Villa Ruscello

Description

Villa Ruscello is a beautifully restored seventeenth century farmhouse for eight guests set within private grounds overlooking open Tuscan countryside, just a short distance from San Casciano dei Bagni. Brimming with original charm, this rustic home features open-plan living spaces, exposed timber beams and flagstone floors, where guests can truly imbibe their surroundings.

Set down a sweeping driveway, fragrant with surrounding olive groves, this elegant abode has a creamy facade with duck-egg blue original door and window frames, peppered with arched French windows on the ground floor leading to the ample gardens. The interiors emanate understated grandeur, with artefacts, gilded frames and bookshelves at every turn, along with writer's desks and antique timber. Finished with personal flair, the owner's love of travel, art and literature is entwined within the relaxed, yet stylish, space. Faithful to the original structure, the ground floor living and dining features a traditional oven fireplace and arched ceilings, with all the contemporary comforts for a chic family home.

Light-filled and with ‘lived-in' appeal, the living area is scattered with coral and flower-printed cushions across cream sofas, offering an elegantly restorative spot after a busy day, with views across the gardens. The dining space features a hanging candelabra-style light, setting the ambience for lively group meals, or a chef-prepared dinner against the backdrop of farmhouse kitchen complete with pottery plates on the walls. The sweeping stairwell with white-washed walls is off-set by an ornate hanging carriage light leading to the first floor, which has its own living room and kitchenette.

The master bedroom is a characterful suite with exposed beam ceilings, and statement-making four poster bed with jade and gold-toned eiderdowns. The chaise-longue and pistachio coloured window frames sit along with writing desk and access to a cloistered balcony, complete with bistro set and far-reaching views. Two double bedrooms (one on the ground floor and one on the first) are finessed with personal flair, one with accents of warm amber along with hand-made wicker furnishings, whilst the ground floor double bedroom has direct gardens access, gilded frames and elegant olive tones. The final bedroom has two single beds with accents of vibrant fuchsia, pretty dual aspect windows with aqua coloured window frames; coming complete with a cot bed it makes an ideal children's room.

The gardens are artfully un-manicured, offering panoramic views across the valleys and olive groves, set across sedate layers, from sweeping lawns to stone rockery and shrub gardens. The pool is set on a smart decked terrace, complete with loungers and parasols, while the gravel drive is peppered with swaying palms. With ample choice for dining, or a drink as the sun sets over the hills, from the trellis-covered pergola with grape vines overhead, to charming wrought-iron breakfast table or wicker and bamboo dining set. A stone-built barbecue meal under the pergola will be about as good as it gets.
Enjoying the privacy of its own grounds, this home is set only 800m from the historical village of Celle sul Rigo, which is nestled in the Valdichiana hills close to the Umbria borders. With an Etruscan and Roman heritage, the area is rich with cultural history, and close enough for visits to Arezzo and Siena, whilst the nearby Maremma region boasts stunning countryside for hiking and biking. An hour and a half south east of Sienna and an hour and twenty minutes south west of Arezzo, this is a sublime spot from which to enjoy Tuscany.
For an authentic Tuscan farmhouse holiday, blending local flavour, original touches, personalised services and proximity to some of the region's finest towns and cities, Villa Ruscello (meaning stream in Italian), delivers on every front.

#### Features
Villa Interior

Ground Floor
- Living room with fireplace and garden access
- Open plan dining area with seating for 12
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Utility room
- Guest bathroom
- Double bedroom with en-suite bathroom with shower

First Floor
- Triple bedroom with two single beds and a cot bed with adjacent bathroom with shower
- Living room with kitchenette
- Master bedroom with en-suite bathroom with shower, bath and twin sinks, terrace access
- Double bedroom with internal bathroom with shower

Outside Grounds
- Solar panel heated swimming pool (14x4 metres, 1.20 - 2.10 depth) with electric cover, open approximately end-May to end-September
- Pool shower and changing area
- Decked pool terrace
- Garden with panoramic views
- Grassy lawns
- Pergola with stone-built barbecue
- Outdoor dining for 12, parasols, wicker and bamboo garden furniture and wrought-iron bistro sets
- Pool seating with loungers and parasols
- Panoramic terrace leading from master bedroom
- Shrubs, palm trees and flower beds
- Covered parking for four vehicles

Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Satellite television
- Hi-Fi, CD player and DVD player
- Coffee machine
- Dishwasher
- Utility room with washing machine
- Ceiling fan in master bedroom
- Mosquito nets on windows
- Children's games

#### Location
Villa Ruscello is an hour and a half south east of Siena and an hour and twenty minutes south west of Arezzo, in a lesser-trodden southern part of Tuscany, yet close to the major art cities, surrounded by reminders of Italy's Etruscan heritage. Enjoying the privacy of its own grounds, this home is set only 800m from the historical village, which is nestled in the Valdichiana hills close to the Umbria borders within the municipality of San Casciano Dei Bagni. The local village is a small place with only 400 inhabitants, but offers medieval charm, an original defence tower and boasts locally-made pici pasta, as well as a couple of mini supermarkets and butchers.

Nearby are the spas and hot springs of San Casciano dei Bagni - a wonderful place to soak after hiking or sight-seeing. This magical spot (just 6km distance), is where the thermal baths are, set among a thick wood of chestnuts and ancient pines. The "Bagno Grande" (great bath) is easily reachable by foot from the main square of San Casciano. Having attracted visitors for centuries, the thermal baths date from the 1400's, while the historic centre of San Casciano features the 16th-century Palazzo dell'Arcipretura as well as the beautiful church, San Michele Arcangelo. Following a day at the baths, there is a smattering of excellent restaurants around.
Head forty-minutes north and you will reach the famous hilltop town of Montepulciano with its charming lanes, pretty churches, Renaissance palaces and amazing views out to the vineyards in the surrounding valleys. Be sure to try some of the town's famous Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, one of Tuscany's most well-regarded red wines.

With an Etruscan and Roman heritage, the area is also rich with cultural history, and close enough for visits to Arezzo and Siena, whilst the nearby Maremma region boasts stunning countryside for hiking and biking. The Citta del Tufo archaeological park is a network of Etruscan tombs and mysterious sunken roads, while the nature reserve at Monte Rufeno offers mile upon mile of preserved flora and fauna for nature lovers.

Golf enthusiasts will enjoy the nine hole course at Panicale, while bike hire, cooking lessons, riding lessons and tennis can be arranged by the host. After all this exertion, why not finish with a booked massage back at the villa!