BERTINGA -charming house - pure nature with pools

Casa Bertinga below Lecchi in Chianti was a farm - now a jewel surrounded by pure Chianti nature. Bertinga, the adjacent San Pietro (inhabitat by an artist) and two capannas (not in habitat) belong to the marvelous 2-hectar property, with plenty of gardens, trees, bushes, vinyards, and olives: the typical charming Chianti nature. A 10‘ steep walk leads down to a small river, which offers wonderful natural swimming pools up to 20 meters in length – absolutely gorgeous and unique in Chianti! The house, offers up to 4 two-bed sleeping rooms and a single-bed room, two bath-rooms (both have a shower & toilet, one has a bath tub), a separate toilet, a kitchen and a living room. We prefer to rent it to not more than 6-7 adults (with children ok up to 8 people). Five rooms have direct access to the outside places, loggias and patios. Bertinga, the adjacent small house San Pietro (inhabitat by an neighbor) and two capannas (not in habitat) belong to the marvelous 2-hectar “Bertinga” property where every one can find its place, under the tuscan sun, in the shade of trees or at the various tables of the several loggias. On rainy days, the kitchen, salotto (living room with chimney) and 3 bed rooms offer tables to work or study. From Bertinga, you will enjoy the open view into the surrounding Chianti hills, to the Monte Luco di Lecchi – the "house mountain" of the Lecchi village. On clear days you may even spot the towers of Siena. NOTE: Bertinga has a central heating system. However, this is an old house. Getting it warm may take time (if it is really cold) and while the kitchen may reach warm temperature faster, other rooms may remain cold. In case you consider it during heating seasons make sure this may fit your expectations! For that very reason, we usually don't rent Bertinga in the Winter (Nov to mid April) Guests have access to all parts of the Bertinga house and all its loggias, patios, and gardens. Depending on the number of guests, unused bed rooms (namely Colombaia on second floor) may remain closed. The adjacent small house (San Pietro) is inhabitat by a neighbor. the owners are not on the spot. The local host can be reached any time (lives in the village of Lecchi in Chianti, in walking distance, 600 meters above Bertinga. Lecchi in Chianti is located in the heart of the Chianti (~350 m.a.s.), just 20 minutes north-east of Siena or 70 minutes south of Firenze SMN train station. It is a friendly village with 100+ inhabitants. It offers a famous grocery store ("Palmira"), the Enoteca Rinaldi, a hotel (Borgholecchi), a restaurant (Malborghetto), the Circolo bar, an artist (with a shop), and a few other artisan businesses. "Palmira" is the heart of the village and sells almost everything you need (apart from fresh meat). Radda in Chianti and Gaiole in Chianti offer nice additional shopping places for everything else. From Lecchi village, you can drive down the "dirt road" to Bertinga (with parking lot). Chianti hills are wonderful for hiking (with some trails starting directly at Bertinga) and the Commune di Gaiole has much improved with information about trails. Chianti is a biking paradise for those who like to go up and down. The famous Eroica bike “race” – always the first weekend in Octobre – is a cultural highlight of the region with Gaiole in Chianti as the epicenter. Public transport to Lecchi in Chianti is very limited, mostly during working days only, early a.m and in the p.m., with connections to Siena or Gaiole in Chianti. Taxis can bring you to Bertinga, but if you like to visit the region, a rental car may best serve your needs. There are many rental options in Firenze (SMN train station with Freccia Rossa fast train services to North and South) and elsewhere. Some distances: • Firenze-Certosa - Lecchi: 70 km; 1 h • Montevarchi - Lecchi: 30 km; 35 min • Siena - Lecchi: 22 km; 20 min • Radda in Chianti - Lecchi: 10 km; 15 min • Gaiole in Chianti - Lecchi: 10 km; 10 min • Firenze Airport – Lecchi: ca 1.5 h • Roma Fiumicino Airport: ca 3 h • To the beaches on the West: some 2-3 hours   IMPORTANT: Bertinga is an old farm house. There is no air conditioning – also not during hot periods nor in the bed room undert the roof (usually only rented if more than 3 rooms are needed). Fresh nights and cooling winds may be typical in summer, but july/august can bring very hot days too. Also note: in summer, there might be mosquitos ("normal" ones) liking Bertinga just as you do! Be ready to protect your skin - particularly in the evening. All rooms have at least one window with mosquito nets. Occasionally, water pressure may vary (if several use showers / bath in parallel); during storms it can typically happen in Chianti that electricity gets interrupted. With all the many stairs within and between floors, its old tile floors and natural patios, this is not a place for wheel chairs. Wifi works very well but not in all corners of the house / surroundings (best in kitchen and the adjacent rooms and outside patios). In sum, if you look for a “five star luxury facility”, Bertinga is not your place. If the sounds, lights and perfumes of pure Chianti nature or the calm, views, privacy and “dolce far niente” attracts your senses: a warm welcome! Bertinga is also a safe place as there is no through-street. The only access to Bertinga is the (well maintained) dirt road from the Lecchi village to the property and adjacent vineyards. The only cars you may spot close by are from the few nature-lovers who know how to access the “Pozzi di Lecchi” – “our” most spectacular “swimming pools” close by.