Villa Cypress [id: 1477]

Location: Near Pianella, Chianti
Region: Tuscany
Country: Italy
Sleeps: 10 adults
5 bedrooms
4 bath/shower rooms [3 ensuite]
Swimming pool 10X5m
Maid service 6 times a week

Property Description

Located on a hilltop of a privately owned estate in the heart of Chianti, and approached by a classic avenue of spear-shaped cypresses, it would be impossible to imagine a more desirable combination than that of the elegant and stylish Villa Cypress - yet intrinsically part of the historic, and beautifully restored 13th century stone hamlet within easy reach of Siena. Its outside leisure and dining area, complete with travertine marble table for 10, is just outstanding.

When the present owners bought this beautiful estate, once owned by the Vatican, their mission was to restore the ancient 13th hamlet and bring it into the 20th century, whilst losing nothing of its character and architectural integrity. The old farm cottages were sympathetically converted over the years, whilst the 'Casa Grande' was beautifully restored to form their own treasured home.

The owners have chosen beautiful fabrics throughout that complement the stylish and elegant furnishings, including the marble that is found throughout the villa.

Chianti is perhaps the best known of all Tuscany's varied panoramas. Located between Siena and Florence and known above all, for its good wine, Chianti is dotted with pretty hilltop towns and villages, green hills, undulating rows of vines, olive groves and swathes of pine and ancient oak. A perfect base for sightseeing, countryside pursuits and shopping trips.

Siena is always high on the list of day trips for visitors to Tuscany, as it is brimming with beauty, culture, Renaissance art and architecture. Highly recommended is a visit to the central piazza or 'Campo', the location of the famous Palio horse race, its colourful cathedral, pretty shops and excellent restaurants.

Inside the Property

Steps lead up through two original arches, carefully preserved to provide an impressive outer covered entrance, and then into the cool hall and sitting room. The soft coloured stone flagged floor, beautiful travertine fireplace, and elegant matching marble staircase is a first introduction to this very beautiful home. Here guests can dine inside, when nights are cool. An archway leads to an elegant second sitting room, with the owners interesting pictures complementing comfortable furnishings and artefacts, and a small study. An extremely well equipped kitchen and breakfast area forms the hub of the house, doors leading to a breakfast terrace.

On the first floor is a beautifully furnished sun filled sitting room with parquet floor, the focal point being a hand-carved travertine fireplace. An archway leads to a charming “snug”, with stereo, a cunningly hidden tv, and doors to a balcony - perfect for evening drinks with a view over the Chianti countryside. A further archway leads to a charming covered loggia/sitting area, with two huge, arched “picture windows” with fabulous views.

The elegant Master bedroom suite has a seriously large double bed, a beautifully fitted-out dressing room, and luxurious marble bathroom with a walk-in shower, bath and double basin.

The second floor has the second guest suite with en suite travertine shower room, with two further bedrooms, one a double (can be made into a twin on request) and a twin bedroom with the third bathroom.

The comfortable guesthouse, also combined with pool house facilities conceals a double bedroomed, open galleried mini apartment, which is private and has a large terrace overlooking the Chianti countryside, providing a peaceful retreat for favourite guests or for older children and perhaps a nanny.

There is air conditioning in the second sitting room, bedrooms in the main house and in the cottage. This is payable locally.

Outside the Property

On arrival, large iron gates open up to a pretty courtyard with terracotta pots, lemon trees, shrubs and flowers providing a colourful and lush foreground to the stone facade of the imposing property.

Below the main terrace, is the former Limonaia, a most stunning dining, barbecue and leisure area, with a massive partly covered marble table providing a glamorous venue for candlit summer dinners.

This leads to a large covered sitting area with comfortable rattan furniture from Thailand. Steps lead up to a soft-furnished games room where cards, backgammon and chess can be played after dinner.

From the house, a garden area and beautifully tended lawns, indispersed with olive trees and shrubs, lead to the fabulous pool area, surrounded by a small Italian formal garden, from which there are stunning views of Brolio and the surrounding countryside.

The pool changing room house consists of changing cubicles, a shower, separate WC with basin. There is a mini kitchenette, approached up wooden stairs, a fridge for cool drinks, and a daybed to rest on in the hot afternoons - ideal for a nap!

The estate is surrounded by vineyards producing excellent wine, and bottles are left on an 'honesty basis' for guests. There are wonderful walks, through the 300 year old pine forest, or picnic on the River Abia, 3kms away.

Prices...

Booking & Payment Info

A 30% deposit must be paid along with a security damage deposit of 1500 euros at the time of booking.
The full balance of the rental price including any charges (made by any supplementary invoice) must be paid 8 weeks before departure.

Insurance must be taken out in order to cover all clients and their holiday arrangements.

Once a booking has been confirmed any changes will incur a £30 amendment fee per person in respect of each change to cover costs incurred. Changes cannot be made within 42 days of departure.

All cancellations by Client must be made in writing from the person who signed the booking form, either by recorded delivery or fax. If the cancellation notification is received 43 days or more before the departure date, only the holiday deposit and insurance premium is forfeit. Within this period the following percentage of the total holiday price will be payable as a cancellation charge by the Client:

Between 42 - 28 days before departure 60%

Between 27 - 15 days before departure 80%

Between 14 and the departure date or later 100%

Linen and towels provided once per week on Saturday. Extra changes are available on request, for an additional charge.

Maid service is included for 3 hours, 6 days per week.

The  cook at the property is happy to prepare an evening meal for on request Monday – Friday.  You will also find a simple complimentary meal on your arrival night.  The cook will purchase the food for your meals, cook, serve your main course, put out the dessert and then leave. Naturally she will clear up the pots and pans as much as possible to whilst you are eating your main course.  The remaining dishes and glasses on the table will not be cleared away.  This means you can carry on enjoying your evening at the dining table into the early hours without be disturbed. The cook charges  10 Euros an hour for her time for shopping and cooking for your party plus the cost of the food, payable locally. The cook service is available on request and payable locally. £50 booking fee.

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Contact:
Alexandra Newman

Or Call:
T: +44 [0]845 638 1408
M: +44[0]7900 503778

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