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Two apartments in villa in Chianti Valdarno (#29288)
Florence, Tuscany, Italy
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Description of the Florence vacation villa rental
"La Pietra Grezza" ( The Raw Stone) is situated in a panoramic position among the rolling hills of Tuscany,
in the Chianti Valdarno area. Easily reached from highway A1, it is the ideal location to spend a
relaxing vacation in the Tuscan countryside, while at the same time being very near to the many cultural
sites in Tuscany - such as Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Arezzo and Pisa. The farmhouse, completely
restored in recent years, was once the mansion of the Hunting-Keeper of the adjoining Bisticci Castle
(1450), and is surrounded by olive groves and a forest of chestnut trees, with cypress trees towering above. The house is surrounded by large gardens, ensuring a peaceful and pleasant stay. Solitude and privacy is guaranteed in this relaxing natural environment.
La Pietra Grezza Farmhouse let two apartments both to weeks and for longer periods up to 12 months.
The apartments, in characteristic Tuscan country style, have cotto tile floors, beamed ceilings and are completely furnished with televisions, dishwasher, refrigerator with freezer and centralized heating. Only 18km from Florence, and a simple drive down the hill to the small village of Cellai, this lovely rural estate consists of a gracious large house divided into three apartments, each with their own private covered area for outdoor dining , surrounded by terra cotta pots of beautiful flowering plants. The bottom floor apartment is the residence of the owner who is conveniently there to offer assistance from directions to the nearest market, to informing you of upcoming events in the near by towns. The apartments are comfortably furnished, with bed linens provided, towels for both kitchen and bath, and dish and cooking utensils. Centralized heating but to autonomous management with production of warm water. There is also a washing machine and drying racks conveniently located on the premises. Electricity and gas are included when renting by the week, and are pro rated by consumption when renting by the month. Dogs are accepted if well behaved.
In the downstairs office there are internet, phone and fax services available for guests.
PayPal payments are accepted.
Apartment 1- "Antico Camino" (Ancient Fireplace)- Sleeps 4
A typical, Tuscan farmhouse, there is an old threshing floor in stone in front of the entryway, with a lovely
patio area with covered gazebo, table and chairs for outdoor dining, a barbecue, and chaise lounges with a
large umbrella for afternoons spent relaxing in the garden. The apartment consists of two large bedrooms,
a master bedroom with matrimonial (queen size) bed with the walls restored with ancient colours, and the
other containing two beautifully ornate twin beds ( unit able ), dating to over 800 years old. Both bedrooms have wardrobe closets made approximately 100- 150 years ago and views overlooking the valley below. The
bathroom is fully modernized and consists of a sink, bidet and toilet, a shower with water massage, locker and closet. The dining room has an old stone fireplace and original stone sink under the window, adding to the charm of this charming home. There is an oval rosewood table, seating 6/8, along with a lovely Tuscan cabinet. The living area has a television, sofa, easy chair, and a round table with chairs ideal for games. The kitchen is completely furnished with a table and furniture which is wooden, with marble ledges. There is a ventilated gas oven and stove, refrigerator with freezer, toaster, microwave and dishwasher. The garden, from the opposite side of the threshing floor, is composed of a vast lawn with fruit trees.
There is private parking.
Apartment 2- "La Lilla" (The Lilac)- Sleeps 5/6
This apartment is located on the top floor, with an enchanting view of the Villa of Tower to Cona on one
side, and a beautiful view of the Valdarno from the other. The apartment is reached by a lovely terraced
staircase with flowers cascading from the rocks on one side and antique red roof tiles on the other. There is
a lovely private lawn area with chaise lounges and a sun umbrella for relaxing in the evenings, with a peaceful view over the countryside and an old brick hay barn. There is also a covered outdoor dining area
with a table and chairs with barbecue, for "al fresco" meals with friends and family. This apartment is
composed of two bedrooms, the master bedroom with an iron capoletto beaten painted bed (matrimonial or
queen size), dresser and night tables , and a 900 year old closet. The second bedroom has three beds, two of
which can be adjoined to make a matrimonial or queen size. There is also an antique wardrobe closet in this
room and a dresser and night tables with bedside lamps. The bathrooms are fully modernized. The main
bathroom has a sink, toilet and bidet, and a large bathtub with shower. The small second bathroom has a
sink and toilet. The sitting room has a television, leather sofa and two armchairs, two sideboards, built
in bookshelves, and a quaint antique stove for cold winter days. There is a large crystal and beaten iron
dining table which seats eight. The modern kitchen has all the comforts you need, including cooking
equipment, a dishwasher, refrigerator with freezer, gas stove and oven and toaster. There is private parking.
Area Description
Where We Are:
La Pietra Grezza is located 400 meters above sea level in the region of Tuscany known as Chianti Valdarno,
south of Florence. The house is about 18 km from Florence, 19 km from Florence Airport- Peretola, 35 km
from National Park of Casentinesi Forests and Falterona Mountains, 67 km from Siena and San Gimignano, 45 km from Arezzo, and 79 km from Pisa. It is easily reached from the A1 motorway (you will find the map on our website) and is an ideal location for those who want to spend a relaxing and pleasant holiday, but at the same time want easy access to the most beautiful historic towns in the region. Around Bisticci there are many old churches ( the "Pieve di San Pietro a Cascia" with the Masaccio Museum of Sacred Art) and castles (Sanmezzano Castle) and the famous Etruscan road (the Seven Bridges Road) which begins near Rignano sull'Arno. Along this road you will see some of the most lovely Tuscan landscapes, along with seven Romanic churches. In Cellai (a drive down the hill) you can catch a bus to and from Florence and Arezzo. There is a swimming pool 2 km away and a private riding school 5 km, 9 hole golf course 9 km, and an 18 hole course 25 km.
The outlet The Mall, in the Leccio locality, is only 8 km away. The centre now hosts the most prestigious brands outlets.
How to reach La Pietra Grezza
From North:
Exit motorway A1 at FIRENZE SUD, go on the connection road and go out on right for Bagno a Ripoli. Go on SP1 road for Bagno a Ripoli, San Donato in Collina, Troghi, Cellai.
At Cellai go on right for Bisticci and La Pietra Grezza ( there are the signals ).
From South:
Exit motorway A1 at INCISA, go on left for Incisa, take the first on the right, cross the Arno river and go on right on SP1 road for Burchio, Palazzolo, Le Valli, Cellai.
At Cellai go on left for Bisticci and La Pietra Grezza ( there are the signals).
For more informations and photos, please, have a look at our web site :lapietragrezza.it
Chianti area is the mother and the father of olive oil and wine. In this area you can find the best quality and many tipical tuscan restaurants.
2bed/1bath apartment near Cellai, Tuscany Chianti
When
July - August, 2006, 4 weeks
Location
La Pietra Grezza in Bisticci is approximately 20km south-east of Florence and is near the top of a hill approximately 1.5km up from the main road.
There is another long-term rental property comprising three apartments close by and we found our neighbours quiet and friendly. Otherwise we were surrounded by olive groves, woods and beautiful countryside.
We found La Pietra Grezza quiet and peaceful and it would be impossible to tire of the beautiful views of the Arno Valley from every window.
Nearby Amenities
The nearest village is Cellai, approximately 1.5km away. Cellai has an alimentary where you can buy fresh bread, wine, delicatessen items and groceries. There is a larger town, Incisa, about 8km away with a Co-Op supermarket and weekly markets.
We used to get the local bus into Florence from the main road at Cellai - this is a pretty trip of about 40 minutes and the bus station is very close to Florence railway station in the centre of the city. We usually had lunch in Florence and cooked at home in the evening as it was so pleasant to be able to eat our meals outdoors.
The House/Apartment
La Pietra Grezza comprises three stories and has recently been restored. The owner lives on the bottom floor and there are two apartments above.
We had The Lilac apartment on the top. The apartment was beautifully peaceful. We would lie in bed in the morning and the only sound we could hear was the soft coo-ing of birds nearby.
The Lilac apartment has two double bedrooms, bathroom, an extra toilet, eat-in kitchen, large lounge/dining room and to-die-for views from every window.
Garden
We had our own private garden area with two banana lounges, sun umbrella and covered outdoor eating area with small barbecue.
Furnishings/Cleanliness/Living Areas
The Lilac apartment was very comfortable and well-furnished. There was nothing we lacked.
Bedrooms/Bathrooms
Our bedroom had a very large double bed and also a single. The second bedroom had one double bed. The rooms were very large and both had big wardrobes and dressing tables. There were extra foldaway beds stored in the apartment which could have been used to sleep extra people.
The bathroom had a combined shower/bath, bidet and toilet and there was a separate toilet and washbasin next door.
Kitchen
The kitchen was well-equipped and we enjoyed preparing meals there. The stove had three gas burners and one electric. The oven was gas. This was the only time in our stay in Italy that we had a large refrigerator which we really enjoyed filling up.
We had a small table and chair setting in the kitchen and when we ate inside (rarely), we had the choice of either eating in the kitchen or at the larger table in the lounge/dining area.
Problems or Bonuses
No surprises - just a very pleasant and happy four weeks.
Agency and Representatives (and price)
We booked directly with Alberto, the owner, and from the time of our initial inquiry we were given much kindness and courtesy.
Because Alberto lives downstairs, he was always available to us should we need him and we were encouraged to just call "Alberto!" should we require his assistance at any time. He was often waiting for us on our return home to enquire about our day and see that we were safely home again.
Because we were travelling by train from city to city, Alberto kindly picked us up in Florence on our arrival and again took us to a railway station nearby to board our train at the end of our stay with him.
Do you recommend this vacation rental to others?
Yes, we would gladly stay at La Pietra Grezza again and would have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who is looking for a lovely apartment in beautiful, quiet and peaceful surroundings - yet only a short trip away from a large city.
Things to do in this area
We preferred bus and train travel in Italy and while in Tuscany found it very easy to use both of these methods to see so many beautiful parts - San Gimignano, Siena, Cinque Terre, the lovely Mugello area - and so many days just spent wandering in Florence.
Florence in August was very crowded and it was always a delight to escape the city and come 'home' to the country at the end of the day
Recommended. Review by Ponds of Gold from FL
2bed/1bath apartment near Cellai, Tuscany Chianti
When
Middle of August til End of September 06, six weeks
Location
La Pietra Grezza is located approximately 20km south-east of Florence and is near the top of a hill from the small village of Cellai. This is a beautiful quiet area surrounded by olive groves vineyards and forests. It has beautiful views of the Valdarno valley, you can see three castles off in the distance.
Nearby Amenities
The village of Cellai is about 1.5km down the hill. It has a small alimentari where you can purchase bus tickets to Florence (a 40 minute ride) and small grocery items. We would drive into Rignano sull Arno a small town about 10 minutes away to go to the larger COOP. There were many local fairs in the small towns near by on weekends.
The House/Apartment
La Pietra Grezza has three units. The owner lives on the lower level. On the other side are the two rentals. We were in the lower unit called the Ancient Fireplace. Above us was the Lilac Apartment. We had two bedrooms, bathroom, a modern kitchen, living room, and a dining room with an old large stone fireplace. The furniture was a contemporary/antique mix. All the rooms had framed prints or original oils, a nice Tuscany touch. We had everything we needed for a comfortable stay.
Garden
We had our own 30'+ 30' walled stone patio, with two lounge chairs and a covered eating area. A few feet from the kitchen to the outside table where we ate almost all of our meals, plus read/painted, and shared wine and star gazed. The owner, Alberto, had three large clay containers of hydrangeas and numerous smaller pots with geraniums around the patio.
Furnishings/Cleanliness/Living Areas
The apartment was clean. We had two bedrooms, with a queen bed in one and two twins put together in the other. The furniture was family antique's that had belonged to the landlords grandparents. The beds were fine. There was enough lighting for reading. We also had a sitting room, with a TV also a TV in one of the bedrooms. They only had Italian TV.
Bedrooms/Bathrooms
The bathroom was large enough with a shower that always had hot water. There were lots of towels.
Kitchen
We had a fully functional kitchen with everything we needed to cook our meals. Which we did most of the time. We had a dining room with a dining table with six chairs. Also a small table with two chairs in both the living room and kitchen. The dining room had a wonderful old fireplace that worked but we didn't use it because it was two warm while we were there.
Problems or Bonuses
The two big bonuses were (1) the patio, was a beautiful extension of our apartment. We had no stairs to climb and a close parking space. The second bonus was Alberto, the owner. He was our unofficial guide and translator. He would go over maps with us, make suggestions about places to go and things to see. He went out of his way to help us make phone calls and made our stay a pleasant experience. He picked us up from the train station in Figline and waited while we got groceries before taking us to La Pietra Grezza on our first night. He also drove us to the train stain when we left.
Agency and Representatives (and price)
We found this apartment on the web and book though the owner. There is another apartment upstairs and the owner lived below us. Just across the driveway was another old caste with 3 short term rentals. Most of the people staying at the five apartment while we were there spoke English as did the landlord. So it was nice.
Do you recommend this vacation rental to others?
We really loved our time spent at La Pietra Grezza and would love to come back someday we would recommend it to anyone.
Things to do in this area
This was a wonderful part of Italy to visit. It was very centrally located. About a 40 minute bus or train ride to Florance. In the center of vine country. A beautiful view everywhere you look.
We rented a small old car from our landlord. It got us where we needed to be. We did day trips to Siena, Lucca, Greve and many more wonderful small Italian towns.
My husband is an artist and spent most of his time on our beautiful patio painting, while I spent a lot on time visiting Florence. We didn't have any favorite restaurants as I cooked most of our meals although we ate at many wonderful places in the area. There are some wonderful pictures of La Pietra Grezza on their website.
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Summary of Florence Vacation Rental
- Type: Villa
- Floors: 2
- Bedrooms: 4
- Pets: Yes
- Bathrooms: 2.5
- Smoking: Yes
- Sleeps: 9
- Airport: Florence | 30 min.
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