May take pets - please enquire Suitable for children Smokers welcome Self-catering
Home description
The villa's structure goes back to the beginning of the fifteenth century and has been recently renovated in full respect of its original architecture by recovering the previous construction materials. The outside is made in stone, while the wooden rafters and battens as well as the mizzens are the main features of the inside. The furnishing and the final touches are in typical Tuscan style.
The Focolare apartment can sleep up to five and is a charming place to stay. There are other apartments in the villa, please contact the owner for further details.
The villa with an outdoor veranda
The second double bedroom
The lovely pool
A veranda with garden furniture
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/77400
The Tuscany region
Tuscany is a charming land, blessed by the genius of man and nature. With its magnificent hilly landscapes spreading up from the mountains to the seaside and its historical and archaeological sites, it is one of Italy’s most famous regions. There is also a secret side of Tuscany that includes plenty of medieval hamlets and castles perched on hill-tops or dug out of rocky cliffs that were once the stage for harsh conflicts between local landlords.
Each spot is a gem in its own right, not only for the countryside but also for the knowledge of the history of the land and the people living there. It can also represent a wonderful haven if you are looking for a place to unwind. Casanova is conveniently located. Some of the most famous sightseeing spots in Tuscany are very close to Casanova: Siena (20’ drive), Florence and Arezzo (1hr drive), San Gimignano, Pienza and Montepulciano (40’ drive).
A lot of famous sites in the southern Tuscany, including the beautiful white sandy beaches of Maremma, the Natural Park of Uccellina, the Mount Amiata and the Elba Island, can be easily reached from Casanova. We will be glad to provide our guests with some useful information about the tourist areas they are interested in.
Siena / Sovicille area
Sovicille is located in the eastern part of the Sienese Montagnola in the Val di Merse, an area of lush forest and mediaeval villages 12 km from the centre of Sienna, and has played a remarkable role in the history of Republic of Sienna.
One of the main monuments of the Sovicille area is the Pieve di San Giovanni Battista (Parish Church Ponte allo Spino - dedicated to John the Baptist), a Romanesque structure with three naves located close to the remains of a gothic cloister, the Hermitage of Rosia. The church is better known as the "Pieve di Ponte allo Spino" and was originally built in the second half of the 12 C by Vallambrosan monks and shows many similarities with contemporary French architecture.
It would be difficult to name all the castles, palaces, small churches, the tower-houses, the historical settlements spread in Sovicille area, from the tangle of forests of the Montagnola up to the valleys (Montarrenti, Palazzo al Piano, Brenna, Tonni and then San Gimignano, San Giusto a Balli, Pernina and many others). Each one is worth visiting not only for the countryside but also because of the history of the land and the people living here. There are several occupied and also ruined Augustinian monasteries in the area, most notably the Hermitage and Monastery of Lecceto. Last but not least is the River Merse, one of the most beautiful of this region, and the Farma stream, flowing through a very interesting natural area. They are visited all year round by fishermen and, in summer, by tourists looking for a pleasant place to bathe. The territory of the municipality of Sovicille is also the location of springs near Pieve di Molli, the source of the River Elsa that flows northwards into the Arno and forms the famous Val d'Elsa. In addition, about 35 km to the south west, is one of the most famous sights in Tuscany, the ruined Cisterician Abbey of San Galgano.
Siena's Piazza del Campo is one of Italy’s most famous, and probably the one with the most original shape. Piazza del Campo stands on the site that was once an ancient Roman forum, opposite Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia. The area was initially intended for a city market place and only began to take on the dignity required of a true square in 1288. From 1327 to 1349, paving work was carried out in the square, using special red bricks. The square, more commonly known as “il Campo” locally, is surrounded by Medieval buildings and it is the location of the famous Palio.
Every year on July 2 and August 16, Siena comes alive for one of the world's most breathtaking folk festivals, Il Palio. The event is known around the globe as a totally unique horse race, but it is much, much more. Preparations go on all year long in Siena, whose seventeen neighbourhoods invest every spare Euro and every waking moment in their efforts to win.
In the morning, each horse is led into the contrada church to be blessed. After this most solemn event, the city literally erupts, as excited citizens flock to the beautiful shell-shaped Piazza del Campo. 50,000 people file into the middle of the square, while a few thousand lucky souls take their reserved seats on bleachers and terraces in front of the 15th-century palazzi that line the perimetre. Now the pageant begins, and for the next three hours the enthralled spectators are transported back to the Middle Ages.
Later, the horses and jockeys arrive, each passionately hailed by the denizens of its contrada. Officially, the jockeys now attempt to line up their mounts behind the rope which marks the tenuous starting gate, but everyone knows they are really taking their time, making secret deals to crush their patrons’ enemies. 120,000 eyes are glued to the jockeys’ hands, lips, eyes and body movements. When at last the judge lowers his arm, they tear off around the track at breakneck speed, unaware of the screams of the crowd. No one cares if, in the pandemonium, a jockey is unhorsed. The first horse to cross the finish line will win, with or without a rider.
How to get there
Flight into Pisa or Florence, then hire a car. Casanova is two hours drive from Pisa and 1 hour drive from Florence. Cheap flights available into Pisa (Easyjet, Ryanair). Coming from the north: motorway A1, exit Firenze Certosa. Turn link on the motorway Firenze-Siena. Go ahead to Grosseto SS223 for about 10 Km. Turn right to Rosia, SP 99. Proceed straight for about 6 Km to Rosia, at the crossroad turn left into the SP 73. After about 5 Km you find another crossroad: turn right into the SS 541 direction Colle Val d’Elsa. After a few km turn right again following the signs for "Residence Casanova".
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
Florence: 65 km
Railway:
Siena: 18 km
Ferry:
Livorno: 90 km
Activities near Siena
Sports: Tennis in town Horse Riding
Great for: Walking holidays Rural / countryside retreats Cycling holidays
Facilities
General:
Central heating, Pool / Snooker table, Satellite TV
Single beds (1), Double beds (2), Cots (2), Dining seating for 6, Lounge seating for 6, Sleeps maximum of 5
Other:
Linen and towels provided.
Outdoors:
Balcony / Terrace, Shared outdoor pool (unheated), Shared garden, BBQ, Bicycles available
Access:
Secure parking
Further details indoors: Il Focolare is a charming apartment composed of 90 squared metres of space. It is situated on the first floor, the access is through a private internal stairs. The entrance door leads into a spacious living and dining room with a typical Tuscan fireplace and a kitchen corner (well equipped with microwave, cookers, fridge and freezer) and satellite TV. The apartment also includes two double bedrooms with double bed, a single bedroom and two bathrooms with shower. Private outside veranda with garden table and chairs. It has been tastefully furnished and decorated with elegance.
Further details outdoors: The villa offers the following exterior facilities: - shared swimming pool (opened from the beginning of May to the end of September); - parking area; - laundry area (shared, with two washing machines as well as an iron and ironing board); - barbecue (shared, with coal); - children playground area; - ping pong; - mountain bikes available; - private veranda with garden furniture.
Further details
English speaking representatives on hand. Possibility of arranging a typical Tuscan dinner with the guests once a week on request.
Conditions
Security deposit upon arrival: 200€ Check in time due: from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm Check out time due: by 10:00 am The rental rates include the following facilities: water, gas, electricity, bed linen and towels, a weekly change of linen, a weekly and final cleaning, satellite TV, private and bower parking, swimming pool, laundry, firewood, children playground area. The heating costs are extra (according to consumption). A 30% deposit is required on booking, the balance is due upon arrival.
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: British £
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
Low season
9 Jan 09
12 Apr 09
550£550
0-
0-
1 Week
Easter Holidays
12 Apr 09
19 Apr 09
700£700
0-
0-
1 Week
Spring season
19 Apr 09
9 May 09
550£550
0-
0-
1 Week
Mid season
9 May 09
27 Jun 09
700£700
0-
0-
1 Week
High season
27 Jun 09
29 Aug 09
880£880
0-
0-
1 Week
Mid season
29 Aug 09
3 Oct 09
700£700
0-
0-
1 Week
Low season
3 Oct 09
19 Dec 09
550£550
0-
0-
1 Week
Mid season
19 Dec 09
2 Jan 10
700£700
0-
0-
1 Week
Low season
2 Jan 10
9 Jan 10
550£550
0-
0-
1 Week
81
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.
Rates are weekly (7 nights) and include the following facilities: water, gas, electric power, bed linen and towels with a weekly change, a weekly and and final cleaning of the apartment.
The heating costs are extra and will added according to consumption.
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