Sleeping up to ten guests, Villa Badiola is a traditional farmhouse which has been lovingly restored to create a peaceful and welcoming holiday home. Around the home guests can explore the 500-hectare estate which is filled with woodlands and rolling fields or visit charming hilltop villages, many of which are under 10km away.
The villa is set within a stunning former mill which was once an integral part of this centuries-old working farm. Now the home has been carefully renovated and tastefully decorated to offer accommodation to groups of friends or large families. Throughout the home you will see original details such as beamed ceilings, terracotta tiles and open fireplaces which now sit side by side with modern facilities such as Wi-Fi and air conditioning in the bedrooms to offer guests the perfect mix of old and new.
The home is spread over three floors; on the ground floor you will find the living space which comprises of an expansive living room with various sitting areas as well as a long dining table, ideal for chatting the night away over a sumptuous meal and a few glasses of local wine. The fully-fitted kitchen is also on this floor and is well-equipped with everything from a large fridge-freezer to a Nespresso coffee machine. If anyone in your group struggles with the stairs then they could sleep on the ground floor in the en-suite single bedroom.
The remaining five bedrooms are located on the first and second floors. The first-floor offers two en-suite rooms as well as a separately accessed wing with two bedrooms which is great for a family with a young child. The second-floor bedroom is a lovely romantic spot within a historic tower!
When staying at Villa Badiola, guests are offered every opportunity to truly relax and can book a wide range of additional services and experiences. Why not book the private chefs to prepare some of your meals, including a tasty welcome feast or perhaps you would like to book a cookery class to learn how to prepare local dishes yourself. You can even book babysitting, grocery shopping and a delicious picnic which will be served to you at an unspoilt lakeside location in the vast grounds around the home.
Outdoors, the home is enveloped by a spacious, landscaped garden which blends seamlessly into the surrounding countryside. Guests are able to swim in the private pool, fire up the barbecue and dine al-fresco or just sunbathe whilst taking in the staggering rural views.
It is hard to imagine a better setting than the rolling hills of Tuscany for a getaway with friends or family. From this verdant spot you can access the local countryside, enjoying hikes through landscapes such as the Val di Chiana. Additionally, the home is situated close to an array of historic villages, many of which are under 10km away. You can also head out on day trips to Tuscan cities such as Arezzo which is 24km away or Siena which is 52km away.
The nearest village to the home is Lucignano which is a mere 5km away. The village is a romantic place which is enclosed by circular walls which protect the winding medieval streets. The best place to start exploring from is the main square, the piazza del Tribunale. The square houses a number of staggering medieval churches as well as a palace which now contains the town museum. Just outside of the walls you can also see the remains of a former Medici family castle and the 16th century sanctuary of the Madonna delle Querce. On top of the pretty streets and historic sites, Lucignano has a great range of shops and traditional trattorias where you can dine out in the evenings. Tuscany has an abundance of these character-filled, ancient villages; nearby you can also visit Monte San Savino, Sinalunga and Foiano. You could even spend every morning visiting a different village and never run out of things to see and do.
A little further afield is another lovely hilltop village called Cortona (30km away). This is a beautiful village which is in an elevated position set 500 metres high and overlooking the Val di Chiana below. Cortona has a bustling market, artisan shops and wide range of eateries which you can discover as well as some fantastic museums and historic attractions including ancient churches and the impressive Fortress del Girifalco.
In addition to sleepy hilltop villages this area of Italy also has a number of lively cities which are packed with amenities and cultural attractions. Arezzo is one of these villages and is set 24km away from the villa. Arezzo started life 1000 years ago as an Etruscan settlement but expanded over the centuries in to a wealthy and important stopping point on trading routes. A guided tour would be a brilliant way to see the city but if you would like to explore by yourself, make sure you see the defensive fortress, the National Museum of Medieval and Modern Art and the sumptuously frescoed Basilica of Saint Francis.
Villa Interior (240m2)
Ground Floor
- Large living and dining room with fireplace and dining table
- Fully-fitted kitchen with table, oven, hob, fridge freezer, kettle, toaster, blender, juicer, milk frother and Nespresso machine
- Bedroom with single bed and en-suite bathroom with shower, sink, bidet and WC
- Guest WC
First Floor
- Bedroom with double-sized bed and en-suite bathroom with bath, shower, sink, bidet and WC
- Bedroom with twin beds and en-suite bathroom with shower, sink, bidet and WC
First Floor (separate wing, with independent access via steps)
- Bedroom with double-sized bed
- Bedroom with single bed
- Bathroom with shower, sink, bidet and WC
Second Floor (Tower)
- Bedroom with double/twin beds with bath, shower, sink, bidet and WC
Outdoor Grounds
- Fenced swimming pool (15m x 4.5m, depth: 1-2m), open approximately mid-may to end of September
- Poolside sun loungers and parasols
- Landscaped garden with trees, flower beds and lawns within a large estate
- Vine covered pergola with dining table
- Seating areas
- Hammocks
- Table tennis
- Outdoor showers
- Barbecue
- Covered parking
Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Air-conditioning (bedrooms only except GF single bedroom)
- Ceiling fans (bedrooms)
- Board games
- Adult bikes x 4
- Ipod docking station
- Iron and ironing board
- Cot and high chair (on request)
- Fire extinguisher and first air kit
