Villa Il Gufo Region: Chianti & Arezzo Sleeps: 8-20

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1 Villa Il Gufo Region: Chianti & Arezzo Sleeps: 8-20 Overview Nestled within the small medieval village of Anghiari, Villa il Gufo is comprised of several Tuscan farmhouses, restored with love and passion to create a magical estate of distinctive earthy colour tones and subtle aromas of Jasmine and Primrose. The property consists of three units dating back to 1600, that include a monastery that housed Camaldolesi monks for over a thousand years, a main house spread over three stories with private terracotta terraces, and a charming stone cottage about 30m away from the main building. All of these fascinating buildings have long and varied histories, and have been restored with respect to their heritage, keeping many of the original features such as the floor tiles, stone steps and thick wooden trusses. Surrounding the buildings are carefully maintained landscaped gardens boasting a wide array of colourful blossoms, and a further five acres of woodland home to one of the oldest cypresses in the valley and many resident squirrels, hares, deer, pheasants, and owls. This strong connection to nature is one of the standout attractions of the property, where guests can relax in the sun by the large outdoor swimming pool, hide away in a small wooden snug secluded among the olive trees, enjoy the children s playground with hammocks and games, or dine al-fresco on a veranda surrounded by roses. The family behind the renovation of this wonderful property is extremely passionate about the experience that each guest enjoys and encourage you to specify any needs you may have before you arrive in order for them to ensure they can provide you with the perfect tailor-made service.to ensure that the culinary heritage is fully appreciated, the owners can organise meals, wine and oil tastings in many oil mills and wineries in the area. They can even organise all this within the estate so you never have to leave the comfort of Villa il Gufo! Page 1

2 Facilities Exclusive Recommended Private Pool Ideal for Babies & Toddlers Ideal for Kids Ideal for Teens Internet Air-Con Walk to Village <1hr to Airport BBQ All Bedrooms En-Suite Ideal for Parties Stag/Hen Allowed Ground Floor Bed & Bath Cable TV Table Tennis Cot(s) High Chair(s) Fenced Grounds Rural Location Walking/Hiking Paths Wine Tasting Golf Nearby Outstanding Landscapes Outdoor Pursuit & Activities Tourist Towns & Villages Historical Sites Page 2

3 Interior & Grounds The Villa Villa In Gufo consists of three units dating back to 1600, that include a monastery, a main house spread over three floors and a charming stone cottage about 30m away from the main building. Can accommodate up to 20 people with 7 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. Ground Floor Access to the main house is from two sides: the kitchen and the living room. The living room side is the heart of the house where you will also find a small office with plenty of info on the local area. The large living room with comes with huge fireplace, Steinway piano, sofas, tables and chairs. Because of its size it can be used for various purposes, reading, listening to music, watching a film and dining. There are 3 large sofas and 5 square tables that can comfortably accommodate large groups all eating together. Large exposed beams, stone niches, handmade terracotta tiles, wrought iron, Persian rugs, fine furniture and antique fabrics are part of the furniture of every room and give it its authentic charm. The living room leads through to a small sitting area with armchairs, that then leads through to the kitchen and its rear dining terrace. The kitchen is a full professional kitchen and extremely well-equipped with everything you need both for cooking and for your mise en place. This includes 6 burners, a large oven, two large refrigerators, tables for food preparation, two sinks and the real gem is the dishwasher that completes a full load in just 60 seconds (no exaggeration!). In addition there is a kitchen table available for breakfast next to a working fireplace. A terracotta staircase takes you up to the first floor where there are three bedroom suites. This floor is connected to the garden via an external staircase which gives you direct access to the rooms without going through the living areas. First Floor The floor consists of 3 bedroom suites, 1 living room with original working fireplace, and a large terrace with stunning viesw, where guests can relax for breakfast or a drink at sunset. The first suite offers one double bedroom with en suite bathroom and a bathtub in the corner with stunning views across the valley. The second suite is another double bedroom with en-suite shower room with access to the terrace. The third suite is a very large room with direct access to the terrace through French windows. Tgere is also a sitting area separated by a curtain with a double sofa bed that can sleep two, and a bathroom en-suite. Second Floor Page 3

4 Continuing up a wooden staircase you reach the top floor where there is a lovely mezzanine library: this is the oldest part of the house, said to be an old watchtower. It now offers the ultimate suite, sleeping up to 4 people. The room consists of a master bedroom with a double bed and a living room with fireplace and double sofa bed. The two rooms are separated by a door but share the same bathroom en-suite. The Cottage About 30m from the main house. Wooden beams, columns and tiles are all exposed. The floor is partly wood and part constructed from the ancient terracotta that was found in the chapel next door. The entrance through a French door leads directly from the ground floor into the master bedroom which is equipped with two bathrooms, one a disabled toilet and the second a bathroom with hydro-massage shower. The room has a small kitchen, and its own tiny garden with table and chairs, suitable for 2 or 3 people. Former Chapel This was once a small church transformed over the years into a space where tobacco was dried. After a long and arduous restoration, it has now become two delightful suites; called Pieve and Fonte. The ground floor suite is a double bedroom with en-suite shower room that can accommodate 2 or 3 people. From this floor, terracotta stairs lead to the second suite, a master bedroom with en-suite bathroom with shower. The room also benefits from a kitchenette with refrigerator. The two rooms are completely separate despite being one above the other. Swimming Pool At about 50 metres from the house, in the sunniest part of the garden you will find the 12x6x1.5m swimming pool. It is illuminated inside and out for the evening. There is also a large outdoor shower solarium area furnished with beds, tables, chairs and umbrellas. The pool is accessed via a staircase with wooden steps made from railway sleepers. Secluded among the olive trees there is also a small wooden house furnished with rugs and pillows for guests to enjoy a moment in privacy and intimacy. More Facilities... - Water (drinking in all the rooms and in the kitchen) - Welcome basket with jam, butter, biscuits, cookies, pastries, juices, tea, sugar, salt, pepper, cleaning products - Welcome drinks with fresh fruit - Hairdryers, toiletries in each bathroom (body lotion, shampoo, and bubble bath) Page 4

5 - Pool and garden maintenance - Weekly cleaning (only rooms and bathrooms) - Use of guides and information on the area Page 5

6 Location & Local Information Just 500m from the property, in the village of Tavernelle di Anghiari, you will find the basic necessities and a couple of restaurants. Anghiari (5 mins drive away) is a small gem known throughout the world for its art and culture, antique shops, local crafts, excellent restaurants and its medieval history. Built around the flow of the Arno and Tiber rivers it is dotted with churches, medieval houses, monasteries and archaeological sites. From the top you can see the entire valley - a truly magnificent view. Its narrow streets and squares are home to masterpieces of painting and sculpture that in recent years have received recognition from the Italian touring cub who declared it one of the most beautiful villages of Italy. Over the year various famous artists have lived here including Michelangelo Buonarroti, Piero della Francesca, Luca Pacioli and Leonardo da Vinci who painted here at the famous Battle of Anghiari. The food, the art, the history, the culture can all be felt everywhere, from the farmer's market on Wednesday to the Tuesday and Saturday markets in Sansepolcro, during the many festivals held throughout the year, and especially in the summer music festivals. The house s location is an ideal base from which to visit the most popular places in Tuscany such as Florence, Siena, Assisi, Perugia, which are all less than 100 miles from the house, or in two hours you can reach Lucca and Pisa. A 15 minute drive takes you to the lesser known but charming villages of Sansepolcro, Cortona (famous for the book and film "Under the Tuscan Sun" by Frances Mayes), Citerna and Monterchi. Also nearby is the beautiful hermitage of La Verna where Francis of Assisi received the stigmata and Arezzo, famous for the film "Life is Beautiful" where every first weekend of the month one of the most famous antiques fairs in Italy is held here. Being on the border with Umbria, it is well worth a walk in Città di Castello, Gubbio and Lake Trasimeno up to Spello, or visit Deruta which is known worldwide for its famous handmade pottery. If your passion is fishing there are many lakes where you will find trout and chub, and you can also fish at the dam of Montedoglio, that is full of pike and carp. If shopping is your thing then there are many outlets (the mall, Prada, Valdichiana outlet, Befane) that can be reached in less than an hour's drive. Tennis courts and bowling can be found in Anghiari and Sansepolcro, where there are also gyms and fitness centres. Meanwhile there is a stunning 9-hole Page 6

7 golf course in Perugia. Page 7

8 Terms & Conditions - Security deposit: 1800 paid prior to or on arrival - Arrival time: 4.00 pm pm - Departure time: am - Energy costs included?: 300 per week, not included in the rental price - Linen & towels included?: Linen, bath and pool towels included in the rental price - Pets welcome?: Pets not allowed - End of stay cleaning included?: 300 per stay, not included in the rental price (kitchen extra cleaning during the week from 150) - Smoking Allowed?: No smoking inside the villa - Insurance: It is recommended that all guests take out insurance to cover against potential cancellation and any accidental damage caused during your stay at the property - Changeover day: Saturday on high season - Heating costs included?: 580 per week, not included in the rental price - Internet access?: Wi-Fi connection included Page 8