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- About The Experience
This centrally-located house in Tuscany is an ideal choice for two couples. It offers views of a renowned castle as well as the valleys and hills that surround it. Markets, shops, restaurants, and theaters are all nearby to keep you as active as you’d like.
- Location Description
The house is located two and a half kilometers away from the nearest town of Pontassieve where there are grocery stores, banks, bakeries, restaurants, and a post office. Pontassieve is a historical city dating back to the 11th century when Quona nobles dominated the area. It became significant when a bridge was built over the river Sieve, which was the main way of joining the Republic of Florence to the territories of the Mugello, Casentino, and Arezzo. This bridge has been destroyed and rebuilt several times but the Medici Bridge, built in the late 1500’s is still standing today and is a great site to see. You should also visit the Old Town Centre, where you’ll the original 14th century fortified wall and the city’s three gates. Grassina is a fun place to visit if you’re looking for a day of activities. There are cinemas, theaters, antique fairs, outdoor markets, and sports facilities including tennis courts, a golf course, and a horseback riding center. A highlight of the area is Florence, which is about a 15-minute drive away. Be sure to shop at the Ponte Vecchio, marvel at the statue of David, or tour the wonders of the Uffizi Gallery! Keep in mind that the A1 Autostrada is only two kilometers away from the property, making all the major towns and cities of Tuscany, such as Arezzo, San Gimignano, and Siena, easily and conveniently reachable.
Nearby Attractions: Pelago (market, restaurant, post office), Pontassieve (grocery stores, banks, bakeries, restaurants, post office), Grassina (cinemas, theaters, antique fairs, outdoor markets, tennis, golf course, horseback riding center)
Siena: 91 km/56.5 mi
San Gimignano: 72 km/44.5 mi
Arezzo: 68 km/42 mi
Florence: 21 km/13 mi
Grassina: 11 km/6.5 mi
Pontassieve: 2.5 km/1.5 mi
- Exterior Description
- (600 m2/6,458 ft2)
The stone house once belonged to the famous wine producing family of Frescobaldi and was used as a shelter for carriages going to the nearby farmhouse. Outside the front door is a private garden and patio. A wood table with bench seating is situated outside near a large tree with views over the adjoining olive groves and Nipozzano Castle, which is across a patchwork of valleys, hills, cypresses, and vines. Parking is available outside the house for up to two cars.
- Interior Description
- (85 m2/915 ft2)
Ground Gloor: The front door opens to the living room with a couch, fireplace, TV, CD stereo, as well as an integrated dining area with a table and chairs. This room leads to the front garden. The fully equipped kitchen has a cook-top, oven, toaster, microwave, and dishwasher, as well as a table with chairs. There is a separate utility room with a washing machine. There is one bedroom with a queen-sized bed (170 cm) and one bathroom with a sink, toilet, and tub with handheld shower.
First Floor: There is one bedroom with a cozy double bed (140 cm) and one bathroom with a sink, toilet, and shower.
- 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.
- Babysitting Available: 15 Euro per hour
- Housekeeping Available: 15 Euro per hour
Features and Amenities
- Free Parking on Premises
- Independent Villa
- CD player
- DVD player
- TV - English Channels Available
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- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Oven
- Toaster
- Washing Machine
- Fireplace - Indoor
- Window Screens - Whole House
- Portable Baby Crib/Play Pen - Upon Request
- Housekeeping Available - Extra Cost
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Arrival Times
Please note: Official Arrival Times:
Conditions *
Security Deposit
- No security deposit or cleaning fee is required. However, the client will be liable for any extra charges incurred during the stay, or accidental damages to the property.
Additional Expenses
- Telephone (If Available): According to consumption
Other Notes
- Housekeeping: Usually available upon request
- Heating (in Italy): Allowed by law from November 1 - April 1; some exceptions for extreme weather
- Arrival Fee (Outside Posted Times): Payable upon arrival
- Departure Time: 9:00 am
- Cook Services (If Available): must be arranged at least 2 months prior to arrival
- UPON ARRIVAL, RENTERS MUST PROVIDE A PHOTOCOPY OF EACH TRAVELER’S PASSPORT AND SIGN A FORM FOR THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES.
- Tourist Tax (Payable upon Arrival): 1-5 Euros per person per day
* These prices and conditions may change based on your arrival date and length of stay. For exact conditions, please click on the View Availability button, enter your dates, and then click on View Pricing and Conditions.
View General Rental Agreement
Questions? Please ask us!
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Call us: 1-800-726-6702
Outside the US: +1-805-880-1228
Mon-Fri 7:00-5:30
Sat 10:30-2:30 Pacific Time
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Customer Ratings
Overall
Peace and Quiet
View
Outside Area
Living Room
Kitchen
Bedrooms
Bathrooms
Based on 3 Reviews
Customer Reviews
Overall:
Very good. Casa Biscotto provides peace and quiet away from the bustle of Florence and nearby towns.
Enjoyed Most:
The charm of the villa, and its location in the middle of olive groves. The views are beautiful, and the villa is right down the hill from the Nippozzano Castle and Winery. It was very nice to have both the refrigerator and cupboard well-stocked with supplies. Having a dishwasher in the kitchen was great and having two separate bedrooms and baths on different floors is welcome. There was also a place to park the car.
Enjoyed Least:
The big windows do not have screens. The villa does not have air conditioning but that is ok because there is a nice breeze and the evenings are cool and pleasant (even in July), however, if you open the windows to let the breeze in the bugs also come in. Additionally, the kitchen needs a conventional modern sink.
Surrounding Area:
The entire surrounding countryside is beautiful and is filled with olive groves and vineyards.
Nearby Events or Locales:
The nearby town is Pontassieve. It is too far away to walk but it is a short drive. It has a train station with regular runs to Florence and many other locations.
Tips or Restaurants:
Visit the nearby Nippozzano Winery--it is right around the corner and up the hill. Rent a car to get around as you usually need one for Tuscany, anyway. Bring a GPS with an Italy map or rent one - you need a GPS for driving around Italy. Don't drive into Florence--drive to Pontassieve to catch the train to Florence--it is very convenient.
Doug, July, 2012
Overall:
We loved it!
Enjoyed Most:
The view from the living room window was breathtaking.
Enjoyed Least:
The property is a stone house and we found it very chilly especially at night. After the first night, we made a fire in the fireplace and that helped. The owner had only one extra blanket that we knew of so we had to put the bedspread of the other bedroom on our bed to stay warm.
Surrounding Area:
Lots of restaurants, grocery, train station, everything that we needed was available to us.
Nearby Events or Locales:
The town was about 1.5 miles away down a hill so not really walking distance especially to the grocery. But it was very easy to navigate and get to town.
Tips or Restaurants:
Be prepared that in fall you might find it chilly in the house. Our host gave us two great restaurants to go to: Francesca's in Carbonile and Divino in Pontessieve. The host provides many things at the house and she is a really lovely lady.
Directions:
Our host met us in town and that worked perfectly. We didn't use the directions to get to the cottage since she lead the way there. It would be hard to find on your own. We had a GPS from AutoEurope and it was absolutely indispensible! Everyone should get one.
Paula, October, 2010
Overall:
Very quiet and relaxing.
Enjoyed Most:
The view.
Enjoyed Least:
The kitchen is very small.
Surrounding Area:
The beautiful view.
Nearby Events or Locales:
You must have a car to reach Pontassieve, the closest town.
Tips or Restaurants:
If you are going to cook - bring plastic Ziploc bags. The local Coop grocery store does not have them. Also, if you cook with salt or want salt on your food - a small container is a good idea to bring with you.
Debra, June, 2010