LA NOVELLINA
In Fiano, Tuscany
Sleeps 9 with swimming pool, WIFI, air-conditioned bedrooms; free welcome dinner and basic groceries included
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La Novellina is a beautiful farmhouse located halfway between Florence (16 miles) and Siena (27 miles). The little village of Fiano is just a mile away, with a couple of restaurants, and can be reached on foot (over the fields). Grocery stores, gas stations, bakeries, post office, bus stop and other services are located three miles away in Tavarnelle Val di Pesa. The nearest airports are Florence or Pisa (42 miles). The autostrada linking Siena with Florence is just 15 minutes' drive. San Gimignano (14 miles) and the ferry to Corsica and Sardinia (65 miles) are within driving distance. Within the radius of a few miles, you can find Estruscan tombs, medieval cities, 14th century castles, and Baroque churches. Or you can just relax at home and enjoy the beautiful view!

La Novellina is surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and cypress trees. The house is part of a sixty-nine acre estate specializing in the production of extra virgin olive oil. The owner is a descendant of Baldesar Castiglione, politician and scholar of the 16th century (see his portrait painted by Raphael in the Louvre next to that of the Mona Lisa). She studied at the College of S.S. Annunziata at Poggio Imperiale, Florence, where she learned to love art, history and culture. The desire to promote the culture of her land led her to open her house to European and American artists and people of culture. The villa, which was furnished for her own family with great care, is one of our most beautiful, comfortable and authentic properties. The Italian-speaking mother of the owner also lives on the estate. She is on hand to help you with any problems that may arise but she will be careful not to intrude on your privacy in any way.

The central structure of the house is a tower of the 11th century; the wings were added later. Behind it is the castle of S. Maria Novella and in front, the panoramic view is interrupted only by the ancient towers of San Gimignano and the medieval S. Lazzaro in Lucardo. The house has been completely restored, taking care to respect its original form. The old structure has been consolidated and when possible, the original material re-used. There is about 300 square meters of floor space, generous living space for up to nine people.

The house is built on three floors and is furnished with original antiques.

Ground floor:

• Small entrance hall
• Large eat-in kitchen built on two levels, with a huge wood-burning pizza oven, stone sink, modern sink, dishwasher, clothes washer
• 1 double (king) bedroom, en suite bathroom with tub (3 steps up from the main level)

Both the kitchen and the ground floor bedroom can be accessed from the exterior of the villa (avoiding the steps for guests with walking problems), but please be aware that there are a few steps here and there throughout the ground floor.

Second floor:

• Central hallway
• Large living and dining room with fireplace and covered balcony
• 1 double (king) bedroom, en suite bathroom (shower & tub)
• 1 double (twin beds) bedroom; beds can not be joined as they are located on opposite walls, with a door between them
• 1 single bedroom
• 1 bathroom with shower

Third floor:

• 1 double bedroom (bed size is between queen and king), en suite bathroom with shower; access to this bedroom is lower than usual, so watch your head going up the stairs!

Outside is the loggia for dining al fresco, a swimming pool (26 ft. in diameter x 4 ft. deep; nicely set above-ground pool, not suitable for overly large or tall guests), and a bathroom with shower whose entrance is outside the kitchen (especially useful during the pool season). The owner has added mosquito screens, a clothes dryer, a large refrigerator with icemaker, a gas BBQ and bedroom air conditioning. Housekeeping (3 hrs/day) is included, as well as first night's dinner and basic grocery shopping.

Cooking lessons are available at Novellina. Chef Ceppatelli will teach you to prepare classic dishes of Tuscan cuisine, and you'll go home with a recipe book!

2009 Prices