Stunning Views in the Tuscan Hills - Sculptor's 15c Farmhouse Caprese Michelangelo Vacation Rental by Owner Listing 31388

Vine Covered Pergola

view previous photo

view next photo

 

Location: Caprese Michelangelo, Tuscany, Italy, Europe (Simonicchi in Caprese Michelangelo- Arezzo 1hr. by car)

Accommodations:  2 bedroom Converted Barn, 2 Bedrooms + Other (See Description), 2 Baths (Sleeps 4-6)

Set between St. Francis sanctuary and sculptor Michelangelo's birthplace this pretty and totally relaxing long barn conversion is set high on a hillside. Its roof terrace dominates a panorama of valley, sweeping chestnut forests scattered with little villages, and distant mountains. It is blissfully restful. Here you can sunbathe and shower without fear of being overlooked, and at night wine and dine under a great canopy of stars.

The two ensuite bedrooms, twin and double, are set at either end of the accommodation and are separated by the kitchen and spacious sitting room. The barn is furnished with antiques and pleasantly old furniture,has tiled floors and rugs, original sculpture and drawings and is totally in harmony with its surroundings. There is a wide-ranging library and a big reflector telescope. Beneath a medieval arch a path leads to terraced gardens of lavender, olive, and fruit trees.You are sure to feel at home.It has a very friendly, peaceful atmosphere.

Simonicchi is an excellent base for exploring the wonders of Tuscany, ideal for day trips to famous cultural and historic centres, for discovering the medieval walled towns of the area (such as Cortona, of 'Under the Tuscan Sun' fame),for shopping for treasures or just for enjoying the Italian way of life.

Whether you come in the beautiful summer, when you can picnic in the shade of the chestnut groves, or in the heart of winter, when you have masterpiece after masterpiece all to yourself, Simonicchi is a year-round haven.

Nature lovers: Wake up to the enchanting views of historic Mount Sovaggio. Wander among the flower-clad hills of Tuscany that lend Florence its name.

Art lovers: Follow the Piero della Francesca Trail from his birthplace at nearby Sansepolcro to Monterchi, Arezzo, Florence, Rimini, and the Ducal Palace at Urbino. Be inspired and do your own work in the art-friendly environment of Simonicchi.

Combine art, nature, breathtaking panoramas, and the intense spirit of place, with delicious Tuscan food and wine from the Chianti vineyards.

When you come home from exploring the lovely countryside, you are not let down by your accommodation. Simonicchi is a labour of love - everything from the beamed ceilings to the period furniture adds to the sense that this is a little corner the real old Tuscany and in harmony with the landscape.

About the area:
Simonicchi looks eastwards to the hilltop birthplace of sculptor and poet Michelangelo and is close to the Sanctuary of La Verna set on the edge of the beautiful and dramatic Casentino National Park. There St. Francis preached to the birds when they flocked down to welcome him, and it was on this great network of footpaths, offering you inspirational walks today, that he went begging for alms in the mountain villages. These romantic mountains have a fascinating culture - and the tradition of caring for travelers has given rise to nearby Caprese's busy, now famous family restaurants.

In the rural heart of Central Italy the cities of Florence, Siena, and Arezzo are within easy reach, and from nearby Pieve Santo Stefano the motorway to Rome leads to Le Marche, Umbria, and the ancient Etruscan hill towns, giving limitless possibilities for touring. You can take day trips to Florence, Pisa, Bologna, Siena, Perugia, Assisi, or even Rome.

About the stars:
The roof terrace is totally private with a wide panorama of the night sky. It makes a great observation post for amateur astronomers who are very welcome to borrow our reflector telescope. With no noise, air, or light pollution, it is truly peaceful.

Vacation Rental Features

• Features
• Rate Details
• All Photos (8)
• Guest Comments (3)
• Back to Top

• Amenities
  • Air Conditioning: Fans are considered suffficient in mountain areas
  • Washer: Washer is in the unit
  • Dryer: Standing driers and washing lines are provided for drying clothing in the fresh air
  • Linens Provided
  • Off Street Parking: Private gravelled parking area immediately outside farmhouse
  • Gas Fireplace: Gas central heating available with radiators
• Beds
  • Queen Bed: 1.60cm wide
  • Twin/Single Bed (2) : 85cm wide
• Entertainment
  • Cable/Satellite TV
  • DVD
  • Video Library: Some DVDs provided but better to bring personal choice
  • CD Player
• Kitchen
  • Full Kitchen: Refrigerator, double sink, above sink drainer, gas stovetop, electric oven, washing machine
  • Cooking Utensils Provided: There is a well stocked kitchen but additional utensils are available on request.
  • Refrigerator
  • Microwave: Available if required
• Outdoor Features
  • Charcoal BBQ Grill
  • Deck/Patio: Set between two stonebuilt studios, a large patio with expansive panorama. Wonderful for dining in the evening. The whole apartment is wonderful for parties! of chestnut hills and valley
  • Balcony: Large, very private roof terrace with railings, table,dining chairs and recliners, awning and outdoor shower. It is so private that you can sunbathe 'au natural'.
• View/Location
  • Mountain View: Part of the central italian alps, the view comprises rolling sweet chestnut forests with half-hidden villages, distant beech covered mountains and valleys. Infinitely peaceful. Yet, we are centrally situated within easy access to major attractions. You can take day trips to Florence, Pisa, Bologna, Siena, Perugia, Assisi, or even Rome
• Communications
  • Telephone: Excellent mobile reception in the whole area and in the apartment.
  • WiFi (Wireless Internet): Skype can be used to provide cheap or even free phone calls.
• Other Amenities
  • Reflector Telescope, Garden Terraces, Private Rooftop Patio, Central Heating System
• Suitability
  • No Pets Allowed
  • Not Suitable for Children: Unfortunately this is not suitable for young children because of the height of the terraces and the need to conserve good furniture and fittings
  • Smoking Not Allowed
• Activities (on site and nearby)
  • Tennis
  • Zoo/Wildlife Park
  • Shopping
  • Sightseeing
  • Restaurants
  • Swimming
  • Biking
  • Mountain Biking
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Hiking
  • Fishing
  • Antiquing
  • Museums
  • Horseback Riding
• Other Activities
  • Landscape Photography, Artistic Opportunities, Spiritual Pilgrimage, Sample Local Mountain Culture

Rate Details (In Euros)

• Features
• Rate Details
• All Photos (8)
• Guest Comments (3)
• Back to Top

Personal Currency Assistant™

Low season  : April, Oct, Nov €675/week for 4, Central heating at meter cost
Mid season  : May, June, September €825/week for 4.
High season : July, August €975/week for 4.
Rates quoted per week. Weeks are from Saturday to Saturday.
See currency converter for exchange rates into £ or $
Use of 3rd bedroom for 2 additional guests an additional €200/week
See website for additional details:deposit,additional guests,cancellation policy

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.

Property Photos

• Features
• Rate Details
• All Photos (8)
• Guest Comments (3)
• Back to Top

Guest Comments (3)

• Features
• Rate Details
• All Photos (8)
• Guest Comments (3)
• Back to Top

• 02/09/09
  Positive Rating
  Melanie C. , California
  • During my stay at Simonicchi, I came to realize that my weeks of travel in Italy were meant to lead me there. Being Italian-American, I wanted to experience the Italy beyond tourist meccas and entrepreneurial splendors groomed for highlight seeking travelers. And I did. My greatest pleasure came from meeting the local Italians through Jenny, our hostess. I still marvel at the way she enabled us to feel so "at-home." I remember the days in America when neighbors visited each other for friendly cups of coffee and games of cards or Scrabble. By and large, it doesn't happen that way anymore. But at Simonicchi it is a daily occurrence. How delightfully nostalgic it was to sit in Jenny's kitchen drinking nero d'avola or tea and succumbing to the artfulness of Jenny's mother, Hilda, as she beat us 4 out of five games of Machiavelli. Days spent in exploring the mountains, the Sanctuary at La Verna, the Casentino National Park, Anghiari and other locations in Arezzo Province did not deprive us of cherished time with Jenny, Hilda, Vittorio, and Fernando. Evenings found us back in the kitchen where, as Italians seem to know, all important events take place. What an honor afforded us! People ask me what I like about Italy. I like the Italians, and I thank Jenny and Hilda for enabling us to truly experience them. I know that I cannot return to Italy without returning to Simonicchi.
• 02/09/09
  Positive Rating
  Kim , California
  • My two week stay was not long enough. I am already arranging my next vacation at Simonicchi. I plan to tear myself away from Simonicchi's beautiful grounds and gracious, hospitable hosts to more completely explore the art and village-rich surroundings that my prior stay could not exhaust. Simonicchi provided all that I needed, from the attractive, comfortable, and fully complete accommodations to the inviting trails, fauna, and flora of the Appenines. The ubiquitious Cukoo birds are a special fond memory. Spending time at Simonicchi fed my spirt.
• 01/24/09
  Positive Rating
  , Cambridge, UK
  • An idyllic place – exactly as I anticipated Tuscany to be. We shall never forget the vista from your terrace and your very beautiful garden. Eating on the terrace in the warm evening air, and watching the starry sky at night was magical. The local towns of Sansepolcro, Anghiari, Arezzo, Bibbiena and Poppi are superb with their local markets and history but we also visited Florence, Siena, Asissi, Cortone, Gubbio and Montone to name a few! We were able to go to the wonderful festival in Sansepolcro in September – the Palio – it was unforgettable! Wonderful hospitality. We will always have fond memories of Simonicchi.

First (3) of (3). View all comments