We spent 3 glorious weeks soaking up Tuscan sunshine, Florentine art and history, and Italian generosity--all in this wonderful farmhouse sitting at the very top of a hill. And we were just 20 minutes outside of Florence! Photos simply don't do it justice; the sounds of the train running through the valley, the neighboring farm dogs chatting with each other during the early evenings, the smells of something wonderful being prepared in the old kitchen.
Four U.S. couples joined us--each for at least a few days, but no more than a week at a time each. The local train station is less than 10 minutes away and runs twice hourly right into the heart of historic Florence (SMN)--a 17 minute ride. From there, trains such as the 90 minute nonstop train to Rome, run regularly. Some of us took that train to Rome for a "day trip"; others spent a couple of days in Rome. And we ALL agreed it was wonderful to be returning to this villa because of the peace and quiet!
The villa is rustic, but completely modernized, including WiFi. Baths are modern; the kitchen has a wonderful gas stove and oven AND a dishwasher. Washing machine? Absolutely. And it cannot be more ZEN than to hang laundry on the outdoor clothes line, taking advantage of sun and breezes every afternoon. I might miss that the most.
The owner put us in touch with a lovely local cook/housekeeper who saw to
it that our party (which varied in size week to week) ate homestyle Italian food
at our own villa table twice weekly. The cost of this service was VERY reasonable and the food was first class. Wonderful to come home to after a day of touring downtown!
Although we did not use the large swimming pool, it is beautifully located just a 30 second walk through the olive grove, on a knoll offering a spectacular view of old ruins and vineyards. Summer visitors will simply fall in love with the site of the pool and the beauty of the gardens overall. Several terraces surround the villa, and each presents it's own beautiful vistas. There is an outdoor fireplace too! Perfect for sipping chianti on a warm (or let's agree--even a cool..) evening!
Fifteen minutes from the villa is a HUGE "warehouse like" grocery and homegoods store---open daily! Every possible type of food, local grown and internationally made too is available, as well as things we really NEED.
I can't imagine a more perfect combination of privacy and convenience for
a dream vacation to Tuscany!