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Tenuta Giola consists of 2 separate
buildings only let together. The charm of these two
villas, one in warm red brickwork, the other in honey-coloured
stone, set close together in extensive, meticulously
tended grounds overlooking the lovely Chiana Valley,
derives from their traditional historic origins (as
a converted hay-barn and the estate owner’s house),
combined with their very recent renovation. They both
feature attractive, burgundy shutters, red-tiled roofs,
arched windows and typical, small Tuscan chimneypots,
but their interiors offer all the very latest practical
conveniences, with a slightly more modern Tuscan elegance
of style.  The fact that one of the houses is built into
the hill, resulting in them standing on different levels
from each other, also lends the property an unusual
quality.
The
level of comfort provided by both these villas is exceptional,
with spacious dayrooms, tastefully furnished with an
array of dining tables, sofas and armchairs and featuring
a number of Murano glass,Venetian chandeliers, as well
as a variety of paintings. There is an abundance of
natural wood, used for the furniture, beams, doors,
shutters and internal stairways, which harmonizes perfectly
with the simple beauty of the terracotta floor tiling.
The properties are centrally heated
and double-glazed throughout, and are surrounded by
terracotta-paved terrace areas, ideal for open-air relaxing
and dining, under the protection of the sunshades provided.
From here the gentle slope at the
rear of the property leads the eye down past the swimming
pool and then out towards the unrestricted view of the
 surrounding vineyards, olive groves,grain and sunflowerfields,
finally taking in the medieval towns of Lucignano and
Monte San Savino on the hilltops opposite in the far
distance.
Beyond these paved terraces are gravelled
areas which then give way to lawns dotted with shady
trees, flowerbeds and big terracotta plantpots. The
second house also boasts a wonderful first-floor, covered
loggia, a stunning and sheltered spot for admiring the
open countryside while taking it easy.
ACCOMMODATION: VILLA
GIOLA: Access is at ground-floor level from an
arched loggia at the front of the property, taking you
into a small hallway featuring an unusual, large, arched
window with external sunblind. From here you proceed
into a spacious open-plan dayroom, incorporating two
dining and living areas, separated by two internal arches.
There are two cosy living corners, with Satellite TV, bookshelves and working open fireplace. A glass-panelled
door then brings you into the large, fully-equipped
kitchen, again divided into two sections, one comprising
an 8-seater table and big Tuscan wooden dresser; the
other, fitted units with oven, gasrings, extractor fan,
dishwasher and big fridge-freezer.  There are mosquito
nets at the windows. French doors open out on to a terracotta-tiled
terrace, complete with stylish wooden garden furniture
for al fresco dining, while enjoying the restful views
over the garden with its little pinewood on this side
of the house. Opposite the kitchen entrance there is
a bathroom with shower and nextdoor to this an easy-access,
ground-floor double bedroom, with French doors to the
tiled terrace and garden beyond, ideal for anybody with
walking difficulties.
Returning
to the little entrance hallway, you access the first-floor
bedrooms via a curved staircase with elegant wooden
banister and low wall spotlights, and whose upper landing
boasts a large Venetian mirror. There is ample wardrobe
space on the parquet-floored landing, as well as in
the bedrooms themselves. There are three double bedrooms
on this floor: the first with walk-in wardrobe/dressing-room
area and a spacious, ensuite bathroom with wall and
floor tiles and modern, built-in shower cubicle. The
second large double bedroom, with its elegant, Venetian-style
furniture and lights, also has a large, newly fitted,
ensuite bathroom with wall and floor tiles and a bathtub,
as well as a modern, built-in shower cubicle. Opposite
this room is the third double bedroom, including a dressing-room
area with a lot of  wardrobe space and a modern, ensuite
bathroom with built-in shower cubicle.
VILLA LAPO: The converted
barn is a narrower building still featuring the traditional
criss-cross pattern of gratings in brickwork characteristic
of the original structure, which add such charm to the
facade. The front entrance is under a shady porch reached
via an external stone stairway, and brings you in at
the top floor where two of the bedrooms are. The first
of these is a spacious double bedroom plus ensuite bathroom
with a round, corner shower cubicle, complete with jacuzzi
jets; heated towel-rail and tiled floor and walls, including
a pretty, patterned frieze. Opposite
this one is a twin-bedded room (beds can be joined together),
again with large, modern, ensuite bathroom, which features
a round, corner, shower cubicle, also with jacuzzi jets;
heated towel-rail and tiled floor and walls.
From the corridor, you find yourself
at the top of an internal, modern, wooden staircase
which takes you down to the middle floor. The curved,
open-plan stairs bring you directly into the living-room,
with its comfortable sofa and armchairs, Satellite
TV and glass-fronted dresser.  From here large, arched
French windows with burgundy shutters beckon you out
on to the lovely walled, wooden-roofed loggia, or sheltered
terrace, whose elevated position commands spectacular
views over the gently undulating farmland of the Chiana
Valley, as well as over the tree-filled gardens of the
estate, thereby creating the perfect outdoor dining-room!
When you pass back inside via the
small landing which leads to a bedroom and bathroom ensuite and a laundry/ironing/storage room. Narrow, curving stone stairs
then take you right down to the lowest level of the
building, which is at ground level at the rear. They
issue into a corridor, off which there are two double
bedrooms with fitted wardrobes. They
share a maxi-sized bathroom with maxi-sized shower cubicle;
washing-machine and elegantly tiled floors and walls
with a pretty, patterned frieze.
On this lowest level the lovely ceiling
lights, Venetian mirrors and honey-coloured floor-tiles
are particularly eye-catching. From the corridor you
proceed into a roomy dining area with wooden table, and extending in open-plan style into
a living-room with sofas, armchairs, coffee tables
and Satellite TV.  A door leading off the dining area
opens into the modern, fitted, ground-floor kitchen,
rustic in style and equipped with microwave and large
fridge, as well as large table. The kitchen then
offers direct access through large, elegant French doors
on to a very big terracotta-paved terrace, fully equipped
with tables and sunshades, and therefore ideal for al
fresco dining. The views over the surrounding countryside
to be enjoyed from this suntrap are again quite breathtaking.
To one side of this terrace there is also a gazebo and
barbecue facilities.
To regain the ground level of the
main house from here, it is necessary to proceed up
some low paved steps, which connect with the gravelled
terrace above.
THE
GARDEN AND SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT: The extensive,
well-manicured, fenced-in grounds slope gently from
the gravelled entrance drive down towards the rectangular
pool (7x14 metres) behind the villas and embrace unimpeded
views of sunflower and grainfields; vineyards; olive
groves and wooded areas, with no other properties close
by.  There are lawns to the front and side of the villas,
which are filled with native, shade-giving trees, such
as Cypresses, olives, holm oaks, acacias, baytrees and
birches. The borders are planted with purple lavender
as well as bright, scented floribunda rosebushes.
Large terracotta pots containing colourful
geraniums, lemon trees and olive trees decorate the
grounds, along with terracotta statuettes. Plenty of
luxuriant shade is furnished by the canopy of a little
wood of maritime pines and by an olive grove, situated
on one of the grassy slopes behind the villas. The pool
itself lies on the lower edge of the estate, with nothing
between it and the fabulous scenery beyond. Lining the
fence stands a row of decorative oleanders in ceramic
pots, as well as low bushes and roses on the lawn. A
poolside gazebo, housing table and chairs, provides
shade for leisurely relaxation. Apart from birdsong
there is little to disturb the tranquillity of this
idyllic location.
There is ample parking space on the
flat, gravelled terrace by the entrance gates.
LOCATION: The estate
is situated near the  town of Foiano della Chiana in
the heart of the Chiana Valley (Valdichiana), just south
of Arezzo, in Tuscany. The motorway A1 ( Autostrada
del Sole), which connects Naples, Rome, Florence and
Milan, is within 10 minutes’ driving distance.
The nearest mainline railway station (Rome-Florence
line) is in Arezzo, 20 minutes’ drive by car and
40 minutes by small, local train, which leaves from
Foiano. The nearest airports are in Florence 1 hour
or Rome and Pisa 2 hours by car. Within easy driving
distance are places famed for their historic, artistic,
architectural and scenic interest, such as Lucignano;
Monte San Savino; Arezzo; Cortona; Civitella; Siena;
Florence; Lake Trasimeno and the nearby Apennine mountain
range.
HISTORY: The Chiana
Valley is reclaimed marshland, which was first drained
following plans drawn up by Leonardo da Vinci in the
15th century. As a result, its soil is very fertile
and produces rich harvests of fruit, grain, grapes,
olives, sunflower-seeds and sweetcorn. It is also home
to the famous Chianina cow, celebrated for its size,
white colour and large horns, as well as for the succulent
steaks it yields!
OTHER FACILITIES AVAILABLE
NEARBY: Cookery courses are available at the
villas on request; the Valdichiana Outlet is within
easy reach, a shopping centre with more than 80 stores
selling last year’s goods at very reduced prices;
horseriding; hot-air balloon flights; thermal spas;
wine touring and tasting; bike hire; nature hikes.
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