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There are many advantages to these two apartments, but what might interest you first is that they are in a classic Chianti setting whilst being within the city limits of Florence. Although you really do need a car to stay here, it is a mere five minute-drive down the picturesque medieval lane to a piazza where several city buses stop regularly, and only five minutes beyond that is the southern entrance to Florence's city center, Porta Romana, where a large open-air market is flanked by several restaurants and shops. If you don't feel like going even that far afield, yet you're not up for cooking at home, the owners of a 4-star country inn across the street will make dinner for you if you reserve it in the morning. They also have an elegant swimming pool you are welcome to use, as well as an ancient pizza oven that they heat up once a week for an intimate soiree to which only residents of the neighborhood are invited. If you want a base where you'll have gated parking for your car, along with proximity to the city and the complete silence of the country, this just might be the perfect place for your Tuscan holiday.
This tiny estate is a prime example of how Tuscans somehow manage to create perfectly manicured grounds that seem never to have been touched by human hands. The lavender and rosemary bushes, olive grove, cypress trees, low dry stone walls, cobblestone driveway, perfectly restored ochre house, even the two old family dogs sleeping in the sun all present such a harmonious picture that it's impossible to imagine it hasn't been like this since time immemorial. You may have a quick twinge of panic as you drive up the one-lane access road lined with six-foot stone walls, but the knowledge that this lane really has looked like this for five hundred years is sure to be one of the most thrilling parts of your stay.
At the property, the electronic gate opens and your Swiss hostess Elisabeth awaits with a warm smile. She is the "invisible hand" that oversees all this natural perfection and she takes great pride in making sure her guests enjoy every moment of their stay. The lodgings she offers are in two air-conditioned apartments that can be rented separately or together. They share the landing on the first floor of the house, 17 steps up from the garden level, right above Elisabeth's home.
The smaller apartment, Loggia, has all the original brick floors, softened by carpets and rugs. All the rooms have great lighting and knockout views. You enter into a long hall that leads to the living room. Off the hall are a bedroom with a walk-in closet, desk with DSL hook-up and either two twin beds or one queen bed; and a big sunny bathroom with bathtub. The living room has a yellow couch and two green armchairs that can also be single beds, in case you should have an overnight guest. There is also a working fireplace, satellite TV, wall safe, and a fantastic hideaway kitchen that offers a mini fridge, microwave, stovetop and kettle, and a fold-down table or counter. A French door leads out onto the huge covered terrace, where you will be swept away by views of the Florentine Chianti, with its farmhouses, Renaissance mansions and million-dollar vineyards. The terrace is furnished with a table for six, and lounge chairs. At the far end is a washing machine.
The other apartment, Ulivi, is accessed from the same landing, but it is actually up 14 stairs on the opposite side of the house. All the rooms here have mansard ceilings and terracotta floors. There is a nice eat-in kitchen with a table for five, oven and burners, and dishwasher, a living room with satellite TV, double sleep sofa and great views, a small office nook with a desk and DSL hook-up, and a bedroom with two twin beds or one king bed, overlooking the swimming pool. A short hallway lined with closets and a laundry room with washer and dryer leads to the queen bedroom, which overlooks the garden. The sloping 6-foot ceiling has a skylight. Off the hall is the big bathroom with a "tub with a view," and completing this apartment is a small terrace with a table and chairs to gaze at the truly unforgettable views of the olive groves and the Florentine Hills.
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| 2008 Weekly Prices (per apartment) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season: Jan. 5-March 15 March 29-May 31 Sept. 27-Dec. 31 |
Mid Season: |
High Season: June 28-Aug. 30 |
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| Loggia | 1163.00 EURO | 1260.00 EURO | 1342.00 EURO |
| Ulivi | 1332.00 EURO | 1429.00 EURO | 1516.00 EURO |
| Both Apartments | 2167.00 EURO | 2361.00 EURO | 2529.00 EURO |
Included in the price: all taxes, services, one set of linens per person,
child's cot (on request), gas, electricity & water.
Not included: mandatory weekly cleaning (40 Euros for Loggia and 60 Euros for Ulivi); optional metered
heating or air conditioning; optional extra linens (15 Euro/set); optional extra cleaning (15 Euro/hour).
We regret that no animals are allowed.
The city bus goes every 15 minutes and takes about 15 minutes to reach the center of Florence. The last bus runs at 12:45 at night.
Check-in: 3-5pm
Check-out: 10am
Refundable security deposit: 150 Euro in travelers checks or cash
You do not need a car to stay here, but please remember that the bus stop is about 500 yards away and it is not easy to tour the Tuscan countryside without a car.
Click here for information
about private transfers to the property.
