Location: Radicondoli, Siena Area, Tuscany, Italy, Europe (Rome is 3.5 Hours Away, Florence 1 Hour; Siena 45 Minutes.) View Map
Accommodations: Townhouse, 2 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 2 Baths (Sleeps 4-6)
Casa Illuminata is a four-level 12th century townhouse that was rebuilt completely in 2000. It has two bedrooms with firm, new, queen-sized beds plus two additional twin beds that can be moved around, two full baths with tub and shower, a washing machine, a large Tuscan style living room with three beautiful arched windows that overlook the expansive northern view, a dining room and a small but complete kitchen equipped with top quality cookware. A large wood-burning fireplace in the living room provides a warm reading, relaxing and gathering spot in the winter. A spacious upstairs terrace and a medium-sized terrace below offer breathtaking views of the farms below the village as well as other hilltowns including Casole d'Elsa, Volterra, and San Gimignano across a 60-mile span. The house has several staircases and has no disabled access; it is not appropriate for small children.
Casa Illuminata is a perfect place to relax after a hectic day of sightseeing in Siena, Florence, San Gimignano, Volterra and the many other villages, castles and white roads of the area. Staying right in the center of the village means being within a two minute walk to bars, markets, restaurants and the village bakery. We have 2 Italian stovetop espresso makers in the house, or you can walk to one of our two bars for a delicious cappuccino. Next door to Casa Iluminata is our favorite pizza place in the world, La Pergola, with a dining terrace that has views and flavors to melt your heart. The nearby Bar Nazionale is an all-purpose gathering spot with free WI-FI and public computer, television, coffee, drinks and ice cream as well as a restaurant that serves lunch and dinner. There are three other restaurants as well as several markets, a butcher and a baker in town.
Radicondoli is a small, un-touristed medieval hill town one hour south of Florence and 45 minutes west of Siena. It is vaguely known to most Italians but to few foreigners, tucked deep in the switchback roads of rural Tuscany away from tour buses and slick merchants. Most people comment on the quality of the food in this area, made for and by locals, restaurant kitchens with town mamas juggling wild boar ragu and veal stock and hand made pastas. Baby strollers with napping infants sit in the main street while the women shop the local markets for fresh pecorino cheese, Tuscan prosciutto, perfect grapefruit sized cantaloupe and dolce for the bambini. In the summer, the streets are the town’s living room and the locals are like one big family, never tiring of talking to one another.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Washer
- Linens Provided
- Wood Fireplace
- Beds
- Queen Bed
- Twin/Single Bed
- Entertainment
- CD Player
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Deck/Patio
- Lanai
- View/Location
- Mountain View
- Monument View
- Communications
- Telephone
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Hiking
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Other Activities
- Summer music festival as well as seasonal festivals in the village draw hundreds of people from near and far.
Rate Details (In Euros)
Oct-Apr ................ € 700/week .. €2600/month
May, Jun 1-15 and Sep .. € 800/week .. €2800/month
Jun 15-Aug 31 .......... €1000/week .. €3600/month
A one-time cleaning fee of €80 for 2 people; €110 for 4-6 people.
Damage/cleaning deposit of €250 due upon booking.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2001
Why the Owner Chose Radicondoli
A series of small miracles led us to this spacious, light filled townhouse in a storybook Tuscan village nestled in a magical landscape surrounded by forests and forgotten castles. The authentic Tuscan experience is fully alive and well in this village time forgot. We enjoy the camaraderie of the villagers as well as their excellent cooking. It is possible to eat very well for very little in this area.
The Unique Benefits at this Townhouse
The expansive views across the valley from our three arched windows and two terraces extend 60 miles or more, taking in numerous hill towns near and far including Casole d'Elsa, San Gimignano, and Volterra. Dining on the upstairs terrace followed by card games and stargazing or taking your morning coffee above the wisps of fog that drape across the valley as the sun rises are two possibilities. Warming yourself by the large Tuscan fireplace with a book and a glass of Chianti or a cup of tea with biscotti is a splendid way to rest after a day exploring the area.
Owner's Map of Radicondoli
Ron and I were married in Greve-in-Chianti and ever since dreamed of one day owning a home in Tuscany. In 2001, Ron's sister, Barbara, and her husband, Ward, found this beautiful townhouse in a part of Tuscany we had never seen. Ron went to check it out and declared the village and the house perfect. So the four of us, and Ron's mother, Anne, went in together and bought it, becoming not just homeowners in Tuscany, but part time residents of this unique, lively, authentic medieval village that has embraced us like family. Ron owns a graphic design and marketing communications firm in San Diego; I am a writer; Ward and Barbara are psychologists and Anne makes costumes for the San Diego Opera.
Property Photos
- Morning fog in the valley viewed from the upstairs terrace. - Radicondoli, Italy - Vacation Townhouse near Casole d'Elsa, San Gimignano and Volterra
- - Radicondoli, Italy - Vacation Townhouse near Casole d'Elsa, San Gimignano and Volterra
- - Radicondoli, Italy - Vacation Townhouse near Casole d'Elsa, San Gimignano and Volterra
- Marlane stepping into Casa Illuminata
- Living room. Comfortable L-shaped sofa with downwrapped cushions makes a comfort
- Large Tuscan fireplace is a great place to gather in cold weather.
- The upstairs bedroom has a large terrace with an exhilarating view.
- Downstairs bedroom has a large full bath; clothes washer is also in this bath
- Another view from the upstairs terrace.
- Via Gazzei, the main street of Radicondoli, is a few steps away.
- The Radicondoli Filharmonic at the Festa di San Giovanni in June 2009.
- The white roads and footpaths surrounding the village provide great hiking.
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #257317
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This listing was first published here in 2009.
Date last modified - October 19, 2009
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