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The private valley of Travalle is one of the most extraordinary properties in Italy. Barely thirty minutes’ drive from the centre of Florence, it consists of some 300 hectares/730 acres of lush farmlands ringed by low mountains and dotted with old farmhouses. The current owners, an old aristocratic family, purchased the land a century ago and have preserved the valley’s agricultural activities and its architectural integrity. At the centre of the valley is the manor house with magnificent Italian gardens; an active winery and olive mill are attached. The forests on the flanks of the mountains have been designated as a nature reserve to protect the resident pheasants and deer. The 300-year old Podere Casteluccio lies almost at the top of the valley, surveying the vineyards, fields and olive groves from on high. A restoration completed in the past few months has produced a truly spectacular house equipped with all the latest efficiencies, from air-conditiong to internet. Yet these in now way eclipse the building’s enormous historic charm, as evidenced by the twisted beams in the ceilings, the cool brick floors and worn stone steps. Although stylishly decorated and furnished with splendid antiques, this is a comfortable and inviting country retreat that includes a large main house and a cosy, self-sufficient guest house for two. A large pool is set on hillside just above the houses, the perfect antidote to a busy day’s sightseeing in Tuscany.
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