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SUMMARY  

• Accommodation:  
  Main house "La Villetta": useable either as two independent apartments (available independently), each sleeping up to 5, or as a single unit sleeping a maximum of 10 people.
  Separate cottage "La Capanna":  sleeps up to 6.

• Location: 35km SE of Florence; near the small town of Reggello.

• Nearest Cities: Florence, Arezzo, Siena.

• Setting: Superb scenic country setting in a small hamlet with amazing views looking up into the Pratomagno Mountains.

• Domestic facilities (each apartment): Cooker with oven, refrigerator, freezer, washing machine (dishwasher in "La Capanna" only).

• Heating and Air conditioning: Both properties have air conditioning and central heating.

• Garden: Large garden includes lawns, patios, pergolas, tables, chairs & sun loungers, 2 bbqs, trees, plants, herbs etc. 

• Additional services: Cleaner and cook available on request.

• Swimming: Large, open-air pool 1 km away.

• Entertainment facilities (on the premises) 2 mountain bikes, a radio/CD & cassette player in each apartment (also some CDs), a few games e.g. chess, draughts etc., a range of books including some guide books.

• Local attractions: Walking, sight-seeing, restaurants & wine tasting, markets, architecture and art (especially renaissance & medieval), concerts, cycling, horse riding, fishing, and much more.

• Local shopping facilities: Excellent. Local markets, supermarkets, all types of shops, even 'designer' (Gucci, Prada etc.) factory outlets with substantial reductions, all within a few kilometres. 

• Local restaurants: Very good restaurants within walking distance, numerous others within a few kilometres.

• Nearest airports: Florence 35km (only a few flights to/from UK), Pisa 127km (main airport for Florence area), Bologna 141km.

• Nearest station: 8km at Figline Valdarno. Regular trains to Florence, Arezzo, Rome etc.

• Nearest motorway: 8km to the "Incisa" exit on the A1 Rome-Florence-Milan motorway.

• Prices: From 255 to 402 GB pounds per week; substantial reductions for two apartments and for two week bookings. Also 'last-minute' and 'longer period' discounts.

• Changeover day: Usually Saturdays, but often negotiable, especially for low season bookings.

INTRODUCTION

The main house "La Villetta" consists of an old two-storey building which may be used either as a single house or as two separate, fully self-contained apartments. Close beside it is a detached cottage "La Capanna",  a converted agricultural building. The location is ideal for people who want a base from which to explore the beautiful region of Tuscany, especially the area south of Florence. We do not claim to offer commercial "luxury holiday accommodation", but being primarily for our own use both properties are equipped to meet our personal needs and taste, and might best be described as simple, comfortable and very charming dwellings, with many attractive features, including a large garden, set in a spectacular position at the foot of the mountains. 

We frequently let the house to our friends (and their friends), many people returning there regularly. Quite a number are musicians or academics; others are artists, who find it a painter's paradise. People we don't know are also welcome to use either property, but we would like to emphasise that we want all visitors to feel as though they are 'participants', rather than impersonal tenants, enjoying everything that the place has to offer. With this in mind we don't ask the very high prices that are usual for holiday accommodation in the area. Above all we hope visitors will enjoy their time there; so if you are interested in going please look at the photographs of the house and photographs of the area, and also read the Frequently Asked Questions page to ensure that it is the kind of place that suits you. If you wish to know anything more you can always email us, or phone us to ask whatever you need to know.

LOCATION

The location is about 35 kilometres south-east of Florence, in the direction of Arezzo, at the foot of the Pratomagno mountains and not far from the Chianti area of central Tuscany. It is close to a village called Cascia and about 2 kilometres from the country town of Reggello. This can be found on almost any map covering the Florence area of Italy by following the river Arno eastward out of Florence; about 15 kilometres after it bends south at Pontassieve, Reggello can be found to the east of the river.

Both the 'A1' motorway and the Rome-Florence railway line are about eight kilometres away, giving easy access to the rest of north/central Italy and beyond. Florence is about 35 kilometres up the motorway; 25 to 50 minutes by train, depending on the train you catch. Other great cities such as Siena, Arezzo, Pisa, Lucca,  Perugia, numerous smaller towns and places of interest, such as San Gimignano, and several famous beauty spots are all easily accessible.

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THE SETTING AND THE LOCALITY  

The house ("La Villetta") and cottage ("La Capanna") are very close to each other, and are situated in a hamlet called I Tallini, a typical Italian small rural community, consisting of a few houses, a disused farm yard and a little chapel. Behind the house is a superb, view of the Pratomagno mountains, on which the light is constantly changing. They are tree clad high up, descending into olive groves and tiny vineyards, which run up close to the back of the house. There are numerous foot paths through the mountains (which reach higher than any in Britain), and there is a wealth of local flora and fauna. All around are typical Tuscan views, with all the characteristics of the area: cypress trees, olive groves and old buildings scattered amongst vineyards. The area is renowned in this part of Italy for the freshness of the air, and the local olive oil is generally held to be amongst the finest in the world.

Nearby Cascia (a ten minute walk) is a typical Tuscan village, famous for the Masaccio painting in the superb Romanesque church. There are several other fascinating small villages and towns nearby, many offering excellent walks, beautiful old churches and other ancient buildings and places of interest. Vallombrosa, a particularly famous beauty spot up in the mountains, is only a few kilometres away.

Westwards lies the river Arno and the Chianti hills, producing the splendid wines of the same name. Often considered one of the most beautiful regions in Europe, Chianti is a mixture of breathtaking views and charming, intimate villages. Around Cascia and Reggello there are far fewer tourists than in the Chianti heartland.

Slightly further afield, the cities of Florence, Siena and Arezzo offer a great variety of things to do and see. Medieval and Renaissance art and architecture is everywhere, there are theatres (some in the open-air), Roman and Etruscan ruins, shops and markets of every kind, as well as swimming baths, sports events and much more. Past visitors to the house have left numerous suggestions and personal recommendations of places to visit and things to do.

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THE ACCOMMODATION AND FACILITIES  

LA VILLETTA (the main house) is probably several hundred years old and is built of stone (we once found some old simple rustic fresco designs under the paint work, a part of which we have left exposed to view). It has two floors and may be used either as a single house or as two separate, self-contained apartments, each with its own cooking facilities and bathroom. There are separate entrances, and the only connecting door (at the foot of the stairs) may be kept locked. Each apartment sleeps four people comfortably and there is room for a fifth. People with children are welcome, but they should note that the house has not specifically been set up with very young children in mind. Each floor/apartment contains three rooms:

1) A living/dining room (with kitchen area) which includes a table, dining chairs, comfortable basket chairs, a double sofa-bed and a book case. In each of the kitchen areas there is a cooker, a refrigerator a sink with hot and cold water and plenty of cooking and eating utensils.

2) A large bedroom with a very comfortable double bed, a folding single bed, a wardrobe, a chest of drawers and bedside cabinets. 

3) A bathroom fully equipped with hot water, showers, hand basins and WCs (also a bidet in the upstairs bathroom). 

Both apartments have air-conditioning and central heating. 

Over the years we have comprehensively restored the house whilst trying to preserve its simple rustic style. We make no claim that it is in perfect condition, but we feel that the house is now very comfortable and attractive.

LA CAPANNA (the adjacent cottage) is on a single floor and was converted by our former neighbours from an old agricultural building. We bought it in 2003 and have made extensive changes to it since then, including the installation of air conditioning and central heating. Six people can use the place very comfortably. It consists of four rooms: 

1) A large sitting/dining room containing a well equipped kitchen area (fridge, dishwasher, double sink, cupboards etc, and plenty of cooking and eating utensils), a large extendable dining table, chairs, a double sofa-bed, a book case, etc. This room has a large window offering superb views of the nearby mountains.

2) A bedroom with a double bed (new and very comfortable), a chest of drawers, a wardrobe, etc.

3) A smaller bedroom with two single beds which stack one above the other, a chest of drawers, etc.

4) A very well set up and spacious bathroom which includes a shower, hand basin, WC and a bidet. 

For residents of both the LA VILLETTA & LA CAPANNA there is a large garden shed which contains a washing machine, a sink and a freezer. In both buildings there are clear instructions about gas, electricity, water and other essential information. There are also some guide books, brochures about places to visit, past visitors' recommendations, maps, a few games, a range of books for all ages to read and a radio/cd/cassette player in each apartment. There are two mountain bikes in the garden shed which visitors are welcome to use as long as they maintain them well.

Sheets and towels We can offer these to visitors for a supplementary fee of £6 per person per week to cover the washing costs, or if people prefer they can take their own. There are plenty of blankets provided. 

A cleaner/cook who lives nearby may be engaged, subject to availability. This can be arranged directly with the cleaner/cook who charges 10 euros per hour for cleaning, and 30 euros per head for a 5 course meal which includes wine. Contact details are made available when a booking is made.

Although the apartments are checked over after each visit there is no official caretaker; so we ask visitors to leave everything clean and tidy ready for the next people. This way we can offer the place far more cheaply to our visitors. We ask for a £50 deposit which is returned as soon as soon as we receive confirmation that everything has been left clean and in order. 

Please note that we ask that smokers do not smoke indoors, only in the garden, and well away from other guests.

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THE GARDEN  

Since acquiring the neighbouring cottage we have merged its garden with the original garden which we had made some years ago out of a piece of olive grove close to the main house. There is now one extensive garden for the use of residents in both houses. It has lawns, patios, shaded and covered areas (including pergolas) so that visitors can always find a relatively private spot to sit, sunbathe or eat. There are several outdoor tables, chairs and sun-loungers and two bbqs. As well as shrubs and flowering plants there are herbs for cooking.  From the garden, much of which is not directly overlooked by any other houses, there is a superb view up into the mountains. In addition to the garden, there is so much open land nearby that it is always easy to find a quiet, private outdoor spot. Both La Capanna and the downstairs apartment of La Villetta open directly onto the garden, and residents of the upstairs apartment only have to walk a few steps down the road to access the garden via a little path.

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LOCAL AMENITIES  & THINGS TO DO

Shopping: the village of Cascia has plenty of traditional shops for most basic necessities, as well as a modern supermarket, a chemist, a bank and two restaurants. Reggello has shops for more specialised requirements, a travel agent, good restaurants, and a market on Saturdays. Excellent wines can be bought either from shops or directly from local producers. Nearby Figline offers even more extensive shopping facilities. For people interested in finding a real bargain in the world of "haute couture" (women's and men's)  there is, nearby, a shopping centre called The Mall, home to the factory outlets of Gucci, Giorgio Armani, Yves Saint Laurent, and other top designer labels. Not far away there is a similar Prada outlet.

Restaurants: within a distance of some two or three kilometres there are at least six really good restaurants ranging from the simple and cheap but delicious, to the more sophisticated and expensive. There are also several local bars, some of which also serve light meals. Only slightly further afield there are numerous other restaurants.

Public transport is good, with both buses and trains (local and mainline) in easy reach. This makes it very easy and quick to get to Florence, Arezzo and many other interesting places that are further away such as Perugia or even Rome.

Swimming: there is a beautiful new large open-air swimming pool with sunbathing facilities only 1 km away in the village of Cascia, and also large pools in the nearby towns of Figline and San Giovanni. Other local sports facilities include horse riding (a few hundred metres from the house), tennis at courts in the village of Cascia, and fishing in local lakes or the river Arno.

To read about the many things to do locally see the Frequently asked questions page under Amenities, Attractions & the Environment and also the Places to visit page; if you can read Italian take a look at The official Reggello website

There is a Tourist Information Office in Reggello, open in summer. 

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HOW TO GET THERE  

If you are going by car from Britain allow about sixteen hours from Calais. The Frequently asked questions page suggests some possible routes, and the Hotels pages has information about possible accommodation en route. 

If you are going to fly it is best to get a flight to Pisa (the main airport for the area), Florence or Bologna and then either hire a car or use public transport. See the Frequently asked questions page for more information about cheap flights, car hire and transport in general.

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INFORMATION & ASSISTANCE FOR VISITORS

A few week before departure we email a set of links to visitors so they can download instructions about finding the property along with information about electricity, gas, water, local amenities and also other general information including phone numbers and contact people for emergencies. 

About ten days before departing for their holiday we send visitors the keys by post. 

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COSTS AND BOOKING ARRANGEMENTS  

• Bookings should usually start and finish on Saturdays, but it may well be possible to change this sometimes, especially for bookings outside the peak periods.

• The prices below are per week and are for two people per apartment in La Villetta or in La Capanna.

• For all additional people there is a small surcharge of £15 per person per week to cover the increased utility costs.

• For use of sheets and towels there is an additional charge of £6 per person per week (or part week) to cover washing expenses.

• There is a £50 deposit  which will be returned as soon as soon as confirmation is received that everything has been left clean and in order. If we need to engage a cleaner after visitors have left, or if there are breakages, then the costs are deducted before returning the deposit.

• At the time of booking we require an initial payment of one third of the basic fee as shown in the chart below, at which point the person making the booking becomes responsible for the total fee. We ask for the remaining two thirds, plus any supplementary charges for extra people and for sheets and towels, plus the £50 deposit (see above), to be paid eight weeks before the first day of the booked period. 

• In cases of cancellation we can only guarantee to make a refund if we can re-let the relevant period. However, any supplementary charges (for extra people or for sheets) that may have been paid will be refunded in full, as will the £50 deposit.

• Visitors receive keys, information and location maps at least a week before leaving for Italy (or earlier if needed).

• We are happy to offer significant discounts on "last minute" bookings made within the three weeks prior to the arrival date. Please email or phone us for details.

PRICES (in pounds sterling):

"LA VILLETTA" (THE MAIN HOUSE) 2008

"LA CAPANNA" (THE COTTAGE) 2008

TO MAKE A RESERVATION  

Please send us an email (or phone/fax us) stating:

• Your name

• Your home address 

• Your home, work and mobile phone numbers 

• Your preferred apartment: "La Villetta" upstairs, downstairs, the whole house; or the cottage "La Capanna". When sleeping arrangements make it practical, we would prefer (but not insist) that smaller groups of 2 to 4 people consider taking one of the apartments in the main house, leaving the cottage free for larger groups of up to 6 people. 

• The dates you want to book 

• The exact number of people in your party. 

• If you wish to use our sheets, your sleeping arrangements (use of the double and single beds) 

• Any other relevant information 

• Where you heard about the house

We will provisionally hold a period for you for ten days, and send you an agreement to sign. When you return the agreement to us along with the initial payment (see above) the booking may then taken as confirmed. In the meantime, if you would like to know more before reserving a period do get in touch at any time.

Gwyn & Claudia Pritchard, Forest Hill, London, UK
     Tel & Fax: 020 (outside UK +44 20) 8699 8883
     Email: gwyn.claudia@virgin.net