16th Century Villa in Tuscany Near Florence and Pisa Airports

Situated among the olive groves, the forest and the vineyard, Villa Rucellai, the family’s estate for more than two centuries, is an ideal place to spend your Tuscan vacation.

Quiet and authentic, it is an excellent base for visiting Florence and the major historic and artistic sites of Tuscany, a great place for lovely walks in the hills, or simply to relax and refresh in the swimming pool. The Villa Rucellai offers almost everything necessary for a holiday of your dreams.
Please take a moment to look at our website, discover the possibilities, and who knows, perhaps we will see you here very soon.

Spend your holiday as guest of an old Florentine family in their ancient country home in Tuscany. The Villa Rucellai – Fattoria di Canneto is located in the Val di Bisenzio, 20 km from Florence and 4 km from the center of Prato, just 10 minutes from the main autostrada. Florence is just a half hour away by rail or road, and the villa is an excellent base for touring all of the historic and cultural sites of Tuscany.

Sitting on an estate of about 100 acres, the Villa is surrounded by gardens, vineyard, olive orchards and forest. There is a large swimming pool with a stone piazza for sunbathing. The Bed and Breakfast has been run by the Rucellai Pique’ family for more than 30 years. In addition, the family produces their own wine and preserves as well as a distinctive extra virgin olive oil, pressed in the family’s own olive mill.

At one time the Villa was used only as a seasonal residence, but for 80 years the family has lived at Canneto year round. The Bed and Breakfast was created by Giovanna Rucellai Piqué in 1975 when she began to host members of theater companies working in Prato. By word of mouth the Villa Rucellai di Canneto became known as a one of a kind place where the guest is treated to family hospitality.

Guests have access to much of the house and grounds, with ample space to sit inside or out, stroll in the garden, walk in the forest or hike along the valley. Built in various periods beginning in the middle ages, the Villa takes its current appearance from the 16th century when the major construction was completed, with its renaissance architectural style.

The buffet breakfast is served each morning in the Villa’s dining room from 7:30 to 10:30am. For guests who need to depart early, the breakfast room can be opened on request. The breakfast is Continental style with coffee, tea, 3 minute eggs, and a variety of cereal, yogurt, toast and fruit with choice of milk and juice. The honey and preserves on the breakfast table are produced at the Villa and are available for purchase. Tea, coffee and other hot drinks are available throughout the day in self service, and guests are welcome to have a bottle of the house wines to enjoy while you relax or to take home for €3.00 per bottle.

There are three separate natural water sources on the estate, and for this reason Canneto has always been a special place. The water in your room arrives directly from our spring fed cisterns above the house, and is pure and delicious to drink.

In accordance with the law, smoking is not allowed inside the Villa Rucellai – in the guest rooms or in the public spaces. Those wishing to smoke are kindly asked to go out to the terrace or out to the garden or courtyard.

This room is one of only 10 in the villa and is in the oldest part of the villa. The view is really nice. Next to the room is the living room and breakfast room. There are no telephones or televisions in your room. We have a guest phone available where long distance calls can be made with a calling card. Local calls are without charge. In the studio which is the office of the Bed & Breakfast we have a television with local reception.

A computer is available for guests to check e-mail and search for information on the web. Wireless internet is available in the office and the living room. We will also be happy to help you when we can with information and maps for touring, itineraries, and for making reservations for museums, dining and other activities. Staff or family are usually in (or near) the office from 9:00am until 1:00pm and 3:00pm until 7:00pm to assist you. Family members are available most other hours by phone or by ringing the doorbell.

We gladly accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB, and Diners Club credit cards. We do not accept American Express cards. We also accept Eurochecks, Eurocard, and Bancomat, as well as traveler’s checks and Euro.

The swimming pool is reserved for the use of guests and family. There is no lifeguard on duty and we remind everyone that they swim at their own risk. The shallow end is 4 feet deep and the pool slopes severely at mid length to a depth of around 12 feet. Guests must be especially vigilant of their young children.
Parking is available at no extra charge for all guests. The parking area is in the olive grove just outside of the courtyard and inside the gates of the estate. The parking area is brightly lit at night, but we still recommend that guests do not leave belongings in their cars.

A secure storage safe is available on request for guests who would like us to hold their valuables during their stay. In addition, storage space is available for larger suitcases, bicycles, boxes of purchases from your trip and other large items which should not be left in your vehicle or kept in your guest room.


Keywords: villa, bed and breakfast, farm, swimmingpool, bicycling, walks, hiking