Volterra and its surroundings Volterra, situated in a spectacular position on a hilly ridge pliocene 540 m above sea level, is one of the oldest and most important Etruscan settlements in Tuscany, its foundation dating back to the 8th-9th century bc. This little town (12.000 inhabitants), so rich in art and history, lays right in the middle of an ideal triangle connecting Florence (75 Km), Pisa (64 Km) and Siena (49 Km). The Museo Guarnacci contains one of the most interesting collections of cinerary urns that we have in Italy. Four more museums expose few but important paintings and sculptures or are specialized in handycraft alabaster or furniture. The splendid Pisan Romanesque cathedral, many beautiful churches and palaces and an intact historic center with its austere Piazza dei Priori make the town absolutely worth visiting. Volterra has not yet been touched by the frenetic pace of contemporary life and visitors have the impression of stepping into the past.
Villa Il Palazzino and its context In a highly scenographic context, a peaceful, charming place near the Tuscan great art cities (Arezzo, Firenze, Pisa, Pistoia, Siena) and a number of "minor" art centres, including San Gimignano (22 Km), Certaldo (35 Km), Colle Val d'Elsa (36 Km), Massa Marittima (61 Km) among others. "Le balze" of Volterra are unique in the Tuscan landscape. Our swimming pool is lain against the background of an imposing natural scenery. Music fans will find an electric piano in the chapel of the villa.
Our apartments Villa Il Palazzino is a 17th century country house only 2.8 Km from Piazza dei Priori, Volterra's main square. The house is quiet and secluded and is surrounded with olive trees. It is an ideal place for relaxing, walking, swimming, reading or music playing (electric piano in the chapel). Sight: countryside. Altitude: 380 m.
Three self-contained apartments are available: "Juliet" (5-6 persons), "the flintstones" (4-5 persons) and "Il Fienile" (2 persons).
"The ancestors", our medium size apartment (70 sq.m., 4-5 persons), converted from the old cattle house, is composed of a large kitchen/dining/living room, one double bed room, one bedroom with tween beds (the latter separated from the living room by a screen) and a bathroom with shower. A fifth person can be accomodated on an extra bed or on the sofa-bed in the living room (120 euros/week). Access to living room and bedrooms is at the garden level. The apartment is equipped with dishwasher, gas cooker, electrical oven, microwave, dishes and saucepans, cutlery, refrigerator, bed linen and towels (changed weekly), satellite TV. A clotheswasher, shared with "Barn", is available in a separate room.