When Eric and Kathy decided they wanted to settle in Tuscany and provide people with the sort of holidays they themselves had always dreamed of - but had rarely been able to find - they knew they had found the ideal property in Castelmuzio for many reasons, amongst which were.
The views (made famous by the film ‘The English Patient’); the medieval walled village (originally founded by the Etruscans, over 2500 years ago); the proximity to major cultural centres such as Sienna, Florence and Rome, as well as the wine areas of Montepulciano, Montalcino & Chianti amonst others; good restaurants within comfortable distance of the villa, which use local ingredients such as truffles, porcini & wild boar found in the nearby woods
Casa Oliveto is their guest villa, and sits at the end of an olive grove known for producing one of Italy's premier extra virgin olive oils. The villa, the pool & the gardens are totally private - separated from the main house by a large expanse of olive grove.
Accommodation: the house has two stories with an external staircase (traditional in Tuscan architecture). It has been completely restored with terra-cotta floors, travertine marble in the bathrooms and, overall, a careful eye for comfort.
On the ground floor, the main kitchen is fully equipped with marble work surfaces, dishwasher, fridge-freezer, electric kettle, coffee-maker, micro-wave oven, a multitude of utensils, & a large fireplace with a traditional wood burning stove. It is not only adjacent to the dining room, but also opens on to the outside dining and BBQ area. The sitting/dining room is furnished with a large oak dining table, chairs & sideboard, sofa & hi-fi system and WI-FI internet connection.
The ground floor also has a double bedroom with en-suite bathroom, a second double bedroom with walk through dressing area and a bathroom that is shared with the third small twin bedroom. All rooms have french windows that open directly onto the gardens.
On the upper-floor is another double bedroom with en-suite bathroom, a small bedroom and second bathroom. The bedrooms are divided by a large sitting/dining room which is furnished with sofas, dining-table and chairs, TV, DVD/CD & Video players. A discreetly placed kitchenette allows for the independent provision of snacks, breakfast or tea, to be taken on the adjacent balcony whilst enjoying the views of the hill towns of Pienza & Montalcino, and the majestic Monte Amiato rising in the distance.
Guests are provided with a pool towel, a bath towel, a hand towel and a face washer. These are changed mid week. All beds are orthopaedic and come with two pillows per person, feather comforters in winter, 100% cotton linens and all other covers made of natural fibres. There is a laundry room with washer, iron and board & sink.
Garden and Swimming pool: the grounds are comprised of the olive grove, a small pine glade and several patios with grape covered pergolas equipped with out door furniture for dining al fresco or simply relaxing.
The infinity-style swimming pool is large (7 x 16 meters, depht from 1.2 to 3.0, meters) and secluded. The shallow end is raised above the natural slope of the land, giving bathers the impression of swimming into the Tuscan landscape. It is well furnished with sun loungers and has both shady and sunny places.
Guests at Casa Oliveto will find it stocked with a welcome basket containing Eric’s olive oil, local wine, free range organic eggs laid by local chickens, fresh baked goods and other local products to see you through the first evening and breakfast. There is a telephone for local calls, and satellite television channels in English,Italian & other languages.