Grace's Tuscan Villa is a casa colonica (or farmhouse) recently renovated and converted into an elegant Tuscan villa. The Villa is situated in an ideal location, being only 20 minutes (17 km, 10 miles) north of the Renaissance city of Florence, yet up in the hills surrounding Florence, thus offering enchanting views of Monte Morello and Monte Senario. The Villa is located on Grace's large family property, comprising 48 acres of woods, golden fields of wheat and an organic apple orchard. A beautiful tree-lined road leads to the Villa's own private entrance and grounds. Placed in a beautiful garden, it offers privacy as well as cool breezes in the summer and breathtaking sunsets in the evening. Its proximity to the city places guests within easy reach of Florence by car or public transportation (bus). Visitors will enjoy all of the beauties of Florence—its architecture, museums, and fabulous dining— and surrounding areas (i.e. Chianti, Siena, Pisa, Lucca) while also enjoying the surrounding countryside and beautiful scenery from a comfortable and spacious two-story, four-bedroom home (over 4,000 sq.feet), with a brand new gourmet kitchen, elegant dining room, jacuzzi, piano, air-conditioning, wifi, and a beautiful garden with outside patio full of aromatic herbs, roses and shady trees.
The Villa is located just outside of the town of Pratolino, in the Mugello region of Tuscany, the area to the north and east of Florence. The scenic "via Bolognese," which begins at Piazza della Libertà, brings you directly to Pratolino, passing the famous Parco Demidoff—the storied abode of a Russian princess, famous for its giant statue of Appennino, the mountain god, carved in 1580 by Giambologna (whose sculptures also fill the Boboli Garden adjoining Palazzo Pitti). There is a lot to visit in the surrounding countryside, including castles, Medici villas, the ancient town of Fiesole, and other nearby towns including Scarperia, Borgo S. Lorenzo, and Vicchio, the birthplace of Giotto and Piero della Francesca.
The town of Pratolino, within walking or driving distance from the Villa (1.5 km or 1 mile from the Villa), offers a bank, post office, pharmacy, newsstand, supermarket and other few stores. For a few highlights, please visit http://www.provincia.fi.it/pratolino/
Interior layout
Main floor: entrance; dining room with antique dining table and chairs, piano and fireplace; gourmet kitchen with large table and chairs; Jacuzzi and entertainment room, with tv and a/c; guest room with sofabed and private bathroom; other large bathroom with tub; laundry room with large closet, washer and drier.
Appliances and accessories: china and flatware, pots and pans, kitchen utensils, modern espresso and cappuccino maker, kettle. The gourmet kitchen offers a brand new gas stove and oven, a micro-wave oven, refrigerator, deep freeze, and dish washer. The central island offers extra counter space. The washing machine, iron, ironing board are all located in the laundry room.
Guest facilities : brand-new Jacuzzi, fireplaces, T.V., wifi (wireless internet access), wardrobe, central heating, air conditioning throughout the house.
Second floor: beautiful staircase, large Sala Grande with fireplace, sofas and armchairs. The Sala Grande is the imposing room where all 4 upstairs adjoining bedroom converge. Of the bedrooms, the master bedroom has a king bed, another two bedrooms have twin beds that can be placed together to form a queen bed, one bedroom has a large single bed (piazza e mezzo). The bedrooms upstairs have a total of 3 bathrooms (two en suite and one separate). The rooms and Sala all have a/c and heating. The Sala Grande opens onto another staircase with a brick oven, and a separate entrance, leading back to the front of the house.
Exterior
Outside accommodation and amenities: patio with umbrella, table and chairs (ideal for meals and relaxing outside). Landscaped garden.
Services :
washing : hotel-grade linen, washed at 90 degrees will be provided.
Sheets (1 X / per week), Towels (1 X / per week), Linen (1 X / per week), Comforter(s), Comforter(s), Pillows.
Complimentary bottle of Prosecco to enjoy on the outside patio, with peaceful views of Monte Senario, Monte Morello and the valley.
Catering for weddings or special events (Il Galateo, Firenze) and private cooking classes with Grace (the owner, fluent in both Italian and English) are available but require a timely reservation. Upon request, organic eggs from Grace's farm are available.
Car rentals are available in the city of Florence or at the airport.