Villa La Fiana is a restored ancient farmhouse that has occupied its serene position deep in the countryside between Florence and Siena for many hundreds of years. Sitting within a vast estate dotted with vineyards, olive groves and a working farm, the villa is a restful escape that offers stunning views over the Tuscan hills.
The interior of Villa La Fiana is as characterful and atmospheric as its historic exterior would suggest. Covering three floors is a series of inviting rooms that have been tastefully finished to reflect the heritage of the villa. Pieces of antique furniture and paintings with a rural theme complement the whitewashed walls, wood beams and terracotta floors to perfection.
Five elegant bedrooms sleep up to 10 people, with three twin bedrooms (beds can be joined) featuring its own bathroom. This makes Villa La Fiana ideal for a larger family group or two families. And everyone can start their day with unspoilt views as they open their windows for a breath of fresh country air first thing in the morning.
The living room is home to a large corner sofa for relaxing after days spent exploring the history, beauty and culture of the local area and beyond. One of the most striking features of the room is the grand fireplace. On balmy evenings, open the doors that lead out to a loggia.
Enjoy meals in the dining room, the spacious and quirky kitchen, or outside under the cover of the main loggia. This itself is set within the expansive grounds that Villa La Fiana boasts, which also include lush gardens and a private pool. Seating areas are designed for relaxation and taking in sweeping views of the Castle of Santa Maria Novella and over to the towers of San Gimignano.
The small village of Fiano is just a mile away, with a nearby restaurant, and can be reached on foot (over the fields) or in just a few minutes by car. Fiano also has a grocery store with a fresh bread counter and butcher shop, a bar, a pharmacy, a post office and a cash machine. A supermarket can be found in Tavarnelle (7km) or in Certaldo (9km). Certaldo also has a railway station with good connections to Florence and Siena. The autostrada linking Siena with Florence is just 15 minutes away.
The English-speaking son of the owner, Niccolò, lives on the premises in the adjacent second farmhouse. He will greet you when you arrive. He is on hand to answer any questions you might have, give you information about the region, and allow you to taste wine and olive oil. He has also created a vegetable garden for the guests.
The walled medieval town of San Gimignano is just a 40-minute drive away, with the cities of Florence, Siena and Pisa all within or just over an hour's drive from the villa. All offer centuries of history, culture and art to discover; whether that's within lively piazzas, majestic churches or contemporary galleries.
For day trips further afield, head to the coast and the sandy beach at Marina di Pisa. It's also close to Natural Park Migliarino San Rossore with its pine forests, sand dunes and range of wildlife.
Features:
Villa Interiors
Ground Floor (split-level)
- Dining room with table for eight guests
- Kitchen with hob, oven, microwave, kettle, toaster, coffee machine, dining table for eight guests, doors to outside
- Guest WC
- Bedroom (via three steps) with double bed, en-suite bathroom with shower and doors to garden
First Floor
- Living room with sofa, satellite TV, fireplace (not working), doors to loggia
- Bedroom with double bed, en-suite bathroom with shower
- Bedroom with double bed (can be separated), en-suite bathroom with bath tub and separate shower
- Small bedroom with twin beds (can be joined), en-suite bathroom with shower
Second Floor
- Bedroom with double bed (beds can be separated), en-suite bathroom with shower (access is lower than usual, although once inside, the room features a standard ceiling height)
Outside Grounds
- Swimming pool (10m x 5m), fenced, open approximately May to end-September
- Covered pool-side terrace with sofa
- Garden with lawn, trees, plants, sun loungers
- Loggia with dining table for 12 guests
- Outdoor shower
- Barbecue
- Vegetable garden
- Parking
Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Air conditioning (in bedrooms only)
- Satellite TV
- Two SONOS speakers
- Mosquito nets (bedrooms only)
Location:
From Villa La Fiana you can reach the nearest village in around 5 minutes by car (or walk for around 15 minutes through the fields). The village is where you'll find a restaurant, pharmacy, grocery shop and post office. And not surprising for an area full of vineyards, there's also a winery where you can take a tour of the vineyards and wine cellar.
Produce grown on the 30-hectare organic farm, part of Villa La Fiana's estate, includes saffron, olive oil, honey and well-being products. Daily harvesting of the many olive trees starts in mid-October.
Find the medieval walled town of Certaldo is just 6 km away. The Antinori nel Chianti Classico winery, honored with first place in the World's Best Vineyards, is conveniently located just 13 km away.
Historic San Gimignano is a 40-minute drive away. This medieval town is encircled by walls that date back to the 13th century and has a stunning old town to stroll around. Some of the most beautiful buildings include Torre Grossa and Duomo di San Gimignano; a 12th-century church. After you've finished sightseeing, go for a hike through the scenic countryside around the town.
Visit iconic Florence to soak up centuries of history and culture. Must-sees include the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the fortified 13th-century Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery with its wealth of Renaissance art. You also can't visit the city without seeing Michelangelo’s David in the Accademia Gallery.
Within an hour's drive is Siena, which is home to well-known Piazza de Campo, as well as the impressive Torre del Mangia and Piazza del Duomo. The latter is where you'll find the cathedral and Piccolomini Library. Pisa with its famous leaning tower is around a 75-minute drive away, heading towards the coast.
An hour's drive to the east will take you to Pisa, renowned for its magnificent Piazza dei Miracoli. Here, in front of the cathedral, stands the iconic Leaning Tower.
The coast itself is a one-hour drive and dotted with pretty beaches, with the sandy stretch at Marina di Pisa being one of the closest to the villa. It's very popular with families, with calm waters to swim in and the sand and pebble beaches sheltered by stone barriers.
Rent a e-bike and discover the Tuscan countryside or take part in a guided tour through the Chianti hills.
Experience the beauty of Chianti, Florence, Siena, and San Gimignano from a unique perspective with a hot air balloon ride departing from Tavarnelle, just 6 km from Novellina.
Terms & Conditions:
Security deposit?
€1500 paid in cash to the owner upon arrival and refunded upon departure, subject to full inspection.
Arrival time?
4.30 p.m. - 7.00 p.m. (late arrival between 7.00 and 9.00 p.m. on request, subject to a €50 fee, payable locally).
Departure time?
8.00 a.m. - 10.00 a.m. (late check-out available on request for a fee).
Energy costs included?
Extra €300 per week, payable locally. Heating is an extra cost based on consumption (see below).
Linen & towels included?
Yes and mid-week change of bath towels (Wednesday).
Pets welcome?
Not allowed.
Changeover day?
Saturday from May to end-September and flexible during all other periods.
End of stay cleaning included?
Extra €300, payable locally and 2hr mid-week clean included on a Wednesday (plus 4hrs on a Saturday for stays of more than one week). However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit.
Smoking Allowed?
Outside only.
Insurance?
Guests are required to be in possession of a valid insurance policy, which covers them for cancellations, personal belongings, public liability and any accidental damage caused during their stay.
Minimum stay?
6 nights over the Christmas period. 7 nights during all other periods.
Heating costs included?
Heating and wood are at an extra cost based on consumption, payable locally.
Tax?
Italian Visitors Tax payable locally in cash (typically costs €1-€5 per adult per night- please enquire if exact amount is required).
Internet access?
Wi-Fi internet access included.
Pool towels included?
Yes.
Pool opening dates?
The pool is open from approximately beginning-May to end-September. Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming.
Other Ts and Cs?
Please note home security devices are installed at the villa, please enquire for further information.
Smoking - not allowed
