Heart Of Tuscany Retreat

Our Tuscan home is situated in the Heart of Tuscany. Almost every place you'd want to visit (Siena, Cortona, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Pienza...and more) is a short drive from this tranquil and scenic property. The home was once part of the support buildings and stables for the nearby castle of San Gimingnanello. It is completely renovated with modern baths, appliances and American beds! Paradise with all the conveniences. Please take note of additional details in the next section. Our Tuscan home was once part of the support buildings and stables for the nearby castle of San Gimingnanello. It is in a small gated "borgo" of 4 buildings that are the retreats of 6 other families, there's a wonderfully large swimming pool, garden fruit trees and the location is fabulous for day trips from Pisa to Rome and all the nearby hill towns like Siena, Cortona, Montalcino, Montapulciano and more. Most of the time you will be there alone except in August when some of the families might be there vacationing. But that can also be a plus as they are lovely Italian and Belgian nationals, multilingual and very kind and helpful. At other times the grounds keeper and housekeeper are around but they don't speak much English. The vaulted ceilings and exterior are faithful to their origins in the 1700's but the interior is completely renovated with gourmet kitchen, 4 bedrooms (American beds) 4 modern baths and a stunning gourmet kitchen. Fireplaces in the living room and kitchen keep you cosy in the winter. The kitchen and dining room open onto a beautiful limestone patio for outdoor dining, covered with wisteria and overlooking olive groves and rolling hills with the occasional deer, sheep with clanging bells around their necks and other wildlife. BUT, you are only 5 minutes from the main highway (completely obscured from view) that takes you to Cortona, Montepulciano, Montalcino, Siena in 20-30 minutes, Florence in an hour and Pisa and Rome in 2 hours. A large swimming pool is shared with neighbors in the borgo and is maintained daily by our groundskeeper. Daily or weekly maid service can be arranged for an extra charge. Rentals include linens and beach towels. There is a one time cleaning fee of 200 Euro. During winter/cold months there will be an additional charge of 20Euro per day for electricity and gas. NB: •The house is not appropriate for young children under the age of 12 The entire house is available. Note that the house and property are not suitable for young children (12 and under) Depends on timing. We are usually in Italy from May through October. We have another house nearby and when there can be available. Otherwise groundskeeper is always there. Housekeeper is available upon request. I am available by email when not physically there. The immediate neighborhood are the other owners in the Borgo who, as I said are rarely there. Locally there are three small towns...Serre di Rapolano, Rapolano and Asciano. They are all withing a few kilometers and little jewels of medieval Italian towns with really good local restaurants and pizza and pasta to die for. During special times of the year there are local festivals--May in Serre is a wine festival that attracts people from all over...when the town is returned to its medieval (URL HIDDEN) electricity, torches for light, wine and grilled meats and people in costume... Then the more well-known towns of Cortona, Siena, Montalcino are within 30 minute drive...Lucca, Pisa, Florence....a day trip...Rome a day trip by train or car. It's best to have your own car. * Rentals less than 7 days are available as per calendar or by request; discounts for rentals 1 month or more are negotiable. *Cold weather rentals (usually Oct15-April 15) are subject to heating surcharge of 20Euro per day. * During the month of August we cannot accommodate parties in excess of 4 persons. During other times a maximum of 2 additional guests (for a total of 6) will be accommodated at a charge of 35Euro/night/guest What is really special about this house is its location. It is literally 8 minutes from one of the main highways, but it is approached by a dirt road and once you are there it is as if you are in the heart of the countryside. It's a magical place and very quiet. The other homeowners in the Borgo are very warm and inviting people. But mostly they are not there. Two families live in Belgium, another in Milan and another in the States. That leaves 2 Florentines...a couple and the architect of the complex. The couple are usually not there in summer and the architect is often there on the weekends. He is fluent in English and a lovely man and very friendly and helpful.