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When Eric and Kathy decided
they wanted to settle in Tuscany and provide people
with the sort of holidays they themselves had always
dreamed of - but had rarely been able to find - they
knew they had found the ideal property in Castelmuzio
for many reasons, amongst which were.
The
views (made famous by the film ‘The English Patient’);
 The medieval walled village (originally
founded by the Etruscans, over 2500 years ago). The proximity to major cultural centres
such as Sienna, Florence and Rome, as well as the wine
areas of Montipulciano, Montalcino & Chianti amonst
others. Good restaurants within comfortable
distance of the villa, which use local ingredients such
as truffles, porcini & wild boar found in the nearby
woods.
Villa nell'Oliveto is their guest
villa, and sits at the end of an olive grove known for
producing one of Italy's premier extra virgin olive
oils. Whilst occasionally sharing the pool with the
owners, the house itself and its gardens are totally
private - separated from the main villa by a large expanse
of olive grove.
The house has two stories with an
external staircase (traditional in Tuscan architecture).
It has been completely restored with terra-cotta floors,
travertine marble in the bathrooms and, overall, a careful
eye for comfort.
On
the ground floor, the main kitchen is fully equipped
with marble work surfaces,  dishwasher, fridge-freezer,
electric kettle, coffee-maker, micro-wave oven, a multitude
of utensils, & a large fireplace with a traditional
wood burning stove. It is not only adjacent to the dining
room, but also opens on to the outside dining and BBQ
area. The sitting/dining room is furnished with a large
oak dining table, chairs & sideboard, sofa &
hi-fi system.
The ground floor also has a double
bedroom with en-suite bathroom, a second double bedroom
with walk through dressing area and a bathroom that
is shared with the third small twin bedroom. All rooms
have french windows that open directly onto the gardens.
On the upper-floor is another double
bedroom with en-suite bathroom, a small bedroom and
second bathroom. The bedrooms are divided by a large
sitting/dining room which is furnished with sofas, dining-table
and chairs, TV, DVD/CD & Video players. A discreetly
placed kitchenette allows for the independent provision
of snacks, breakfast or tea, to be taken on the adjacent
balcony whilst enjoying the views of the hill towns
of Pienza & Montalcino, and the majestic Monte Amiato
rising in the distance.
 Guests
are provided with a pool towel, a bath towel, a hand
towel and a face washer. These are changed mid week.
All beds are orthopaedic and come with two pillows per
person, feather comforters in winter, 100% cotton linens
and all other covers made of natural fibres. There is
a laundry room with washer, iron and board & sink.
The grounds are comprised of the
olive grove, a small pine glade and several patios with
grape covered pergolas equipped with out door furniture
for dining al fresco or simply relaxing.
The infinity-style swimming pool
is large (7 x 16 meters or 21 x 52 ½ feet) and
secluded. The shallow end is raised above the natural
slope of the land, giving bathers the impression of
swimming into the Tuscan landscape. It is well furnished
with sun loungers and has both shady and sunny places.
Guests at Villa nell'Oliveto will
find it stocked with a welcome basket containing  Eric’s
olive oil, local wine, free range organic eggs laid
by local chickens, fresh baked goods and other local
products to see you through the first evening and breakfast.
There is a telephone for local calls, and satellite
television channels in English,Italian & other languages.
LOCATION: Villa Nell’Oliveto is within easy reach of many
major places of interest in Tuscany as well as many
less well-known, but equally interesting locations.
The nearest airport is Florence, 1 ½ hours by
car. Pisa and Rome are equidistant (2 ½ hours). The nearby towns are Pienza, Montepulciano, Montalcino
and many other well known places all providing restaurants,
wine bars, enotecas, medieval and renaissance art and
culture. It is an hour and 15 minutes from central Florence
and 30 minutes to Siena.
All around are wonderful nature walks
and hikes, inspiring views, as well as horse riding,
hot air balloon rides, mountain bike hire and several
natural thermal spas that offer massages, facials and
other well being treatments, or simply wallow in the
curative waters (an excellent jet lag cure).
 Please
note that this property does not have air conditioning.
Air conditioning is rarely necessary in Tuscany due
to the lack of humidity and the temperate climate. Almost
all of our properties at InTuscany are in remodelled
medieval or renaissance buildings. They generally have
very thick walls and high ceilings, most are built on
the tops of our gently rolling hills where they catch
the breezes that spring up at mid day and in the evenings.
Generally air conditioning is only
found by the sea side or in the city centres where noise
and/or humidity make it necessary. We do not have air
conditioning in our offices, in any of our homes or
in any of our larger rental villas. If you feel that
air conditioning is essential to your well being then
please look at these properties, let us know which ones
appeal to you and we will check availability for you.
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