Overview

La Villa di Larniano is a very large 15th century farmhouse built around a thousand-year old Longobard lookout tower. Set high in the hills near the medieval city of San Gimignano, this wonderful old stone building lies within a large farm estate with three other medieval towers. The estate's vineyards produce a delicious white wine known as La Vernaccia, and its extensive olive groves the rich-tasting oil for which Tuscany is famed. The villa is furnished comfortably in an elegant country style with living areas overlooking a pretty, furnished courtyard and a well-kept garden. Sweeping lawns, often visited by hares and pheasants, lead to a clay tennis court and a large swimming pool with loungers and umbrellas. Sightseers can explore the many hill towns in the immediate area and in the nearby Chianti region, while golfers have access to one of Italy's best courses a short drive away.

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Description

Location

 San Gimignano, 7km/5 miles from the property and midway between Florence and Siena [both 1 hour by car], is perhaps Italy's most famous hill town, noted for its tall stone towers. A beautiful 40-minute drive to the south-west is Etruscan-founded Volterra. To the east is the Chianti wine-producing region: Castellina -in-Chianti, 40 minutes, is a good place to begin. Directly to the north is Certaldo Alto, 20 minutes, a spectacular hill town visible for many miles.

Accommodations

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Ground floor

 Large sitting room. Well-equipped kitchen leading out to the courtyard. Dining room. Large sitting room with a billiards table. Living room with an arched ceiling. Bathroom with WC and shower.

First floor

 Small sitting room. Double bedroom. Twin bedroom. Bathroom with bath and shower. Twin bedroom. WC. Double bedroom with an ensuite bathroom with bath and shower. Double bedroom with an ensuite bathroom with shower. Twin bedroom. Bathroom with bath and shower.

Grounds

 Extensive, fenced gardens within a 100 ha/250 acre farm estate which guests can explore at leisure. The swimming pool, 7 x 14m/23 x 46 feet, is set about 100m/300 feet away from the house across level lawn with the tennis court nearby. Private chapel.

Assistance

 Guests are met by an English-speaking hostess who will assist as required during the rental. Services included in the rental fee, and optional services available, are noted under Price and Availability.

Facilities

 Barbecue. Dishwasher. Microwave. Wood oven. Washing machine. Non-satellite TV with video/DVD. CD/cassette player. Billiards table. Central heating. Three working fireplaces. Mobile telephone provided. Wireless internet connection available at the estate’s office, not available in the villa.

Access

 Airports: Florence, 1 hour; Pisa, 1 hour 20 minutes. Railway station at Certaldo, 20 minutes. Motorway exit at Poggibonsi, 15 minutes along paved roads to the property’s long white drive. Parking for six cars.

Activities

 Riding stables at Sant'Andrea, about 15 minutes. Tennis at San Gimignano or at Certaldo, 20 minutes. 18-hole golf course at Impruneta, about 35 minutes. A selection of biking itineraries in the area is available online at www.terresienainbici.it/index_eng.asp (in English).

Small appliances

 Filter coffee maker. Three hair dryers. Iron and ironing board.

Pool details

 The swimming pool, 7 x 14m/23 x 46 feet, has a depth of 1.5-3m/5-10 feet, a ladder for exit/entry and a diving board. The swimming pool is not fenced off.

Amenities for children

 Two cots/cribs.