Siena holiday cottage rental, Val d'Orcia with walking, log fire, balcony/terrace, internet access, telephone, rural retreat

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Gallinaio (cottage)

Home description

"Vivo d'Orcia is not a place, it is a way of life..." The Castle of Vivo d'Orcia lies in the widespread Orcia valley in southern Tuscany, 2 hours from Florence, 1 hour from Siena, close to such cultural jewels as Pienza, Montalcino and Montepulciano, to name but a few.

The hamlet lies at an altitude of 900 m above sea level. The particular combination of altitude and Mediterranean climate creates an unusual wealth of flora and fauna. The estate with the impressive castle and the romanic chapel reaches back to the 11th century. Count Marcello Cervini and his wife Amarilli spend most of the summer months in residence as attentive and interesting hosts. Incidentally, their castle was featured in the jan. 2005 issue of THE WORLD OF INTERIORS.

Il Gallinaio, the former chicken coop of the castle, has been converted into a charming cottage for 2. The small house stands a little apart from the castle, surrounded by fir and chestnut trees. The cottage has been restored by Lucilla Tognozzi, a niece of Count Marcello Cervini. She has succeeded in creating a very happy and comfortable space.

The alcoves in the wall one will see are a reminder of the original use of the building. Hens once used to hatch their eggs here ! The views are of the garden filled with flowers, the orchard, the medieval hamlet and the Monte Amiata.

Hamlet Vivo d'Orcia	Gallinaio
Livingroom	Kitchen

To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/44364

The Tuscany region

The Val d'Orcia is natural setting of extraordinary beauty. It has become known all over the world as the classic Tuscan landscape. Dotted with cypress trees and the dramatic slopes of the volcanic mountains Amiata and Radicofani, the natural park of the Orcia Valley is one of Tuscany’s best-preserved natural wonders just added in the UNESCO's WORLD HERITAGE LIST and is universally recognized as one of the most beautiful landscapes on Earth.

It has become known all over the world as the classic Tuscan landscape. Important films like the Oscar winners The English Patient, La Vita è Bella and Gladiator were shot here, as well as Romeo and Juliet directed by Franco Zeffirelli, and most recently Under the Tuscan Sun, cementing the Val d’Orcia’s beauty in cinematic history.

Siena / Val d'Orcia area

The variety of the Val D’Orcia makes it an ideal stomping ground for a Tuscan holiday.

Visiting cultural jewels such as :
- Abbadia San Salvatore a charming village with a medieval centre and a romanic church
- Sant’Anna in Camprena half derelict monastery on the road between Pienza and San Quirico d’Orcia. A very romantic setting which served as location for the film „The English Patient“. In the refectory there is a fresco by the renaissance painter Giovanni Antonio Bazzi, otherwise known as Il Sodoma.
- Sant’Antimo is an abbey lying all by itself in a valley, completely built in a light beige coloured travertine stone.
- San Quirico d’Orcia make you see the Horti Leonini, an early example of early Renaissance gardens.
And of course the hilltop towns of Montalcini, Montepulciano, Pienza, Montichiello, Chiusi.....

- Bagno Vignoni- A must because of the antique pool on the main square (which may not be used anymore, alas). If you want to take a swim in the hot springs, go to the bath Hotel Posta.
- The hot springs of Saturnia, most spectacular .
- The garden of Daniel Spoerri the famous artist has a garden very close to Vivo , with sculptures by himself,

Tuscan wines and food are among the best in Italy. The area has many appealing restaurants and wineries of which you will find a list in the house.

How to get there

Gallinaio lies in southern Tuscany, 1 hour from Siena.
Fly to Rome, 2 hours drive by car.
Florence, 2 hours drive by car.

Car hire available at the airport or in Chiusi, 40 minutes drive by car.
Contact us for instructions on how to get to the property.

Activities near Siena

Facilities

Further details indoors:
Soap bar in every bathroom.

Your laptop can be plugged into the telephone socket.

If you need to connect yourself to the internet during your stay, please make sure your provider gives you an Italian telephone number for this purpose, otherwise you might have difficulties connecting.

Further details outdoors:
Garden: terrace in front of the house with table and chairs looking out onto an orchard and the romantic chapel of the hamlet.

Public pool: Castel del Piano, 20 minutes from Vivo.

Further details

Welcome pack provided on arrival :1 bottle of wine, 1 bottle of mineral water, fresh fruit.

Conditions

A downpayment is due at booking amounting to 50% of the total rent. Payment can be done via bank transfer or per VISA/MASTERCARD credit card. The balance of the rent is due 6 weeks (45 days) prior to your arrival.

A security deposit amounting to EUR 260,00 is due upon arrival. Cash or Euro Traveller's Cheques are accepted.

Rental rates

Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
Low season	1 Jan 08	26 Apr 08	480£  381	0-	0-	1 Week
Mid season	26 Apr 08	31 May 08	600£  476	0-	0-	1 Week
Mid season 2	31 May 08	28 Jun 08	690£  548	0-	0-	1 Week
High season	28 Jun 08	30 Aug 08	730£  579	0-	0-	1 Week
Mid season 2	30 Aug 08	4 Oct 08	690£  548	0-	0-	1 Week
Mid season	4 Oct 08	1 Nov 08	600£  476	0-	0-	1 Week
Low season	1 Nov 08	1 Jan 09	480£  381	0-	0-	1 Week

NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner's discretion.
The prices given are in EUR and the rental price is weekly and include electricity, water, gas and final cleaning. Central heating and telephone not included in the rent. Calculated according to use.

Should you have rented your accommodation for more than 1 week, the house will be cleaned on Saturdays and the linen will be changed.

Wood for fire place - EUR 8,00 each basket.
Telephone - costs according to use.

Extra services: Arrival diner, 1st grocery shopping, diner during the week, extra house hold help, change of linen ( please contact us for prices ).

Availability notes

To see availability please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/44364

Contact owner

To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/44364

Contact details for home 44364 Please mention Holiday Lettings
Name:	Katharina Allès Trautmansdorff
Tel:	+33 (0)1 40294732
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Advertiser joined: 11 Mar 2008 This property added: 11 Mar 2008

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