ED Refnr. 2884259
Romantic country estate from the 15th century, with three recently (2013) renovated holiday apartments/house and a shared garden with a grill area on the sunny terrace
This picturesque country estate is nestled into the lush Tuscan landscape around San Martino alla Palma, to the west of the art city of Florence. The country estate is accessed along a private road, so you can enjoy a relaxing holiday here amidst green nature, far away from tourist noise.
The former barn on the country estate was converted into two separate holiday apartments, the detached wine cellar into a separate holiday house. All three were renovated in 2013 and provided with modern amenities for a comfortable stay.
The country estate is surrounded by a 35-hectare private site with olive groves and oak forests. You can observe many wild animals here: deer, stags, wild boar, birds of prey. Right in front of the main house with the apartments you can enjoy leisurely meals around the grill area under a blue Tuscan sky. Or you can withdraw to the sunny terrace with a good book. During the hot midday hours you can always find a shady spot under the parasols. It is recommended to arrive by car and plenty of parking spaces are available.
The owner lives next door in the main building on the country estate. He is always mindful of your privacy, but available to assist with any queries.
Despite the secluded location, the places of interest in the region are within easy access. The private track of the country estate leads to the roads towards San Maria di Marciola and San Martino alla Palma. The motorway to Florence is only about 6km away. Or you can use public transport, with trams from the Villa Constanza stop in Scandicci about 5.5km away taking you directly into the centre of Florence in about 25 minutes (Stazione S.Maria Nov, every 3-4 minutes). Right next to the stop you can always find a free parking space. It is about 80km to the sea via the Florence-Pisa-Livorno motorway, and the popular lake Lago di Bilancino is about 35km away. The nearest shops, colourful markets, a (pizza) bakery, cafes and restaurants are in San Martino alla Palma about 4km away.
The 13th century farmhouse is set on a private hill surrounded by 35 hectares of olive groves, oak forests and an amazing variety of wildlife. There is a wide variety of birds, birds of prey, various types of deer (fallow, roe and red), wild boar, etc.The private country dirt-track road leading to the property is 800 mts long. The location is totally rural, with beautiful views, quiet and totally unspoilt. This is a protected area and no new buildings are allowed. There are no electric pylons and the whole surrounding area has all organic (biologish) productions.The property is close to all the main roads leading to all the places of interest, but they can't be seen or heard ! Public transport to the centre of Florence can be found at the bottom of the hill in Scandicci (5,5 km). The tram system is very efficient (every 3/4 mins). There is free parking close to the tram stop (Villa Costanza), which happens to be also the tram terminal. Tickets can be bought at the vendor machine (or at the local bar or tobacconist). It is a 25 minute journey to the city centre and main train station: "Stazione S.Maria Novella".
The holiday apartment on the upper floor consists of an open living and dining room with an integrated, fully-equipped kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom. The living room provides two comfortable sofas and a round dining table with four chairs. The open fireplace built into the wall enhances the cosy rustic atmosphere and exudes pleasant warmth on cooler evenings. The kitchen next to it is equipped with a four-zone gas stove, oven, fridge with freezer compartment, microwave, toaster, coffee machine and a washing machine. The bedroom is furnished with a double bed (160 x 200cm). The two sofas in the living room can be converted into two additional single beds (90 x 200cm). The colourfully tiled bathroom is fitted with a shower cubicle, a washbasin with a wall mirror, a hairdryer and a toilet.Plenty of bed linen and towels are provided and the wireless Internet connection is free.
Up on the private roof terrace there are chairs, a table and a parasol for you. It is ideal for relaxing with a panoramic view over the Tuscan landscape.
Once off the private dirt track, there is a narrow public road which leads up to S.Maria di Marciola, S.Martino alla Palma, which can be used for jogging, walking, or cycling. There is also another nature reserve near Poggio Valicaia a public park ideal for walking in the surrounding area.
SEA. The "FI-PI-LI" road leads you to the sea around 80/90km from the property. You get on this road at the "Ginestra Fiorentina" exit and in about 50 mins to an hour you will reach the coast. South of Livorno you will have rocky beaches( "CALAFURIA") quite close (1hour 15mins), north, close to Viareggio there is sand. Otherwise you go south of Castiglioncello, close to Vada and Cecina and there again, more sandy beaches.
LAKE. If you want to stay close and on a lake, we have one of the largest artificial lakes in Europe called "Lago di Bilancino", around 35 km away from here. You get on the A1 (pay toll motorway) towards Bologna and you get off at "Barberino di Mugello" (this lake is used as well as drinking water reservoir for Florence). You can also rent rowing and sailing boats for the day (motorboats are not allowed). Fishing permits are also released by the local authorities.
FOOD & SHOPPING areas close by. There is a convenient supermarket called EUROSPIN (30 mts after where you are supposed to enter Via delle Fonti). There is a larger supremarket : COOP before entering the small town Lastra a Signa (6km from prop.). There is a local baker open also on Sundays at "Inno" (4km) a tiny village with only one shop..! They have home made pizza and a bit of everything. Good quality, but of course a little more expensive than any supermarket !. There is also a "Penny" supermarket in "Casellina" (5,5 km) at the bottom of the hill going towards Florence. There is a local permanent farmers market where they have local produce called "Consorzio di Legnaia".
RESTAURANTS within 4 to 7 km. From Pizzas to typical local genuine, good food at fairly reasonable prices.(Casa del Popolo-S.Martino alla Palma) to typical local genuine, good food at fairly such as "Fiore" (S.Maria di Marciola) or "La Lanterna" (Pulica)...
House information: 2nd single bed; Bathrooms: 1; Bedroom; Exceptional object; Floor: 1; Property area: 66 m²; Total number of floors in the building: 1; Year of construction: 1500; Year of renovation: 2003;
Living area: DVD-Player; Fireplace; Iron; King-size bed;
Bath/WC: Hairdryer; Shower; Sink; Toilet;
Kitchen: Coffee machine; Freezer; Fridge; Gas stove; Microwave; Oven; Toaster;
Other: Baby chair; Heating; Owner lives on the property; Vacuum cleaner; Ventilator; Washing machine; Wifi;
Extra costs:
- Bed linen: included in price .
- Final cleaning: once per object Costs amounting to 50 EUR (Mandatory).
- energy costs: included in price .
- Towels: included in price .
- Heating: according to consumption (optional).
Additional information:
- Property area: 66 m²
- Distance to lake: 35 km
- Distance to town (Scandicci): 5.50 km
