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About The Experience

Imagine yourself at this vacation villa in Tuscany: lounging under cameo-pink vaulted ceilings; enjoying a feast in a formal dining hall under an antique chandelier; or drifting off to sleep in a room filled with ancient furniture and delicious trompe l'oeil. The life of a 15th century noble awaits you in this villa near Arezzo. Right on the eastern corner of the triangle formed by Siena, Florence, and Arezzo, this elegant Tuscany villa rental is both well located for day trips-- and an experience in itself!

Location Description

This country villa is located in Borgo a Giovi, a Tuscan neighborhood on the outskirts of the village of Giovi near the river Arno. For easy transportation, the train line Stia-Pratovecchio stops in Giovi, about 500 meters from the villa, and only 300 meters from the villa there is a bus stop. You can also take a nice walk into the villages of Giovi and Ponte alla Chiassa where there is a butcher shop, vegetable stand, bakery, grocery store, bank, pharmacy, newspaper shop, coffee bar and some good restaurants and pizzeria. Both Giovi and the River Arno are within walking distance at about 500 meters away. Nearby Arezzo, the setting for Roberto Benigni's Life is Beautiful, is a city characterized by an array of architectural styles, from Etruscan ruins to the Roman amphitheatre and the Medici Fortress. The first weekend of each month features a popular antique fair, while annually the town hosts a festival called Joust of the Saracens, where all of the citizens dress in medieval attire to watch knights charge at a target (representing the Saracen king). Arezzo also has a train station, convenient for accessing other cities in Tuscany. Further than Arezzo but still close by, you can visit a convent in La Verna and a monastery in Camaldoli. The location of this holiday home is also well situated to day trips throughout Tuscany, including nearby Cortona and Lake Trasimeno, as well as Florence and Siena.

Nearby Attractions: Tennis, horseback riding, golf, beach at Maremma (180 km/112 mi), park by the Arno (500 meters), vineyards, Arezzo (Etruscan ruins, Roman amphitheatre, Medici Fortress, antique fair, Joust of the Saracens, train station), convent in La Verna, monastery in Camaldoli.

Rome: 180 km/112 mi
Lake Trasimeno: 77 km/48 mi
Florence: 70 km/43.5 mi
Siena: 70 km/43.5 mi
Camaldoli: 38 km/23.5 mi
Cortona: 37 km/23 mi
Arezzo (Train Station): 7 km/4.5 mi
Ponte alla Chiassa (Shops): 800 m/2624 ft
Giovi: 800 m/2624 ft

Exterior Description

This is an old country manor house which has recently been restored. It is interesting because each of the three stories is from a different century, from the 1500's to the 1900's. The villa is surrounded by two courtyards, a vineyard, and a long cypress path which leads to the main entrance. There is also an above-ground pool (8m x 5m) which is open from May to September, and a private garden (a second garden is designated for the owners) with a pergola, lawn, and porch connected to the kitchen. An internal courtyard has a table and chairs in front of the entrance hall. On the property there is also a chapel from the 18th century. A road runs along the front of the property, so the entrance is in the back.

Interior Description

Ground Floor: The entrance hall has a barrel-vaulted ceiling and a door leading into the internal courtyard. Inside the villa you will find a living room with "cameo-pink" walls, paintings, a stone fireplace, armchairs, and a sofa bed suitable for one person (160cm x 200 cm). A huge kitchen/dining room has furniture dating from the 15th century: a dining table made of stone, a fireplace, and copper jugs lining the wall. There is also a sofa and a fireplace. A second "cozy kitchen" has an oven, stove, dishwasher, washing machine, and other kitchen equipment. The ground floor also contains the one bedroom, which has vaulted ceilings, a chest of drawers, a writing desk, an armchair, and a queen-size bed (160 cm).

Mid-Floor: Ten steps up from the ground floor there is a small mid-level area. This contains a store-room and a bathroom with a sink, WC, bidet, and bathtub with handheld showerhead.

First Floor: There are also two bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor: The first bedroom has a queen-size bed (160 cm), a writing desk, wardrobe, and armchairs. The second room, which is decorated with trompe l'oeil from the 18th century, has an single bed (85 cm) and a writing desk. The bathroom next to these two rooms has a cast-iron bathtub, built-in wardrobe, sink, and toilet.

Features Description

Extra Services: The following are listed as an aid for trip planning; the services and prices are approximate and cannot be guaranteed by Rentvillas. All extra services are payable locally in cash.

• Cook Service: 15 Euros per hour
• Housekeeping: 15 Euros per hour
• Linen Change: 15 Euros per bed
• Transfer Service: 100 Euros
• Chauffeur/Driver Service: 20 Euros per hour
• Babysitting: 15 Euros per hour

Please Note:

• This listing is only available in the winter months. For the rest of the year clients must rent the property as Villa Giovi - 10
• A Welcome Basket full of coffee, biscuits, butter, jam, pasta, olive oil, bread, water, milk, and wine is provided upon arrival.
• A car is recommended for this property.

Features and Amenities

Walk To Town Free Parking on Premises Independent Villa Outside Area - Private Outside Dining Swimming Pool - Private CD player DVD player TV - English Channels Available

Internet - Not Wireless Dishwasher Hair Dryer Microwave Oven Toaster Washing Machine Fans Available - Upon Request Fireplace - Indoor Heating - Whole House Cook Service Available - Extra Cost Housekeeping Available - Extra Cost Welcome Basket

Arrival Times

Please note: Official Arrival Times:

• Sat 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM