Appartamento il Riccio
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£716–£960 / week
About the home
Appartamento Il Riccio is an apartment of 110 square meters (approximately 1185 square feet) which sleeps four persons. It is part of a farmhouse located on the gentle hillside, at a height of 200 meters (650 feet), which has a garden and a swimming pool.
The apartment is equipped with satellite television and central heating, and it has a reserved parking space. It is possible to connect to the Internet.
Appartamento Il Riccio is built on two levels: on the bottom level there is a large living room with fireplace, a kitchen, and a bathroom with a toilette only; on the top level there are two bedrooms and a large bathroom with both a bath tub and a shower. In front of the entrance to the house there is a reserved and fenced area of the garden, of approximately 40 square meters (430 square feet), equipped with a table and chairs.
As a guest of the apartment you will be able to use the swimming pool, which is shared with the guests of three other apartments on the premises.
Once you are past the entrance gate, you will see a green lawn decorated with terracotta jars and pots full of flowers, and marked by a few pathways flanked by rose bushes. At the end of the lawn you will find the beautiful and large ancient building, made of stone and terracotta.
In ancient times the building use to be a fortified monastery, located on the road that pilgrims going to Rome had to follow. This is quite evident if you look at the remains of an ancient tower, nowadays incorporated in the building.
The large house has been skillfully renovated and divide into four apartments, all of them with an independent entrance and reserved external areas. Three of these apartments are being rented out, while the owners of the estate reside in the fourth one.
| Size: | Sleeps up to 4, 2 bedrooms |
|---|---|
| Nearest beach: | 90km |
| Access: | Car essential Nearest amenities: 9km |
| Family friendly? | Suitable for children of all ages Unsuitable for people with restricted mobility |
| Notes: | No pets allowed Smokers welcome Self-catering |
Facilities
| Luxuries: | Internet access |
|---|---|
| Pool: | Shared outdoor pool (unheated) |
| General: | Central heating, TV, Satellite TV |
| Utilities: | Dishwasher, Cooker, Fridge, Freezer, Washing machine |
| Rooms: | 2 Bedrooms |
| Furniture: | Double beds (2) |
| Other: | Linen and towels provided |
| Outdoors: | Shared outdoor pool (unheated), Shared garden, BBQ |
| Access: | Parking space |
Further details indoors:
The room has high ceilings, and is divided into two by a brickwork round arch, characteristic of ancient Tuscan houses.
On one side of the arch there is a welcoming sofa with armchairs, placed around a nice fireplace of an ancient shape. On the other side of the there is the long dining table and a beautiful and comfortable brickwork kitchen. Satellite television is available.
On this level you will also find a small bathroom, which is equipped only with toilette and washbasin. The kitchen is equipped with four-burner cooker, oven, refrigerator with freezer, microwave oven, dishwasher, washing machine and small appliances.
The entire living area gets light from large windows which overlook the green of the garden, and which are close by the original ancient medieval iron gratings. The decoration, rich in ancient items peculiar of the local country life, and of lace and white linen, gives a touch of charm to the environment, and of freshness and cheerfulness as well.
An authentic ancient stairway made of stone of Firenzuola will take you upstairs. Here a small corridor separates the bedrooms, which are located one to the left and one to the right of the corridor. The door of the bathroom, large and comfortable, with shower and bath tub, opens in the corridor.
One of the bedrooms has a double bed, the other one has two single beds, which can be made into a double one. The bedrooms have windows overlooking the green surrounding hills, covered by olive groves and vineyard. You will be able to admire the hill of San Gimignano in the distance, with it crown of medieval towers.
The furnishing is welcoming and pleasant, white and blue, rich in charm and reveals the fantasy of the kind owner, and her care in welcoming her guests.
The house is equipped with satellite television and central heating, and it has a reserved parking space. It is possible to connect to the Internet.
Further details outdoors:
On the side of the garden, at a slightly lower level, you will find the swimming pool, hidden from the view by a hedge. It is almost circular, placed on the side of the hill and surrounded by an amphitheatre of green lawns.
You will find this location particularly suggestive, because when you are by the pool you will be able to see only the blue of the water and the green of lawns, trees and vineyard, and you will be able to relax and enjoy the sun all day long. By night you will be able to swim in the illuminated pool, and the place acquires even more charm.
Around the swimming pool there is a sun deck paved with terracotta tiles and equipped with beach umbrellas and deck chairs.
Appartamento Il Riccio is located on the side of the building that looks towards the towers of San Gimignano. As a guest of the apartment you will have the exclusive use of the area of the garden that is in front of the apartment, which is fenced by an hedge and a small gate, so that quiet and privacy are assured.
In this garden, which is approximately 40 square meters (430 square feet), you will find table and chairs to have meals “al fresco”.
From the garden you will be able to enter the large living area that covers the entire ground floor.
Further details
The swimming pool is open from mid-May until the end of September.
At the farmhouse you will be able to taste the produce of the estate: Chianti wine of the Sienese hills and extra virgin olive oil.
Conditions
Payment Terms
A 25% deposit is paid at the time of booking. The balance is due 60 days prior to arrival at the property.
Security Deposit
No security deposit is requested for Appartamento Il Riccio.
The Tuscany / Siena Province region
Located in the heart of Italy, Tuscany is surely one of the most famous Italian landscapes. The essence of this beautiful region are its natural, artistic, and cultural heritage.
Bounded by the Ligurian and the Tyrrhenian Sea (two arms of Mediterranean), this region is divided into ten provinces, whose capitals are Arezzo, Florence, Grosseto, Livorno, Lucca, Massa-Carrara, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato and Siena. Florence is the capital city of the region itself.
The region was populated first by the Etruscans on the 7th century BC, and about 500 years later by the Romans.
The words Humanism and Renaissance evoke Tuscany, as immediately as Pope evokes Rome: just think that between the fourteenth and the sixteenth century, both these ages were born here. The entire region attained a very important artistic role.
If you are keen on art and nature… well you’re definitely in the right place! ;-)
Indeed the fathers of Italian painting, architecture and sculpture lived in this beautiful towns: such as Cimabue, Giotto, Brunelleschi, Donatello, Botticelli, Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo. This is the reason why the entire region is rich in museums where thousands of amazing works are kept. You’ll be impressed by the majesty of the many ancient palaces (for examples “Palazzo Vecchio”, “Palazzo Pitti”, “Palazzo Medici”), monasteries and villas that are springing up all over the Tuscany.
Spring and fall are the best times to visit Tuscany, because the climate is mild. Bus-lines and trains connect the larger towns, but having a car would be a great advantage, and you would be easily able to enjoy the small towns and vineyards, which represent some of Tuscany’s strong points.
The “Chiantigiana road” is a must to see: it produces some of Italy’s finest wines. This is the colourful and legendary road of the “Chianti" region. The grape cultivation dates back to the Etruscan times. One of the biggest pleasures will be sipping different wines, at the wineries or at the wine bars scattered in the towns.
What about a drop in on “Mugello”? It is a countryside surrounded by oaks, chestnut trees and by the Apennines, This land of artists and painters have been source of inspiration in its farmhouses and colours. with kind people, authentic cooking, good wine, plus a great tradition in handicrafts.
The Apuan Alps are a monumental work of the nature. They consist in some of the highest peaks in the region: This regional park sets up the chance for those who want to practice trekking, cycling, horse riding or simply walking to enjoy this beautiful landscape.
Versilia is an area of 20 km sandy beaches located in the north of the region. The seaside with the colourful bathing areas is rich in bars and meeting places. Camaiore, Forte dei Marmi, Massarosa, Pietrasanta, Seravezza, Stazzema and Viareggio are the towns of this beautiful coast.
Another great attraction of this region is the archipelago. The largest island is Elba: more than one hundred kilometers of coast.
Curiously enough, since the Etruscans introduced the use of fresh herbs, the Tuscan cooking is still based on vegetable dishes, bread-based soups, meats perfumed with sage, rosemary, and thyme. Moreover the secret of its success is the good care and the devotion to guarantee the quality of the products of the land... crostini of chicken liver, soups, tortelli with Bolognese sauce, “pappardelle” with hare sauce or with boar sauce, boar hunter style, fillet of beef, salted cod with tomato sauce, ricciarelli, cantucci, Tuscan salt-less bread… We’re sure your mouth is already watering!
A holiday in Tuscany is an experience that will bring you back happy memories for the rest of your life.
The San Gimignano area
Close by the house a trail begins, marked in guide books, for hikes and mountain bike trips. Within 10 km (6 miles) you will find a horse centre, tennis courts and a golf club.
You will also be able to use a pizza oven and a portable barbecue.
Staying at Appartamento Il Riccio you will be able to easily visit the most beautiful artistic and historic spots of Tuscany: San Gimignano and Certaldo are at approximately 7 km (6 miles), Volterra is at 20 km (25 miles), Siena is at 30 km (20 miles), Florence is at 45 km (30 miles), Pisa and the sea at 70 km (50 miles).
San Gimignano is probably the most famous small town in Italy, and there are few places that evoke the atmosphere of mediaeval Tuscany so powerfully. It is one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities and with its mediaeval towers of varying heights it has the feel of a living museum.
Situated on top of a hill, at 334 mt above the sea level, the village overlooks the Val d'Elsa. Ancient Etruscan village, built during the Hellenistic period (III-II centuries BC), whose name derives anyway from the Saint Bishop of Modena: St Gimignano, that saved the hamlet from the barbarian horde.
The town reached the maximum splendour in the Middle Ages, thanks to the via Francigena, that allowed the flourishing of extraordinary works of art adorning churches and convents.
In 1199 San Gimignano became a free commune, and suffered civil fights between Ardinghelli (Guelphs) and Salvucci (Ghibellines). In 1300, the village hosted Dante Alighieri, as ambassador of the Guelph alliance in Tuscany.
Unfortunately the Black Death spread and raged over Tuscany in the XIV century, and touched San Gimignano in 1348. The charming place suddenly emptied, and sank into a grievous crisis, submitting itself to Florence's authority.
Only in recent times the city's been rediscovered and the restoration works have increased the value of the whole area, bringing it back to the ancient splendour and the original agricultural identity.
The narrow flagstone alleys and the extraordinary glimpses once passed through Porta San Giovanni (one of the ancient gates) will strike your imagination and let you feel in a lovely village of the past. At the end of Via San Giovanni you'll find the centre of the town, formed by two interlocking triangular piazze: Piazza della Cisterna, built around a fascinating well dated back to 1237, and Piazza del Duomo, flanked with the city's main church and town hall.
The village is delimited by the tall medieval towers and walls that have made San Gimignano, "city of the beautiful towers". There are many enchanting cultural itineraries, as follows:
Duomo, consecrated in 1148, structured over three naves, enriched by precious frescoes of the Senese school: Old and New Testament, by Bartolo di Fredi and "Bottega dei Memmi"; the Last Judgement, by Taddeo di Bartolo. Some works of art of the Florentine school: stories of St Fina, by Ghirlandaio; St Sebastiano, by Benozzo Gozzoli; Statue Lignee, by Jacopo della Quercia) and some sculptures by Giuliano and Benedetto da Maiano. The wonderful masterpieces makes the Collegiata a prestigious notable museum.
Palazzo Comunale, Holy Art and Archaeological Museums, do all worth a visit! Something not to be missed is the lovely "Spezieria di St Fina", related to St Fina's Hospital, with a faithful reproduction of the ancient pharmacy, pottery and glass containers as well as ancient medicaments.
San Gimignano is also famous for a very prestigious wine, the Vernaccia di San Gimignano - the first Italian wine to obtain the DOC (denominazione di origine controllata, i.e., controlled designation of origin). Right outside the town, in San Donato, you will visit the cellars of one of the producers of this famous wine. There, you may taste different types of wine made in the region accompanied by local foods.
How to get there
Click map icons for more information
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| Nearest Travel Links | |
| Airport: | Florence: 57 km |
| Railway: | Poggibonsi - San Gimignano: 9.2 km |
| Ferry: | Livorno: 89 km |
Fly to Florence or Pisa - Appartamento il Riccio is respectively at 57 km and 77 Km from the airport. Cheap flights to Pisa available at ryanair.com
Get in San Gimignano
By train
The historical town of San Gimignano on the hill has no train station, but you can easily reach San Gimignano by taking a train to Poggibonsi (labelled "Poggibonsi-S.G.") and then a bus from the Poggibonsi train station to San Gimignano. These buses cost €3.60 (2007) each way, leave every 30-40 minutes, and you can inquire for information, schedules, and tickets at the tourist information office which is located ahead toward the right as you walk out of the train station.
If you are going from Florence (Firenze) to Poggibonsi, direct trains are not so frequent but you will find many connections via Empoli.
By bus
Easily reachable from Florence or Siena, though you may have to change buses in Poggibonsi. Buses leave from Florence's bus station (next to the train station) hourly, and take 1.25 to 2 hours for €6. From Siena there are €5.20, 75 minute buse rides (5 a day)
Buses depart from Porta San Giovanni, with tickets sold at the bar just inside the gate or at the Tourist Info. Florence buses leave hourly, change in Poggibonsi, and take 1.25-2 hours. Siena buses are 5/day, 75 minutes, and also change in Poggibonsi. Volterra has 4/day that take 2 hours and change in Colle di Val d'Elsa. Sunday buses are fewer and more crowded.
[edit] By car
You may also arrive by car.
The drive to San Gimignano involves lots of winding roads, so you may want to take a tablet if you get travel sick. Local roads to access the village are good and well signalized.
Going to San Gimignano coming from the north :
Take the motorway A1 Milano-Roma, direction SOUTH, Exit at 'Firenze Certosa'
Take the dual carriageway Firenze-Siena - direction Siena, Exit at 'Poggibonsi Nord'
Follow road signs for San Gimignano
Going to San Gimignano coming from the south :
Take the motorway A1 Roma-Milano - direction North
Exit at Valdichiana
Follow the road signs for Siena
At Siena take the dual carriageway - direction Firenze
Exit at 'Poggibonsi Nord'
Follow road signs for San Gimignano
Activities near San Gimignano
Tennis in town
Horse Riding
Golf within 30 mins drive
Walking holidays
Rural / countryside retreats
City breaks
Cycling holidays
Guestbook for Appartamento il Riccio
William F., Atlanta, Georgia, United States - We enjoyed our stay very much at Appartamento Il Riccio. Wonderfully friendly & helpful hosts who gave you privacy. Excellent location for day trips around Tuscany.
View of San Gimignano from master bedroom window.
Beautiful grounds and pool. Very quiet and comfortable.
Shari D., Bedford, New York, United States - I was shocked at how exquisite Appartamento II Riccio is.
When we drove up we were breath taken. The house is extremely clean and stays nice and cool at night.
The owner was very kind. The apartment made the ambiance of Tuscany even that much more fabulous.
I highly recommend staying there. I would absolutely go back
Rental prices
| Rental prices originally quoted in: Euros € | Convert to: |
| Prices for group size 4 | ||||||
| Period | From | To | Weekly | Nightly rate | Minimum stay | |
| Weekday | Weekend | |||||
| 26 Mar 12 | 23 Jun 12 | € 895 | - | - | Flexible | |
| 23 Jun 12 | 28 Jul 12 | € 1125 | - | - | Flexible | |
| 28 Jul 12 | 18 Aug 12 | € 1200 | - | - | Flexible | |
| 18 Aug 12 | 8 Sep 12 | € 1125 | - | - | Flexible | |
| 8 Sep 12 | 22 Jun 13 | € 895 | - | - | Flexible | |
| 22 Jun 13 | 27 Jul 13 | € 1125 | - | - | Flexible | |
| 27 Jul 13 | 17 Aug 13 | € 1200 | - | - | Flexible | |
| 17 Aug 13 | 7 Sep 13 | € 1125 | - | - | Flexible | |
| 7 Sep 13 | 21 Jun 14 | € 895 | - | - | Flexible | |
The property's weekend rates apply to: Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.
The rental price includes: towels; linens; electricity.
Additional Expenses
To be paid at the property:
final cleaning EUR 50.00.
Available upon request, if desired:
heating (when needed) EUR 15.00/day.
Availability
See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here
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Contact the manager
* Required fields Please check the following errors: | 4 years listed You are contacting Luca Trotta Summer In Italy (property manager) Languages spoken   The property manager is based in Italy and has advertised with Holiday Lettings since 2008. This house has so far received no reviews.  |
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