With a stone wall, small wood truss and a wrought-iron gate fronted by a small private garden, Capriata is one of the houses that faces the village square. In Tuscan fashion Capriata’s two floors are connected by both exterior and interior stairways and once through the iron gate to the left of the estate library entrance is either up the stone stairwell to the balcony terrace or through a door into the ground floor entry hall. From the entryway two steps lead down to a corridor off of which there is a laundry room and three bedrooms, two doubles and a twin, all facing and having independent access to the front square and each with a bathroom. Of these bathrooms, two are ensuite and one has both bathtub and separate shower.
The stairway in the entry hall leads up to a study with armchairs awaiting a reader with an inspiring guidebook. Open doorways to a larger living room with comfortable sofa and armchairs in front of an open fireplace and French doors that access a furnished balcony with sweeping views of the hamlet square as well as the rising estate woodlands. Sliding doors lead from the living room to a large eat-in kitchen with a double fireplace and an expandable dining table that welcomes extra guests for dinner.
Borgo Rinnovato is perfectly located to discover why Tuscany has been and remains a destination of choice. Being in the Valdarno, the wide valley through which the Arno River meanders, Florence, the famed city that straddles it immediately comes to mind. Leaving your car at the Figline or San Giovanni Valdarno free station lots, hourly direct trains will easily bring you to the heart of this Renaissance treasure chest where world-famous museums, frescoed churches, graceful bridges and historic piazzas are all accessible on foot, with sustaining gelato stops along the way of course.
The road south arrives at another major Tuscan city, Arezzo. Believed to have been one of the 12 most important Etruscan cities and always a center of commerce, still today Arezzo’s artisans and merchants enliven its medieval center, especially on the first Sunday of the month and the previous Saturday when its Antiquarian Fairs fill the streets with ‘treasures’. June and September visitors delight in Piazza Grande’s costumed Saracen Joust, while visitors the year round seek out the splendid frescoes of Piero della Francesca.
If bustling historic cities and a church too many begin to fatigue, there are other options. Designer outlets are half an hour away for those whose preferences lean to Italian styling and a good bargain. And in less than an hour winding cypress-lined roads through the Chianti region lead to small towns such as Gaiole-, Greve- or Radda in Chianti, known world-wide for what fills a wine glass and the delicious food that accompanies it.
Should small-scale exploration suit you best, head to nearby Loro Ciuffenna, a delightful medieval town built around a Romanesque bridge spanning the mountain torrent that powered the many water mills producing chestnut flour. Though the mills have ceased to flow, there are charming restaurants, an art museum dedicated to a native son Venturino Venturi and only 1 km out of town in Gropina the impressive Pieve di San Pietro, the oldest (774 A.D.), best preserved Romanesque parish church in Tuscany.
Yet even before hopping into the car to go exploring, the estate’s wooded panorama, reaching as high as the Pratomagno mountains, may well inspire guests to follow paths through their 800 hectares. Or perhaps join a guided hike and wine tasting tour through the nearby village of Castelfranco whose dramatic landscape and colourful eroded shapes, the ‘Balze’, featured in the background of Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa’. Certainly, with stables nearby and bikes easily arranged, life in the slow lane is a wonderful way to discover your surroundings, and with a beautiful house as your base and a restorative pool at hand, a Tuscan holiday will soon find its rightful rhythm.
Air conditioning
Air-conditioning in all bedrooms, extra
Air conditioning
Air-conditioning in all bedrooms, extra
Arrival groceries
Available on request, for a small fee
Arrival groceries
Available on request, for a small fee
Baby bed and high chair
Available on request
Baby bed and high chair
Available on request
Babysitting
English-speaking babysitter, available on request
Babysitting
English-speaking babysitter, available on request
Bar
There is an Honesty Bar by the swimming pool, which can be stocked with alcohol on request.
Bar
There is an Honesty Bar by the swimming pool, which can be stocked with alcohol on request.
Bicycles
Bike rental in Figline Valdarno, 10 km. - Rental and excursions can be arranged on prior request
Bicycles
Bike rental in Figline Valdarno, 10 km. - Rental and excursions can be arranged on prior request
Billiards table
Bike rental in Figline Valdarno, 10 km. - Rental and excursions can be arranged on prior request
Billiards table
Bike rental in Figline Valdarno, 10 km. - Rental and excursions can be arranged on prior request
Catering
Breakfast or dinner - Available on request, either in the Borgo dining room or courtyard or in the house
Catering
Breakfast or dinner - Available on request, either in the Borgo dining room or courtyard or in the house
Coffee Maker
Italian and American coffee makers
Coffee Maker
Italian and American coffee makers
Computer, Printer or Scanner
Fax/photocopy service and some printing available via receptionist desk, on request
Computer, Printer or Scanner
Fax/photocopy service and some printing available via receptionist desk, on request
Cooking lessons
Available on request
Cooking lessons
Available on request
Dishwasher
Dishwasher
Dryer
Dryer
DVD player
DVD player
Event organizing
Presence of the Theatre, Restaurant and Enoteca and large Library provide space for a variety of events. Assistance available on request.
Event organizing
Presence of the Theatre, Restaurant and Enoteca and large Library provide space for a variety of events. Assistance available on request.
Extra cleaning
Available on request
Extra cleaning
Available on request
Extra linen change
Available on request
Extra linen change
Available on request
Fans
Portable fans available on request
Fans
Portable fans available on request
Final cleaning included
Final cleaning included
Fireplace
Renaissance open fireplace in the Billiard Hall and several wood stoves in the Library. Fireplace in the house is not used.
Fireplace
Renaissance open fireplace in the Billiard Hall and several wood stoves in the Library. Fireplace in the house is not used.
Furnished outdoor areas
Wide furnished balcony overlooking the square - Additionally, there are other furnished areas near the pool.
Furnished outdoor areas
Wide furnished balcony overlooking the square - Additionally, there are other furnished areas near the pool.
Games room
The Billiard Hall is equipped with a gaming table for cards, chess or board games
Games room
The Billiard Hall is equipped with a gaming table for cards, chess or board games
Golf course
18-hole golf course at Circolo del Golf dell Ugolino in Grassing, 30 km
Golf course
18-hole golf course at Circolo del Golf dell Ugolino in Grassing, 30 km
Hair dryer
Hair dryer
Heating
Central heating, Extra and based on consumption
Heating
Central heating, Extra and based on consumption
Home-grown produce
Virgin olive oil, Vin santo, Zolfini beans
Home-grown produce
Virgin olive oil, Vin santo, Zolfini beans
Horse riding
Stables near Reggello, 7 km
Horse riding
Stables near Reggello, 7 km
Internet access
WiFi fast internet - available in all indoor areas of the Borgo, including the house as well as the Library and Theatre. The Library gallery provides additional quiet space for working on-line.
Internet access
WiFi fast internet - available in all indoor areas of the Borgo, including the house as well as the Library and Theatre. The Library gallery provides additional quiet space for working on-line.
Iron and Ironing board
Iron and Ironing board
Kettle
Kettle
Laundry service
Available on request
Laundry service
Available on request
Microwave
Available on request
Microwave
Available on request
Mid-week cleaning
Daily cleaning (2 hrs/day), with mid-week linen change, included
Mid-week cleaning
Daily cleaning (2 hrs/day), with mid-week linen change, included
Mobile phone coverage
Good throughout the property
Mobile phone coverage
Good throughout the property
Music
CD player & radio
Music
CD player & radio
Oven
Oven
Pool towels
Provided
Pool towels
Provided
Restaurant nearby
Restaurant on-site, serving breakfast and dinner. Nearest restaurants in Pian de Scò and Reggello, 5-12 mins.
Restaurant nearby
Restaurant on-site, serving breakfast and dinner. Nearest restaurants in Pian de Scò and Reggello, 5-12 mins.
Safe deposit box
Safe deposit box
Swimming pool
Large shared pool (Dim: 10x20 m; Depth 1.20-1.70 m.) Pool has steps into the shallow end and adjacent pavilion for shade. Pool is open all year round.
Swimming pool
Large shared pool (Dim: 10x20 m; Depth 1.20-1.70 m.) Pool has steps into the shallow end and adjacent pavilion for shade. Pool is open all year round.
Telephone
Phone usage available on request
Telephone
Phone usage available on request
Television
Satellite TV
Television
Satellite TV
Tennis court
Tennis courts at Castelfranco di Sopra, 10 km or Montevarchi, 10 km
Tennis court
Tennis courts at Castelfranco di Sopra, 10 km or Montevarchi, 10 km
Toaster
Toaster
Transport and tours
Airport transfers available on request. Guided hiking tour available on request
Transport and tours
Airport transfers available on request. Guided hiking tour available on request
Washing machine
Washing machine
Winery and Wine tasting
Wine-tasting on-site available in the Enoteca; Hiking/Wine tasting tour available.
Winery and Wine tasting
Wine-tasting on-site available in the Enoteca; Hiking/Wine tasting tour available.
Workshop and conference space
Utilizing the theatre, library, and catering facilities there are excellent facilities for workshops, art exhibits, conferences, etc.
Workshop and conference space
Utilizing the theatre, library, and catering facilities there are excellent facilities for workshops, art exhibits, conferences, etc.