Long term lets (over 1 month) Short-breaks (4 days or less)
Changeover day:
Flexible
Access:
Car essential
Notes:
Sorry - no pets allowed Suitable for children No smoking at this property Self-catering
Home description
The Lodge is a completely private house set in the large grounds of an old and very beautiful farmhouse. It is totally self-contained and not overlooked. It is comfortable and welcoming. Completely refurbished, it is in mint condition. Air-conditoning in all rooms. Ideal for up to 4 persons. Ideal base for visiting Florence, Siena, Chianti, the hill-towns and vineyards of Tuscany and Umbria. The house is surrounded by its large (2.5 acres) gardens and olive grove with views of the surrounding hills. Free parking in the grounds. Numerous swimming pools and thermal spas nearby. It is a short walk to the nearby medieval village. There are excellent local and reasonably priced restaurants. Because of its excellent location, it is the perfect choice as a base to explore Southern Tuscany and Umbria and for a relaxing holiday in comfortable and elegant surroundings. You can be sure of privacy, peace and tranquility. If you are tired of sight-seeing, or simply want to relax ... your garden is at your disposal! Located in Southern Tuscany, near Siena (26 miles) and Arezzo (12 miles), a few miles from the border with Umbria, it is in the heart of the unspoilt Val di Chiana countryside near the picturesque villages of Cortona, Monte San Savino and Lucignano.
Entrance
Living room
Bedroom - four poster bed
Patio
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/9053
The Tuscany region
Sun, historic cities, famous art, museums, galleries, churches, picturesque villages, vineyards, olive groves, cypress trees. Not forgetting the food, the wine and the people. Tuscany is paradise. The Lodge is located in a part of Tuscany which is still unspoilt and yet is strategically located for visiting the rest of the region. It is in the heart of the Val di Chiana countryside near the beautiful hill-towns of Cortona, Monte San Savino and Lucignano.
Ideal location to visit Florence (44 miles), Siena (26 miles), Cortona (made famous by the book Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes) (12 miles), Perugia (48 miles), Assisi and Arezzo (12 miles). Rome (112 miles) is 90 minutes away by train. Nearby are the medieval hill towns of Southern Tuscany and Umbria, including Montepulciano, Pienza and Montalcino, the Val d’Orcia, and the monastery of Monte Oliveto Maggiore. The “Piero della Francesca trail” and Lake Trasimeno are close by. We are happy to provide touring itineraries and make reservations for museums and restaurants.
THERMAL SPAS: Two famous thermal spas are nearby: Rapolano Terme (15 minutes) and Bagno Vignoni (40 minutes).
ITINERARIES (all destinations are within 1 hour’s drive from La Colonica and many are nearer)
TOUR ONE: FLORENCE. Leave your car at the small station of Castiglion Fiorentino and take the train to Florence, leaving and returning every hour; less than 1 hour’s journey. Avoid the traffic problems in Florence!
TOUR TWO: SIENA. Siena is about 40 minutes away by car, driving through magical country side. Easy parking. Siena has the famous horse-race, Il Palio, and is perfectly preserved. The Cathedral is spectacular.
TOUR THREE (shorter): CORTONA AND LAKE TRASIMENO. Drive to CASTIGLION FIORENTINO. Continue to CORTONA. Excellent restaurants at Cortona including OSTERIA del TEATRO and IL GROTTINO (both in centre). You can visit the beautiful Franciscan monastery Le Celle. You could return from Cortona via Foiano, and stop just before Foiano to admire the Abbey of Farneta. At Foiano and Cortona, there are Etruscan remains. TOUR THREE (longer): From Cortona continue to Camucia, Terontola, Tuoro for Lake Trasimeno. Avoid highway and take ordinary road to Castel Rigone, Monte del Lago, Magione, Panicale, Castiglione del Lago. This route will take you all round the lake. From Passignano, Tuoro or Castiglion del Lago, there is a ferry service to the two small islands on the Lake.
TOUR FOUR: LUCIGNANO AND MONTE SAN SAVINO. Drive to LUCIGNANO. See the Church La Collegiata. From Lucignano, take road to MONTE SAN SAVINO. At Monte San Savino, drive up the hill to the town centre. See the Loggiato in the main street (the post office is there) and just opposite it is the Town Hall or Comune. You can enter the Town Hall and walk straight through into the marvellous garden and amphitheatre. Near Monte San Savino is the Castle of Gargonza. Two pleasant places to lunch/dine near Monte San Savino are the Belvedere and Castello di Gargonza (both on road to Siena, a few miles outside Monte San Savino; both are well sign-posted).
TOUR FIVE (shorter): MONTEPULCIANO AND PIENZA. Drive to Lucignano. Continue through Sinalunga, Torrita di Siena and then follow signs to MONTEPULCIANO (wonderful for wine). From Montepulciano, drive to PIENZA (very good for lunch, cheese-shops etc). TOUR FIVE (longer): As above. Then from Pienza, drive to SAN QUIRICO D’ORCIA. Nearby is BAGNO VIGNONI, a Roman thermal spring, with thermal heated swimming pool etc at the Hotel (very good for virtually all muscular complaints and great fun!). Near Bagno Vignoni on the way back to Pienza is MONTICHIELLO, a tiny and pretty hill village (there is a very nice coffee and tea-shop on left as you enter walled village).
TOUR SIX: ABBEY OF MONTE OLIVETO. Suggested route is: Lucignano, Rigomagno, Serre di Rapolano, Asciano. This is a very scenic route and goes through the lunar landscape known as the Crete Senesi. MONTE OLIVETO MAGGIORE, the Monastery (closed between 12 and 3) has wonderful frescoes and is located in a spectacular setting. There is also a good restaurant in the garden.
TOUR SEVEN: FOUR MAGICAL VILLAGES. We recommend this itinerary as it is a way to get to see little Tuscan villages which are really off the beaten path. They are about 30 minutes away from La Colonica. Suggested route is: Lucignano, Sinalunga. At Sinalunga, drive straight through and immediately past the hotel Taverna dell’Amorosa (yellow signs), you will see a sign to the right for Castelmuzio. Follow this road and arrive first at Petroio (small hill village; terracotta museum). Continue to Castelmuzio (worth walking around) and then on to Montisi. At Montisi there is a very good road-side restaurant which serves light lunches out of doors (it has a large mural outside). As you walk around Montisi, you will note that like Siena, it is divided into quarters – the famous contrade. It has an upper section which is worth visiting. On your way back to La Colonica, you can visit Trequanda, described as the village where time has stopped!
TOUR EIGHT: MONTALCINO. Suggested route is: Lucignano-Sinalunga-San Giovanni d’Asso. From San Giovanni d’Asso, coninue direction Torrenieri – MONTALCINO. Wine shops everywhere and vineyards. Near Montalcino is SANT’ANTIMO, a famous and very beautiful monastery (where the film The English Patient was partly filmed).
TOUR NINE: AREZZO, SANSEPOLCRO. Drive direction AREZZO (Piazza Grande – antiques and churches). From Arezzo, take direction SANSEPOLCRO. On way there or back, it is possible to take quick side trips from main road to Anghiari and Monterchi. This is also known as the “PIERO DELLA FRANCESCA TRAIL” as each town has paintings by this painter.
TOUR TEN: CASENTINO, CAMALDOLI, LA VERNA. Suggested route is Arezzo-Bibbiena-Poppi etc. The Casentino is a lovely wooded hilly area, and has some very attractive small towns. This area is completely unspoiled. Not far away is Il Borro, former Royal residence of the Dukes of Aosta, now open to the public with pretty shops etc. A good place to stop for lunch is at Il Poggio, in Chitignano. Further on is the marvellous monastery of Camaldoli in a wooded setting, and the Franciscan centre of La Verna. There are marvellous woods and valleys all around: e.g. from Rassina to Loro Ciuffenna via Talla.
TOUR ELEVEN: PERUGIA, ASSISI. Suggested route: Drive to Foiano. At Foiano, follow signs for Perugia (high way). In Perugia, take road to Assisi. Other interesting towns are Gubbio, Deruta (pottery), Spello, Spoleto (home of the famous music festival) and Montefalco (famous for its Sagrantino red wine).
TOUR TWELVE: DESIGNER OUTLET STORES: In this area, about 30 minutes from La Colonica, there are the factory outlet discount stores of PRADA, GUCCI, FENDI, ARMANI, DOLCE & GABBANA. They offer very substantial discounts. We are happy to give you printed directions as to how to get there.
MARKET DAYS (Mornings): Monday: Foiano Della Chiana Tuesday: Sinalunga Wednesday: Monte San Savino, Castiglione Del Lago Thursday: Lucignano, Camucia Friday: Castiglion Fiorentino Saturday: Arezzo, Cortona
The Antiques Fair in Arezzo takes place on the first Sunday of the month (starts on Friday evening and continues Saturday and Sunday). Arezzo, Monte San Savino and Cortona have numerous antique shops.
Each village and town has local feasts: please ask us for details. The biggest one is the Maggiolata held every weekend in May in Lucignano. The famous horse-race in Siena, the Palio, is held in early July and mid-August.
Each town/village has open-air concerts and other musical events. Cortona usually has open-air operas, and there is a concert festival in Monte San Savino.
RESTAURANTS (We are happy to make reservations for you) CORTONA ***Osteria Del Teatro (probably the best food in the Val di Chiana) La Grotta Taverna Pane e Vino
LUCIGNANO *Tavernetta (eat outside in peaceful garden) Lo Schiccero Rocca **Il Goccino (terrace) La Maggiolata Pizzeria Nice People
MARCIANO Vecchia Rota Il Poggetto Le Caselle **Lo Steccheto (garden; fish dishes; closed Monday and Tuesday)
MONTE SAN SAVINO ***Belvedere (very scenic; reasonable; excellent food/service) Torre di Gargonza (ancient castle well worth seeing; restaurant is in courtyard). La Terrace
We are happy to provide touring itineraries and make reservations for museums and restaurants.
How to get there
La Colonica is 12 miles south of Arezzo; 26 miles from Siena (dual carriageway); 7 miles from A1 motorway (Florence-Rome) exit Monte San Savino.
Fly to Florence: London Gatwick (Meridiana and Alitalia).
Fly to Pisa: Bournemouth (Thomsonfly), Bristol (Easyjet), Coventry, Doncaster (Thomsonfly), Manchester (BA and Jet 2); Gatwick (BA); Stansted (Ryanair); Dublin (Ryanair), Brussels (Ryanair).
Fly to Bologna: Gatwick (BA), Stansted (Easyjet).
Fly to Rome: Ryanair from London Stansted, East Midlands, Glasgow, Durham Tees Valley, Liverpool, Luton, Dublin, Brussels Easyjet from London Gatwick, Bristol, Newcastle, East Midlands, Belfast. BA from London Gatwick and Heathrow, Birmingham, Manchester.
RAILWAY STATIONS: Arezzo, Castiglion Fiorentino. For Italian rail timetable and bookings in English: www.trenitalia.com
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
Pisa: 160 km
Railway:
Castiglion Fiorentino: 13 km
Activities near Cortona
Sports: Tennis in town Watersports Waterpark Horse Riding Golf within 30 mins drive
Great for: Walking holidays Rural / countryside retreats Cycling holidays
Facilities
Luxuries:
Log fire, Internet access, DVD player, Staffed Property
General:
Central heating, Air conditioning, TV, Video player, CD player, Telephone, Fax, Safe, Wi-fi available
Further details indoors: · Completely self-contained and private; not overlooked. · 2 large very comfortable en-suite bedrooms (one with four-poster bed). One bedroom is double; the other is twin or double. Double divan bed in living-room (only suitable for families). Cot available. 2 en-suite shower rooms with wc. Separate wc off living room. · Large living room with open wood-burning fireplace · Dining room · Kitchen · Panoramic Patio/dining area; private garden. · Fully equipped including dinner service, tablecloths and mats, cutlery, bedlinen, towels etc. · Beamed ceilings, terracotta floors, and marble bathrooms. Very well furnished. · Super views from each room. Lovely garden setting. Clothes drying facilites. Ironing board. Towels changed every 3 days. Linen changed once a week. Maid service available for cleaning, washing and ironing. Daily or as required: extra. Baby-sitter available: extra. Telephone calls and fax (incoming only) are through switchboard in main house. Wi-Fi Broadband internet access. Air-conditoning throughout.
Further details outdoors: Garden furniture provided (chairs, loungers, swing, tables). SWIMMING POOLS Numerous good pools within short drive. Badicorte (very popular with children) is 5 mins. Camucia. Sinalunga. Trequanda (magnificent setting). Foiano is rarely crowded. Castiglion Fiorentino.
THERMAL SPAS: Two famous thermal spas are nearby: Rapolano Terme (15 minutes) and Bagno Vignoni (40 minutes).
Portable barbecue.
Two very well-behaved friendly dogs in grounds.
Further details
The rental price includes gas, electricity, A/C bed and bath linen and final cleaning.
Conditions
Suitable for elderly. No Pets - sorry!. Refundable breakages and damage deposit required.
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: Euros €
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
1 Nov 08
25 Apr 09
550£ 444
11089
11089
3 Nights
25 Apr 09
23 May 09
600£ 484
0-
0-
1 Week
23 May 09
18 Jul 09
700£ 565
0-
0-
1 Week
18 Jul 09
22 Aug 09
800£ 645
0-
0-
1 Week
22 Aug 09
26 Sep 09
700£ 565
0-
0-
1 Week
26 Sep 09
31 Oct 09
600£ 484
0-
0-
1 Week
31 Oct 09
26 Dec 09
550£ 444
11089
11089
3 Nights
61
The owner's weekend rates apply to: Friday and Saturday nights
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner's discretion. Weekly rental rate (7 nights) includes Air-conditioning, gas, electricity, bed and bath linen and final cleaning. NO hidden charges!
Discount for stays of 2 weeks or more.
Maid service and babysitting as required: extra.
Guestbook
- This was our first visit to Tuscany and it lived up to all our expectations. The Lodge is delightful and we particularly enjoyed having breakfast on the patio overlooking the garden. You were the perfect hosts; not intrusive but always there if we had any questions. Your housekeeper is a darling, always with a ready smile. - The Lodge is the perfect place from which to explore Tuscany - A truly magical holiday for our first time to Italy. The area is beautiful and all the tours suggested are wonderful. We completely relaxed. The Lodge was perfect, great for cooking and watching the sunrise and sunset. Thanks to you all for a memorable time. We will pass on this secret to our friends in Canada!
Availability notes
To see availability please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/9053
Click to view availability for this property.
Contact owner
To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/9053
Contact details for home 9053
Please mention Holiday Lettings
Name:
La Colonica
Mobile:
+44 (0)7710 522009
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Languages:
Contact Notes: E-mail; mobile phone
Advertiser joined: 27 Jan 2006 This property added: 27 Jan 2006
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