internet access (Italian anti-terrorism laws)
- Other Amenities
- Large garden area with tables, chairs, benches, umbrella, to breakfast and dine al fresco, or just watch the sunset with a glass of wine. The owners live on-site, and are available for travel tips and restaurant suggestions. Situated in the Valdarno, equidistant from Florence, Siena and Arezzo, Il Poggiolo is well placed for day trips to sites of historic and natural interest. Good walking and hiking in the area, and above all, fabulous views.
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Kid Friendly: Safety gate at the top of the stairs.
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Swimming
- Mountain Biking
- Hiking
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Antiquing
- Museums
- Other Activities
- Medieval/Renaissance towns throughout areas, from main sites (Florence, Siena, Arezzo) to picturesque Castles, Abbeys and Hamlets. Markets with local produce, fine wines. Privately managed pools in area. Thermal Spas 30-45 min. drive. Easy country walks at your doorstep, serious trekking trails in nearby hills. Many designer outlets in the area.
Rate Details (In Euros)
PLEASE check calendar for availability before inquiring !!
2010 Rates: €1000/week first 2 guests + €100/week additional guests up to 4 people
€50/week additional cot/crib for child
25% non-refundable deposit due at booking. Payment by PAYPAL: Visa or Mastercard
Balance due by bank transfer 60 days prior to arrival OR Euros on arrival.
DISCOUNT for each consecutive week. Monthly rates available.
Heating: at cost (1 November-15 April)
Price includes all linens, utilities, weekly and final cleaning.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Owner's Profile
Owner Description
Year Purchased: 1994
In 1994 Allen and I bought the property we had been renting for over 10 years. The reasons why we ended up in Tuscany - on a hilltop in the Valdarno - are totally serendipitous, and entirely too long to go into here. But we did it, and lived in happy nonchalance, raising our daughter and commuting to work in Florence until the economic crunch began to make itself felt. In 2005 we had the belated realisation that this property had better help maintain itself, otherwise we would find it very difficult to keep up the land and buildings after we retired. I keep buying lottery tickets with blind faith, but in the meantime we bit the bullet, hocked our souls to the Banca Toscana, and decided to carry out a dream: to restore and convert the villa’s barn into a rental cottage, and renovate the half of the villa once occupied by Allen's mother, now happily ensconced on the Italian Riviera. The idea was that holiday rentals would help with the mortgage, garden maintenance, and miscellaneous upkeep until – when we are well into our dotage – we downsize and move into the converted barn ourselves. Read the first installment of the saga about this renovation process on the 'Wandering Educators' site (under 'Barn conversion').
Why the Owner Chose Montevarchi
Tuscany is not only a tourist mecca, but the climate is better than Paris and London (where we had been living before), and Florence is within an easy commute, so it is possible to live in the countryside and work in the city. The people in the area are wonderful. In fact, the Tuscans are the main reason why my husband and I opted to stay in Italy, to buy the family villa (divided into two large apartments) and make a life here. The 'Casa Colonica' part of the main villa was used on and off by friends and family until we decided to restore it and make it available as a vacation rental. So far we have been very fortunate with having marvellous guests. We are grateful to VRBO for having been such a good intermediary for Il Poggiolo.
Property Photos
- "Casa Colonica" at Il Poggiolo, south-west facade and garden - Tuscany Vacation Villa near Montevarchi, Italy, with Hill and Valley Views, near Sightseeing and Restaurants.
- Dining/Living room, ensuite Kitchen + Sitting room through doorway - Tuscany Vacation Villa near Montevarchi, Italy, with Hill and Valley Views, near Sightseeing and Restaurants.
- Sitting room gives out on back garden. Stairs lead up to top floor - Tuscany Vacation Villa near Montevarchi, Italy, with Hill and Valley Views, near Sightseeing and Restaurants.
- Arched window looks out on garden and Appenine mountains
- Master bedroom with antique wardrobe and bookcase
- Twin bedroom has two windows with views onto the Valdarno
- Il Poggiolo seen from the South. Perched on its own hill....
Guest Comments (7)
First (7) of (7). View all comments
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #207356
There have been 2774 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2008.
This listing was first published here in 2008.
Date last modified - October 28, 2009
Positive Rating
Williams Family , Norris,Tennessee, USA
Homeowner Response:
Thank you for appreciating the TLC that goes into preparing for guest stays. It is rewarding to know that all the materials supplied for guests are perused and useful!! Help with metting up with children is certainly nothing out of the ordinary here at Il Poggiolo, we specialize in tourist rescue: cars that break down in Montevarchi, tourists that take a walk in the woods and get lost (really!!), lost baggage and garment loans, we are waiting for the next one! My potboiler book on Tuscan living is going to be called "In Tuscany it also Rains" Your family was a joy to have here, I hope to see you again, anywhere in the world. Sara
Positive Rating
Lisa Erickson , Pakkret, Nonthaburi, Thailand
Homeowner Response:
The Ericksons were a joy to have at Il Poggiolo. We would love to have you back anytime !!
Positive Rating
Annette McKinnies , Atlanta, GA
Homeowner Response:
It was a pleasure to have you, and to make it possible for you to have a vacation with a large group of friends. Glad you liked the "hyper-coop." It is a zoo on Saturdays, but a fun place to shop the rest of the week. All best, Sara
Positive Rating
The apartment called Casa Colonica, a restored farm house, was absolutely wonderful to stay in. Everything was provided and made the stay so enjoyable. The bedrooms (a double and room with two single beds) are upstairs along with the very large bathroom. Of a morning we could lie in bed and watch the sun rise or one occasion the snowflakes fall. Downstairs is the well stocked kitchen and the large eating area which comfortably seats 10. Tablecloth provided too!! As we were two families traveling together we shared cooking but usually shared our feasts in this room as the ambiance of the room encouraged us to sit and chat after dinner. Cooking in such a kitchen was an absolute delight and as it was so spacious allowed many cooks to work together and enjoy a drink and a chat about the day's pleasures as we worked. This review is an excerpt from a detailed commentary by a Slow Travel member: see the original review on the Slow Travel site (Review 3391: Il Poggiolo, Casa Colonica)
Positive Rating
Casa Colonica is a great place to stay while in Tuscany. Sara, the owner, provides wonderful accommodations, complete with technically enough food for the entire week we were there, although we enjoyed visiting the local markets and coop's for added treats. The villa is set atop a hillside with amazing views all around -- we were greeted by a breathtaking sunset on our first night. Inside, there's a spacious and elegant dining room, then an inviting kitchen that begs cooking, followed by a quaint TV room in which we enjoyed cartoons (can you say "Captain Cave-maaaaaaaannnnnn!") in French and Italian via the satellite (Sara was also nice enough to supply us with DVDs to watch as we were a little under the weather on our trip). Upstairs features two very spacious bedrooms and a ginormous walk-in bath. The home is lovely, spacious, and well-kept, but the hospitality was even better. The surrounding area has easy access via trains and car to other towns -- we visited Siena, Pisa, Arezzo, and Firenze. This is a great place for families looking to experience the real deal in Tuscany. This review is the opinion of a Slow Travel member who stayed in the Casa Colonica in April 2008. See original commment on the Slow Travel website (Review 3497: Il Poggiolo, Casa Colonica).
Positive Rating
La casa è collocata in un contesto da sogno, tranquillisimo e molto rilassante, privo di rumori o di altri elementi di disturbo, pur trovandosi a solo cinque minuti di auto da negozi e supermarket. L'immobile e' bellissimo, ristrutturato in maniera molto intelligente per offrire il confort dei tempi moderni senza però cancellare quella patina di antico che dona un particolare fascino alle abitazioni di una volta. I proprietari sono gentilissimi e molto disponibili ma per nulla invadenti. La dotazione della casa è di assoluta eccellenza. Mai in una casa per vacanze abbiamo trovato gli accessori presenti qui. Oltre ai numerosi citati nell'annuncio, abbiamo trovato ad esempio il mixer a immersione, oppure una cocotte in ghisa con la quale preparare il peposo, il tipico spezzatino aretino. Oppure ancora le lucine di cortesia da accendere nella camera dei bambini per non lasciarli al buio totale durante la notte. Piccole cose che denotano una cura maniacale nella gestione, anche per i più piccoli dettagli. Consigliamo a tutti questa struttura, senza la minima esitazione. This testimonial was made by a Homelidays member. See the original on the Homelidays website, advertisement reference : 124056
Positive Rating
C’est une merveilleuse maison, dans un cadre exceptionnel, avec des propriétaires adorables. Vous quittez votre domicile avec ses commodités et vous retrouvez toutes ces dernières à Il Poggiolo. Rien n’y manque. Vous partez avec vos bagages comme si vous alliez à l’hôtel. Le reste est sur place. C’est une maison qui vie, on a même l’impression qu’elle est habitée à l’année. Du reste, la situation est idéale pour visiter des grands sites touristiques comme : Florence, Arezzo, Sienne, Pise, Perugia, Assise et même Rome qui est un peu plus loin. Un grand bravo à Sara et Allen pour leur accueil, leurs conseils sur les lieux à visiter et leur gentillesse. Il Poggiolo, un endroit où il FAUT aller !!! This testimonial is from a Homelidays member. See original comment on Homelidays site, advertisement reference : 124056