La Colonica is a completely private house in the large grounds of an old and very beautiful ex-farmhouse in the Cortona area. It is the perfect base to visit Florence, Siena, Chianti, and the hill and wine towns of Tuscany and nearby Umbria like Assisi and Perugia; itineraries provided. A/C and fast Fiber Optic Broadband, WiFi in all rooms. It is ideal for 4 persons (5 with child). Lovely setting in gardens and olive grove. 2 large bedrooms with en-suite marble bathrooms and A/C. One bedroom has king-size four-poster bed. The other bedroom can either be king-size or 2 singles. Large living room; open wood-burning fireplace. Dining room; Kitchen. Panoramic dining patio. The house is totally self-contained and private; not overlooked. Beamed ceilings and terracotta floors. Very well furnished and fully equipped with 2 full dinner services, table linen, silverware, glasses. Dishwasher and washer. SAT TV; DVD. Parking in grounds. Swimming pools and thermal spas nearby. Maid service possible. Excellent good value local restaurants. 3-5 minutes walk to nearby pretty village from the Middle Ages.
• Welcome amenities include our own organic olive oil grown on the proprtyy, fruit and flowers and local wine. • Rental rates are all-inclusive: utilities, A/C, Wi-Fi, linen, baby crib/cot and high chair, final cleaning, taxes. A CAR IS ESSENTIAL.

The house is located in a pretty village in the heart of the Val di Chiana countryside. It is a very charming tiny medieval village from about 1200 and even though very small, it has a very good local restaurant, with outside dining in the village square. There is a grocery shop, a wonderful bakery, two amazing pastry shops, butcher shop, post office, pharmacy etc. There is also a small local weekly market. There are wonderful open-air markets every day in the surrounding villages such as Cortona-Camucia, Monte San Savino etc.. There are also many big supermarkets in the local villages. Most weekends, there is some special event, like the food festivals, vintage car and bicylce races. Nearly every village has restaurants and bars.

The villa is in its own grounds, with private parking, and an olive grove. There is a large friendly dog on the property. The house is surrounded by large (2.5 acres) gardens and olive grove with views of the surrounding hills. Because of its strategic location, it is the perfect base to explore Southern Tuscany and Umbria or for a relaxing holiday in comfortable and elegant surroundings. See Cortona, Florence, Siena, Perugia, Assisi, the Chianti region and Rome. Explore the unique towns of Pienza and San Gimignano, or Lake Trasimeno. Visit Montepulciano, Montalcino (Brunello wine) and the Chianti region and enjoy their famous wines. Visit the monasteries of Monte Oliveto Maggiore and Sant'Antimo (where the English Patient was filmed). Or simply relax and enjoy your private garden!

Discounts for stays of 2 weeks or more depending on the season.

• FREE baby crib/cot, child bed and high chair: no charge. Experienced baby-sitter available.

• Swimming Pools - Thermal Spas: There are numerous very nice reasonably priced swimming pools in the area, all within a short drive. All towns have one. The nicest are Camucia (near Cortona), Trequanda (magnificent setting), and Castiglion Fiorentino. Foiano is rarely crowded. Badicorte is very popular with children as it has numerous slides etc. Three famous thermal spas are nearby: Rapolano Terme has two spas, and there is a wonderful outdoor thermal pool with stunning view at Bagno Vignoni (40 minutes drive through some of the most beautiful countryside in Tuscany).

• Local events and open-air markets: Local Open-Air Markets (mornings): Monday: Foiano; Tuesday: Sinalunga; Wednesday: Monte San Savino, Castiglione del Lago; Thursday: Camucia, near Cortona (the largest and the best!), Lucignano; Friday: Castiglion Fiorentino; Saturday: Cortona, Arezzo.

• The famous horse-race in Siena, the Palio, is held on 2 July and 16 August. Each village and town has local feasts: please ask us for details. The biggest are in Cortona end July/early August, also with open-air opera and music fests. Lucignano has a May festival in the last two weeks of May. Each town/village often has open-air concerts and other events, nearly always including a a village feast and dancing.. Many venues host open-air operas and concerts, and there is a music festival in Monte San Savino. Cortona has several historic processions. Jousting competitions on horseback in Arezzo, Castiglion Fiorentino and Montalcino and flag throwing in Montepulciano!

• The huge open-air antiques fair in Arezzo takes place on the first Sunday of the month. Cortona, Arezzo and Monte San Savino have numerous antique shops.

Places to see: All are within one hour's drive. We can provide detailed itineraries and advice where to eat etc.
• FLORENCE. Leave your car at the small local train station and take the train to Florence, leaving and returning every hour; 1 hour’s journey. Avoid the traffic problems in Florence!
• SIENA is about 40 minutes away by car, driving through magical country side. Easy parking. Siena has the famous horse-race, Il Palio, and is perfectly preserved. From Siena visit SAN GIMIGNANO and the CHIANTI region.
• CORTONA AND LAKE TRASIMENO. Cortona is a jewel!
• LUCIGNANO: Best kept secret in Tuscany! Spectacular medieval village.
• MONTE SAN SAVINO: small market town with Loggiato in the main street and marvellous garden and amphitheatre. Nearby is the amazing Castle of Gargonza.
• MONTEPULCIANO AND PIENZA. ABBEY OF MONTE OLIVETO. MONTALCINO: home of Brunello wine. AREZZO, PERUGIA, ASSISI. And much much more!
• Wonderful walks in woods, beside rivers and magnificnet canal (we provide maps).
The area is a cyclist's paradise and there are areas etc almost every weekend. Bikes for hire locally or bring your own- Cycle repair. We have VERY detailed info and routes for cyclists.

The villa is in its own grounds, with private parking, and an olive grove. There is a large friendly dog on the property.
• Tired of sight-seeing, or simply want to relax ... your garden and olive grove awaits!