The Villa Florentine - Our Villa

Located at Barberino Val d'Elsa, Firenze

This 13th century farmstead (circa 1292) - Belonged to an Archbishop, Villa Florentine was rented out during medieval times as a farmstead. It has been completely reconstructed while still following the original floor plan, a requirement in Tuscany for the preservation of historical homes. The estate is comprised of three stone buildings that, while adjoined on the outside, are not internally connected. These sections represent the former: homestead, barn and the pollaio or chicken coop. Villa Florentine successfully blends an ancient structure with the modern comforts of today's home. The furnishings, fixtures and décor are of the highest quality and complement all the authentic features: stone walls (measuring over 2 feet wide in some areas), bricked arches, wood beam ceilings and terracotta flooring on the lower level. Wood parquet floors are on the upper floors. The interior designer used pastel washed walls and Florentine silk fabrics.

Interior Amenities: All rooms are air conditioned. The two kitchen and the bedrooms have screened windows, with the exception of the cottage. The spacious bedrooms are comparable with each having its own bathroom accessed en suite. For entertainment, the living room seating eight has a large flat screen TV with some movie channels in English language and a CD player with an Ipod dock. For those with a laptop, there are high speed Internet outlets in the foyer and the bedrooms. Layout Notes: Inside, the focal point is the main dining room with a large open-hearth fireplace and oversized glass entry doors. This room is large enough to seat all guests and does so comfortably. There are two small living areas with one seating 8 and the other 12. The bedrooms are made up with queen beds - upon request, the beds in four bedrooms can be turned into singles. The cottage is designed for wheelchair access with a path leading to the dining patio and the main dining room.

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First timers as well as those seeking to explore as much of Tuscany as possible from one central location will undoubtedly appreciate Villa Florentine. This exceptional location translates into super easy proximity to Florence, Siena and San Gimignano with smooth sailing to the rest of Tuscany by car.

Finding a large villa set midway between Florence and Siena with a highway exit within five minutes is never easy. Finding one chock full of modern amenities and medieval charm is nigh impossible. This centuries-old estate has just undergone a total restoration. Everything from fittings to furnishings is of superior quality. Original beams, brick archways and terracotta floors frame the villa's many modern comforts.

Villa Florentine is set amidst a small cluster of similar homes overlooking the plains leading to nearby Poggibonsi. The estate is bordered by tall pines that provide shade, varying degrees of privacy and a clear viewing channel across the fields to a not so distant undulating hilltop. A private swimming pool is on a level below the property and is accessed by an underground passageway.

The fully air conditioned villa is made up of three attached stone structures that communicate externally. Together, they feature a large dining hall with an open-hearth fireplace, a well equipped kitchen with commercial grade appliances, two small seating areas, a washer and dryer, a wood burning oven and barbecue and a huge covered patio furnished for al fresco dining. With the exception of the cottage bedroom, the bedrooms have screened windows and each has its own bathroom. A small child's bedroom for ages 12 and under is across from one bedroom making it ideal for a couple with wee ones. For those wanting only a few steps, two bedrooms are on ground level. One of these has its own independent entrance and a bathroom designed with wheelchair access in mind.
Air conditioning, high speed internet access (DSL-requiring cable connection-you are required to provide the cable for your computer) daily cleaning, a mid week towel change, one satellite television with English language movie channels and firewood for the villa's two fireplaces are all provided.

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Beyond Villa Florentine, Tuscany awaits. The paved residential access road bordering the villa leads to three key routes in less than two miles. First, there is the entrance to the Firenze-Siena toll free highway arriving at Monteriggioni in 10 minutes; Siena in 25 and downtown Florence in 45. Next is an entry to the SS2 or the ancient Roman road that heads north to the walled medieval hill town of Barberino Val d'Elsa in a 10 minute drive. Here, there is a smaller version of the famous Duomo of Florence, a rustic pizzeria, and a great Etruscan museum. A ride south on the SS2 eventually reaches Rome after winding its way through some of Tuscany's best undisturbed hill towns and countryside. Lastly, the end of the villa's access road lands in modern Poggibonsi in less than seven minutes by car where supermarkets, banks and a train station with service to Florence are found. Continuing on this road in one direction leads to the quintessential Tuscan hill town of San Gimignano in 15 minutes, while the other way heads into viticultural Chianti.

A treasure trove of easy to reach towns lies beyond the immediate vicinity of Villa Florentine with Castellina in Chianti in 25 minutes; Volterra: 40; Arezzo: 60; Lucca: 70; Cortona or Montepulciano: 80; Pisa, the Tuscan coast or Bologna: 90; Perugia: 100; La Spezia: 2 hours; Rome: 3 hours.

Technical Description

Ground floor: Entrance foyer with door opening to a large covered dining patio. Main dining room with open hearth fireplace and large glass doors with four steps down to the outside. Seven steps up into the main kitchen with a stovetop, griddle, oven, microwave, commercial fridge with six temperature zones for fridge, freezer and wine storage and dishwasher. An archway opens to prep room with doors to an outside alcove with wood burning oven. Small living room for 8 with TV, CD player and Ipod dock. Half bath with washer/dryer. Mezzanine: One bedroom with a queen size canopy bed and en suite bathroom with tub and hand shower and separate shower.

First floor: Six bedrooms each with a queen size bed and en suite bathroom; four with shower, one with Jacuzzi tub and hand shower and one with Jacuzzi tub and separate shower.

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There is a separate entrance wing of the villa--
Ground floor: Independent entrance into living room for 12 with TV. Kitchen with stovetop, oven, fridge, dishwasher, fireplace and door to side patio. One bedroom with a queen size bed, door to side patio and en suite bathroom with shower. Half bath with washing machine.

First floor: Two bedrooms each with a queen size bed and en suite bathroom with shower. One bedroom with a queen size bed. One small bedroom for children 12 and under with sofabed. One bathroom with Jacuzzi tub and hand shower.

Cottage on ground level: Double doors open to living/dining room with TV and kitchen corner with stovetop, fridge and sink. One bedroom with a queen size bed and doors to the outside. One bathroom with shower.

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