These four independent apartments are not only most attractively and tastefully designed and furnished, with utmost attention to stylish detail, including displays of original artwork, but they are also set in an ideal location just outside the historic centre of Montalcino. Nestling at the foot of the hill on which the town stands, the shared gardens enjoy superb views out across the terraced clusters of medieval houses, right up to the historic town-hall belltower at the very top. In a raised, suntrap position in one corner of the grounds lie the three small communal pools, with their sunterrace alongside.

These properties are housed in an old, converted furnace or kiln, where bricks were produced in the 19th century, and the recent restoration work has carefully preserved many of the original, beautiful, structural features: such as the graceful brick vaulting and archways that divide the rooms internally; the mellow tufo-stone external walls; the terracotta-tiled roofs; the terracotta-tiled/wood-beamed ceilings; and the whitewashed interior walls. This traditional architectural context has been strikingly complemented by the integration of modern design elements, which include light-wood parquet flooring and built-in units, large, bright, glass doors and some stunning, original, contemporary art and photographic work decorating the walls.

ACCOMMODATION:

- Di Silvestre (sleeps 2): This Suite has a cosy and warm furnishings, ideal for a couple. It has a fully equipped kitchen with: fridge, freezer, oven, kitchenware. Di Silvestre suite is right in front of the pool and the Turkish bath from which you can enjoy the magnificent landscape of Montalcino medieval village in absolute peace.

- Basilè (sleeps 2): The Suite can host two guests in a colourful and cosy environment, furnished in an elegant and refined way. Ideal for a couple. The Suite is in front of the garden gazebo where during the spring and summer time you can enjoy the sun settings and the fabulous starry nights of Montalcino town.

- Cannavacciuolo (sleeps 2+2): The peculiarity of this Suite is in its architectural details such as the arches and the vaults typical of the Tuscan interior style, in a suggestive environment between the local tradition and the XXI century art works. It is ideal for a couple but also for four people, in fact it is also possible to use a double sofa bed in one of the three rooms of the suite. The bathroom is equipped with a shower and a bath tube.

Botto & Bruno (sleeps 4): Botto & Bruno is the most spacious Suite between the four, it has an ample living room with a double bed, a kitchen, a bathroom with shower and a small loft with two single beds. It is ideal for a family because to reach the loft you have to pass from the double bedroom and there is no door between the bedroom and the kitchen.

THE GARDEN AND SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT: Located in a quiet residential district in the lower part of historic Montalcino, just at the foot of the hill below the town-walls, the property grounds are enclosed by a high, mellow-stone wall. Double wrought-iron entrance gates open on to a small, gravel courtyard, shaded by a mature fig-tree, where informal outdoor parking spaces are reserved for the private use of guests only. This is an enormous asset, as the town-centre is a traffic-free, pedestrianised zone, where parking is truly at a premium, especially in the summer season!

The ground-level apartment is accessible directly from this forecourt, although its little, private lawn, the perfect spot for al fresco dining, is screened from view by a tall hedge.

Stone steps, with handrail, proceed up to the communal garden and the three upper-level apartments grouped round it. The well-tended lawns of this idyllic, sloping garden are set in raised, stone-wall beds and are dotted with a host of shady, native trees, such as mimosa, pine, fir and olive. The grass is crossed by terracotta-tiled pathways, which weave their way among olive trees and sage plants, past typically Tuscan lavender, rosemary and rose-bushes in ceramic pots. An impressive, giant agave plant stands at the far end, against the perimeter wall that encloses this secluded, internal space, where only restful birdsong punctuates the silence!

From here, as from the inviting gazebo encircled by olive trees and furnished with table and chairs, the spectacular scenic backdrop can be savoured at leisure: in one direction, uphill to the extraordinary townscape of Montalcino, silhouetted against the sky; in the other, up a series of sloping olive-grove terraces to a pretty little hilltop church nearby.

Also located in the grounds is a wood-burning pizza-oven for those special, relaxing, open-air dinners, as well as three small interconnected pools, plus adjoining raised sunterrace, accessed via some stone steps, with handrail. One of the upper-level pools is a jacuzzi, while the other spills down decoratively into the lower pool. Further steps, with railings, lead up to two outdoor showers and a small indoor Turkish Bath.

LOCATION: These elegantly distinctive apartments boast an exceptionally convenient location, which provides easy access to the historic heart of Montalcino and all its amenities in 10 minutes walking, through the medieval backstreets.

2009 Daily Rates: Low season Jan 1st-15th May & 17th Oct-31st Dec
High Sesaon 16th May-16th Oct

Di Silvestre (sleeps 2): Low season: $266.00; High Sesaon $307.00
Botto & Bruno (sleeps 4): Low season: $328.00; High Sesaon $358.00
Basile (sleeps 2): Low season: $205.00; High Sesaon $235.00
Cannavacciuolo (sleeps 2): Low season: $246.00; High Sesaon $266.00

Prices include:
- water, gas, electricity
- towel and bed linens
- final cleaning
- satellite tv
- heating
- internet wireless
- pool
- Turkish bath
- private garden
- private parking

Pets allowed (upon request)

DEPOSIT: A deposit of 37% of the total letting price is payable at the time of booking.

Upon receipt of your deposit you will be sent notice confirming your payment with contact and arrival information.

BALANCE: The balance is due no later than 56 days (8 weeks) prior to the beginning of the letting period If the balance is not paid by the appropriate date, the letting agreement will be deemed to be invalid and the deposit forfeited.

SECURITY DEPOSIT: A deposit of Euro 200 is to be left with the caretaker upon arrival. This money is refundable less a deduction for the cost of making good any loss or damage.

ARRIVAL: Unless other wise arranged guests must arrive between 4.00 and 7.00 p.m. and leave by 10.00 a.m.