Farmhouse Rental Near Certaldo, Tuscany
Donatella
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AboutTheExperience
Authentic Tuscan living suggests a key location with spectacular views of the countryside, a private farm for olive harvesting, and the most delicious meals in the world (prepared especially for you by the owner) ... all this and more is what you have to look forward to at this lovely farmhouse accommodation in Tuscany! Warm, welcoming, and pleasant, this Tuscany vacation rental is so lovingly taken care of, that you and your family will instantly feel at home. Whether you picture yourself exploring medieval hill towns, taking day trips to Florence and Siena, gazing out at the views of the Apennines and San Gimignano from the terrace, or simply relaxing by the pool, this holiday farmhouse in Tuscany is the perfect place to start!
LocationDescription
The farmhouse is located four kilometers from Barberino Val d'Elsa where there shops, restaurants, a great pizzeria, a market, a bank, and a post office. Dating back to the Middle Ages, Barberino Val d'Elsa marks the midway point between Siena and Florence. The village has an ancient church, castle, chapel, and beautiful views of the olive groves and vineyards that make up much of the Chianti Classico region. San Gimignano, a town you can see from the farmhouse, is a great place to go for a day trip. As one of the most visited towns in Tuscany, it is known for its rich history dating back to the Etruscan times. It is full of life and things to do. Popular attractions include the famous towers, the 12th century Duomo, the People's Palace, and several museums dedicated to artwork and archeology. There are also plenty of wine tasting tours, art galleries, shops, and delicious restaurants. Numerous celebrations and gatherings are held every year including a music festival featuring theater, ballet, and opera performances, and a Medieval Harvest festival where the people of San Gimignano dress up as knights, play medieval games, and have tournaments. Of course, you'll also want to visit Florence and Siena during your trip and a train station in Certaldo, which is only 15 minutes away from the property, can get you there easily and conveniently.
Florence: 37 km
Siena: 35 km
San Gimignano: 15 km
Certaldo: 10 km
Barberino Val d'Elsa: 4 km
ExteriorDescription
(2,000m2)
Originally built in the 15th century, this farmhouse is also situated on a foundation dating back to Medieval Times. Located in a peaceful position on top of one of the Chianti hills and within the Archeological Park of Semifonte, there are spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and valleys, where you can see not only the Apennines, but San Gimignano as well. An interesting fact about the location is that the surrounding valley used to be the main road (via Francigena) from the north to the south of Europe for merchants and pilgrims. The garden features a small farm where olives are harvested for extra virgin olive oil. There is a terrace on the first floor furnished with a bench, table, and chairs, and a patio on the ground floor with a table, chairs, and umbrella. A shared swimming pool (10m x 5m) is located 200 meters away from the property at the neighbor's house that guests are welcome to use. The farmhouse is located on a quiet road with very little traffic, although wall covered with vines separates the property from the road. Parking is available within the grounds.
InteriorDescription
(150 m2)
Ground floor: An independent billiard room is located on the ground floor as well as a laundry room with a washing machine. There is also a dining room and kitchen that are closed to guests except when cooking, olive oil, or wine tasting courses or dinners are prepared by the owners for the guests of the house.
First floor: This floor is accessible via an external staircase leading to a terrace furnished with a bench, table, and chairs. The combined living/dining room has couches, satellite TV, a table with chairs, and large panoramic windows that offer beautiful views of the countryside, including San Gimignano. A second sitting area has a sofa (double sofa bed), fireplace, and table with chairs. There is also a desk with a computer and printer. While this room can be used as a sleeping area for up to two people, there is no door for privacy. The kitchen is equipped with a cook-top, oven, microwave, toaster, freezer, and dishwasher. The first bedroom has a 160 cm queen-sized bed and ensuite bathroom with a sink, toilet, and shower. The second bedroom has a 160 cm queen-sized bed and a 90 cm single bed. The third bedroom has a 160 cm queen-sized bed. There is a second bathroom with a sink, toilet, and shower.
FeaturesDescription
Available Amenities: Air conditioning (included in rental rate), maid service (2 hours/day, Mon-Fri), towel change (mid week), cell phone with free incoming calls (a phone card must be purchased to make calls), satellite TV, wireless ADSL internet connection, PC computer with internet connection, printer, electronic converter, fireplace, oven, microwave, toaster, freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, iron, ironing board, hair dryer in each bathroom, mosquito netting on windows, baby bed and high chair (upon request), "House Book" with contact numbers, restaurants, nearby towns, activities), billiard table, shared swimming pool, barbecue and charcoal, parking
Extra Services: The following are listed as an aid for trip planning; the services and prices are approximate and cannot be guaranteed by Rentvillas. All extra services are payable locally in cash.
Cell phone: purchase of a phone card
Heating: 18 euros/day
Traditional Tuscan dinner at the villa: Upon request with wine, appetizers, two main dishes, and cake (to be arranged two months prior to arrival)
Cooking Classes at the Villa: In the kitchen on the ground floor with the owner, who is a professional chef. From 10:00am-2:00pm including lunch, or 4:00pm-8:00pm including dinner. 40-60 Euros per person, depending upon the size of the group.
Olive Oil Tasting at the Villa: In the kitchen on the ground floor with the owner, a certified oil taster. 5 Euros per person.
Wine Tasting and Dinner at the Villa: With the owners, who are sommeliers.
Extra maid service and laundry service are available upon request and paid locally.
Nearby Attractions: Barberino Val d'Elsa (markets, shops, restaurants, pizzeria, bank, post office, ancient church, castle, chapel), Certaldo Alto, the Medieval village and birthplace of Boccaccio, Certaldo (train station), San Gimginano (towers, Duomo, People's Palace, museums, wine tasting, shops, restaurants, annual festivals), Florence, Siena
Please Note:The rental price is for a maximum of 7 people. Two additional people may be accommodated on request for the weekly charge of 100 euros per person.The shared swimming pool is located 200 meters from property at the neighbor's house.Although there is a washing machine, there is not a clothes dryer, only a line dryer.
Property Seasons & Rates (USD)
| Date Range | | Monthly | | Three Weeks | | Two Weeks | | Weekly | | | | Min Stay |
Aug-28-2010 Sep-25-2010
|
| $6,939 $6,245 |
| $5,478 $4,930 |
| $4,018 $3,616 |
| $2,190 $1,971 |
|
|
|
1 wk
|
Sep-25-2010 Dec-11-2010
|
| $6,087 $5,478 |
| $4,807 $4,326 |
| $3,524 $3,172 |
| $1,921 $1,729 |
|
|
|
1 wk
|
Dec-11-2010 Jan-08-2011
|
| $7,254 $6,529 |
| $5,726 $5,153 |
| $4,199 $3,779 |
| $2,291 $2,062 |
|
|
|
1 wk
|
Jan-08-2011 Apr-16-2011
|
| $6,224 $5,602 |
| $4,913 $4,422 |
| $3,603 $3,243 |
| $1,965 $1,769 |
|
|
|
1 wk
|
Apr-16-2011 Apr-30-2011
|
| $7,254 $6,529 |
| $5,726 $5,153 |
| $4,199 $3,779 |
| $2,291 $2,062 |
|
|
|
1 wk
|
Apr-30-2011 Jun-11-2011
|
| $6,939 $6,245 |
| $5,478 $4,930 |
| $4,018 $3,616 |
| $2,190 $1,971 |
|
|
|
1 wk
|
Jun-11-2011 Sep-03-2011
|
| $8,170 $7,353 |
| $6,450 $5,805 |
| $4,729 $4,256 |
| $2,580 $2,322 |
|
|
|
1 wk
|
Sep-03-2011 Sep-24-2011
|
| $6,939 $6,245 |
| $5,478 $4,930 |
| $4,018 $3,616 |
| $2,190 $1,971 |
|
|
|
1 wk
|
Sep-24-2011 Dec-10-2011
|
| $6,087 $5,478 |
| $4,807 $4,326 |
| $3,524 $3,172 |
| $1,921 $1,729 |
|
|
|
1 wk
|
Dec-10-2011 Jan-07-2012
|
| $7,254 $6,529 |
| $5,726 $5,153 |
| $4,199 $3,779 |
| $2,291 $2,062 |
|
|
|
1 wk
|
For exact pricing and conditions, click the View Availability button and then click View Pricing and Conditions.
Arrival Times
Please note: Official Arrival Times:
Questions and Answers From Our Clients
(Click the question to view the answer)
Q: Regarding the Donatella property: how many apartments/villas are on the property? Is it a location with a sense of privacy when needed? Thank you!
A: We used this villa for one week with two other couples and each couple had their own bedroom and all the privacy we needed. There is only one house on the property and it was large enough for all of us. It is secluded with a vineyard and olive trees all around the home. We found it a convenient home base for daily trips to varous hill towns throughout Tuscany.
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Conditions *
Security Deposit
- Upon arrival at the property you are required to pay to the property representative a security deposit payable in cash. The security deposit will be returned to you prior to your departure minus any extra charges or accidental damages to the property. The listed security deposit is: 258 EUR
Additional Expenses
- Final cleaning charge per person: 8 EUR
- Minimum final cleaning charge: 41 EUR
- If available, telephone is extra and charged according to consumption.
- Heating if used will be charged at the daily rate of: 15 EUR
Other Notes
- Extra maid service is usually available upon request and is paid locally.
- If available, heating is allowed by Italian law only from November 1 to April 1 with exceptions made for extreme weather
- Clients are expected to depart the property by 9:00 am, unless otherwise indicated.
- If available, cook service must be arranged at least two months prior to arrival and is subject to the availability of the cook.
- CLIENTS ARE REQUIRED TO GIVE A PHOTOCOPY OF THEIR PASSPORT TO THE LOCAL MANAGER WHEN THEY ARRIVE AT THE PROPERTY.
* These prices and conditions may change based on your arrival date and length of stay. For exact conditions, please click on the View Availability button, enter your dates, and then click on View Pricing and Conditions.
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Call us: 1-800-726-6702
Outside the US: +1-805-880-1228
Mon-Fri 7:00-5:30
Sat 10:30-2:30 Pacific Time
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Customer Ratings
Overall
Peace and Quiet
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Outside Area
Living Room
Kitchen
Bedrooms
Bathrooms
Based on 49 Reviews
Customer Reviews
Overall:
The best of Tuscany. Every expectation was exceeded by the property and our gracious hosts.
Enjoyed Most:
Its incomparable view.
Unpleasant Surprises:
A bit off the "beaten path."
Surrounding Area:
The warm, wonderful, accepting people.
Tips or Restaurants:
You will need very little extras at this inviting villa. One of the best restaurants we experienced was one of the closest to the villa, Pizzeria Maroni in the village of Sciano, Certaldo. This place was amazing because of its outside seating, wonderful service-staff, and amazingly affordable prices...mangia!
Directions:
GPS was intermittent because of satellite reception, but the written directions were spot on.
Check In Out:
Could not have been easier or more pleasant. We were even greeted with complimentary Chianti...how sweet is that!
John, August, 2010
Show All 49 Reviews
Overall:
We had a pleasant two weeks at Donatella. The view surrounding the villa was spectacular.
Enjoyed Most:
The views.
Surrounding Area:
That it was rural and peaceful.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Barberino Val d'Elsa. No.
Tips or Restaurants:
Nothing to bring.
Directions:
Did not use GPS.
Check In Out:
The hosts were very gracious and accommodating.
Solvita, August, 2010
Show All 49 Reviews
Overall:
It was a beautiful villa, we were there with family members and it was a wonderful place to be together. The accommodations were spotless and very comfortable. Our hosts were so hospitable and very knowledgeable about the area. They were there to greet us - not hovering at all - and they left the next morning for their home in Florence.
Enjoyed Most:
It was very quiet and had a magnificent 360 degree view of the countryside. The owners left a basket of fresh coffee, olive oil, which is made right there, and bread, milk etc. which was so nice. You could go on walks from the house to enjoy the country.The home was very well equipped and very comfortable, much like someone actually lived there. The air conditioning worked very well. The yard as well as house was immaculate.
Unpleasant Surprises:
It was very hot while we were there and although the air conditioning was great, the pool was too far away for my Mom to use, about 2 blocks down a pretty steep road then up some brick steps. We could have driven I guess, but not very convenient. It was also 6 feet deep everywhere and you have to enter down a ladder.
Surrounding Area:
It was a beautiful area, Certaldo has both a new town, not too interesting. But also an old town, walled on the hill. It was very nice and I would recommend a visit, a few shops, museum, restaurants and fabulous view. It is very easy to drive to many towns, San Gimignano was 30 mins, as was Siena and Chianti, Florence, great location.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Barbarino Val d'Elsa was about 5 miles away and was quite charming with a small Coop, local grocery store, great pastry and cappuccino shop and meat store. Cute little town. The Catholic church was beautiful in a closer town, ask owner, and a fabulous restaurant right next door. Great pizza and pasta and beautiful setting outdoors.
Tips or Restaurants:
Be ready to relax and definitely take a cooking class, it was very fun and right there. I would also arrange for some food to be made ahead by owner, for a relaxing evening at home. They do have a BBQ which we did use, beautiful patio area. They have bug spray there, we used and did not have a problem.
Directions:
We did use GPS, which brought us in a different way, use their directions, and do not attempt to drive there at night for first visit. Typical dark and windy roads especially at night.
Check In Out:
The owners are very sweet and accommodating, they gave us their cell number if we were to encounter any problems. We did not.
Carole , July, 2010
Show All 49 Reviews