1 or 2 bedrooms, sleeps 2-6 people
Once a mediaeval watch-tower, later transformed into a Renaissance Villa with adjoining farmhouses and chapel in the 17th century, Villa Grassina now gives guests the opportunity to enjoy the stunning Tuscan countryside, panoramic views and culinary delights that this region has to offer. Set in extensive grounds, the apartments are rustic in style, situated in the main house and the two farmhouses, and all share a communal garden, large 14 x 6 m pool, terrace and ample parking. The apartments are all equipped with satellite TV and telephone and sleep from 2 to 6 people, as follows; 1 BEDROOM APARTMENT (BILO) - sleeps 2, 3 or 4 people The 1 bedroom apartments offer a living/dining room with open plan kitchen, one double bedroom plus a shower/wc. Apartments for 3 people also have a single sofabed in the living room, and the apartments for 4 people offer a double sofabed. 2 BEDROOMS (TRILO) - sleeps 4 adults + 2 children The 2 bedroom apartments offer a living/dining room with double sofabed and open plan kitchen, one double bedroom, one twin bedroom plus a shower/wc. Villa Grassina is a working farm and offers weekly guided tours, during which visitors are given the opportunity to sample local Tuscan country kitchen products such as wine, olive oil, cheese and bread, as well as demonstrations of agricultural activities such as honey making from the farm hives. Bread is available daily. There is also a small restaurant, open at the weekends and some weekdays, where you can sample traditional Florentine and local Tuscan cuisine. Other facilities include a reception area, small bar, lounge with satellite television and internet access and communal washing machine. There is plenty to keep the kids amused, including a children's play area, tennis court, table tennis and horse-riding is also available nearby. Nature lovers will find many marked routes through the olive groves, ancient chestnut and pine forests, which can be enjoyed on foot, bike or horseback. Mountain bikes are available on request. The area provides a feast of spectacular countryside, art and architecture. Just 2km from the Villa Grassina is Pelago. Surrounded by a stunning variety of natural landscapes, Pelago is also home to the Museo della Vita e del Lavoro dei Boscaioli (the Woodsmen Museum), the churches of San Clemente and San Francesco, Piazza Cavalcanti and Palazzo Stupan. Of course one of the chief attractions of this area is Florence, known as the cradle of the Renaissance and one of the greatest cities in the world. Florence provides a feast of history, art and architecture, and you will be spoilt for choice, with the Uffizi Gallery, the Pitti Palace and the Ponte Vecchio, to name but a few, all within easy reach of the Villa Grassina. For those who are happy to venture a little further, why not try Arezzo which lies on a low hill of the Poti Alps and has become, amongst other things, a major goldsmiths centre. Through the ages no fewer than eight defense walls have encircled the area around the top of the hill on which the ancient town was built, resulting in a town of different parts, from the medieval town to the town of the grand-dukes, then the town under Medici and Lorraine rule, up until the present day. At the top of the hill you will find the Piazza Grande, the heart of the town. San Gimignano is a must see, and is set on top of a hill and dominating the Elsa Valley, San Gimignano has been designated by UNESCO as par of the world's Architectural Heritage and has a wealth of wonderful buildings, towers and churches, rich in history, many containing art treasures of the Florentine and Siennese schools. Please note that the pool will be open from 1 May - 15 October. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ PRICES 2010 - prices shown are per week Dates 1 bedroom (BILO) 2 bedrooms (TRILO) 2 sharing 3 sharing 4 sharing 4 sharing 4 + 1 child sharing 4 + 2 children sharing 20 March - 21 May 270 € 295 € 345 € 390 € 410 € 445 € 21 May - 25 June 370 € 395 € 435 € 460 € 535 € 585 € 26 June - 16 July  510 € 535 € 600 € 670 € 735 € 790 € 17 July - 20 August  635 € 690 € 735 € 865 € 1005 € 1090 € 21 August - 3 September  510 € 535 € 600 € 670 € 735 € 790 € 4 - 17 September  370 € 395 € 435 € 460 € 535 € 585 € 18 Sept. - 15 October  270 € 295 € 345 € 390 € 410 € 445 € Central heating (if required) Included Cots 21 € per week payable locally Highchair Free of charge, subject to availability Security/breakage deposit 100 € payable locally Bookings and further information: e-mail: booking@directtuscany.com. For your convenience, payments for this property can be made in sterling via directTuscany ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Property Location Pool ............................. Restaurants ................. Shops .......................... Main Town .................. Airport ......................... Port .............................. Linen ........................... Arrival day ...................   Yes, 14 x 6m onsite or 2km 2km 2km, Pegola Florence 50km (1hr) or Pisa 125km Livorno 125km (2 hours) Included SATURDAYS / Flexible excluding 26/6-3/9 | Villas | Apartments | Hotels | Flights | Car Hire |