Villa Vallone isset in a beautiful position deep in the Chianti hills near San Gimignano, just 30km from Florence. This former castle was built on the ancient Via Francigena, the road which connected France to Rome during the Middle-ages. The origins of Villa Vallone date back to the early 13th century and it was the formerly the residence of Alberti Contes until the end of the 17th century, after which it was transformed into a "signorile" villa.

Traces of the original 13th century fortified castle are still visible in the square brick tower and the walls around the villa. The recent restoration of Villa Vallone has brought back to life the ancient splendour of this castle without altering its architecture, purely enriching it with all modern comforts and conveniences.

In front of the villa is a breathtaking garden with fantastic views right across the Tuscan countryside as far as the towered town of San Gimignano, which is just visible on the horizon to the south. A staircase leads down to the private swimming pool (10m x 5m) along with outside shower. The glorious pool is surrounded by a lawn and an arcaded loggia.

A "limonaia" (former lemon conservatory) has been converted into a sitting room, with six arched windows offering sweeping views of the surrounding countryside and the consecrated chapel of the 13th century. Beneath the villa is a little wine cellar, benefitting from a temperature that varies only two degrees between summer and winter.

Included in the price is domestic help for 3 hours/day, continental breakfast, baby cot. A chef service can be organised for you as well as further domestic help (extra hours) and a food delivery service. Access to the villa is through 1.2km of unpaved road. Villa Vallone has air conditioning and central heating.

Swimming pool open April - September

Accommodation - sleeps 12 guests in 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms

Ground floor - Large living room (Satellite TV, DVD player) with a fireplace, kitchen (oven, freezer, dishwasher), dining room with fireplace and with French doors leading to the courtyard, living/reading room with fireplace and computer with internet, 1 double bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and jacuzzi bath, WC.

1st floor - Via a beautiful marble staircase, a long corridor leads to the 4 bedrooms: 1 double bedroom with en-suite bathroom with shower and jacuzzi bath, 1 twin bedded room with bathroom with shower and bath tub, 1 twin bedded room with bathroom with shower, 1 double bedroom with balcony that overlooks the front yard and with 1 bathroom with both shower and jacuzzi bath, laundry room (washing machine) with storage.

Annex - medieval tower standing alongside the villa with its own access: Living room, 1 double bedroom, 1 bathroom with shower. Breathtaking roof terrace.

Location/distances

Guests are in a great spot here for exploring all that Tuscany has to offer. It's just 5km to Castelfiorentino (all kind of shops, restaurants), 24km San Gimignano, 27km Castelfalfi (golf course), 38km Florence, 58km Siena.

CIN - IT048010B4D57CAYZP