Podere Le Coste

This attractively restored stone farmhouse in a hilltop position above Arezzo’s Valdarno Valley oozes rustic character with beamed ceilings, terracotta tiles and exposed brick and stone. The property can accommodate up to 13 guests in five bedrooms spread across the main house and a one-bedroom converted hayloft close by, making it ideal for larger groups of family or friends. All rooms are comfortably furnished with antiques, sparkling chandeliers, framed paintings and colourful fabrics and rugs. The sprawling terraced grounds, surrounded by a large olive grove, create various spaces where guests can admire the countryside views as they socialise.  A generously furnished and decked pergola is so long it can accommodate a table and chairs and a large masonry barbecue-cum-pizza oven at one end and a sofa and armchairs at the other. The private pool is a short walk from the villa and protected by a lovely wall of fruit and cypress trees, yet still offers those memorable views across the vineyard-covered valley. You won’t have far to go for supplies of local wine or further inspiration for pizza toppings (although olives are an obvious choice…) as nearby Loro Ciuffenna has pretty much all you could need, including a bakery, restaurants, bars and cafes, and a petrol station should you venture a little further to Florence. Ground Floor Lounge-Kitchen-Diner Two sofas, fully equipped kitchen, table and chairs, sideboard, fireplace, door to garden. Bedroom 1 Double bed (cannot be converted to twins), wardrobe, doors to garden. Bedroom 2 Double bed (cannot be converted to twins), cot, wardrobe, armchair, doors to garden. En-suite Bathroom Shower, sink, WC. Bathroom 1 Shower, sink, WC. First Floor Lounge-Kitchen-Diner Two sofas, fully equipped kitchenette, table and chairs, fireplace, stairs to ground floor, door to bedroom. Bedroom 3 Double bed (cannot be converted to twins), wardrobe, chair. En-suite Bathroom Shower, sink, WC. Bedroom 4 Double bed (cannot be converted to twins), cot, wardrobe, chest of drawers, chair. Bedroom 5 Twin beds (cannot be converted to a double), wardrobe, sofa. Bathroom 2 Shower, sink, WC. Separate Cottage First Floor Lounge-Diner Sofa, table and chairs, sideboard, fireplace, doors to garden. Kitchen Fully equipped kitchenette, stairs to first floor. Bathroom Shower, sink, WC. Second Floor Bedroom 6 Double bed (cannot be converted to twins), single bed (cannot be converted to a double), wardrobe, chest of drawers. Our Thoughts This expansive villa goes all out to provide a flexible holiday space for larger groups, particularly its separate annexe with a triple bedroom, which is perfect for parents with a young child or three children who want to share a room. It also has a combined first-floor kitchen, lounge and diner in the main house, in addition to the one on the ground floor, meaning guests could divide up the house in this way. Or just use it for rustling up pre- or post-dinner snacks of local olives and Chianti. Notes Six bedrooms. Five bathrooms, two en-suite. Although pets are welcome, the property is not fenced. The first floor in the main building can only be accessed via external stairs. The two-storey cottage is opposite the main villa and is completely self-contained. Parking - 3 unsheltered parking spaces. Fire Place: open Pool The rectangular pool, accessed by metal ladder steps, is surrounded by a large terracotta terrace furnished with sun beds, parasols and a table and chairs leading to a lawn area, which is also furnished with a parasol, table and chairs. Pool size: 6m x 12m, 90cm -1.5m deep. Open May to September, weather permitting.