albarata 6 - tuscany: siena and val d'orcia

Albarata is an ancient style Tuscan farmhouse completely built in stone, dating to the beginning of the XX century and located not far from the village of San Giovanni d’Asso, in the wonderful and picturesque countryside of the Crete Senesi. During the recent, careful renovation works, the travertine staircase, floors in top quality Tuscan terracotta and ceilings with the characteristic vaults were installed on the ground floor and, on the first floor, ceilings with exposed wooden beams and tiles, leaving intact the original structure of the farmhouses of yore. The choice of furniture respects the traditional Tuscan style, simple and comfortable but, at the same time, elegant. Albarata is the ideal place for those wishing to spend a holiday completely immersed in the uncontaminated nature and ancient history that these places have managed to preserve throughout time and which, today, are testimony to a rich and exciting past. The location, in fact, permits guests to make short trips to the numerous, fascinating villages in the vicinity such as Montepulciano, Montalcino, Pienza, with their inviting food and wine proposals and to organize daily excursions to the major art cities of Tuscany like Siena and Florence.

Please Note: when the property is rented in this solution no other guests will be present on site.

INTERIOR

MAIN HOUSE. The two-storey farmhouse has a circular design connecting all the ground floor rooms. The main entrance leads on the left to the fully-equipped kitchen and on the right to the sitting room connected via broad vaults to the large living room with dining area, divans, fireplace and satellite TV. All the ground floor rooms have practical French windows with direct access to the outside. There is also a toilet on this floor. From the entrance on the ground floor an antique stone staircase leads up to the first floor with reading corner, two double bedrooms and a twin bedroom. A bathroom with shower and a bathroom with tub and shower complete this floor.

Equipment: air conditioning in the bedrooms, satellite TV, DVD player, stereo with CD player, internet USB key connection, microwave, kettle, moka, espresso coffee machine, American coffee machine, toaster, mixer, cutter, washing machine, dishwasher, iron and ironing board, babycot, high chair, hairdryer, mobile barbecue, fix barbecue, wood oven.

EXTERIOR

A luxuriant garden of about 3000 square meters surrounds the park, covered by grass and embellished with colorful flowerbeds, trees and shrubs typical of the Tuscan vegetation such as olives and cypresses. The French windows of the main house and the annex open on to the inner courtyard which, paved in terracotta, and with an old well, is furnished with garden chairs and tables. Also, just outside the kitchen French window, in a shaded area, a gazebo with table and chairs and, nearby, a brickwork barbecue, constitute the ideal spot for organizing enjoyable alfresco meals.

POOL

The newly-built infinity pool, situated just a few metres from the house, is in a splendid panoramic position. It is rectangular in shape and measures 5 x 15 m with a constant depth of 1.5 m. It is lined in PVC and purification is by chlorine. Access to the water is by Roman steps. The pool area and the solarium are paved in Tuscan travertine and grass and are provided with umbrellas, tables and sunbeds to guarantee guests maximum rest and comfort. The pool, with outdoor shower, is open from the last Saturday of April until the first Saturday of October.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  The photographic service was carried out on 12.09.2011, on completion of the pool. The lawn not yet completed has been created photographically to give our clients an idea on how the garden will appear in spring.

Pets: Yes.

Services included: fully cleaned property equipped with linens, utilities (water - gas for kitchen use).

Services not included (payable locally): extra when animals are present (€ 30,00 per animal per week), electricity (on consumption up to date market prices).

Services on request (payable locally): extra cleaning (€ 18,00/hour per cleaner), extra linen (€ 10,00 per person), heating (on consumption up to date market prices), internet USB key connection (€ 35,00 per week), firewood (€ 20,00/100 Kg).

Security deposit: 800,00 € in cash on arrival.

ALBARATA 6

Sleeps: 6

Bedrooms: 3 (2 doubles, 1 twin)

Bathrooms: 3 (1 with shower, 1 with shower and tub, 1 service)

Fenced: Yes

Height above sea level: 264 m

Check in time: Saturday between 4:00 PM at 7:00 PM

Check out time: Within 10:00 AM

DISTANCES

Airports: Firenze (138 km), Perugia (92 km), Roma (236 km), Pisa (226 km)

Train Station: Siena 41 km

Highway: highway exit A1 Valdichiana 35 km

Attractions within 100 km: Siena (42 km), Pienza (19 km), Montepulciano (28 km), Montalcino (20 km), Bagno Vignoni (23 km), Castiglione d’Orcia (25 km), San Casciano dei Bagni (66 km), Radda in Chianti (64 km), Perugia (83 km), Cortona (59 km), Arezzo (73 km)

Services and shops: San Giovanni d’Asso 600 m

Beach: Tyrrhenian Sea 94 Km

Access road: 200 m of unpaved and narrow road

LOCATION

San Giovanni d’Asso is a very old village, rich in medieval castles, characterized by the typical landscapes of the country south of Siena, with steep slopes alternating with vast woodland areas and cultivated fields. It is situated in the geographical area known as the Crete Senesi (Siennese Clays) which includes the nearby villages of Buonconvento, Asciano, Monteroni d’Arbia and Rapolano and is characterized by clay hills and the so-called “biancane” which confer to the Crete Senesi the typical cuneiform reliefs. The area of the Crete Senesi represents an uncontaminated oasis with suggestive and ever-changing landscapes, in which the territory and environment have maintained, over the years, an integrity and purity that have led San Giovanni d’Asso to excel in the production of the famous truffles, which grow in woodland only under particular environmental conditions. From San Giovanni d’Asso it is easy to travel, thanks to the good road system, to interesting localities in the region such as Monteriggioni, San Gimignano, the villages of Chianti, Florence, but also to Pienza, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Cortona, Perugia, Arezzo.