TOWER apartment in small castle near Florence

Romantic, Family friendly, Historically unique, Magical atmosphere, 360 degree views of the countryside and Florence. IDEAL FOR SMART-WORKING, or simply to retreat from the hustle and bustle. Convenient location: perfect for honeymoon/anniversary, family trips, Chianti and Tuscany explorations. A/C, and a dryer, too! Cooking class and wine tasting available. THE APARTMENT This 12th century tower apartment is the "hat" of a small castle in the hills south east of Florence, Italy. TOTALLY PRIVATE. Includes living room with comfortable plenty books, newly renovated kitchenette (with dishwasher) and eating area (table extends to seat 8) ; a large bathroom with bathtub and shower. Can include 1 or 2 bedrooms, depending on your needs: the main one with queen size bed, right in the top of the tower (very romantic!) ; the other (optional, small extra charge automatically calculated when you indicate more than 2 guests) with 2 singles. (This bedroom is same floor as bathroom). Then, 2 additional single sofa beds (actual bed mattresses, super comfy) in the living room. (Also same floor as bathroom). And the tower terrace, of course, with its 360 degree view! There are stairs and more stairs to get to the tower apartment, but that is what makes it so private, romantic and panoramic. There is unlimited WIFI. As mentioned on some of the reviews, this place is also child friendly: toys, books, a trunk full of dress-up clothes, safe private gardens, a magical tower, friendly cats (OPTIONAL!). Also special CHILD FRIENDLY COOKING CLASS available. (See "additional offers" further below). THE BUILDING The building is inhabited by family. There is a common area with books, movies and a Baby Grand Steinway built in NYC in 1899 (still ebony and ivory keys!) accessible to guests. The estate includes one shaded and one sunny garden, and a small olive grove shared with the other families in the building. A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY The tower portion dates back to 1146. The rest of the building was added on in the 1400s , 1600s and 1800s. Many lives were saved during WWII by my grandfather who risked his own, by offering hiding and shelter to total strangers in this villa. We want to continue this tradition by welcoming people from all over the world. Our children are the 6th generation in this home. We live in the building. You have all the privacy (the tower apartment is all for you, with private entrance, bathroom and kitchen etc) but we are a few steps away if you need help, wish to borrow some food or kitchen utensils, or are simply in the mood to share a glass of wine or cup of tea or coffee with us, and hear the history of this place. Pajamas welcome! We may be on vacation a few weeks in the summer, or a week end here and there. When so, our friend Valentina who lives 5 minutes away, will make sure you have assistance in case of need. PS: PLEASE REMEMBER TO READ THE HOUSE RULES THOROUGHLY BEFORE BOOKING. We really care about them being respected. Thanks! The apartment is of exclusive use of our guests. The common areas are always open, and our guests are welcome to use and enjoy everywhere. Unlimited WIFI, free parking, BBQ in the common garden, cooking class available, village with food supplies out the driveway. Brand-new washer/dryer in the apartment (please leave 1€ per load, for detergent/softner/electricity) This villa is ideal if you play the piano and wish to practice during your vacation: there is a well tuned Baby Grand Steinway in the common area, accessible at all times. ADDITIONAL OFFERS AT THE VILLA: Take a fun hands-on COOKING LESSON (right next door, same building) where you learn how to make pasta from scratch, then stay for lunch/dinner: that includes your creations and a whole meal, including home-made dessert and unlimited wine. The bonus: beautiful views, unlimited toppings of wine, and coffee. And you don’t have to do the dishes!. Cost per person: 60€. Visa and MC welcome. If you wish to precede the class with a wine tour to a nearby winery, add 45€ pp. (Detailed tour of a nearby castle's cantina, 4 Wines and transportation included.) We live 10 steps down from your door! We are well stocked in wine, make very good coffee and have many stories to tell about this old home....You are welcome anytime! Access to all private grounds: the sunny side garden, the shaded garden under the century-old holm oaks and the olive groves. Numerous hikes start from our village, and a little forest is accessible without even leaving the property. Also shared BBQ, picnic area and swing. If you play the piano and wish to practice during your vacation: there is a Baby Grand Steinway Piano made in 1899, in the common area, accessible at all times. THE VILLAGE: The tower is the top of the villa which sits on top of the hills on top of the village... Great views and breeze, but only 3 minutes walk from the little shops: A community center/bar will serve caffe and aperitivi, with a great panoramic terrace. Local deli, freshly baked bread, cheeses, wine and beer, great cappuccino and top butcher of the valley all right across the street, 3 minutes walk. No proper restaurant walking distance, but you can buy all the food you need to make your own meals, and the local butcher also offers lasagne and grilled chicken and beverages, to eat there or take home. Very nice family style trattoria only 5 minutes driving from home, serving great pizza, pasta, steak and more Italian food. More food recommendations on our house manual. Plenty of hikes start from here. TRANSPORTATION 20 minutes drive to Florence, or 30 minutes by bus. (45 to the train station) Greve 40 minutes, Prada outlet 25 minutes, Arezzo 45 minutes, Rome 3 hours. Use of car not necessary if you are planning to just visit Florence during the day and simply relax and enjoy the countryside, but HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for evening outings and explorations of Tuscany. The bus runs on weekdays until around 8:00 pm. PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE VERY FEW BUS RIDES COMING AND LEAVING THE VILLAGE, ON SUNDAYS AND NATIONAL HOLIDAYS (Christmas, New year's, Easter, May 1st, June 2nd, August 15th) If in need, we can pick you up or drop you off for a small fee, when not busy with work. - ARRIVING: We live in the building and are happy to help whenever we can! But there are no doorbells in the villa, so it is important that you follow check in instructions to get to your place, and contact us if you need any help. IMPORTANT: OUR CENTURY-OLD GARDEN IS NOT A TESTED PLAYGROUND! PLEASE TAKE MAXIMUM CARE WHEN USING THE SWING, ROPES ETC. THEY ARE NOT TESTED WITH PUBLIC SAFETY STANDARDS. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR USE OF THEM. - STAIRS: There are many stairs to get to the apartment, and to get from one area to the other. Please take care. - CATS: Keep door closed if you prefer to not receive friendly feline visits. - UTILITIES: We want you to be comfortable in our home, so we have A/C and central heat. There has been a recent very steep increase in gas and heat cost, so instead of increasing our prices, we have lowered them, but ask you to pay for utilities by use. The cost depends on which apartment you are in, how cold it will be, how many hours you will stay home or go out, and how warm you like to keep the rooms. Probably somewhere between 10€ and 20€/day. - Let us know if you have any question!