Guardiano 5
Historic Tuscan villa for 5 with pool : by Civitella in Val di Chiana
Nice little touches
- An idyllic place to get away from it all with lovely country views
- Eating under the chandelier of the hay barn conversion is a delight.
- A heartfelt restoration that preserves all its truly Tuscan features
Good to know
- Normally this house would sleep 5 people; should the group be 6 in number, in keeping with Italian restrictions, one of the group would need to be under the age of 12.
- Pets are permitted with prior request, but there is a €300 charge to be paid in cash on arrival.
In the remnants of a watchtower that had seen six centuries of history unfold in the countryside south of Arezzo its present owners respectfully restored as much of it as authorities allowed and created a home that gives a family or group of friends the chance to learn what relaxed country living is all about. Sitting above their organic farm and surrounded by 43 hectares of olive groves and forestland, the tower overlooks the Trove valley and across to the medieval village of Civitella where the ruins of its ancient castle etch the skyline.
The panorama from the furnished pergola and infinity edged pool is the stuff of dreams. Lavender and rosemary edge the massive tower walls and the furnished terraces that surround them, and sunset reflected in quiet waters seems an evening doubly blessed.
Accommodation
There are two entrances on either side of the ground floor, both leading into the main room running the width of the house and offering a sitting/dining room with sofas in front of an open fireplace and a dining table for 6. At one end of this room, separated by a partial divider, is a compact but complete kitchen with oak counters as well as the modern appliances one relies on.
A few steps down from the dining area is another small sitting area at the bottom of the internal staircase, off which is a single bedroom with independent outdoor access and a small ensuite shower room. The open tread stairway leads to a landing and three bedrooms; the smallest has a French double bed that may best be used by a guest that likes to stretch his limbs and an ensuite shower room. The other two, which share a shower room, both have queen-sized beds and attractive country antiques.
There are several places outdoors to bring a cup of tea or a glass of wine or set up a family dinner; one can choose between the wrought iron table under the vine-draped pergola, a small table outside the kitchen door, or the newly converted upper floor of a hay barn that now sports a sofa, a large dining table and chandelier lighting. All have the view one is happy to look out upon, as does the fenced swimming pool on a yet higher level that is furnished with sunbeds and a shaded pergola.
Features
Villa Details
- Swimming Pool
- Wifi
- Free Parking
- Private Pool
Bedrooms and Bathrooms
- 1 Single Bedroom On Ground Floor With Ensuite Shower Room
- 2 Queen Double Bedrooms Sharing Shower Room On Upper Floor
- 1 French Double Bedroom With Ensuite Shower Room
- Portable Fan In Each Bedroom
- Insect Screens In All Bedrooms Except Ground Floor Single
- 2 Hairdryers Available
Kitchen equipment
- Oven
- American And Italian Coffee Makers
- Dishwasher
- Kettle
- Toaster
Amenities
- Baby Bed And High Chair Available On Request
- Wifi Internet
- Iron And Ironing Board
- Pool Towels Provided
- Fireplace With Firewood Available
What's included
- Pool Towels Provided
- Final Cleaning Included
Extras
- Arrival Groceries Available On Request
- Catering Available On Request
- Home-Produced Olive Oil For Sale
- Heating Costs To Be Paid Directly To The Owner
- Pets Can Be Brought With Prior Approval And An Extra Cost Of €60 To Be Paid On Site
Outdoors
- Swimming Pool (5.5 X 13.5 M.), Saltwater-Treated And With Step Entry And Infinity Edge
- Barbecue
- Pizza Oven
- Furnished Pergola And Patios
Nearby Activities
- Swimming Pool With Step Entry And Infinity Edge Has Sun Loungers Under Nearby Pergola'
- Outdoor Tennis Courts In Bucine, 16 Kms; Indoor Courts In Montevarchi, 26 Km
- Horse Riding From Stables In Pieve A Presciano, 10 Km
- Bike Rentals From Monte San Savino, 14 Km
- Read more about the area around Guardiano
Photos
Reviews
Where is Guardiano ?
Getting here
- Florence Airport: 1 hr
- Pisa Airport: 1 hr 45 mins
- Rome Airport: 2 hrs 45 mins
Around Guardiano
The lovely elliptical village seen from the house, one of the best-preserved Lombard fortresses of the 6th century, is 1.5 km away and certainly walk-able if one doesn't mind the fact that it sits on top of a hill. A good restaurant and a gelateria are reasons to visit, but so is the city council's Room of Memories, a moving tribute to the high price its citizens paid to the madness of war. Owners can arrange bicycles for those who would like to explore this region at a slower pace, but by car it is a short drive to Arezzo and its beautiful Piazza Grande, featured in the film "Life is Beautiful".
Arezzo hosts both the Saracen Joust in late June and early September and monthly Antiquarian Fairs, but is also a Mecca to those following the Piero della Francesca Trail. Excellent access to major motorways and delightful country roads also place the ancient cities of Siena and Florence within easy reach, but how reassuring to know that a quiet terrace and a restorative panorama await your return.
Nearby Activities
- Bar, restaurants, small grocery in Civitella, 1.5 km
- Badia Agnano, 9 km, Pieve a Presciano, 10 km, Ambra & Bucine, 16 km
- Supermarket and trains in Montevarchi & Arezzo, 30 mins
- Tennis courts, horse stables and bike rentals in less than 15 km
- Siena and Florence, less than 1 hr
Calendar for Guardiano
How to book
Is Guardiano perfect for you?
For availability and pricing see the calendar above. If you have any questions or would like help choosing, we visit our properties regularly and can help you choose and book the best villa for your holidays.
We can hold dates for you for 48 hours while you make sure everything lines up, then you simply pay the deposit (30% of total) to secure your booking. The balance will then be due 10 weeks before you travel. You can also add "XCover" to your booking for a full refund if you can't travel.
For more details see our Booking Conditions and XCover. You can add XCover to your booking at any time until you have paid your balance, simply ask your agent.
Worth knowing
Many local administrations now charge a “Tourist Tax” for people staying in rented accommodation and these vary from town to town. The charges are generally per person per night with a maximum number of nights, usually around 5 but sometimes 7, beyond which they will not charge. The charges range between 50 cents to 3 euro. Children are sometimes included, sometimes not and these charges should be collected by the property owners.
Not sure?
It can often be faster to contact us to ask for advice - we visit all the houses so can give you first hand advice based on your wishlist. Once you find a villa you like we can hold dates for you for up to 48 hours while you check flights or make sure everybody is on board.
Any more questions?
Please ring us with any queries - there are a lot of answers in our FAQ page too. If you want to keep searching, have a look at our suggestions below!
Booking Notes
- Heating costs to be paid directly to the owner
- Pets can be brought with prior approval and an extra cost of €60 to be paid on site
