Il Caratello

Description

A former stable, Il Caratello has been restored with great care blending old and new - the result being a stunning stone hillside villa for eight, nestled between Siena and Florence in the Chianti region. Set within its own grounds, this welcoming abode emanates rustic charm and traditional Tuscan style, with local stone, terracotta tiles and exposed timber beams.
The terraced gardens have been designed to optimise stylish outdoor living, complete with elegant al fresco dining pergola, pool with sauna as well as shower and outdoor dining facilities: ideal for a quick cold beer after a swim, or a restorative sauna after a busy day. Set within a decked terrace, the poolside boasts wonderful views, while the gardens are framed with poplar trees. Sauntering out of the kitchen, guests can enjoy the chic pergola area, whilst barbecue meals on a balmy evening will hit the right note.
The authentic Tuscan feel runs throughout the interiors, which nonetheless feature every contemporary comfort for a seamless stay. Rustic touches jostle with finessed finishes, so a traditional style kitchen boasts top grade fittings, and the living space has a stately fireplace as its centrepiece with exposed stone walls and an air of refined comfort. Brimming with characterful charm, this home has original features along with a personal touch: a veritable home-from-home.
Three bedrooms offer serenity within understated yet graceful surroundings, whilst the mezzanine study level can either be a fourth bedroom (two divans) or a tranquil nook to curl up with a book or gather inspiration at the desk. With expansive green lawns, abundant space for a family or group, attention to detail to ensure a flawless trip, and the Valdichiana region on its doorstep, Il Caratello is an excellent choice for an authentic Tuscan holiday.
Nestled just outside the village of Poggibonsi (3km), set in the Chianti region between Florence (42km) and Siena (32km), this makes for an ideal base to enjoy all that Tuscany has to offer. The region is seeping with historical and cultural interest, from vineyards where visitors can enjoy the famous Chianti wines, to hilltop villages with medieval churches, to the striking towers of San Gimignano (14km) and the medieval walled town of Monteriggioni (16km), just a short distance away. The Valdichiana hills are close to the Umbria borders and the Maremma region, boasting stunning countryside for hiking and biking. With so much on offer, from the beautiful Tuscan landscape rich with Etruscan and Roman heritage, rolling hills and elegant architecture, this is an ideal spot to seal holiday memories.
Please note, we also feature the villa next door: Villa Cecconi(together they could accommodate larger parties.)

#### Features
Villa Interior (300m²)
Ground Floor (split-level)
- Well equipped kitchen with dishwasher, stove, coffee machine, microwave, dishwasher, American style fridge-freezer with ice maker, food processor, toaster and open fireplace
- Living room with stone fireplace
- Bathroom (via 4 steps) with shower with hydromassage
- Garage (via 7 steps) with laundry and shower room
Mezzanine Floor
- Study with two divans
First Floor (split-level)
- Double bedroom with four poster bed and terrace access, with private split level bathroom
- Bedroom with double bed
- Bedroom with two single beds with bathroom with shower, and balcony looking over lounge area
Outside Grounds
- Pool (7mx14m, depth: 3m) with diving board. Open approximately May - end of October
- Sauna
- Outdoor dining furniture and dining pergola
- Outdoor shower
- Barbecue
- Terrace
- Hammock
- Well
- Terraced grounds (many steps)
- Garage (space for one car) with laundry facilities
- Outdoor parking space
Facilities
- Wi-Fi (lounge and outdoor area)
- Air-conditioning
- Mosquito screens
- Satellite television
- Stereo
- Washing machine
- Hairdryers in the bathrooms
- Iron and ironing board

#### Location
Il Caratello is nestled just a short distance from the charming village of Poggibonsi (3km), where all local amenities can be found (restaurants, supermarkets and bars), in the beautiful Chianti region of Tuscany. This area offers an enchanting Italian experience, from vineyards to hilltop villages with medieval era buildings, to Etruscan and Roman ruins and monuments, to medieval churches and traditional ways of life. Poggibonsi has a historical centre; its key historic attractions being the Church of St Lorenzo and the Sanctuary of Romituzzo, with the splendid Madonna della Neve (Our Lady of the Snow) dating to 1300. Poggibonsi also has an archeological park, a baker, a butcher and a market every Tuesday, making it a thriving local town.
Wine tasting is one of the region's central attractions, while the landscape in Tuscany is considered among the best Italy has to offer, with olive groves, rolling hills, elegant architecture and some unchanged ways of local life such as cheese-making. Gourmet enthusiasts, wine buffs and art lovers find this region endlessly enriching.
San Gimignano (14km), a UNESCO world heritage site, is famous for its fascinating medieval architecture and striking towers that rise above the town, offering impressive views of the surrounding valley.
Siena (32km) is an elegant medieval city. The city's Gothic appearance has been preserved through the centuries (also a UNESCO world heritage site.) Piazza del Campo is the centre of the city and often where visits begin; one of the biggest medieval squares in the world, it has an unusual shell shape. Every year, the famous Palio Horse Race draws summer visitors.
Florence (42km) is known for hosting many masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture. One of its icons being the cathedral, with a terracotta-tiled dome engineered by Brunelleschi and a bell tower by Giotto. The Galleria dell'Accademia displays Michelangelo's “David” sculpture and The Uffizi Gallery exhibits Botticelli's “The Birth of Venus” and da Vinci's “Annunciation” drawing art history lovers to this elegant city.
With its simple yet delectable cuisine, fine wine making industry, sublime natural beauty and art-rich cities, Tuscany is a failsafe holiday option.