A gorgeous Tuscan dream, this villa is pretty near perfect in our opinion... Villa Casa Rossa stands on the top of a hill at the end of a tree-lined road. The newly restored villa was used in the past as a stable and then as the farm managers house. Today it is called “La Casa Rossa” or the red house because of it’s very beautiful red plaster work. It is located next to the big house which is a grand and nobile Medici Hunting Villa. 

Today the owners live there. Whilst being very respectful of your privacy, if desired, they can also be informative and charming hosts, providing a wealth of local information. The original owners were the Count Bardi Family. Historians think that the architect Buontalenti projected and built the villa on ancient ruins. There are many very suggestive old stories about the Bardi Family: some legends tell of ghosts wandering in the villa and riding white horses in the countryside around, especially in winter time with the snow. You will have a view of the exciting, imposing Villa from the beautiful glass kitchen glass door of the Red House every day. 

The estate is a farm of 300 hectares located on the southern hills of Pisa in the Volterra area. The owner raise cattle and horses, and grows cereal and hay.The surrounding landscape is gently rolling hills carpeted with verdant fields between wooded areas where the livestock grazes wild and in winter time hunters with their hunting dogs go shooting pheasants and grey partridge. On the ridges cypress lines delineate the borders of the property. 

Many old olive trees are cultivated in the traditional way and the owners pay particular attention to produce the best possible quality 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil. On the top of a hill there is a landing strip as the owner likes to fly and has a small airplane (a P-92 for 2 pax). If you have the courage to fly with him it is a splendid way to admire the beauty and variety of the region. Guests with their own private planes are also welcome.

ACCOMODATION

The 210 m² villa has 2 floors: On the ground floor, at the entrance, you will find a sunny veranda, with a small dining table and refreshed by an ecological vaporization system (about 10° less than the regular temperature). To the left is a double sitting room-study with a fireplace, satellite television, sprawling sofas, a library well stocked with books and magazines, a DVD player and Persian carpets. 

To your right is a large, beautiful eat-in kitchen very well equipped with dishwasher, oven, microwave, toaster, mixer, American coffee machine etc. This is a kitchen for serious cooks and toast makers alike and opens directly on to the out door eating area that is shaded by a pergola and has a BBQ. 

Next to the kitchen there is the laundry, with a washing machine, tumble dryer and an iron. There is also a big bathroom with a bath tub.

Upstairs you will find 4 beautiful bed rooms that can either be made up as twin or double. The largest bedroom has a sofa which can be used as a third bed. 

There are 2 bathrooms, each with a large walk in shower. Everything in the house is very functional (there is even a central vacuum) but at the same time Vicky and Giovanni (the owners) have done a painstaking job, furnishing the house with beautiful art and antiques. It has also been carefully made child friendly.

From the roof, which is a terrace, you will be delighted with the very beautiful sight of the surrounding hills, some topped with ancient village.Volterra is the most impressive. Here there is even a telescope and at night you will be able to admire the beautiful starry skies, unpolluted by the lights of big cities. 

All bathrooms have shoe closets in them. There is a hair dryer on each floor.

All bedrooms have ceiling fans which due to the elevation and thick walls of the villa are sufficient to keep you cool in all but the most appalling heat waves. All bedrooms have a phone line and the villa is provided with wireless internet connexion.

GARDEN & SWIMMING POOL

The gardens and grounds around the villa are beautiful. The pool has the most amazing views and a black interior which creates very beautiful reflections. It is 5 x 10 meters, 1.5 deep.

The owners are avid hunters and would love to have you accompany them during the season which is in winter. In the spring and summer time there is a clay pigeon shooting range which operates on Saturdays and Sundays. 

The property produces its own olive oil and its own vegetables during the spring and summer, the produce is available to guests. You can also rent one of the 4 mountain bikes available.