May take pets - please enquire Suitable for children Not suitable for elderly or infirm Smokers welcome Self-catering
Home description
IL RIVO is suitable for couples, groups of friends and families alike. Sleeps 6 comfortably, but can accommodate 9.
IL RIVO is a renovated traditional stone farmhouse in Northern Tuscany combining rustic charm with modern conveniences. The house is set amidst olive groves and woodland in a truly beautiful surrounding landscape - a real 'get away from it all' location, but still within easy reach of many tourist attractions. A terrace with a vine-clad pergola for 'al fresco' dining offers magnificent views across the valley. Grassed sunbathing area. 3 BEDROOMS: 2 double with kingsize beds, 1 twin with bunk beds. There is also an iron daybed (large single) in an inner hallway and a double sofabed in the living room. Sleeps maximum of 9 plus travel cot for baby. 3 BATHROOMS: 1 en-suite, 1 family and 1 shower/WC on the ground floor. KITCHEN: fully equipped with open fireplace, table and chairs. LIVING/DINING ROOM: chestnut beams and stone walls, TV/DVD, CD/Tape, double sofabed, lounge chairs, dining area with dining table and chairs- seating for 8 persons. Central heating throughout the property.
From Il Rivo - view across the valley after a rainstorm
Master bedroom, doorway to en-suite
En-suite bathroom
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/45921
The Tuscany region
Il Rivo is situated in Northern Tuscany away from the tourist trail, but still within easy reach of the rest of Tuscany, Emilia Romagna, Liguria etc. Nearby the Roman spa town of Montecatini Terme is only 20 minutes away. Lucca can be reached in 30 minutes - a cycle around the walls is a must for adults and children, or take a stroll around the wonderful shops followed by a crisp glass of prosecco or a warming mug of hot chocolate or gelati in one of the lovely squares. For the more cultural, there is a lovely theatre and many local music or opera festivals throughout the year. And of course restaurants - there are some recommendations in the house. Florence is an hour away - wonderul art, sculpture, shops, music, food, wine.... Pisa has of course, the Leaning Tower - now open to the public after many years restoration. Vinci - birthplace of Leonardo is about 1hour away, there is a very interesting museum depicting Leonardo's works. The Tuscan Riviera is 50 minutes away - Viareggio, Forte dei Marmi etc. If you're feeling brave, then a trip up to the marble quarries at Carrara is exciting - beware the precipitous drops! Torre del Lago the seaside town famous for it's annual Puccini Festival held from mid-July to mid-August is about an hour away. The popular skiing resort of Abetone is just over an hour north of Vellano. We've done day trips to Siena, Volterra, Arezzo and Cortona -even with kids! Perugia and Assisi are probably best with an overnight stay if travelling with young children.
Pescia / Vellano area
Il Rivo is on the hillside below the hilltop village of Vellano, perched at 2,000ft, the capital of 'Svizzera Pesciatina', the landscape is truly beautiful - a painters paradise! Olive groves cling to terraced hillsides studded with ancient vines; medieval villages, sometimes veiled in cloud, nestle amongst the canvas of trees. There are many ancient footpaths linking these villages. Vellano is largely car free, with narrow steep cobbled streets winding beneath stone archways and typical high-walled houses. Pescia is the nearest town, about 12 minutes down the hill. It is a wealthy market town, famous for it's cut flower market, and has an ancient square lined with smart shops. A jazz festival is held late July/early August and a medieval Palio is held in late August/early September. October is chestnut festival time: locals gather chestnuts from the woods and roadsides and roast them in huge perforated pans in villages and then serve them with rustic wine, and, if you're lucky, in Vellano, accompanied by live jazz. Several excellent, very reasonably priced restaurants are within easy reach of Vellano - serving wonderful typical Tuscan cuisine using fresh local produce. Cycling and trekking are popular sports in this part of Tuscany. There are several attractive SWIMMING POOLS within easy reach - one with a big water slide for the kids! A very efficient and cheap train service links Pescia to Lucca and Pisa Airport eastwards, and Montecatini, Prato, Pistoia and Florence to the west.
How to get there
Nearest airport is Pisa - Il Rivo is 1 hour away from the airport. British Airways, and the budget airline Ryanair and EasyJet have several flights a day to/from Pisa fromLondon Gatwick as well as other regional UK airports. Thomson operate charter flights in the summer months.
Alternative airports are Bologna (1hr 45mins) and Genoa (2hrs 15mins) - Ryanair and BA fly to both.
All the major car hire companies have offices at the above mentioned airports - recommendations are Avis (www.avis.com), Holiday Autos (www.holidayautos.com) and Auto Europe (www.auto-europe.co.uk).
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
Pisa: 50 km
Railway:
Pescia: 9 km
Activities near Pescia
Sports: Tennis in town Horse Riding
Great for: Walking holidays Rural / countryside retreats Cycling holidays
Sofabeds (1), Single beds (3), Double beds (2), Cots (1), Dining seating for 8, Lounge seating for 5, Sleeps maximum of 6
Other:
Linen and towels provided. Highchair available.
Outdoors:
Balcony / Terrace, Private garden, Swing set
Access:
Parking space
Further details indoors: The property has been sensitively renovated including the original terracotta floor tiles upstairs. Some of the furniture is antique. The en-suite bathroom has a fully tiled walk-in shower area, bath, bidet, WC & sink; the fully renovated family bathroom has a shower enclosure, bidet, WC and sink; the ground floor shower room has a WC and sink. All upstairs windows are fitted with retractable insect screens. Storage room with boiler and washing machine. As well as an open fireplace, the kitchen also has a woodburning range cooker for the winter months. There is a small library upstairs with a variety of books ranging from psychoanalysis to fairies, and in the living room there are guide books, maps and a selection of CD's encompassing opera, classical, blues, jazz and rock. The kitchen has a selection of cookery books.
CHILDREN'S FACILITIES: The owners have children so the house is equipped with various baby and young children's effects, toys, puzzles, books, plus collapsable baby travel cot (purchased 2007), stairgate - most are stored away when not is use. Cot bedlinen supplied. Solid highchair (chair can be lifted out to convert to kids table and chair). Wooden toybox with lid in Living Room. An added bonus is an English speaking, very trustworthy babysitter.
Further details outdoors: A terrace runs along the front of the house with a vine-clad pergola with an old olive press mill wheel table for 'al fresco' dining while enjoying the fabulous view. Fruit tree with swing. Grassed area with sunbeds for soaking up the sun. Wooden cabana for storing wood and outdoor furniture. Wooden car port for one car and parking/turning area for two cars. A fenced grass and stone pathway leads from the car port down and around to the front of the house. This path is a little too steep for the elderly or infirm although there is a wooden fence to offer support. If visiting in May/June fireflies dance down on the lower terraces - wonderul at dusk.
Further details
English speaking manager will meet guests upon arrival and show them around the house and provide a key. She is available locally if there are any problems.
A welcome pack can be provided.
Conditions
CHEAPER MID-WEEK START - TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CHEAPER FLIGHTS! We are flexible on chageover days and are happy to offer mid-week changeovers in order for guests to take advantage of cheaper flights. Bookings can start on other days including weekends, subject to availability.
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: British £
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
Low Season
1 Jan 08
29 Mar 08
450£ 450
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0-
1 Week
Mid Season
29 Mar 08
28 Jun 08
500£ 500
0-
0-
1 Week
High Season
28 Jun 08
13 Sep 08
625£ 625
0-
0-
1 Week
Low Season
13 Sep 08
3 Jan 09
450£ 450
0-
0-
1 Week
31
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner's discretion.
CHEAPER MID-WEEK START - TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CHEAPER FLIGHTS! We are happy to offer mid-week changeovers in order for guests to take advantage of cheaper flights. Alternative arrival dates, including Saturdays, subject to availability.
INCLUDED: water, gas, electricity, good quality bedlinen, bath towels, beach/pool towels, cot linen, firewood. NOT INCLUDED: charge for gas used for central heating, an interim clean/change of bedlinen can be arranged during your stay for an extra charge. DEPOSIT of 40% of the total letting price is payable at time of booking subject to confirmation of availability. The balance is payable not later than 60 days before start of rental period. Bookings made less than 60 days prior to start of rental period will be subject to full payment upon confirmation of booking. REFUNDABLE SECURITY DEPOSIT of £250 required with full payment. SUPPLEMENTS: Christmas/New Year & Easter: £50pw. For each person over group of 6 persons: £30pw per person - maximum number of guests 9.
INSURANCE: We strongly recommend that guests purchase holiday/cancellation insurance at the time of booking.
Guestbook
'We have loved our stays there and will plan to return when we can as the location and house itself are so beautiful that just being there is a great pleasure, but if one does wish to venture further afield the charms of Lucca are on your doorstep'. Kate, London. Family group. 2005, 2007
'Il Rivo is in such a heavenly position, perched up in the hills, that it is quite hard to tear oneself away and visit the many attractive places nearby. But coming back in the evening, winding up and up the road to Vellano, you can enjoy a glass of wine and the best view for miles, sitting out on the terrace and watching the fire flies.' Rose, Windsor. Family group. 2007
'Il Rivo is an attractive, centrally located updated farmhouse in Northern Tuscany close to the small hillside town of Vellano. It is very spacious with a delightful patio partially covered by a large vine which provides shelter from the hot sun. The bedrooms and bathrooms have been nicely modernized. The kitchen is small but practical. The thick walls prevent the house from being too hot in summer or too cold in spring or autumn. The view over the valley is spectacular and best appreciated with a glass of fine Tuscan wine and some soft gorgonzola on home made Vellano foccaccio. A short drive takes you down to the moderate sized town of Pescia for groceries and cappuccino or up to Vellano and many other small hill towns with their multitudes of fine restaurants. Be sure to visit the bakery in Vellano - we dare you to get home before sampling the fresh bread. Be prepared for a totally relaxing holiday with infinite options to visit Florence, Pisa, Siena, Chianti and to explore the Tuscan hills. A good alternative to driving is to take the train from Pescia which is cheap and fairly reliable. This will easily connect you to Florence, Bologna and even places further distant including Rome and Venice. Our stay in Il Rivo was delightful and we highly recommend it and envy you.' Mark & Alethea. Couple. 2007
Availability notes
To see availability please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/45921
Click to view availability for this property.
Contact owner
To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/45921
Contact details for home 45921
Please mention Holiday Lettings
Name:
Michelle Scannell
Tel:
+44 (0)207 7011854
Be aware of time-zones
Languages:
Contact Notes: Email (am or pm) or landline (pm)
Advertiser joined: 14 Jan 2008 This property added: 14 Jan 2008
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