PODERE OLIVETO

Description:
In case you are considering to rent this villa for your holidays, we gladly recommend you to read Isabella Dusi’s book “Vanilla Beans and Brodo: Real Life in the Hills of Tuscany” (ISBN 90 583 1 33 3 NOGI 301). Mrs Dusi gives a loving, understanding description of the daily life in this medieval little town, thus providing you with a very adequate understanding of the surroundings in which the villa of your choice is situated. Please bear this in mind: the addition of “real life etc.” should, in our opinion, have been omitted because this simple word, “real” is so very adaptable. But then, when one writes a book, one has the right of one’s own interpretation!

Montalcino lies along the ancient, Roman Via Cassia, at about 564 m. above sea-level and is surrounded by remnants of a defence-wall with six entrance gates. Of course, Montalcino can boast of an age-old history, more often than not with much suffering, bitter poverty and wartime violence, just like so many other cities in this country. But when the now world-famous wine, the Brunello di Montalcino, got established, prosperity became a welcome visitor, who up till now has never moved. The cathedral with 6 Doric columns, the Giungiamo al Duomo di San Salvatore, situated on the Via Spagni, should be visited, really… And when you take a walk along the Piazza del Popolo with the Palazzo Comunale, you might want to visit one of the small but lovely churches here, for just a quick look inside.

The Podere Oliveto gets very close to the ultimate dream of how the perfect Tuscan country-house should look. This farmhouse lies on a “haven of beauty and peace”, to be poetical but not untruthful, and is surrounded by 25 ha. of vineyards which yield the best wines of Italy, the Brunello. The podere exists of two charming, stone houses, at about 11 km. distance from the city of Montalcino, and has been very lovingly and respectfully, minding the old details, restored.

Podere Oliveto consists of one large farmhouse and a beautiful cottage for 4 pers. Both dwellings have been excellently restored, with respect for the age-old traditions; where possible the original materials have been re-used. Both accommodations are very elegantly and tastefully furnished with a mixture of antique, the traditional Tuscan style and modern aspects. The swimming pool lies imbedded between terrace-shaped lawns, and whilst enjoying your stay here you have a wonderful view of the surroundings. In case you want some shade, you can chose to sit underneath the “gazebo”. Both accommodations have a covered, furnished loggia with an original pizza-oven and a barbeque. You can relax, read, enjoy a meal, have a very personal wine-tasting session…whatever you want, you can do!

Both the farmhouse and the cottage have two floors. In the large garden there is yet another, small building, also existing of two floors, with a fitness space, a Jacuzzi and a sauna. Both accommodations have sat-TV. The complex is to be reached via a so-called “strada bianca”, i.,e. an onpaved road, of about 600 m. length, so be careful when you drive a low geared car but, even when not, we would advise you not to speed.

Facilities:
Large garden, parking space, swimming pool ( 18 x 5 m, depth 1,10 – 1,40 m.) with garden furniture, gazebo, fitness room, Jacuzzi, sauna, barbeque, pizza-oven, oven, fridge/freezer, washing machine, dishwasher, sat-TV, air conditioning (only in the farmhouse), WiFi Internet connection in the main house (no extra charge).

Possibilities for sports/excursions:
Walking, trekking, swimming, organised excursions on horse-back. Tennis court in Montalcino. The situation of the Podere Olivero is such that one can make trips not only to the whole of Tuscany but also to the region of Umbria. For instance, visiting all the magnificent sights of Florence and do some wonderful shopping there, go to Cortona in the footsteps of the American authoress Francis Mayes and treat yourself(ves) to a bottle of “Brunello” in Montalcino city. Furthermore, you could take a boat trip on the Lake Trasimeno and discover some special little cities. Then, the lively student-city Perugia, with many café’s and terraces will not disappoint. And of course, we should mention the city of Saint Francis, Assisi, with a very enchanting atmosphere, even when you have to share all the glory with a great number of other visitors. The magic is notwithstanding!

Distances: (approx. kms.)
Nearest shop with restaurant and bar in Castelnuovo dell’ Abate 2, large supermarkets and quite a lot of shops in Montalcino 11, Siena 50, Cortona 75, Perugia 111, Florence 119, Assisi 129.
Local tourist information on the Via del Municipio (Thursday till Sunday 10.00 – 13.00 hrs and from 14.30-17.00 hrs). Weekly market on Friday (from the Viale della Liberta onwards). Internet café in the Centro Tim, Via Mazzini 30.

Lay-out:
The Villa (240 m², 8 pers.)
Ground floor: Spacious living with fire place, dining room, kitchen with large dining table, oven, fridge/freezer, dish washer, entrance to a terrace with wonderful view, toilet.
First floor: 3 double bedrooms with en-suite bathroom with basin, toilet, bidet and shower, bedroom with French bed and en-suite bathroom with basin, toilet, bidet and shower.
The Cottage (95 m², 4 pers,):
Ground floor: Living/dining room with open fire place and kitchen corner, with oven, fridge/freezer, dish washer, bedroom with two beds (upon request, to be made up as 2-pers. bed), bathroom with basin, toilet, bidet and shower.
First floor: Double bedroom with en-suite bathroom with basin, bidet, toilet and bath.

Particulars:

Minimal rental period 7 nights, from Saturday till Saturday. During the low season, other periods might be possible. In the high-season, the villa is only rented in combination with the cottage. During the low season you can rent the villa only, whilst the cottage will not be rented separately, thus ensuring your utmost privacy. Price available on request

Included in the rental price: Water, gas, electricity, usage of bed-, bath- and kitchen linens on a basis of a weekly change, the final cleaning and use of Internet

Not included in the rental price: tourist taxes, heating costs € 40,00 per day for the villa and € 15.00 per day for the cottage and air conditioning € 25,00 per day. Baby-bed: € 10,00 per day. Extra cleaning service € 15,00 per hour. Payment of these extra costs before checking-out

Deposit: Upon arrival, a deposit of € 500,00 is applicable (in cash)

Check-in on the day of arrival between 16.30 – 19.00 hrs. Check-out on the day of departure before 10.00 hrs.

The swimming pool is open from April 28th tiill September 28th, depending on the weather conditions

Public transport: Bus stop at about 2 km. from the villa, but no frequent service schedule. Railway station at 10 km

A car is necessary

Pets are allowed, provided permission has been asked and granted by Elisabeth Travel beforehand. Extra costs: € 30,00 per week

English spoken