Property Details

More comprehensive information is given on the owner's personal website which can be found at “freespace.virgin.net/gp.ck” without the usual prefix “www” .

The house, called "La Villetta", might best be described as simple, very comfortable dwelling with many charming features, including a large garden, set in a spectacular position at the foot of the mountains. It is probably several hundred years old.

It has two floors and may be used either as a single house or as two separate, self-contained apartments, one on each floor. All the information here relates to a single apartment as they are almost identical.
Each apartment has its own cooking facilities and bathroom and there are separate entrances; the only connecting door may be kept locked. Each apartment sleeps four people comfortably and there is room for a fifth. Each floor/apartment contains three rooms:

1) A living/dining room (with kitchen area) which includes a double sofa-bed In each of the kitchen areas there is a cooker, a refrigerator a sink with hot and cold water and plenty of cooking and eating utensils.
2) A large bedroom with a very comfortable double bed, a folding single bed.
3) A bathroom, with showers, hand basins and WCs etc.

A large garden shed contains a washing machine, and a freezer, as well as two mountain bikes. There is air conditioning and central heating. The kitchen is fully equipped with pans etc. and there is plenty of cutlery and crockery. There are maps, guide books and brochures about places to visit, as well as past visitors' recommendations. There are games, a range of books for all ages, and a radio/cd/cassette player. Over the years the house has been comprehensively restored whilst trying to preserve its simple rustic style.

There is an extensive garden with lawns, patios, shaded and covered areas (including pergolas) so that visitors can always find a relatively private spot to sit, sunbathe or eat. There are several outdoor tables, chairs and sun-loungers and two bbqs. As well as shrubs and flowering plants there are herbs for cooking. From the garden there is a superb view into the mountains. In addition to the garden, there is so much open land nearby that it is always easy to find a quiet, private outdoor spot.

Local Area Details

The location is ideal for people who want a base from which to explore the beautiful region of Tuscany. The house is about 35 kilometres south-east of Florence, about 2 kilometres from the country town of Reggello. Both the 'A1' motorway and the Rome-Florence railway line are about eight kilometres away, giving easy access to the rest of north/central Italy and beyond. Florence, Siena, Arezzo, Pisa, Lucca, Perugia, numerous smaller towns and places of interest, such as San Gimignano, and several famous beauty spots are all easily accessible.

The house is situated in a hamlet, and has a superb view into the Pratomagno mountains, on which the light is constantly changing. They are tree clad high up, descending into olive groves and tiny vineyards. There are numerous foot paths through the mountains, and there is a wealth of local flora and fauna. All around are typical Tuscan views, with all the characteristics of the area: cypress trees, olive groves and old buildings scattered amongst vineyards. The area is renowned in this part of Italy for the freshness of the air, and the local olive oil is generally held to be amongst the finest in the world.

Nearby Cascia is a typical Tuscan village, famous for the Masaccio painting in the superb Romanesque church. There are several other fascinating small villages and towns nearby, many offering excellent walks, beautiful old churches and other ancient buildings and places of interest. Vallombrosa, a particularly famous beauty spot up in the mountains, is only a few kilometres away.

Westwards lies the river Arno and the Chianti hills, producing the splendid wines of the same name. Often considered one of the most beautiful regions in Europe, Chianti is a mixture of breathtaking views and charming, intimate villages. Around Cascia and Reggello there are far fewer tourists than in the Chianti heartland.

Slightly further afield, the cities of Florence, Siena and Arezzo offer a great variety of things to do and see. Medieval and Renaissance art and architecture is everywhere, there are theatres (some in the open-air), Roman and Etruscan ruins, shops and markets of every kind, as well as swimming baths, sports events and much more. Past visitors to the house have left numerous suggestions and personal recommendations of places to visit and things to do.

LOCAL AMENITIES: The village of Cascia has plenty of traditional shops for most basic necessities, as well as a modern supermarket, a chemist, a bank and two restaurants. Reggello has shops for more specialised requirements, a travel agent, good restaurants, and a market on Saturdays. Excellent wines can be bought either from shops or directly from local producers. Nearby Figline offers even more extensive shopping facilities. For people interested in finding a real bargain in the world of "haute couture" (women's and men's) there is, nearby, a shopping centre called The Mall, home to the factory outlets of Gucci, Giorgio Armani, Yves Saint Laurent, and other top designer labels. Not far away there is a similar Prada outlet.

Restaurants: There are several very good restaurants locally.

Swimming: there is a beautiful large open-air swimming pool only 1 km away.

Local sports facilities: Horse riding, tennis and fishing.

Public transport is good, with both buses and trains (local and mainline) in easy reach.

Property Features

* Children are allowed

Contact Information

Name:	Gwyn Pritchard
Telephone:	+44 20-8699-8883
Alt Telephone:	+44-7714-193108
Fax:	+44 20-8699-8883
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