Location: Sogna, Tuscany, Italy, Europe (Florence - 1 hour; Siena - 25 minutes; Arezzo - 35 minutes)
Accommodations: Holiday Cottage, 2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath (Sleeps 3)
Sogna Piccola is our lovely two bedroom stone built cottage located high up in the Tuscan Hills. It is ideal for a couple or three adults looking for an oasis of peace and tranquillity with the additional benefit of being less than an hour’s drive from all the main cultural centres of Tuscany.
The house, which was originally built in the 15th century is beautifully furnished and decorated with an emphasis on comfort and luxury. Our home has been authentically restored to reveal its original chestnut beams, terra-cotta tile ceilings and floors, large open stone fireplace, pietra serena stone kitchen worktops, and luminous calce plaster wall finishes. Some of the furnishings are antique which are juxtaposed with a collection of contemporary European works of art.
Entirely private, the 11th century medieval borgo of Sogna consists of twelve unique privately owned homes with a swimming pool and tennis court. Perched 400mm high atop a hillside facing the Val d'Ambra and surrounded by wooded terraces with almost a thousand trees; olive, walnut, almond and fruit trees all overlooking the ancient forests of Tuscany, sits this stunning medieval borgo.
The borgo of Sogna was restored in 1996 carefully retaining all of its original character. The vestiges of the original fortressed walls overlook the borgo with its restored 14th century church, which still retains its bell tower. Strolling down from the church, along the cobbled paths, you catch momentary glimpses of the surrounding densely forested hills as you inhale the heady scents of the rosemary and lavender bushes that grow in abundance throughout Sogna. With its panoramic views of the Val d’Ambra, Sogna offers our guests the chance to relax, sunbathe, swim in the oasis shaped pool, play a game of tennis, eat alfresco under the vine-covered pergola, or just do nothing at all! Whilst shops, excellent restaurants and banks are all within an easy ten minute drive. In season, figs, apricots, plums and grapes grow throughout the borgo and there are few pleasures greater than eating a freshly picked, sun warmed fruit with your morning coffee. And in the cooler months you can snuggle up in front of a roaring open fire, listen to music, read a book, or just daydream!
If you can tear yourself away from the beauty of our medieval borgo, Sogna makes a perfect base for exploring Tuscany. It is just a 30-minute drive to the centres of Siena and Arezzo and an hour’s drive to Florence. The classic Tuscan hill towns of Pienza, Montalcino, Montepulciano, are all within a short drive and Chianti’s famous villages of Castellina, Greve, Gaiole, and Radda are just on our doorstep. Closer to home, you can take a leisurely stroll to Rapale, the next village in the chain of hilltop borgos or discover the beauty of the Valdarno and particularly the Val d’Ambra where the magical medieval towns of Badia a Ruoti, Cennia, Ambra and Bucine, cling to their hilltop perches evoking a sense of timelessness.
When you tire of the natural and historic beauty of Tuscany and find yourself in need of a little "retail therapy"; a quick 25 minute drive will take you to the anonymous grey warehouse called Space, which is the outlet store for Prada, Jill Sander, Mui Mui, and Helmut Lang. A further 15 minute drive brings you to "The Mall", a huge complex of outlet shops where you can find labels such as Alexander McQueen, Agnona, AJ Armani, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Emanuel Ungaro, Ermenegildo Zenga, Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Hogan, I Pinco Pallino, La Perla, Loro Piana, Marni, Pucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, Sergio Rossi, Stella McCartney, Tod’s, Valentino, Yohji Yamamoto and Yves St. Laurent. There is also a Miss Sixty and Diesel outlet at The Mall as well as a stylish café that serves salads, sandwiches and fantastic coffee. Down the road from The Mall you will find the Fendi, Celine, Loewe and the Dolce and Gabbanna outlet shops.
The house is for a maximum of three adults. Children, Pets, and Smoking Are Not Allowed in the House. It is not suitable for children - too many things for them to break, and too many opportunities for them to plunge to their death!
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer: coin operated washer shared
- Linens Provided: 400 thread count Egyptian cotton bedlinens,luxurious Busatti towels and oversized pool towels. For stays over a week, linens and towels are changed weekly.
- Off Street Parking: There are two spacious parking areas available
- Wood Fireplace: Original 15th Century stone fireplace with unlimited fire wood provided free of charge
- Beds
- Queen Bed: Handmade wrought iron four poster bed
- Twin/Single Bed
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- Video Library: A large and varied collection of DVD's for your viewing enjoyment. Many titles are either set in Tuscany or are of an Italian theme such as "Under the Tuscan Sun", "A Room with a View" and "Tea with Mussolini". There is also a collection of classic, independent and European DVD's available.
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Music Library: A wide ranging selection of over 100 CD's ranging from Frank Sinatra to Gergorian Chants to Joni Mitchell and Ella Fitzgerald. MP3/ipod connection available.
- Shared Pool
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen: Pietra serena stone worktops, double sink basins, full size refridgerator and a four ring gas stove and electric fan oven.
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Outdoor Features
- Deck/Patio: Relax or dine under the fig trees or under the vine covered pergola
- View/Location
- Mountain View
- Communications
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- Tennis Court, all windows have insect screens, double-glazed Windows throughout, gas fired central heating included in the rental price, unlimited firewood available
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Not Suitable for Children
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Antiquing
- Museums
- Horseback Riding
Rate Details (In Pounds Sterling)
October 3rd - October 30th 2009 £650 per week
October 31st - December 18th 2009 £550 per week
December 19th - January 9th 2010 £650 per week
March 27th - April 16th 2010 £600 per week
April 17th - April 30th 2010 £650 per week
May 1st - May 28th 2010 £750 per week
May 29th - June 25th 2010 £800 per week
June 26th - September 3rd 2010 £900 per week
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Property Photos
- Sogna Piccola, our 15th Century stone built cottage - Tuscany, Italy Holiday Cottage
- Cool off beside our oasis shaped pool with spectacular views - Tuscany, Italy Holiday Cottage
- The lounge, with original chestnut beams stone fireplace and all modern comforts - Tuscany, Italy Holiday Cottage
- Dream in the hand made wrought iron four poster bed.
- Feast on delicious Tuscan delicacies in our elegant dining area
- Enjoy long lazy lunches under the vine covered pergola
- Snuggle up in front of a roaring fire
- Sogna Piccola at night
- Sogna Piccola - Ground Floor Plan
- Sogna Piccola - First Floor Plan
- Enjoy a brisk game of tennis
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #57116
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This listing was first published here in 2005.
Date last modified - November 05, 2009
