Overview

A picture-perfect Tuscan farmhouse, Podere Celli and its old stone walls blend beautifully into the vine-smothered hills of western Chianti. Its timeless appearance belies interiors that have been restored and renovated to provide an exceptionally comfortable fully air conditioned country retreat. At the heart of the building is a large room divided by archways into intimate sitting and dining areas, and cheered by two large fireplaces. A kitchen designed for serious cooks - complete with a wood oven - opens onto a vast terrace with a dining loggia and stunning views over the countryside. Hand-painted murals decorate the walls of the large, air-conditioned bedrooms, most of which have ensuite bathrooms. A swimming pool is set into the well-tended lawn behind the house with a pergola furnished with sofas and sun loungers. Set on a beautiful winding road minutes from Barberino Val d'Elsa, Podere Celli is the ideal setting for a holiday that combines pure relaxation with sightseeing - and perhaps even a round or two of golf.

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Description

Rental Options

 Podere Celli is available at a lower rate for smaller parties. For details see Podere Celli (House x 16 people)

Location

 Set 2km/1.5 miles from Barberino Val d’Elsa along a lovely road that winds through the Colli Fiorentini. Two of Tuscany’s best-known hill towns, San Gimignano and Certaldo, lie to the west. Siena and Florence are quickly reached by motorway, 40 minutes; a more interesting route is the Via Chiantigiana through the Chianti wine-producing area.

Accommodations

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Ground floor

 Very large air conditioned open plan room with sitting and dining areas defined by archways and two fireplaces. Extremely well-equipped kitchen with a marble sink, double stove, wood oven and a breakfast table. The air conditioned kitchen opens onto a vast terrace with a dining loggia. Air conditioned twin bedroom. Bathroom with shower. Under the terrace is a parking garage for 8 cars and a laundry room.

First floor

 Small sitting room. Air conditoned twin bedroom. Bathroom with shower [shared with ground floor bedroom]. Air conditioned double bedroom [US King size] with an ensuite bathroom with bath. Air conditioned master double bedroom with a four-poster bed [US King size] and an ensuite bathroom with jacuzzi bath. Air conditioned double bedroom [US King size] with an ensuite bathroom with jacuzzi bath. Air conditioned twin bedroom with an ensuite bathroom with shower. Air conditioned double bedroom [US King size] with an ensuite bathroom with shower.

Tower

 Air conditioned double bedroom [US King size] with an ensuite bathroom with shower.

Guest House/Ground floor

 Open plan kitchen, air conditioned dining and sitting room. Twin bedroom. Bathroom with shower suitable for mobility restricted persons.

First floor

 Air conditioned double bedroom [US California King size] with ensuite bathroom with bath. Air conditioned twin bedroom with ensuite bathroom with Jacuzzi bath. Two air conditioned double bedrooms [US California King size] sharing a bathroom with shower.

Grounds

 A large garden with extensive lawns wraps around the house and sweeps gently downhill, approximately 30m/100 feet, to the swimming pool, 8 x 16m/26 x 52 feet. A pergola lies at one end of the pool enjoying wonderful views of the countryside, very comfortably furnished with sofas and sun loungers. A pool house with a changing room, showers, a fridge and a WC stands nearby. Surrounding the property are the lush, rolling hills for which Tuscany is justifiably famous.

Assistance

 Assistance is provided locally by the property's offsite caretaker, who speaks English. Services included in the rental fee, and optional services available, are noted under Price and Availability.

Facilities

 Two dishwashers. Washing machine. Double oven/stove. Wood oven. Two fireplaces. Nine satellite TVs [Sky channels], one with DVD/video. CD player. Air conditioning throughout , Sauna. Ping-pong table. Central heating. Fixed telephone line. Wireless ADSL internet connection [computer not provided]. Fax. 3 bicycles.

Access

 Airports: Florence, 48km/30 miles; Pisa, 90km/56 miles. Railway station at Certaldo, 16km/10 miles. Bus service to Florence from Barberino Val d’Elsa. Motorway exit at Tavarnelle, 12km/7.5 miles from the property along paved roads to the property’s white drive. Parking garage for five cars.

Activities

 Tennis at Tavarnelle, 5km/3 miles. Horseback riding at Bagnano, 8km/5 miles. This is a wonderful area for walking and biking. A selection of biking itineraries in the area is available online at www.terresienainbici.it/index_eng.asp (in English).

Small appliances

 8 Hairdryers (1 for each bathroom)

Pool details

 The swimming pool, 8 x 16m/26 x 52 feet, has a depth of 0.70-2.40m/2-8 feet and, at one end, submerged seating with hydromassage jets.