Location: Gaiole, Siena Province, Tuscany, Italy, Europe (Siena (35 Min/30 Km), Florence (1 Hour/70 Km)/Airport 75 Min)
Accommodations: Farmhouse, 2 Bedrooms + No additional sleeping rooms avail, 2 Baths (Sleeps 4)
Keywords: Farmhouse
La Corbina sits by itself near the top of a hill, with an astonishing view of surrounding hill-top villages, the unblemished valley below and undulating hills in the distance. La Corbina is surrounded by a vineyard and olive groves and is part of a small working farm. The house itself is a restored stone farmhouse which was originally built in the 18th century. This freestanding house is the only rental unit. The two of us live in a small stone house next to the farmhouse with our cat and two dogs.
We lovingly restored the farmhouse using the building materials we found on the site, supplemented, where necessary, with antique building materials such as terracotta floor and roof tiles and stone sinks. It was for years our own home and therefore feels like a home, not a rental property. Our design philosophy is "less is more" and everything is of the highest quality. The furniture is a mix of new designer pieces and antique, rustic furniture with simple, straight lines.
We make our own wine and olive oil and have two vegetable gardens. The crop depends on the season and includes a wide variety of vegetables such as tomatoes, zucchini, eggplants, peppers, tomatillos, peas, beans, leaks, artichokes, cabbage, sun chokes and many more. We use organic methods for the cultivation of our plants. The property also has fruit trees and berry bushes. If you enjoy cooking, you can pick your vegetables and herbs right in front of the house.
Our large (14 x 7 meter) infinity pool sits above the house on top of the hill and has breathtaking views. There are several areas with tables and chairs around the house which invite to al fresco meals. The kitchen is very well appointed and a dream for the passionate chef.
If you want to ever leave this place, Siena, Montalcino, Arezzo, Cortona and Florence can all be reached in around an hour or less by car. We can also help you find the best vineyards and restaurants in the area.
Accommodations
The house is about 160 square meters (about 1,700 square feet) on two levels with a split level kitchen. The bedrooms are spacious (25 square meters / 270 square feet). The upstairs bedroom has a large bathroom with an open shower. The downstairs bedroom has a bathroom with a big, deep custom made bathtub and a separate shower. The kitchen is also spacious with 30 square meters / 320 square feet, has a lot of white marble counter space, two big sink areas, and an antique kitchen table that can be expanded to seat up to ten people. The living room is relatively small (20 square meters / 215 square feet) but cozy with a large wood burning fire place.
Outdoors
The covered upstairs balcony never gets too hot, even on the hottest days. There is always a light breeze to keep you cool. The deep teak bench with its thick mattress is the ideal space to "recover" from a long, lazy lunch. The balcony also has stunning views of the valley below and the hill top villages nearby. Outside the kitchen there is an enormous marble table which seats twelve guests and which has beautiful morning sun. Here you are also surrounded by potted herbs and have a view of the small vineyard next to the house. There are many more spaces around the house and the pool which wait for you to be discovered!
How to reach La Corbina
La Corbina is a rural, isolated place and the access roads for the last five kilometers are not paved, but are maintained gravel, stone and dirt.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer
- Dryer
- Linens Provided : 500 count cotton bed sheets, Egyptian cotton bath towels
- Off Street Parking
- Wood Fireplace
- Wood Stove : Antique terracotta stove
- Beds
- Queen Bed
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- Video Library
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Music Library
- Private Pool : Fantastic, large (14 m x 7 m) infinity pool with breathtaking, panoramic view.
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen : Top of the line gourmet kitchen, big 5 burner stainless steel gas stove with 2 electric convection ovens and griddle plate, meat slicer, espresso/cappuccino maker, two separate sink areas
- Cooking Utensils Provided : All-clad pots and pans, le Creuset oven ware, Zwilling/Henkel chefs knives, hand painted dishes and serving bowls
- Refrigerator : and separate freezer (Bosch)
- Dishwasher : Bosch
- Catering Available : on demand
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill : Large barbecue and Weber grill, working traditional wood-fired bread/pizza oven
- Deck/Patio : Several roofed and open outdoor spaces with table and chairs for al fresco breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Balcony
- Lanai
- View/Location
- Mountain View : Sweeping, panoramic view of the surrounding hills, valleys and distant mountains with typical Tuscan hill top villages
- Communications
- Telephone
- Free Long Distance : to Europe and the US residential lines
- Cell Phone : on request, charges are invoiced at cost
- Computer : Mac computer
- Broadband Internet
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- Full assortment of Riedel wine glasses, hammocks, vegetable and herb gardens, fruit trees and berry bushes for the use of the guests (depending on the season).
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters : We do not want to give an age limit, but there are many breakable items, antiques and beautiful Oriental carpets in the house and parents will be responsible for any damage caused by their children. The house is not toddler or child proof.
- Smoking Not Allowed : Smoking is allowed outside the house.
- Activities
- Shopping
- Swimming
- Mountain Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Antiquing
- Horseback Riding
- Hiking
- Museums
Rate Details (In Euros)
29 October 2011 - 3 March 2012 ..... €1750/week
3 March 2012 - 2 June 2012 ..... €2000/week
2 June 2012 - 1 September 2012 ..... €2500/week
1 September 2012 - 3 November 2012 ..... €2000/week
3 November 2012 - 2 March 2013 ..... €1750/week
2 March 2013 - 1 June 2013 ..... €2000/week
1 June 2013 - 31 August 2013 ..... €2500/week
Rental from Saturday to Saturday
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Owner's Profile
Owner Description
Year Purchased: 2002
We met when bidding against each other on the same pieces at an auction for modern furniture. Our shared passion for contemporary design and clean lines is a thread that runs through our lives and is certainly visible at La Corbina, inside and out. We also love to cook and eat good food and enjoy fine wine. To support these hobbies we grow our own organic vegetables and fruits and produce our own wine and olive oil on this small farm. We take great pleasure in sharing our house and our gardens with guests who appreciate similar things in life.
Why the Owner Chose Gaiole
It was the expansive view, the feeling we had looking around in all directions from the top of the hill, that made this place magic to us, that made us fall in love. When we found La Corbina in 1999 during our (week-long) wedding reception nearby, it was a ruin, abandoned for over forty years. There was no water, no electricity, no phone. As everybody was staying in the area for the week, we took our families to look at the property. They all thought we were crazy. The realtor said: I know you are in love with the house now, but when you get back home you will wake up and say: "what were we thinking?" Hew was wrong. It took us two years to buy La Corbina and several more to bring in the services and painstakingly renovated the house. But we never regretted our decision. For us this is the most beautiful place in the world.
The Unique Benefits of this Farmhouse
La Corbina is unique because it is exceptionally large for a two bedroom rental (160sq.m/1700sq.ft). We renovated it for ourselves and wanted to keep it spacious and luxurious. We did not want to maximize the number of bedrooms. There are not many freestanding buildings for four guests for rent in Tuscany. Freestanding buildings are normally for larger parties. Two bedroom accommodations, on the other hand, are usually part of a larger complex where several parties have to stay close together. If you stay at La Corbina you may have more privacy than in your own home: our property is 6.5 hectares / 16 acres and the closest neighbor is 1.8 km / 1 mile away. We have a 'less is more' design philosophy, so La Corbina has a light, minimalist, boutique kind of feel.
Property Photos
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- La Corbina in spring - Mountain View Chianti Area Stone Farmhouse with Balcony, Pool, and BBQ Grill
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- Take a dip in the infinity pool and take in the beautiful view. - Mountain View Chianti Area Stone Farmhouse with Balcony, Pool, and BBQ Grill
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- The covered porch stays nice an cool even on the hottest days - Mountain View Chianti Area Stone Farmhouse with Balcony, Pool, and BBQ Grill
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- Make fantastic meals with the produce from the garden in the gourmet kitchen.
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- The bedrooms are spacious with minimalist decor.
Traveler Reviews (15)
A wonderful experience had by all!!!!!
Guest: Cal and Sassy, and Nanook of the North and Jimbo
(Monterey, Ca, USA)
Date of Stay: 10/11/11
Review Submitted: 11/07/11
We (2 older couples) truely enjoyed our 11 days at this amazing villa. Getting up before dawn and meditating on the porch wrapped in blankets was a spiritual experience. The views, the marvelous farmhouse, the fires we enjoyed in the large fireplace, staying in pjs all day, great beds and bathrooms, walking out of our bedroom to a garden, drinking wine, eating cheese and sausages, sharing a meal with Nicole and Paul in the beautiful kitchen, long walks to San Vincenti on the dirt road, renewing our vows at the 700 year old church in San Vincenti, enjoying trips to nearby towns, getting lost but always finding our way back...what more can we say!!!! oh, and Paul, hope "Sadie" is still there!!! We hope we can come back next year...thank you Nicole and Paul for providing such a beautiful retreat.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+.
Perfect Honeymoon
Guest: tarff26
(Glasgow)
Date of Stay: 07/30/11
Review Submitted: 09/06/11
My wife and I spent an amazing week at La Corbina in between stays in Florence. It was the perfect place to relax and enjoy the beautiful Tuscan hills, far away from the busy city. The house itself has been beautifully decorated and furnished by Paul and Nicole, and really combines the feeling of rustic, country living with homely luxury - the fantastic rainfall shower, the huge kitchen with modern appliances, and the large vegetable and herb gardens that surround the property. Sitting out on the front porch with Montebenichi far in the distance, you really do feel that you are in your own wee world, and it is so relaxing. Although La Corbina is far off the beaten track - and the road from San Vincenti to La Corbina is little more than a bumpy track road - we enjoyed day trips to Siena and Montevarchi with ease (around 30 mins drive in each case). Although the directions Nicole gave us before our arrival were spot-on and very detailed, I would still suggest bringing a sat-nav if possible. However all this is only of use if you ever want to leave La Corbina, and we were just as happy lounging by the large infinity pool above the house, with it's lovely views over to San Vincenti, or spending a quiet night watching a film on the Mac. It is a very special place and one that we would definitely recommend visiting.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, age 55+.
Our stay at La Corbina
Guest: Peg
(Coral Springs, Florida USA)
Date of Stay: 07/16/11
Review Submitted: 08/28/11
We stayed at La Corbina in July, 2011. It was a week long vacation for my husband and I and another couple. I can honestly say without hesitation, that if you are looking for the perfect get away in the beautiful Tuscan hills at an amazing home - this is the house for you! La Corbina is a wonderful house. Two large masters with terrific bathrooms, an amazing kitchen, great sitting areas in the house and many outside with amazing views. The infiniti pool is just perfect with plenty of seating. The garden with the many fresh vegetables and herbs was ideal for those who like to cook - and with the many kitchen appliances - you can cook yourself a feast! The grapes, the beautiful flowers - it's truly a unique place! We travelled many days to visit local hill towns, however, also enjoyed time at the house for it is ideal for relaxing, laying by the pool, swinging in the hammock, and reading a good book. The host and hostess - Nicole and Paul are very special people. They are waiting for you upon your arrival and are there for anything you need and any questions you have. I cannot say enough about this property, about the owners, and about the beauty of the area. Do not hesitate to stay here - it is an experience you will never forget!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.
Terry & Garnet (USA)
Guest: Garnet
(Abilene, TX)
Date of Stay: 05/07/11
Review Submitted: 05/31/11
We recently spent a wonderful week at LaCorbina. It was a wonderful experience. Paul and Nichole are gracious hosts. Around the villa there are many herbs to cook with and flowers and plants to enjoy. While we were there, they were planting the tomatoes and peppers. Terry got in and helped some just so he could talk and ask questions of Paul( probably got in the way would be a truer statement). They had fresh strawberries, asparagus,artichoke and leeks ready to pick. I kept the asparagus picked while we were there. We read, visited around the area, relaxed and slept so good. They have wi fi and a computer if you need to stay connected. We disconnected and let the week rejuvinate us. Go there if you can!!! Surely a 6 star rating!!!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+.
What's Not to Love!
Guest: Marcia
(United States)
Date of Stay: 04/04/11
Review Submitted: 04/19/11
No one told us that getting here would be quite the adventure. There are turns, there are curves, there are uphill climbs through magic and woods. There is an opening through the gate which leads us into a vista of hilltops that welcome us with ancient villages they hold, vineyards who make their way into a vision so sublime, 360 degrees of it all beyond words. We are startled. We are breath taken. We are greeted by Nicole and Paul, the owners of this phenomenal piece of life. They have dedicated years and years to build this haven, a peaceful and serene palette of beauty while ourselves and our dear friends become ever so enchanted. The house, the wood beams, the terra cotta, the stone fireplace, the chic kitchen from it's stainless steel stove and marble countertops with copper pans to cook in, to the brilliant lighting over antiques and tabletops at which to dine at. There's fabulous plumbing with showers and bathrooms to die for and thick towels to surrender in. Closets abound. The bedrooms are large, fresh, comfortable and kind. Open doors lean into the mornings. The outside is the unexpected. Filled with surprise. A patio of pillows and chairs to linger in. A table and chairs here. Oh, a table and chairs there! and over there! A vegetable garden or two worked up like a sweet sculpture. Carefully appointed bursts of tulips here, lavender there. A trough of spring filled color alongside an infinity pool who's edges hold signs of strawberries to come. Climbing vines. Grape vines. Wildflowers. Our hosts are amazing. They step back. They step forward. They steer. They guide. They share. They laugh. They work ever so hard with passion, strength, and vision. They open the door to the most amazing feeling of a tuscany you could ever imagine entering. Such absolute utter bliss!!!! So come.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers.
A Piece of Paradise in Tuscany
Guest: Tony
(New Jersey, USA)
Date of Stay: 08/14/10
Review Submitted: 11/01/10
My wife, son, and I used VRBO for the first time and were nervous about booking a reservation for a villa online without the use of a travel agent. We read through an uncountable number of potential villas on many websites, then we found La Corbina. La Corbina seemed like the perfect villa, private pool, top of the line appliances, use of a garden, old world charm, beautiful view, and in the heart of Tuscany. A lot of times something on the internet does not look as good in person. This is the exception. La Corbina was more than we could have imagined. The huge rooms in the immaculate old restored farm house provided all of the modern conveniences while maintaining the original architecture and feeling of being transported back in time to a simpler less stressful life. We really enjoyed picking from the garden and cooking Tuscany style meals in the gourmet kitchen. The professional espresso & cappuccino machine provided a non-stop supply of Italian coffee. The pool was spectacular with a view that is hard to imagine without being there in the water looking over the edge.I felt so lucky to have picked La Corbina from the thousands of villas online, it was perfect. We were on Top of the World! The only thing that outshined La Corbina were our hosts, Nicole and Paul. Nicole and I conversed via email and phone before the trip. She promptly answered all of my questions and also provided more photos and insight into the area. When we finally met, my family and I instantly felt comfortable speaking with them as they gave us a tour of the villa and the grounds which were filled with grape vines, olive trees, fruit trees, and the garden with all types of vegetables and herbs. The next day Paul and Nicole helped us map out our week of sightseeing, answered questions regarding Italian customs, driving laws, etc. Without their guidance we would have wasted a lot of time and not have seen the destinations that we enjoyed. By the end of the week, we felt we had made 2 friends, thousands of miles away, that we hope to see again. When it comes to Tuscany Italy, there's no choice, it's La Corbina for me! I know we will come back to the tranquil beauty of La Corbina.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
La Corbina - Farmhouse
Guest: Lorenzo
(Torrance, Ca. USA)
Date of Stay: 09/14/10
Review Submitted: 09/29/10
Our experience was very similar to the other glowing reviews. This was the highlight of our dream Italy vacation to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversaries with another couple. La Corbina is a great location and met or exceeded all of our expectations. The house is awesome and the attention to detail inside and outside in nothing short of amazing. Paul and Nicole built their dream house and now offer it to guests to experience. The kitchen was very user friendly and set up by people who obviously love to cook. It was so nice to have access to fresh vegetables and herbs from the garden. The dinners we made or shared at La Corbina were the most fun of all the meals we had during our 2 week Italy vacation (and that includes a lot of really good meals). When I read the listing for La Corbina after countless hours of internet searching and trip planning I felt like this is it, this is the one. It was only better in person. We'd love to move next door. Chin Chin!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+.
Farmhouse honeymoon dream
Guest: lysymibo
(Harrogate, England)
Date of Stay: 08/07/10
Review Submitted: 09/20/10
From the moment you arrive at La Corbina, you know you've come to somewhere special. We simply could not have found a more perfect place to spend the 'middle' week of our honeymoon. We wanted somewhere relaxing and luxurious but with farmhouse appeal and lots of sunshine - and we got everything we wanted and plenty more besides! Paul and Nicole have perfected the art of welcoming guests and providing them with the perfect base to explore Tuscany - which you can do either by absorbing the incredible scenery from the comfort of your private infinity pool or by getting out and exploring the wonderful area around La Corbina. Although you dont have to go far. The San Vincenti wine estate is on the road leading away from the house. Nicole was kind enough to arrange a tour of this relatively small establishment and we got to meet the owner, Roberto Pucci, who was happy to provide us with a complimentary bottle of Stignana (Super Tuscan) wine which he insisted that we drank to his health...which we obediently did. We also brought 5 more bottles home with us we enjoyed it so much. Montevarchi is approx 30-40 mins drive away which has everything you need for supplies. There is also a tremendous seafood restaurant approx 30 mins drive away called Stuzzicheria. Nicole arranged for us to enjoy a sunday lunch at this wonderful little place. They don't speak a word of English but it doesn't matter because everything that arrived at our table was amazing - although we didn't have a clue what it was called. Siena is approx an hour away and is full of charm. We were incredibly lucky to witness the preparations for the bi-annual Palio horse race in Siena. However, the highlight of our whole stay at La Corbina has to be the cookery lesson with Isabella (Paul and Nicole's close friend) that Nicole arranged for us. We learned how to make Panzanella, Pasta (two types from scratch!!), perfect Pork and Cantucci (almond biscotti). Isabella's husband Luigi joined us all for a beautiful dinner (where the wine was flowing) and we all talked (via Paul's proficient translation) and laughed until late into the night. Our favourite memories include taking fresh vegetables from the garden, relaxing on the terrace under a blanket of stars enjoying wine & chocolate and sitting by the pool in total tranquility and feeling like the troubles of the world were a million miles away. We will return, oh yes! Bravi e grazie Paul & Nicole (& Freddie, Maurice, Eddie...and the other cat).
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, age 55+, families with young children.
A Tuscan dream
Guest: Louise
(Hertfordshire, England)
Date of Stay: 09/04/10
Review Submitted: 09/17/10
Despite our already high expectations, La Corbina did not disappoint. As we drove up, just the very sight of the farmhouse made all our tension melt away. Paul and Nicole were generous hosts who managed to remain suitably discreet yet on hand whenever necessary throughout our stay. The kitchen was a constant source of joy; high quality utensils and better equipped than our own. We thoroughly enjoyed creating fresh meals with the produce from the vegetable garden. We never grew tired of the stunning view from the swimming pool area and our shrieks stepping into it (it was rather chilly) were the only disturbance to the sense of peace and tranquillity. Although remote, La Corbina was well located for a number of day trips out to Siena, Greve-in-Chianti, Castellina and Radda-in-Chianti. You can't easily go out to a different restaurant each night, nor can you easily pop out to the shops for a loaf of bread. What you can do however, is to cherish lazy days and cosy nights in with loved ones, enjoy a different view from the numerous and thoughtfully located seating areas and discover something new to delight you about La Corbina every day of your stay.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+.
A Tuscan Farmhouse doesn't get any better than this one!
Guest: Pinotphiles
(Healdsburg, California, USA)
Date of Stay: 06/05/10
Review Submitted: 09/03/10
Four crazy wine growers from California indulging in the pleasures of the Chianti wine country were no easy guests for Nicole and Paul to manage, but manage they did superbly. From the old world charm of the stone farmhouse to the breathtaking views and garden vistas, we were treated to an authentic Tuscan farm experience, unmatched in our previous two trips to the area. Paul and Nicole, both more fluent in English than we are, were more than hospitable and generous beyond our expectations, stocking in food for us on our first night, sharing the bounty of their thriving vegetable garden, arranging pool time for us on our return after a hot day of touring, providing recommendations for wine, artisanal food producers, sights and scenic routes... meeting even our requests for laundry and ironing facilities. While La Corbina is remote, and takes some drive time to get to, don’t let that discourage you from staying. The peace and beauty of the location, the appointments of the home (even a Macintosh computer with hi-speed Internet), and the warmth and hospitality of the owners more than compensate for a few bumps in the road along the way.
Recommended for:
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #262966
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