Casale d'Arbia

Near Siena, Tuscany

Property Description

Property 5432
10 Guests
5 Bedrooms
4.5 Bathrooms
600 square meters indoor
2 Hectares outdoor

Features

Overview

Casale d'Arbia is a very handsome, restored farmhouse on the grounds of Vico d'Arbia, an extensive private farm producing olive oil, wine and grain in the Colli Senesi, the Sienese hills and the southernmost producing region of Chianti. At Vico d'Arbia, you are surrounded by the rich natural beauty and long cultural history of Tuscany. The pastoral landscape surrounding the house remains - rolling hills, vineyards, stone farmhouses and rows of cypresses and umbrella pines immediately recalling every Renaissance painting you have seen. Captivating in most any weather and time of day, a slow drive up and among the winding dirt roads of rural Tuscany is always rewarding. All of the charming hill towns of Chianti can be explored. Florence can be reached in an hour. For days closer to home, Siena itself is only 5 kilometers away. You will need at least two weeks to really feel you have done justice to the many points of interest in this region.

Casale d'Arbia is reached down a private dirt road, past the owner's handsome villa, the barn and other farm buildings. Part of the charm of Casale d'Arbia is entering into the time-honored traditional community of a large Tuscan farm; a loose cluster of buildings for farm workers, farm animals and restored farmhouses for visitors - all structured around the 'padrone's villa.

Built with stones from field and river, Casale d'Arbia grew into an appealing cluster as families were added and the business of the estate grew. Now a lovely courtyard is surrounded by a single gracious home for ten or twelve. A gently terraced olive grove surrounds the house, intermixed with a wide range of fruit trees -- apples, apricots, plums, persimmon, fig and 'giuggiola' (or jujube), a rare and wonderful small fruit similar in taste to dates, which ripens in the fall. There are roses and rosemary for color and fragrance. A large rectangular umbrella with table and chairs are thoughtfully placed, providing a delightful space for dining 'al fresco'. Along the southern facade, a grape-covered pergola bears sweet and delicious table grapes for late summer enjoyment. There are lounge chairs outside along the northern facade, a cooler alternative. Off the living room to the east is a loggia surrounded by olive, fig and 'giuggiola'. The owner has furnished it with an array of comfortable and stylish outdoor furniture - an oasis for relaxing in the country air. The house is situated so you can enjoy three different views; west to the towers of Siena; east to the Chianti hills; and south to the Crete Senesi where you might see a colorful handful of hot air balloons hovering in the still, early air of morning.

A gate opens into an authentic, paved courtyard, with doors leading off in several directions, revealing the typical architecture of an old 'casa colonica'. Various doors open to the ground floor living areas, with a separate door leading to the sixth double room. An alcove with BBQ and wood-burning oven occupies one corner. Adjacent are covered stairs leading to the upper loggia. Straight ahead, a door opens to the bathhouse; a small open room with adjacent changing rooms and full bath. A path leads down to the pool (15 x 7.5 meters), set below on the terraced hillside amidst an olive grove. The breathtaking views are towards Montaperti and the distinctive and unique clay hills of the Crete Senesi. There are pleasant country walks on the quiet dirt roads, highly recommended for runners or bikers as well, and you can reach Montaperti for a coffee or an ice cream in 45 minutes or so. The estate offers fishing in a stream and ponds and there is tennis and riding nearby.

For days when you simply want to enjoy being at home, Casale d'Arbia is comfortably elegant and well-equipped. The owner's commitment to good quality is evident everywhere at Casale d'Arbia; old hand-hewn, cypress-beamed ceiling has been retained, antique handmade cotta tiles laid on the floor. Everything is maintained at an impeccably high level. During the winter of 2002, the house was again renovated to reflect the higher standards of today's travelers, with up-to-date layout and furnishings, bold new colors, enlarged spaces for relaxation. The house is ample for 12, with various spaces for relaxing together or in more intimate groups. Casale d'Arbia offers the quintessential Tuscan farmhouse experience with all the refinements of home.

Layout

GROUNDS

GROUND LEVEL

UPPER LEVEL

VILLINO - Can be added for groups of up to 14/16

Grounds

VILLINO

Upper Floor

Rental Notes

Points of Interest

Price

Price information available upon request.

Extras

Contact Information

Homebase Abroad, Ltd.
Two Hooper Street
Marblehead, MA 01945

Phone: (781) 639-4040
UK: +44-20-7084-6374
Fax: (781) 639-3050

© February 2012 by Homebase Abroad, Ltd. All rights reserved.

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