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Just half an hour west of Florence is the small town of Empoli. You'll have to look hard to find it mentioned in any guidebook, and the reason for that mystifies us because this is some of the prettiest countryside in northern Tuscany. It's also a great starting place for any day trip, be it to Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Siena or San Gimignano (all within an hour's drive at most), or to the enchanting small towns nearby, such as Vinci, where the great Leonardo was born. Spend a week here and you will feel as if you're the Mona Lisa herself, complacently posing against a background of rolling hills carpeted in a rainbow of greens. By the end of your stay you are likely to understand what the lady's enigmatic smile was really about after all.
On a rise overlooking a 360-degree panorama of vineyards, olive groves, cypress stands and wheat fields, this rambling home is typical of those built by the local gentry in the mid-19th century. The property sits beside its own private newly paved access road, easily reached yet far enough from the superstrada to avoid the noise of modern-day Italy. On the rear is a garden with seating areas and a patio for outdoor dining. Stone steps lead down into what the Italians call il parco - private grounds shaded by centuries-old trees and laced with footpaths that are perfect for a quiet afternoon stroll. This is where you will find the swimming pool shared by only four apartments.
Although the house is relatively recent by Italian standards, it incorporates features from a pre-existing older structure such as arched brick ceilings and terra cotta floors. It has lots of large windows which let in the sunshine downstairs and afford one picture-perfect view after another upstairs. The structure is divided into two halves: a large one-family villa and a tower containing four apartments. The largest is on the mezzanine and first floors: on the mezzanine floor are a living/dining room with double sleep sofa, satellite TV and kitchenette (full fridge, stove, range and dishwasher), plus a twin bedroom overlooking the garden, a double bedroom overlooking the valley, and a bathroom with shower. On the first floor is a third bedroom with two twin beds.
The one-bedroom apartments are on the second and third floor.
Each has a living room with sofa and dining table, a kitchenette with mini-fridge,
range and dishwasher, a double bedroom and a bathroom with shower. The third-floor
apartment has satellite TV and can be connected to the studio. This is a one-of-a-kind
hideaway, perfect for a single person or a honeymoon couple. Because it occupies
the former dovecote, it has 360-degree windows, even in the shower! The extremely
elegant furnishings include an excellent orthopedic sofa bed for two, a dining
table for four, a foldaway orthopedic single bed, a kitchenette with mini-fridge,
range and dishwasher, and a tumbled marble bathroom with walk-in (and panoramic!)
shower.
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| Weekly Rates for 2008 (per apartment) | |||
| Low Season: Jan. 5-March 29 Sept. 27-Dec. 20 |
Mid Season: March 29-June 28 Aug. 30-Sept. 27 Dec. 20-Jan. 3, 2009 |
High Season: June 28-Aug. 30 |
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| Three-bedroom Apartment | 719.00 EURO | 929.00 EURO | 1140.00 EURO |
| One-bedroom Apartment | 598.00 EURO | 772.00 EURO | 877.00 EURO |
| Studio Apartment | 598.00 EURO | 772.00 EURO | 877.00 EURO |
| Weekly Rates for 2009 (per apartment) | |||
| Low Season: Jan. 10-April 11 April 18-May 23 Sept. 26-Dec. 19 |
Mid Season: May 23-June 27 Aug. 29-Sept. 26 |
High Season: |
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| Three-bedroom Apartment | 719.00 EURO | 929.00 EURO | 1240.00 EURO |
| One-bedroom Apartment | 548.00 EURO | 672.00 EURO | 777.00 EURO |
| Studio Apartment | 548.00 EURO | 672.00 EURO | 777.00 EURO |
Included in price: taxes, services, one set of linens, weekly cleaning and utilities except heating.
Not included: autonomous heating (.50 Euro/hour)
For groups of up to twenty-one people, ask us about renting some or all the apartments plus
the villa.
There is a washing machine on the property.
Baby cribs are available at no extra charge.
Check-in: 3-8pm
Check-out: 8:30-9:30am
Refundable security deposit: 155 Euro
Click here for information about private transfers to the property.
Please note that you need a car to stay here.
Please note that it is not possible to guarantee Internet access at any property, because the property
does not generate the service, it merely provides access from a server. If the server experiences any kind
of problem at all, the property regrets it cannot be responsible for any inconvenience caused by subsequent
lack of service.
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