|
Set on a secluded hillside, enjoying panoramic views out towards Arezzo and the Apennine range beyond, this villa really has it all! In addition to the lovely pool, a tennis court, gym, rooftop-sunterrace and outdoor jacuzzi will help you keep fit, as well as unwind! The luxurious interiors are furnished in a predominantly modern style, with a hint of Oriental flair. Every comfort has been thought of and the extensive landscaped gardens provide a variety of ideal venues for al fresco relaxation and dining.
 The villa is centrally heated and air-conditioned throughout and all bedrooms are non-smoking. Each has an ensuite bathroom with shower, as well as a phone; flat-screen LCD Sat.TV; safe; mini-bar/fridge; coffee-maker; hairdrier and bathrobes. There is a small communal study-corner providing Internet access for all guests, in addition to a spacious home-cinema area, with a maxi-screen and projector for video, DVD or TV viewing.
All bedrooms are double, except for two inter-communicating single rooms, with a shared bathroom. Two of the double rooms can accommodate a third (single) bed. Two baby-cots are also available, on request. Guests can choose to self-cater when they wish, but there is always the option – on request – of having meals specially prepared by a cook (extra charge).
This spacious, comfortable villa is of a striking architectural design and harmoniously combines traditional Tuscan structural features – such as exposed stonework walls, wood-burning fireplaces, lunette windows, arched doorways and loggia patios – with ultra-stylish modern additions.  The materials used are particularly attractive and of exceptionally high quality, including polished travertine marble flooring, large expanses of glass for picture-windows and sliding-doors; and a blend of different shades of natural wood for wall-cladding, stairs, doors and furniture.
The extensive grounds have been professionally landscaped, so that their various terraced levels, sheltered and shaded by hedges and mature trees, offer a choice of opportunities for sunbathing, open-air dining or undisturbed relaxation.
The absolute privacy and quiet guaranteed by this magnificent setting really do allow you to get away from it all, in a world apart!
ACCOMMODATION: Main Villa: Sleeps 14 (+2) in 8 bedrooms with 7 ensuite bathrooms.
Two mini-apartments, each sleeping 2 ( + 2 on single sofabeds) in 1 bedroom with 1 bathroom.
Please note: The villa is let as a single unit and the apartments are only let in conjunction with the main villa.
At ground-floor level, you enter the hallway of the modern, low-ceilinged  extension, built on to the front of the original villa. From here you step into the bright, spacious sitting-room, where large picture-windows let in garden views, and sliding glass doors open out on to a covered patio, furnished with tables and chairs. This commands spectacular sweeping views over the countryside opposite, including Arezzo’s small airfield in the foreground, from where parachutists from all over Italy set off to make their breath-taking jumps! To one side, steps proceed down to the lower pool-terrace. The lounge is tastefully furnished with leather sofas, Persian rugs, ultra-modern lighting, a wood-burning fireplace, Sat.TV, and incorporates a cosy Internet corner.
Stairs lead down, open-plan, into the home-cinema space, where sofas extend along three walls, facing the maxi-screen. Videos, DVDs and Sat.TV (including Sky in English and BBC World Service) can be shown, which is perfect for keeping yourself up-to-date, as well as the children entertained! On shelves above the seating is a whole library of travel and guide books for your reference.
 Adjoining is the low-ceilinged, Oriental-style dining area, where the small tables can stay separate or be moved together. A few of these are located on a lower level, accessed by more stairs, where sliding glass doors invite you out to the pool-terrace and the lawn alongside. At the far end of this main dining-room, a round-arched glass door takes you outside on to a pretty little dining patio, shaded by olive trees and tall pines.
Another door proceeds into the service area, which accommodates the following: a fully equipped fitted kitchen, including dishwasher and two big freezers; utility room, with washing machine and tumble-drier; bathroom, with circular jacuzzi-bathtub.
Returning to the lounge, you access the upper-floor landing via a wooden staircase. From here issue the following bedrooms, each named after a local Tuscan town:
Two double bedrooms, with ensuite bathroom with shower. These share a modern feel, with wooden floors; fitted wardrobe units; and their double bed positioned diagonally.
 Two single bedrooms, inter-communicating, with large shared bathroom with shower. Access to this bathroom is through the adjoining bedroom. Both rooms have modern furnishings and their own small private balcony.
Four double bedrooms, furnished in more traditional style, with wrought-iron or wooden bedsteads and old, Venetian-style painted-wood wardrobes. All have elegantly tiled ensuite bathrooms with shower. One also features a lovely lunette window, set in the curved wall and overlooking the garden and scenery beyond.
From this upper floor, an external stone staircase proceeds down from a covered loggia back into the grounds. At the foot of these stairs, at ground-floor level, is an entrance door leading to THE VILLA’S TWO SELF-CONTAINED APARTMENTS. These are separated by a little hallway and both comprise the following:
One large room containing a double bed and two single sofabeds, wardrobe and drawers, dining table, and fitted kitchen corner. Issuing from here is a bathroom with shower.
One of the apartments also features a sliding glass door in the main room, which opens on to a small patio, sheltered under a stonework loggia.  This makes the perfect spot for outdoor dining.
THE GARDEN AND SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT: Located in the hilly countryside on the outskirts of Arezzo, the villa is approached along an asphalted lane, which winds its way uphill to the property’s large automatic security-gates. Covered parking spaces are available out-of-sight of the house and garden lights illuminate the grounds. Terracotta urns planted with colourful geraniums and oleander dot the surroundings, while perfumed lavender, rosemary and other shrubs fill the raised borders.
On the lowest garden-terrace, a gravel pathway lined with laurel hedges brings you to the gym, which is equipped with a variety of exercise machines.
From here, steps proceed up to the circular jacuzzi-pool and main pool terrace, with its travertine marble surround, furnished with sunshades and loungers. Palms and parasol pines shade the lawns, which boast the stunning backdrop of Arezzo cathedral on its hilltop and the Casentino and Pratomagno ranges stretching into the distance.
 Further steps then continue up to the covered patio outside the villa’s lounge, where a large hamac invites you to take it easy!
Crossing the lawn on one side of the house, past the old covered well, you come to the rear sunterrace, alongside which stand the BBQ and pizza oven. Two separate sets of modern changing facilities, complete with basins, showers, toilets and storage space for sports equipment, are housed in an outbuilding behind.
The floodlit, green clay outdoor tennis court is reached via a few more stairs or, alternatively, you can choose to retreat up to a charming, lattice-work gazebo, set amid a pine grove at the very top of the grass slope. Maybe take a good book with you...
However, if it’s sunshine you are seeking, you’d best head for the villa’s idyllic rooftop sunterrace. Securely railed-in, it is accessed via an external spiral staircase and embraces superb all-round views, including those of the  surrounding pine and Cypress tree-tops, swaying in the breeze!
LOCATION: The villa is ideally situated in a dominating position just 3 kms from Arezzo’s historic town centre. There is a golf course nearby, pool, Jacuzzi and tennis court are on the premises. The A1 Florence-Rome motorway exit for Arezzo is only a short drive away.
Arezzo it self is a charming hilltop town of Etruscan origin and its San Francesco Basilica is home to the celebrated 15th century fresco-cycle “The Legend of the True Cross” by Piero della Francesca.
This uncommercialized centre makes a perfect base for exploring Tuscany’s cultural and scenic heritage, with Florence, Siena, Cortona, Pienza, Montalcino and Montepulciano all easy day-trip destinations. Both the forested Casentino hills and the Apennine range to the north of Arezzo afford spectacular walking opportunities.
OTHER FACILITIES AVAILABLE NEARBY: The Val di Chiana Outlet Village shopping centre, where you can purchase famous brand-names at drastically reduced prices, is within easy reach by car; a monthly Antiques Fair is held in Arezzo.
|
