Originally a country estate dating back to 1795, this superb Leopoldine villa blends outstanding elegance and comfort with traditional rustic features which reflect its long history. It retains the typical rooftop pigeon-loft, now romantically transformed into an extra-special bridal suite, as well as most of its terracotta-tiled floors, wood-beamed ceilings and internal brick archways, all recently restored as distinguishing hallmarks of Tuscan interiors.

Many rooms are furnished with stylish 17th century antiques, lovingly chosen by experts, and exclusively commissioned hand-made woodwork, wrought-iron work, light-fittings and wall-frescoing add a distinctive note of artistic refinement to the whole environment. This really is superior–grade accommodation, in a class of its own, with facilities that lend themselves perfectly to wedding receptions, banquets and other such large-scale events.

Set on a gentle hill among extensive lawns, which guarantee utmost privacy and tranquillity, the villa commands spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding countryside in the direction of the Chiana Valley towards Cortona. These views can be enjoyed both from the grounds themselves and from the magnificent, large, round-arched windows in the two main lounges. The property boasts two fantastic pools, the larger of which is graced at one end by a lovely stone archway and can accommodate outdoor receptions on a grand scale under its twin poolside gazebos. The smaller pool, designed in the shape of a figure eight and crossed by a charming bridge, offers opportunities for more secluded, private bathing. All the houses on site have underfloor heating and Sat.TV and Wi-Fi Internet access are provided throughout. A powerful hi-fi sound-system also enables music to be relayed outside in the grounds, in addition to being played indoors.

Casale Bettolle can be rented in various solutions, for groups from 10 to a maximum of 22+4 persons. This can be obtained by renting only the main villa or adding the annexes. The professional kitchen is located in the main villa. You can choose between the self catering option (in this case the cleanings for the kitchen are extra) or the catering possibility upon request which includes staff for preparing breakfast, lunch and dinner. In case the villa is rented for 10 persons it is only possible to have the catering option.

ACCOMODATION

MAIN VILLA: At ground-floor level you enter a big breakfast room and bar area with a lovely, high, brick-vaulted ceiling. Adjoining this is a large, fully equipped professional kitchen. There is a half-bathroom next door.

An attractive brick archway takes you into the ultra-spacious lounge whose main window, extending almost across one entire wall, lets in bright light and superb garden views. From here two further brick arches lead you through to the second lounge section, where three French doors open on to the grounds. Both these rooms are characterized by high, vaulted ceilings, frescoed walls and a striking collection of 17th century antique furniture, including elegant brocade armchairs and darkwood tables and cupboards. There is a second half-bathroom next to the lounge.

A small ground-floor ANNEXE APARTMENT can be accessed directly from inside or independently from outside the main villa. It consists of a small kitchen/dining/sitting area; an elegantly decorated double bedroom; and an adjoining bathroom with stylish modern fittings, travertine-stone tilework and shower cubicle.

A second, larger ANNEXE APARTMENT is accessed only externally at ground-floor level. It consists of a kitchen/dining/sitting area, from which a hand-finished staircase leads up to a small double bedroom (housed under the sloping, beamed roof of the former tobacco-drying loft), plus ensuite bathroom with shower. Upstairs there is also a second, larger double bedroom (antique wooden bed, with two single mattresses), plus ensuite bathroom with shower. Both bedrooms feature original hand-crafted wall-lights and hand-painted wooden headboards and bedside shelving.

Returning to the MAIN VILLA and approaching up the steepish outside stone staircase, you step directly into a spacious, second-floor lounge/dining-room, divided by brick arches, where another large, rounded window looks out over the distant countryside. The furnishings include a dining table, sofa and armchairs around the fully working fireplace, frescoed cream-washed walls and a very special hand-crafted red and blue Murano-glass chandelier. A large painted cupboard conceals within it a mini built-in kitchen with sink, electric hob, oven, fridge and dishwasher.

Leading off from each corner of this central dayroom is a large double bedroom, four in total. Each one has an antique, wrought-iron bedstead and a wardrobe incorporating old-fashioned wooden shutters for doors. One of them, the so-called Bishop’s Bedroom, even has an elegant curtain canopy at the bedhead. All these bedrooms contain their own enclosed, frescoed bathroom corner with shower cubicle, where many of the porcelain fittings are fashioned and painted by hand.

Perhaps the most eye-catching feature of this upper-floor lounge is its central wooden staircase, with wrought-iron banister of Art Nouveau design, which entices you up to the former pigeon-loft, now converted into an idyllic, out-of-this-worldbridal suite. Hand-produced glass screens enclose this very romantic, privatespace under the original beamed ceiling, while a red and blue Murano-glass wall-light echoes the downstairs chandelier. Dating from the 17th century, the double wrought-iron bedstead is canopied in fine cream material, which complements the stencilled pattern of the beige-washed walls. There is an ensuite bathroom with roomy shower cubicle, as well as a mini-bar, so that the happy couple rarely need to descend to earth!

COTTAGE ANNEXES (let only in conjunction with the Main Villa): Within the grounds are three separate cottage annexes, each with its own little secluded garden, facing away from the villa. The first Cottage Annexe (Grancia) comprises an open-plan kitchen/dining/sitting area, with working fireplace; oven and gas hob; a double bedroom with canopy curtains at the bedhead; and an ensuite bathroom with shower, all at ground-floor level.

The second Cottage Annexe (Vecchio Forno) comprises a ground-floor fitted kitchen/dining/living area with double sofa-bed, working fireplace, frescoed walls and a lovely original sun-shaped mirror, there is one ground-floor double bedroom with ensuite bathroom. Nestling among the lawns just behind the second and third cottages and shared by both, is an exquisite private pool, designed in the form of a figure eight and crossed by a delicate, wrought-iron bridge. It has a gazebo to one side, ideal for al fresco dining and relaxing.

The third Cottage Annexe (Il Fienile) is two-storey, consisting of a ground-floor kitchen/dining/sitting area, with one downstairs double bedroom leading off it, plus ensuite bathroom. Travertine-stone stairs proceed up to the second double bedroom, directly under the lovely, beamed, pitched roof. Here the greatest surprise of all comes in the shape of an ultra-chic, freestanding “Napoleonic-style” bathtub (all plumbed-in, of course!), which greets you, fully open-plan, in the middle of the bedroom! The basin and toilet are likewise in the room, though behind a partition!

The property owner is always available in the reception located in the estate in a buildind adjoining to the third cottage annexe.

GARDEN & SWIMMING POOL

A gravel drive winds through olive groves from the property’s entrance gates to the informal gravelled parking area in front of the garden. From here steps take you up to paved pathways that cross the lawns, passing the old, covered-in well and among little trees, terracotta urns and bright, scented rosebushes. To your right, a welcoming garden-house serves as Reception, where all your queries can be answered! 

Further steps, flanked by sloping flowerbeds, then beckon you down to the main pool (16x6 meters), where the encircling fence is lined with young Cypresses. A colourful pergola surmounts the adjacent pool-house, which accommodates two toilets and a hot shower, while a second, cold shower is available just outside. Looking itself somewhat like a fairy-tale cottage, the original old wood-burning pizza-oven – still fully functional – stands on the poolside lawn, by one of the shade-giving gazebos.

The second swimming pool (oval shaped 4x10 meters) is available close to the annexe "Vecchio Forno" and "Il Fienile".