This Tuscan 17th century farmhouse, Villa Arpicella, is located very close to Pienza and it enjoys the stunning countryside setting with spectacular wide open views.

Description

Villa Arpicella really does offer the best of both worlds! Despite its prime location at just 10 minutes’ walking distance from Pienza, it enjoys the peace and quiet of a beautiful countryside setting with spectacular panoramic views. It is a large, traditionally Tuscan 17th century farmhouse, now fully restored, with bright, spacious and comfortably furnished interiors. Its historic architectural features have been carefully preserved and tastefully combined with all modern comforts.

The villa’s extensive gardens are sheltered and secluded, with no other properties in sight, and open on to superb vistas of the surrounding olive groves and gently hilly farmland, which stretch right up to the outline of Mount Amiata on the far horizon. The living quarters are all on the upper floor, so can likewise embrace this wonderful scenery and benefit from light-filled dayrooms.

There are many opportunities for open-air relaxation and dining, including a shady portico-terrace adjoining the house, fully equipped with garden furniture. Some of the original, typically Tuscan structural details that have been attractively retained are: the whitewashed walls; terracotta-tiled floors; narrow-beamed, terracotta-tiled ceilings; and, of course, the massive, wood-burning fireplace.

GARDEN & SWIMMING POOL: The villa is approached from Pienza (2 km away) on an asphalted road, past a lovely Romanesque church (Pieve di Corsignano), and then along a rough gravel track, bordered by olive groves, stone walls and hedges. The gates access a driveway leading to a gravel parking area, around which extend the lawns, all fenced-in. These are dotted with a host of mature, shade-giving native trees, such as Cypresses, holm oaks, pines, olives and figs, as well as with flowering shrubs like labernum, broom and rosemary, and lemon trees in terracotta pots. Here only birdsong punctuates the silence.

Scented floribunda roses bloom in profusion, while rambling varieties cover the little stone outbuilding, where the fully operational, wood-fired, brick pizza-oven and barbeque are housed.

The grounds can be illuminated at night and a little footpath connects directly with the centre of Pienza, about 10 minutes’ walk away.

In the vicinity are a number of excellent hiking paths, as this is ideal walking country, set within a nature reserve, whose wildlife is protected. This area of the Val D’Orcia (Orcia Valley), including Pienza itself and Mount Amiata, an extinct volcano and now a very popular winter ski area, is renowned for its outstanding natural beauty and, as a result, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

ACCOMODATION: The property is centrally heated throughout and its ground floor, which traditionally used to accommodate the farm animals, now houses only garages and cellars.

As in past centuries, the accommodation is located solely on the upper floor, accessed by an external flight of stone stairs with a porch at the top. From here, you enter directly under the pitched roof into a spacious living-room, comprising sofa, armchairs and coffee table grouped round the large, wood-burning fireplace. Open-plan in one corner is a modern kitchenette, fully equipped with electric cooker; fridge; separate freezer; dishwasher; washing machine and dryer; pots and pans; crockery and cutlery for 12 people; and a 6-seater table.

Issuing from this dayroom is a corridor which leads to the following: a large dining-room with 8/10-seater wooden refectory table; a twin bedroom; and a spacious double bedroom. Centrally located between these last two, at the far end of the landing, is a large shared bathroom, tiled in Delft-style blue and grey, with modern fittings, including corner shower cubicle and a mirror extending across two walls.

LOCATION: Nearby Pienza is a charming, typically Tuscan, medieval, walled hilltop-town, celebrated for its historic buildings, spectacular scenic backdrop and the production of its very own, delicious “pecorino” ewe’s milk cheese.

OTHER FACILITIES AVAILABLE NEARBY: Tennis, golf, the beach, horse riding, bike riding, hiking, wine tasting, fabulous dining, thermal spas, Hot air balloon flying, designer out let shopping, Etruscan ruins and Renaissance and medieval art and architecture.

Availability

• Available

Cancellation policy

In case of cancellation of a booking, the clients are entitled to a refund based on the days in advance of arrival day, as follows:

• If the cancellation is made 60 days or more prior arrival day: 100% of the amount paid; no penalty applied.
• If the cancellation is made between 59 and 30 days prior arrival day: 50% of the amount paid.
• If the cancellation is made between 29 and 7 days prior arrival day: 0% of the amount paid.
• If the cancellation is made between 6 and 1 days prior arrival day: 0% of the amount paid.