Tuscan Jewels Holidays

The largest and most luxurious of the three villas, Villa Serena can sleep up to six people and guarantee its guests all the comforts of tasteful and functional accommodation. Originally built to house the family’s casks and wines, Villa Serenella is Villa Serena’s graceful annexe and differs from it only in terms of size.
Once the winter refuge of perfumed lemon trees and now a cosy house, Villa Limonaia is ready to host its guests in its new role as a charming holiday residence.

The main villa

The ground floor of Villa Serena, the largest and most luxurious of the three villas, comprises a large, inviting and cheerful sitting room with an impressive, original, nineteenth century fireplace, a large kitchen, also equipped with a dishwasher and freezer, and a useful back kitchen that also leads to a downstairs toilet. The first floor, reached by an internal staircase, contains three double bedrooms (sleeping six people).

The practical attributes of the rooms are combined with a refined elegance of detail provided by valuable period furniture and beds. Two comfortable and spacious bathrooms, one with a bathtub, complete the villa, which measures a total of 250 m2. The bedrooms lead to a lovely terrace from which one can enjoy an enchanting vista of the Val di Chiana below, and a partial, but no less picturesque, view of nearby Lake Trasimeno. At the centre of the terrace stands a large inviting table for breakfasts and dinners, so that guests can fully enjoy the wonderful atmosphere and natural harmony of their surroundings.

Limonaia

By retaining unaltered the original architectural features, the restoration has emphasized the aesthetic value of the building in its conversion into a house measuring 50 m2, composed of a practical kitchen, a large living/dining room, a double bedroom and a bathroom with shower. The décor is simple and elegant, displaying intelligent and practical solutions, such as the terracotta floor and ceiling, and nineteenth century style furniture and fittings.

A sunny, intimate atmosphere pervades this house, which has recently rediscovered its old charm in its new role as a refined holiday home, where pastel colours together with tastefully chosen furnishings provide a pleasing contrast to the austere severity of stone and terracotta, wood and wrought iron, and create personal and extremely welcoming rooms.

The name “Villa Limonaia” reflects the building’s original function as the lemon-house of the adjacent Villa Serena, the winter quarters for citrus trees in pots that embellished the villa gardens during the spring and summer months.

Serenella

Villa Serenella, the neighbour of Villa Serena is, as its name suggests, closely linked to the main villa. In fact, the sophisticated atmosphere of Villa Serena has been recreated in this smaller villa.  Originally used as the family’s commodious wine cellar housing the best casks and bottles of wine once drunk there, today Villa Serenella is ready to accommodate you during your stay.

The recent restoration has converted the 20m x 3m cellar into a house measuring 60m2 that can sleep two people. Next to the large living room, complete with an attractive dining room, is a pretty, well-equipped kitchen, also tastefully furnished in period style. A spacious double bedroom and a bathroom featuring every comfort complete the accommodation.

All fittings and furniture have been carefully chosen with a particular attention to detail so that the period of the 1800s is continually evoked. The floor and ceiling in old terracotta contribute to the creation of warm and elegant rooms that are the result of a rigorous choice of furniture and a clever use of colours.

• EXCURSIONS
  

Castles and Wine Shops along the Street of Chianti

Duration: Full day

Itinerary: Amidst Tuscan hills surrounded by the prized vineyards of Chianti, the tour stops at a medieval castle with furnishings from that era. Guided tour of the wine cellar and tasting of wines produced by local companies. Relaxing stroll down the street of Chianti. Stop at an estate for lunch at the restaurant there, with a menu based on local products. Tour of the wine cellars and Vinsanteria (where vinsanto is aged), including a demonstration of the aging process. After a stop at Greve o Radda in Chianti, the tour proceeds to a liqueur and grappa distillery. Guided tour and tasting of the various liqueurs made from Chianti grapes.

The Hills of Brunello di Montalcino and Medieval Abbeys

Duration: Half day

Itinerary: A fascinating journey through the Crete Senesi (group of villages among scenic hills and woods) leads to the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore lying amidst the spectacular ravines. Guided tour of the abbey complete with extremely interesting works of art from the 1400s. Guided tour through the historical center of Montalcino, with the impressive “Rocca del 1300” overlooking the city. Wine tasting of the celebrated Brunello di Montalcino.

Duration: Full day

Itinerary: Half-day tour + light lunch including local specialties. Guided tour stopping at the extraordinary Romanesque Abbey of St. Antimo, which is still brimming with the intrigue of the middle ages. To follow, a trip along the ancient street, Francigena, and a short break in a charming neighborhood nestled at the foot of Monte Amiata.

Monasteries, Castles, and Centuries-old Forests in the Casentino Valley

Duration: Full day

Itinerary: Tour of medieval castle located in a magnificent position overlooking the Arno River Valley. Proceeding on to Camaldoli, where the monastery and retreat of the Camadoli order of monks were founded in 1000 AD. Guided tour. Light lunch in restaurant along the way. Walk through the spectacular old-growth forests of the National Park of Casentino Forests, leading to the Franciscan Sanctuary of La Verna. Partially built into the mountain itself, this retreat communicates the historic testimony of St. Francis. The mystery of the ancient, sacred site, where the saint received the holy stigmata, is captured within the cloisters and precious ceramic works of art by Andrea Della Robbia.

Medieval Tuscany, Siena, and San Gimignano

Duration: Full day

Itinerary: Tour of the historical center of Siena including the Duomo (cathedral); the scenic square, Piazza del Campo with its tower, Torre del Mangia; the ancient downtown streets with their ageless charm and fascinating nooks and crannies. Visit of the town museum upon request. Light lunch either in a traditional restaurant or famous wine bar. Moving on to San Gimignano with its famed medieval towers. Tour of the historic center and cathedral housing remarkable period frescoes. On the way back, a scenic walk with a view of the Monteriggioni Castle.

The Secrets and Treasures of Florence’s Medici Renaissance

Duration: Full day

Itinerary: Tour of the Leonardo Museum with an important collection of studies and experiments performed by the genius Leonardo da Vinci. Moving on to Poggio a Caiano and a tour of the villa built by Lorenzo “Il Magnifico.” Lunch in a traditional restaurant with typical Tuscan cuisine. To follow, another Medici villa on the outskirts of Florence. Tour of some of Florence’s monuments and time to stop and rest in the scenic square, Piazzale Michelangelo, may also be included.

Cortona: from the Etruscans to the Renaissance, two thousand years of history

Duration: Half day

Itinerary: Tour of the medieval and Renaissance city center of Cortona, starting at Palazzo Casali with a tour of the renowned Museum of the Etruscan Academy. Stops at different churches with noteworthy paintings from the 1500-1600s. Proceeding on to the Diocesan Museum with its extraordinary “Annunciation” by Beato Angelico.

Duration: Full day

Itinerary:  Half-day tour + light lunch in traditional restaurant. Afternoon tour and overview of the areas surrounding the Medici Fortress with beautiful views of the Valdichiana area of Arezzo and Siena, Lake Trasimeno nearby, and the heights of Monte Amiata. Tour of important archeological sites and Etruscan tombs, and one architectural wonder from the Renaissance in particular. Upon request, a stop at the interesting Franciscan retreat, “Le Celle” can be arranged.

Fascinating Underground Journey through Chiusi and Orvieto

Duration: Full day

Itinerary: Tour of the Etruscan Museum of Chiusi, one of the major Etruscan cities. Tour of the underground pathways of the Labyrinth of “Porsenna” and Roman catacombs. Stop at an important Etruscan tomb. Moving on to the city of Orvieto, which was built on a cliff of tufaceous rock. Lunch in a traditional restaurant. Tour of the underground city and famous gothic cathedral of Orvieto. Tour of the mysterious Etruscan necropolis can be arranged upon request.

Low Season: 03/01 > 04/04 — 18/04 > 16/05 — 03/10 > 26/12
Mid Season: 16/05 > 13/06 — 12/09 > 03/10
Mid-High Season: 04/04 > 18/04 — 13/06 > 04/07 — 22/08 > 12/09 — 26/12 > 10/01/2010
High Season: 04/07 > 22/08

Servizi ed Accessori extra:

• Extra bed € 52 per week
• Cot € 26 per week
• Final cleaning € 100 (Main Villa) - € 50 (Villa II and III)
• Animals- 1 per apartment - small-medium size - € 30 extra for final cleaning
• Heating: € 30 (Main Villa) per day, € 9 (Villa II and III) per day

Check In: from 4 till 7 pm.

Check Out: before 10 am.