A converted apartment and pool on an historic farming estate

Accommodation

Just to the left of the large villa and past a small tree-shaded patio used by guests of Verdino is a walkway leading to the front door of the apartment. Entrance is into the large main room whose wide brick arch separates the sofa and open fireplace in the living area from the eat-in kitchen with a dining table for 6, marble countertops and kitchen cabinets running along on end of the room. A short hallway off the living area leads to two double bedrooms, each with its own shower room. One of the bedrooms is very spacious and furnished with a painted bedroom suite, while the other is smaller with a French double bed that allows a couple not quite as much stretching room. All rooms feature traditional beamed ceilings and terra-cotta tiling, but are air-conditioned and attuned to modern comforts.

Local area

Very likely a first outing will be to the charming medieval town you can spot from the estate pool. Once famous for its position on the Via Francigena, the ancient road to Rome, scenic San Miniato now draws pilgrims in search of the prized white truffle. Being halfway between Pisa and Florence may have put you in harm's way in the Middle Ages, but it is a definite plus for the modern adventurer and visitors can hop aboard a nearby train or drive to the heart of these Tuscan cities quite worthy of the many pages in their guidebooks. Other day trips include ventures to the skyscrapers of the Middle Ages in San Gimignano, the beautiful shell-shaped Piazza del Campo in Siena or the beaches of the Versilia sea coast. Yet staying at this estate means having wonderful staff on hand to help set up local wine tasting, truffle hunting or canoeing on a nearby lake. At this property you won't be at a loss for something to do, though don't be surprised if a poolside sunbed and a gentle breeze in the olive trees persuade you to put off that doing to another day.

Features

Things to note