Casa Santippe

Barberino Val D'elsa 1 br Vacation Rental Villa

Casa Santippe is part of a stone house and features an enthralling view of
the surrounding hills. It is 50 square meters (about 538 square feet) large, and
it sleeps three people. There is a private covered patio and a shared
swimming-pool and garden. It is part of a small medieval hamlet consisting of
houses in stone restored as vacation homes. It is 35 km (about 22 miles) away
from Siena and 40 km (about 25 miles) away from Florence.

Casa Santippe has a double bedroom, a spacious living-room with a divan bed, a
small kitchen, and a bathroom with shower.

It is equipped with heating and spacious parking space.

The place

Casa Santippe is part of a medieval hamlet in stone situated amidst the green
and lovely hills stretching between Florence and Siena; the hills where the
famous Chianti wine is produced.

Panorama

As soon as you arrive, you will be delighted by the view of the whole place. I
was absolutely hypnotized by it!

On the top of a lovely prominent piece of land covered in thick green lawn, you
will see a group of ancient houses in grey stone outlined against the blue of
the sky. The sloping lawn is delimited by an unpaved path embellished by a
double line of cypresses.

The embroidery-like pattern formed by the high and lean top of cypresses seem to
separate the intense-green of the wood from the bright green of the sun-drenched
lawn.

Adding to the view, next to the house, are large vases where lemons are
cultivated, vases filled with red cranesbills, perfumed bushes, and flower beds
of roses.

Beside the stone houses, in a secluded area, you will catch sight of the
inviting blue of the beautiful swimming-pool, surrounded by a lawn and green
umbrellas.

The air is clean, the peacefulness around is perfect, and everything is well
cared for and well kept: you will feel as if inside a dream; the Tuscany you've
always dreamed of!

History

The hamlet where you will spend your vacation has a fascinating history of over
a thousand years. It was built around a small church which, in the Medieval
Times, used to host pilgrims who would leave France to go to Rome by going along
an ancient road called 'Via Franchigena' on foot.

In the sixteenth century, the hamlet, along with the lands surrounding it,
became property of a noble family from Florence. Later, in the eighteenth
century, the hamlet was used as destination to hunting missions of the Grand
Dukes of Tuscany and a place to eat well and have good wine.

Farm

Nowadays, the hamlet where you will spend your vacation is part of a 20-hectare
(about 0.5 acre) farm.

Part of the land is covered by an area of wood of live oaks and oaks: you will
be able to stroll around and even have picnics in the area. The part of the land
nearest to the house is reserved to the breeding of horses.

The owners live in the main house of the hamlet. They will warmly greet you, and
they will be available to help you in case you need with all their discretion.
If you wish, they will help you organize cultural tours and choose the best wine
cellars and farms to be visited in the area.

Swimming pool

At Casa Santippe you have a shared 12 x 6 meter (39 x 20 feet) swimming-pool at
your disposal. Next to the pool, you will find a sun-drenched area furnished
with an umbrella and deck chairs to each apartment. Even from the swimming-pool
you will be able to enjoy a relaxing view of the surrounding green hills.

The swimming-pool opens from the first of May to the end of October.

House

Casa Santippe is on the ground floor, and you can reach it straight from the
garden. In front of the living-room, you will find a gracious covered patio
enclosed by a large glass window. You will find a table with chairs, and you
will be able to relax and have meals outdoor with a green lawn and an endless
view of the hills and the woods before your eyes.

The living-room is furnished with a single divan bed, a table, chairs, and a TV.
From the living-room you can enter the small kitchen, which is equipped with a
four-burner stove, an oven, a fridge, and small appliances. You will also be able to use a shared laundry room.

From the living-room you can also enter the beautiful double bedroom and the bathroom with shower.
The bedroom has a window overlooking the hills.

Casa Santippe's furnishings are complete and elegant. You will find an
atmosphere which is cozy and typical of old country Tuscan houses: terracotta
floor, ceiling with wooden joists and terracotta roof tiles, and beautiful
family antique furniture restored with care and love.

You need a car during your stay at Casa Santippe. You will find a large parking
space in the place.

Nearby tourist attractions

Casa Santippe is 6 km (about 3.7 miles) away from Barberino Valle Di Elsa, where
you will also find a railway station. At 2 km (about 1.2 mile) away, you will
find a shopping mall with some food shops.

You will be in a convenient position to visit all the splendid cities of art of
Tuscany on daily excursions, especially Florence which is 40 km (about 25
miles); Siena, 35 km (about 22 miles) away; Volterra, 30 km (about 19 miles)
away; Monteriggioni, 24 km (about 15 miles); San Gimignano, only 14 km (about 9
miles). You can also easily go on daily excursions to Umbria and Rome.

You will be in the area where the Chianti wine is produced, and not only can you
go on cultural visits to cities nearby, but also stop at the beautiful wine
cellars of the region while going along the "Strada del Vino" (Road of the
Wine).

Just enjoy the delight which is traveling along such road and discovering
hamlets and castles which embellish the top of every hill with their towers. You
will find that countryside Tuscany where the pace of ancient way of living seems
to have been miraculously conserved; that Tuscany which enthrals and infatuate
artists and visitors …

And in case you are fond of Italian fashion, don't forget to plan a stop at the
famous 'Valdichiana Outlet Village', where you will find 90 shops which offer
Italian high fashion for extremely reasonable prices!

Accommodations: Independent house or villa in small complex

The rental price includes: final cleaning; electricity; linens; towels.

Local Costs: Available upon request, if desired:heating (when needed) EUR 5.00/m3.