Overview

Surrounded by vineyards and fields of wildflowers in the wine-producing area of Chianti, La Casa Rossa is set on a gentle hillside with a never-ending view of the rolling Tuscan landscape. Beamed and bricked ceilings and terracotta floors are complemented by comfortable modern furniture and a very nice collection of antiques. Bright and spacious rooms, including a modern eat-in kitchen, make this an ideal retreat for families and large groups, and a study provides a quiet spot for anyone who can't quite leave their work behind. A beautifully landscaped garden leads down to the swimming pool and its tiled terrace, where an enormous loggia offers shady sitting and dining areas. This area is full of interesting villages and sights. Walking trails, horseback riding and golf are all available nearby, and both Florence and Siena are quickly reached along excellent roads.

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Description

Location

 Splendidly located for sightseeing, La Casa Rossa lies between Florence, 55km/34 miles, and Siena, 37km/23 miles, and just north-east of San Gimignano. A selection of shops and restaurants at the hilltop town Certaldo, 10km/6 miles, or Barberino Val d'Elsa, 8km/5 miles. Hundreds of wineries are within a few minutes' drive, and horseback riding is available within walking distance.

Accommodations

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Ground floor

 Sitting room with a fireplace, a grand piano and a large antique sideboard hiding a stereo. Dining room with bread oven. Kitchen with a small breakfast table. Up 5 steps to a WC. Dining loggia. Laundry room.

First floor

 [up 12 stone steps] Study with a small fireplace. Two double bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom with bath. Twin bedroom and twin/double bedroom sharing a bathroom with a shower. Twin bedroom and a single bedroom sharing a bathroom with a bath.

Grounds

 Extensive, beautifully landscaped gardens. Private swimming pool, 7 x 14m/23 x 46 feet, with an infinity edge, a diving board and a shallow area, surrounded by a terracotta terrace. The pool is set about 30m/100 feet across the garden, a few stone steps lower than the house and in front of a very large loggia with sitting and dining areas. A vegetable patch surrounded by a hedge is behind the loggia.

Assistance

 Assistance is provided locally by the property's helpful offsite caretaker, who does not speak English. Services included in the rental fee, and optional services available, are noted under Price and Availability.

Facilities

 Washing machine. Dishwasher. Portable barbeque. Microwave. CD/cassette player. Five bedrooms with ceiling fans. Central heating. Three bicycles. Wireless ADSL internet connection [computer not provided]. Fixed telephone line. Fax.

Facilities notes

 No television but a good collection of table games instead.

Access

 Airports: Florence, 53km/33 miles; Pisa, 90km/54 miles. Railway station for Florence, Siena and Pisa and bus stop at Certaldo, 10km/6 miles. Motorway exit at Tavernelle, 14km/9 miles along paved roads to the property’s white access road, 200m/650 feet. Parking for three cars.

Activities

 Tennis at Tavarnelle, about 15 minutes. Riding stables within walking distance of the property. Great walking trails marked by the Club Alpino Italiano. A selection of biking itineraries in the area is available online at www.terresienainbici.it/index_eng.asp (in English).

Small appliances

 Iron and ironing board.

Pool details

 Private swimming pool, 7 x 14m/23 x 46 feet, has a depth of 0.4-3m/18"-10 feet, a diving board, and both steps and a ladder for entry/exit.