This elegant villa combines superior accommodation with an exceptionally secluded, peaceful location and a stunning scenic backdrop. A traditional, spacious country house in warm, honey-coloured tufo stone, it has been carefully restored with loving attention to original detail, yet incorporating every modern convenience. A fascinating documentation of the recent reconstruction work is recorded in a series of photographs displayed in various rooms.
Apart from the preservation of many unique features, including a well-shaft, now ingeniously integrated into the kitchen space, the impeccably landscaped, terraced gardens are particularly noteworthy, as is the elevated, suntrap-position of the swimming pool. Out of sight of the house, it opens like an eye to the sky on the uppermost lawn terrace, which feels like the top of the world and shares with you its silence and spectacular all-round views of the Tuscan countryside. Set well away from the main road, with no other property nearby, in an elevated position surrounded by olive groves and woodland on the lower slopes, this villa is built into the hillside: as a result, it comprises dayrooms, bedrooms and two paved terraces for al fresco dining and relaxation on a variety of levels. The mellow tufo stone exterior is echoed perfectly in the walled, raised beds of the garden, as well as in the organically curving, low, gravelled steps which lead up to the front entrance and onwards to the upper terraces of the garden, alongside and behind the house.
The property is centrally heated and double-glazed throughout, with spacious living and dining areas and four large bedrooms, two on the upper floor of the main building, two in the self-contained attached annexe. All the bathrooms are tastefully tiled in light shades of local “travertine” stone and fitted with generous-sized, modern shower cubicles. One also boasts a double basin unit, as well as a stylish, white, freestanding, “Napoleonic-style” bathtub (fully plumbed-in, of course!) – perfect for those long, indulgent soaks! ACCOMMODATION: Ground-floor access is through large, arched French doors at the front of the house which take you into the spacious, open-plan dining and living area, divided by a broad stone arch. Two pretty, arched windows set at a high level let extra light in and the terracotta tiled floors and the beamed ceilings maintain the traditional character. There are an 8-seater dining table, a working open fireplace and three leather sofas. From here you enter the kitchen, again divided into two spaces by a stone archway. The breakfast area accommodates an 8-seater table and a large, glass-fronted dresser. The modern, fitted units include oven and hob, dishwasher and large fridge-freezer. A glass door leads out to the front garden at ground level.
Just round the corner, an open-plan larder features stairs down into the base of the renovated, red-brick well-shaft, which forms an unusual spherical room, lit by sunlight from above. Other unique features are the two high-level kitchen windows and a long, rectangular skylight flanked on either side by thick, wooden beams. Another archway opens into the TV room (widescreen; Satellite; DVD home theatre; Internet access), where an internal open window space and a narrow doorway have been neatly preserved to connect back with the living room. You can proceed from the TV room on to a railed-in outdoor terrace, equipped with sunshade and garden furniture, and affording relaxing views over the wooded countryside behind the house. From here the second paved terrace – where the disused well stands (securely covered in!) – can be reached up an external stone staircase (quite steep, but with a handrail). Returning to the lower terrace, a glass door leads you into the “annexe” attached to the main house, where two double bedrooms issue from a central corridor, which includes plenty of storage space. Both bedrooms have mosquito nets for the beds, electric ceiling fans and French doors to the first-floor balcony which commands lovely views to the front of the house. One of the “tufo” stone walls has been left exposed as an attractive feature in one of the rooms. The bedrooms share a modern, fitted bathroom, complete with spacious shower cubicle and heated towel rail.
The most recent addition to the renovations is a self-contained mini-apartment, facing out to the front and located at the lowest ground level, below this annexe. Accessed both from the exterior and by an internal staircase, it consists of a twin bedroom with its own bathroom; and a sitting area, incorporating a fitted kitchenette.
On retracing your steps back to the TV room, a curved, open staircase in light, “travertine” stone will take you to the upper floor of the main building, extending at the top into an open-plan sitting area, complete with working wood-stove and a fireplace in local “serena” stone. Here there is also a study corner with Internet access and two glass doors: one opening on to the upper terrace at the rear of the house, the other to the external stone stairs leading down to the front garden. Off this space there is a modern, tiled bathroom with a large shower cubicle and a heated towel rail, in addition to two double bedrooms. Both of these have mosquito nets, electric ceiling fans and views out to the front of the house. One of them boasts a kingsize ensuite bathroom, with double washbasins and mirrors; heated towel rail; exceptionally roomy shower cubicle; and a luxurious, free-standing bathtub, fully plumbed-in, of course! THE GARDEN AND SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT: The meticulously maintained terraced lawns and flowerbeds of this villa are particularly striking, affording many opportunities for leisurely relaxation and al fresco dining in the presence of breathtaking scenery. The front looks out towards the medieval town of Montisi on the hilltop opposite, with undulating countryside in between, dotted with olive groves; vines; yellow flowering broom; pines and lone Cypress trees, so typical of Tuscany. The garden offers the shade of holm oaks and olive trees and is planted with broom, roses, geraniums and purple lavender (a magnet for bees and butterflies!), as well as colourful oleanders in big ceramic pots.
The uppermost lawn with its rectangular swimming pool is perhaps the most original asset of this property. Up here the superb views sweep round full circle and the surrounding flowerbeds are brimming with rosemary and lavender bushes. At the far end of the pool there is a paved terrace area partially covered by an undulating wickerwork roof shade. In addition to the sunbeds, there is a large 8-seater table and a built-in kitchen unit comprising barbecue, sink and fridge, allowing you to be completely self-sufficient in this roof-of-the-world paradise! The hillside behind these protects them from any cooler incoming winds. The original bread oven is built into a sheltered niche in the side of the house near the top terrace, but it can't be used. LOCATION: The villa is approached from the main road via a longish, private, gravel road which passes through wooded fields and climbs uphill to the villa’s gravel drive. The nearest small town is Montisi, but Pienza and Montepulciano are within easy driving distance. The A1 Rome-Florence motorway (Autostrada del Sole) is about 20kms away. The nearest airports are Florence 1 ½ hours by car. Pisa and Rome are equidistant (2 ½ hours).
OTHER FACILITIES AVAILABLE NEARBY: A private boules (bowls) pitch is located to one side of the pool. The area can also offer: horseriding; bike riding; nature hikes, thermal spas; hot air balloon flights; fabulous dining; wine tours and tasting; and a whole host of nearby locations of historic, artistic, architectural, culinary and scenic renown, such as: San Quirico D’Orcia; Montepulciano (home to the famous Vino Nobile red wine); Montalcino (home to the equally famous Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino red wines); Pienza (famed for its delicious “pecorino”, sheep’s milk cheese); the abbey/monastery of Monte Oliveto Maggiore; and, of course, Siena (home to, among countless other things, the celebrated “Palio” horserace).
Low Season: 3 Jan-3 Apr & 7Oct-11 Dec; Medium Season: 4 Apr-22 May & 5 Sept-16 Oct; High Season: 23 May-4 Sept, Xmas, Easter & New Year
Low Season: $4,920.00
Medium Season: $6,150.00
High Season: $7,175.00
Prices include:
- gas, water, electricity;
- towels and bed linens;
- weekly cleaning;
- pool cleaning; Prices exclude:
- central heating: which will be charged on consumption;
- telephone: which will be charged on consumption;
Pets not allowed. Conditions:
DEPOSIT: A deposit of 37% of the total letting price is payable at the time of booking.
BALANCE: The balance is due no later than 56 days (8 weeks) prior to the beginning of the letting period. CANCELLATION: In the unfortunate event of you needing to cancel all or part of your holiday we will have to charge either: a) deposit only - if cancellation is received more than 8 weeks before letting, or
b) Total rent - if cancellation is received less than 8 weeks before letting. SECURITY DEPOSIT: A deposit of Euro 500 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. A deposit of Euro 500 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 8.00 p.m. and leave by 10.00 a.m.
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