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Villa
Serena sleeps 6 people in three bedrooms with three
bathrooms and another four people in two annexes, each
with it's own living room, kitchenette bathroom and
bedroom. It nestles in the immediate out skirts of Cortona,
one of the many fabulous villas and stately mansions
built in this prosperous part of Tuscany in the preceding
centuries.
 Protected from
above by Etruscan walls, Villa Serena, with its 250
square meters of living space, looks down upon the Ghibelline
battlements of the tall tower of the princely renaissance
estate of Palazzone and then out over the immense Val
Di Chiana.
The feeling
of the villa can be summed up by the plaque that lies
at the foot of the well in the entrance courtyard. It
says 'Salve' which in Italian means a friendly but polite
hello.
ACCOMMODATION: The main villa is approached by a long gravel drive
lined with mature Laurel hedges. It has rows of French
windows with long dark green shutters that open to the
garden at all sides. Carved Pietra Serena surrounds
the doors and windows and the plastered face of the
villa is set with 10 grinning gargoyles that benignly
observe the surrounding garden.
The
two annexes are in the immediate vicinity with out being
intruding. The owner will let the villa and it's annexes
separately or together.
 Inside the
villa one encounters the staircase to the upper floors
and to either side the various sitting rooms and dining
room that all open on to the garden via the French doors
and are open plan one to the other. All the down stairs
rooms have beautiful chestnut beams in the ceilings.
The small sitting
room has a huge fireplace and several armchairs with
tables that would be perfect for playing cards or taking
tea. The other has more comfortable sofas, a glass coffee
table, a Persian carpet and the television. It is also
graced with a recently hand painted Fresco. It leads directly
through to the dining room, which in turn leads to the
kitchen.
From the kitchen
one does a U turn through the maid's room (no longer
in use) to a bathroom with gold plated taps and very
impressive burgundy tiles. Every bathroom in the house
has been designed with a luxurious feel.
The kitchen
makes extensive use of marble and has a dishwasher,
electric oven, full size fridge/freezer and a toaster.
 The coffee is made Italian style in a stovetop mocha.
There is a breakfast table.
Upstairs
the floors are wooden parquet. There are more French
windows that open directly on to the back garden taking
advantage of the steep incline. The stair case divides
mid way, to the right one finds a double bedroom with
large bathroom with shower. To the left are two double
bedrooms sharing a bathroom with a bath. One of these
bedrooms has a large walk in changing room/wardrobe
and a small fireplace.
All the rooms
are decorated in a rustic but elegant style in harmony
with the age of the villa and it's location, there are
many antique pieces through out.
The Annexes: Are each set into the hill facing the sunset view and
have their own private out door eating area.They each
have one bedroom and bathroom and a combined kitchen
/living area with French doors to a terrace. They are
furnished in traditional rustic style with some antique
pieces and share the grounds, pool and laundry with
Villa Serena.
You can click here for more details about the two annexes: Serenella & Limonaia
 THE GARDEN AND SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT: The grounds are extensive, comprising 2 hectares of
mature and well-tended garden and parkland with small
fountains, niches with classical statuary and overlooks
hidden in unexpected places. The moss-covered walls
are sprawled with creeping vines and ivy and terracotta
urns on pedestals overflow with brightly coloured geraniums.
Steeply terraced, there are shady lichen covered staircases
giving way to olive groves and vineyards.
The
pool has been constructed down the hill on it's own
terrace so that people playing noisy games will not
disturb those taking a siesta in the villa or in either
of it's annexes. It is approached by a graceful sweep
of wide but shallow steps and has the same fantastic
views as the rest of the property.
Attached to
the end of the main villa but accessed from the garden
is a laundry with washing machine and ironing facilities
HISTORY: Villa Serena was built in the second half of the 18th
century, probably as the home of a wealthy Cortona merchant.
It was bought by the owner in 1980 and intended for
his own personal use. Thus, in the restoration and out
fitting no  expense has been spared to have every little
detail perfect.
LOCATION: The villa and its two dependance or annexes are situated
a few minutes from Cortona sharing its fabulous view
over the Val Di Chiana. The view takes in Montepulciano,
Lago Trasimeno and in the far distance, Monte Amiata.
It is 10 minutes
walk up hill to the centre of Cortona and even less
time coming home. The
closest airport is Florence (one hour) and Rome airport
is about 2 ½ hours by car.
Please note: 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 remodeled 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 centers
where noise and/or humidity make it necessary. We do
not have air conditioning in our offices or in any of
our own homes.
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