Villa Il Pozzo - Scenic Retreat in Tuscany

Villa Il Pozzo is a renovated XVIII century farmhouse, well located on the Pistoia hills, surrounded by olive and cypress groves. It enjoys spectacular views and a prime location for exploring the wonders of Tuscany: the center of Pistoia is a 10' drive away, Florence is 30' away, Lucca is 40' away, Pisa and Forte dei Marmi seaside resort are less than an hour away. It has a large private garden and swimming pool, and can accommodate up to 9 people. It’s a perfect place for a relaxing holiday! The villa has a large garden with lawn, lemon trees and private swimming pool; the interior features antique furniture and accommodates up to 10 people, with 2 kitchens, 2 large living areas, 4 double bedrooms, 1 single room and 2 bathrooms. There also 3 cots for babies to add in the double bedrooms. Ground floor: The villa is on split levels, according to the traditional structure of rustic Tuscan farmhouses that follows the gentle slope of the hill. At garden level, there is a large room with dining area, game table and living area with fireplace and TV. The area features exposed ceiling beams and Tuscan terracotta floors. Going up two steps, the ground floor features a floor kitchen, with separate dining area and fully equipped work area with dishwasher, washing machine, electric oven, under counter refrigerator, double sink, and cabinets for the rustic Tuscan-style dishes. This room leads to the covered porch with outdoor dining area, which includes a large table seating up to 12 people. The second kitchen is equipped with fridge, microwave, kettle, coffee machine, large antique fireplace, barbecue area, crockery cabinet and dining area for 8 people. From this second kitchen, at a slightly lower level (two steps), you can access another beautiful living room with three large sofas, TV, fireplace and game table with 4 chairs. A small storage room for the vacuum cleaner and other cleaning supplies, iron, ironing board and drying rack, complete the first floor. First floor The first floor is accessible via two short and broad flights of stairs leading to a large landing. From there you can proceed to two double bedrooms (one very large with double bed and cot, the other with double bed or two beds) an to a full bathroom with tub and shower. Going up two steps, a corridor leads to three double bedrooms (one double very large to which we can add a cot, one with two beds, one with a single bed and a half) and a bathroom with shower. All of the first floor rooms are equipped with air conditioning. Three bedrooms are furnished with bedside tables, wardrobe and antique chests of drawers. The other two are furnished with bedside tables and large dresser. From each room you can enjoy a wonderful view of the countryside. Grounds The villa overlooks a large garden, covered in grass, partly sunny, partly shaded by two ancient cypress trees, where you can play ball or just rest, read, lie down. It's a large, green terrace that offers a 360-degree panorama. A portion is paved with Tuscan terracotta and is an ideal area for summer dinners. At the center there is an ancient well topped by a wrought-iron cover, which gives its name to the property – pozzo means well in Italian. The gravel driveway goes through an area decorated with olive trees, roses and lemons, and serves as parking lot for 3/4 cars. The swimming pool measures 7x14 meters (7.5x15.3 yards) and is surrounded by a terracotta floor that features loungers and deck chairs. A small wooden barn serves as a storage space for equipment and dressing room. The pool-area also includes an open-air shower. The pool is open from May 15th to September 15th, as it is not heated; during this period it is cleaned and maintained twice a week. Villa Il Pozzo is taken care of by well trusted staff who resides in a rear portion of the building, with a completely independent entrance, and provides weekly cleaning and change of linen, in case of longer stays. Villa Il Pozzo is guarded by trusted staff who reside in a rear part of the building, completely independent, and guarantees housekeeping and weekly change of linen for longer stays. Vittoria, Alessandro and Giulia, live near the villa and will be available for any meetings, requests or problems. Here you can create peace of mind, enjoy the soothing landscape, walk outdoors among the olive groves and if the weather permits, soak up the sun and take a dip in the pool. Below are some tips on the main activities available in the surrounding area and a selection of the best restaurants in the area. Pistoia - the nearest town, approx 10 min. driving - was named Italy’s Capital of Culture 2017. It offers a completely car-free medieval historic center, among the most beautiful in Tuscany. I recommend taking a walk in the beautiful Piazza del Duomo and stopping for a drink in one of the many bars in the lively Piazza della Sala. On Wednesdays and Saturdays a morning market transforms Piazza del Duomo, as well as its surrounding streets, into a lively sea of blue awnings and jostling shoppers. Families could be interested in the Pistoia’s zoo, one of the most beautiful and largest in Italy (located approx 13 min. by car) where you can see lions, tigers, hippos, giraffes, leopards and many other animals. The zoo was recently renovated and is well maintained. Several well-known cities with rich historical heritage are nearby and easily accessible by car: Prato (20 min.), Florence (40 min.), Lucca (40 min.), Pisa (45 min.) and Siena (1.20 h). If you are wine lovers I recommend a very easy wine tour through the Carmignano’s hills (30’min by car) where you can taste the bests Tuscan wines: you can visit the Tenuta di Capezzana (they have English wine tour in the morning), the Fattoria di bacchereto, La Piaggia and the Fattoria Ambra. If you have a full day to spend, you can take a ride through the Chianti countryside between Florence and Siena and stop at wine cellars to sample the best wines of Tuscany. Among the most interesting locations, consider visiting San Gimignano (1,15 h), San Miniato also famous for its truffles (50 min.), Pienza (1,40 min.), famous for the typical cheese "Pecorino", Montepulciano (1,40h min.) where you can visit the world's oldest wine cellars and Montalcino (1,50 h), where you will taste the famous Brunello di Montalcino wine. If you like contemporary architecture, you have to visit the brand new Antinori winery in San Casciano Val di Pesa: you can taste some of the best Chianti wines in an innovative structure that blends in the landscape. If you are looking for a little relaxation, I recommend you try the spa “Grotta Giusti” in Monsummano Terme (20 min.) where you can take a dip in a natural pool that’s 8,000 square feet wide, or explore the largest thermal cave in Europe. If you enjoy golf I recommend a visit to the Country Golf Le Pavoniere Prato (20 min.), one of Italy's most beautiful courses with 18 holes, nestled in the hills of the Tuscan countryside and designed by Arnold Palmer. If you want to go on a shopping spree, you must try the Barberino Designer Outlet (40 min.) or the Mall outlet in Incisa Valdarno (50 min), where you can get the most glamorous, high-quality Italian fashion brands at the lowest prices. If you love the sea, you can visit the Versilia sea resort, with its huge sandy beaches, excellent seafood restaurants, clubs and trendy shops. Forte dei Marmi (50 min.), famous for its Carrara marble quarries, is the most famous and fashionable resort on the coast. I recommend you take a tour of the art galleries and the antique shops in the charming inland village of Pietrasanta. Here I list some restaurants among my favorites in this area, although I think that in Tuscany you can expect to eat well everywhere! - La Bottegaia, medium prices, tuscan cuisine of fish and meat, in the historic center of Pistoia; - Ristorante Rafanelli, medium prices, meat, outskirts of Pistoia (the best Fiorentina steak ever tried-and this comes from a born and raised Tuscan!) - Trattoria dell’Abbondanza, medium-high prices, typical tuscan cuisine, in the historic center of Pistoia; - I Salaioli, medium prices, tuscan cuisine, in the historic center of Pistoia; - Trattoria Soldi, very good typical homemade tuscan cuisine and pizza, low prices, the closer restaurant to the house (2 min.); - Casamia Piccolo Bistrot, just fish, average prices, very few tables, on the outskirts of Pistoia; - Atman Restaurant, Villa Rospigliosi, 1 Michelin star, to celebrate special occasions or just treat yourself, gourmet Italian cuisine. Wonderful location if you want a romantic evening; - Restaurant MYO revisited Tuscan cuisine, medium-high prices, near the highway exit Prat- Est. It’s the restaurant of the new Museum of Contemporary Art Luigi Pecci, which is definitely worth a visit. My advice is to reach the house by car. Although the house is not far from the town (10' min) and then by bus and train to get around and visit places it is much easier to rent a car. The nearest airports are Pisa (45 min. by car) and Florence (25 min by car) in which is easy rent a car. The tap water comes from an old well and, since it is not filtered, is advisable not to drink it; there is absolutely no problem for washing fruit and vegetables and for its everyday use.