Casa Toscana

Flights operate daily from all over the UK to Florence and Pisa (Bristol is the best bet you’re travelling from Wales) and the house is equidistant between the two (approx. 1 hr). We would highly recommend hiring a car as reaching the house by public transport is possible but some services infrequent.

Wifi is included and the house has mobile phone signal. Please note that children should be age 10 and over for this property. 

The hilltop location ensures that the house benefits from cooling breezes and the thick medieval walls and original cotto tiles ensure a cool internal temperature. The shutters serve to keep the breeze moving through the house while keeping the sun at bay. For those venturing here in the cooler months (perfect for sightseeing!) or that cheeky weekend away we have a gorgeous Murso woodburner with ample supplies.

Ground floor:

Traditional Tuscan chestnut front door; wide hallway with original cotto tiles (throughout) leading to:-

Kitchen – bespoke elm table and benches comfortably seating 6, wide SMEG oven, fridge, dishwasher, full range of Alessi and Joseph Joseph cookware and designer Italian crockery

Twin bedroom – Twin antique mahogany sleigh beds with monogrammed White Company Egyptian cotton bed linen, antique chest of drawers and bespoke hanging space and hangers. Beds can be combined to create large superking bed (please request at booking)

En-suite to twin bedroom – walk-in rain shower with local Carrara marble tiles, White Company bath linen and complimentary organic toiletries

First floor: Original stone staircase to the first floor with extraordinary views across the valley, featuring exposed original chestnut timber beams. Elegant antique sofa and chairs, with a wide selection of reading material and luxurious throws and wood burner for cooler evenings

Second floor: Original stone staircase to double height master bedroom, with contemporary White Company 4 poster bed and White Company Egyptian cotton bed linen. Exposed original chestnut beams and breathtaking views across the valley. Antique armoire with additional drawer space and plenty of hangers. Hairdryer and iron and ironing board

En-suite to master – rain shower with local Carrara marble tiles, sumptuous White Company bath linen. Full-size radiators for cooler evenings

Outside: Large terrace with pergola, table and chairs seating 8, two additional deck chairs. To one side of the terrace is the original mettato (barn) for drying chestnuts – this is the only remaining structure in the village (please note barn is not accessible to guests)

Surrounding the barn is the terraced garden featuring (baby) olive trees and herb garden – please help yourself! There is a wealth of bird and wildlife which we encourage by not having the grass cut too frequently, and guests are requested to take care when exploring the garden. The terrace and garden are directly opposite the house – separated by a narrow pedestrian path, which although not in regular use, is a right of way for local residents

The Village

The local bar also has a small selection of essentials for purchse however the main large supermarkets are in our local town, Pescia, approximately 15 minutes drive. Don't miss the Saturday morning market where farm to market is literally a matter of hours.

And the icing on the cake - a little 'wild' swimming. We provide Hammam towels (locally sourced in Morocco) and on booking we reveal the popular local secret swimming spot. It's the perfect way to cool down at the end of a summer's day. The beach is less than an hour away and we provide all the information on where to go and how to pick a spot. Closer to home (10 minutes drive) there are two country club swimming pools where for a small fee you can hire deckchairs and parasols and enjoy a cocktail whilst topping up your holiday tan.

Local area

Dieci Castella – ten fortified medieval villages to explore – on your doorstep 

Pescia – nearest major town, straddling the river, notable for gothic churches and grand Medici gate – don’t miss the Saturday market with a wealth of fresh local produce (15 mins)

Swimming – several local options, but our favourite is a secret local swimming hole (revealed in arrival instructions email!); white sandy beaches less than an hour away.

Florence – the birthplace of Renaissance and Italian cuisine (1 hr)

Lucca – ‘love at first site’ medieval walled city (35 mins)

Pisa – Piazza dei Miracoli with its’ leaning tower never fails to impress (1 hr)

Montecatini – stately Art Noveau spa town – don’t miss a visit to the Terme Tettuccio (40 mins)

Montecatini alto – medieval village accessed by funicular railway (operational since 1800s) with extraordinary views over Montecatini and entire Valdenievole valley

Pistoia – Italy’s city of culture 2017 – striking octagonal baptistry and belltower (40mins)

Vinci – birthplace and museum dedicated to the greatest of Scientific minds (45mins)

Fiesole – Roman amphitheatre and preserved Estrucan walls positioned high above Florence (hr)

Cinque Terre -  UNESCO sight  - five spectacular medieval villages clinging to the rock face set in some of the most dramatic coastal scenery on the planet (1 ½ hrs)

Villas – large opulent villas scatter the surrounding countryside, whilst further afield the Medici villas form part of a UNESCO site

Puccini festival – open-air productions of his most famous works located on his estate (advance booking essential)

Lucca music festival – Big names descend on Lucca every June and July for spectacular open-air concert (advance booking essential)

Further afield (2 hours or less):

• Sienna – romantic medieval city
• San Gimignano – UNESCO site famed for its extraordinary medieval towers
• Volterra – enchanting medieval hilltop town with Etruscan roots.
• Bologna – a city of gastronomic delights