Property Details

When Australian designer, Rebecca Abouzeid, and her Internet consultant husband, Mark, decided to settle down, raise their children and grow old together...they chose Castelmuzio. Why?

It could be the view made famous by The English Patient. Or, a medieval walled village that dates back to Etruscan times and boasts one of the best restaurants in the area.the proximity to both Florence and Rome or, the truffles, porcini and wild boar that grow in nearby woods.

Villa nell'Oliveto, is their guest villa, and sits at the end of an olive grove known for producing one of Italy's premier extra virgin olive oil. Whilst sharing the pool with the owners, the house it’s self and it’s gardens are totally private. Separated from the main villa by two acres of Olive groves. Overlooked by no one, immersed in a classic Tuscan landscape away from prying eyes.

The house has two stories with an external staircase, traditional in Tuscan architecture. It has been completely restored in 2001 with terra-cotta floors, travertine marble in the bathrooms and a careful eye for comfort and luxury.

Rebecca has used her decorating experience in creating an ambiance of simplicity and ease. Most rooms have antique furniture complemented by natural fabrics and neutral colors that reflect the surrounding countryside and cultural traditions of the area.

The kitchen, downstairs, is fully equipped with marble counters, a dishwasher, full refrigerator, electric kettle, American style dripolator, food processor and a large fireplace with a traditional wood burning stove. It is open plan to the dining room and also has doors that open on to the out side eating and BBQ area. The owners have tried to equip it with all that would be necessary for even serious cooks and are disposed to lend what ever might be missing from their own kitchen at a moments notice.

Last summer one group of guests needed 10 individual soufflé dishes and a heart shaped cake pan. As Rebecca is her self a cook, it was not a problem.

The ground floor also has a master bedroom with on suite bathroom, a second bedroom with walk through dressing area and a bathroom that is shared with the third small twin bedroom. All rooms have French windows that open directly onto the garden.

Upstairs is another master bedroom with on suite bathroom, a small bedroom and second bathroom. These bedrooms are divided by the large sitting room which is furnished with sprawling comfy sofas, a table and chairs for playing table games or cards and a hidden kitchenette for breakfast or tea on the adjacent balcony that overlooks Montalcino and the Val d'Orcia.

The upstairs’ windows look on to beautiful views of Olive groves, woods and the village with it’s steeple. The church bells ring in the distance.

All guests are provided with a pool towel, a bath towel, a hand towel and a face washer. These are changed mid week. All the beds are orthopedic and come with two pillows per person, feather comforters in winter, 100% cotton linens and all other covers made of natural fibers. There is a laundry room with washer, iron and board.

The villa is very private with no adjacent neighbors. The grounds comprise the olive grove, a small pine glade and several patios with grape covered pergolas equipped with out door furniture for dining al Fresco or simply relaxing.

The swimming pool is large and secluded. It has been designed with small children in mind as well as lap swimmers. The shallow end is raised above the natural slope of the land. Bathers get the impression of swimming into the infinite Tuscan landscape.(7 x 16 meters or 16 x 52 ½ feet).

Guests at Casa nell'Oliveto will find it stocked with a welcome basket containing Mark's olive oil, local wine, free range eggs laid by the resident chickens, fresh baked goods and other local products to last the first evening and breakfast. There is a telephone and satellite television in Multiple languages.

Local Area Details

The nearby towns are Pienza, Montepulciano, Montalcino and many other well known places all providing restaurants, wine bars, enotecas, medieval and renaissance art and culture. It is an hour and 15 minutes from central Florence and 30 minutes to Siena.

All around are wonderful nature walks and hikes, inspiring views, as well as horse riding, hot air balloon rides, mountain bike hire and several natural thermal spas that offer massages, facials and other well being treatments as well gorgeous wallowing in the curative waters (an excellent jet lag cure).

This villa has every thing possible to provide you with a perfect Tuscan holiday. For more information contact Mark or Rebecca.

Please note that from August 12th to 16th is the Castelmuzio festival. This is a fun time of year when the village gathers together to eat out of doors, does ball room dancing on the soccer field and has competitions and games.

All are welcome to join the fun. On those nights the music from the festival might keep some people awake in the villa until mid night or just after. Sleepless holiday makers are advised to either join the festival or consider midnight swims in the pool and/or star gazing in the garden. On some nights there will be fire works as well as shooting stars.

Property Features

* Has a Pool
* Children are allowed

Contact Information

Name:	Rebecca Taylor
Telephone:	+39 0577 630 257
Alt Telephone:	+39 333 357 1635
Fax:	+39 0577 677 618
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