Italy | Toscana - Firenze

CASA GREVE

Description:
“Gorgeous” is, with exceptions to the rule, a rather female way of expressing one selves.(Only women say, when they really like something: “How gorgeous!”) But we really have to use the word “gorgeous” when looking for a description which fits Casa Greve. You will reach this villa through a little chestnut wood on a hilltop above Greve in Chianti, and you will have to make the effort: a 3,5 km. long, unpaved road with a lot of sharp curves, climbing upwards. But once there, you will not be sorry; on the contrary.

This cosy, comfortable and typical Tuscan house, offering accommodation to 7 + 1 persons, has been wonderfully restored by the present owners, with a beautiful garden with well-tended lawns, olive trees and fruit trees, and a perfect view on all sides. All rooms have been tastefully furnished. The living has an open fire place and television, and the kitchen is provided with all modern comforts. Moreover, there is a spacious dining room with a large dining table and more than sufficient chairs. The house forms part of a large country estate where one produces wine.

Thanks to, and because of, the remoteness of this villa, it is especially suited for those who look for intense quietness, privacy and enjoyment of nature. The swimming pool is surrounded by olive trees, with lots of spots inviting one to relax. Just in case you feel the need for some physical efforts, you might want to play some tennis on the court. The loggia at the backside of the house is a perfect spot for meals al fresco, and in the annexe behind the house you might want to play some pool. Just in case you would want to see some people: the small city of Greve in Chianti is close-by, and then, of course, there are the marvellous cultural places like Florence and Siena to enjoy.

Our conclusion: A perfect place for those who yearn for some peace and quiet after a year of stress and making late hours, in the knowledge that “life” is quite close-by!

Please note:
The last part of the afore-mentioned road towards this house is unpaved, and not quite suitable for cars with low gearing. Moreover, because of the lay-out of this villa, built on a hill top with made absolutely level floors impossible, there are little steps to get from one room to another. We therefore cannot recommend this beautiful house to elderly people and/or families with young children.

Facilities:
Electronic gate, parking space within, garden with garden furniture, loggia, pergola with outside table and chairs for 8 pers., heating, television, telephone, washing machine, dish washer, refrigerator/freezer, oven, swimming pool (6 x 12 m., max. depth 2.5 m.), tennis court, billiard room. Children’s cot and –chair available upon request (at booking). Anti-insect screens on the bedroom windows.

Possibilities for sports/excursions:
Walking and trekking. If you feel up to it; a day on a mountain bike could provide a challenge! More than enough possibilities for excursions; too many villages, small towns and bigger towns than we can mention, all within easy reach by car. For instance the age-old city of Lucca deserves more than one visit. You can be sportive and walk or cycle on the ancient walls, or just sit on a terrace – like we prefer. In the latter case, we can recommend a nice drink on one of the most spectacular “piazza’s” of Tuscany, the so-called Piazza “L’Anfiteatro”. A “must”, of course, is a visit to Florence with its many beautiful museums. But shopping, too, offers quite a lot of pleasure. The narrow, winding streets of Lucca with all the lovely shops makes one very greedy, and the same goes for Florence, with its colourful markets, too, and then Siena! Beautiful cathedral, one of the most famous piazza’s in Italy, the “Campo”’, and yet more shops! If you have never been to Pisa, then you should go there for a day. We say “should” but only mean it as a suggestion. Pisa has, of course, the Leaning Tower to see, with several really beautiful old buildings on the same square and a row of really tacky souvenir stalls alongside. Awful, but sometimes such shops can provide funny little souvenirs to take back home The “modern” part of the town is full of shops too but not, in our opinion, really worth while. Also the coast is easy to reach.

Distances, in approx. km.:
Greve in Chianti with shops, restaurants, bars, postal office, banks, pharmacy and a market on Saturday mornings) 7, Florence 30, Siena 40, San Gimignano 45; Florence airport 50; Pisa airport 140.

Lay-out:
Ground floor: Spacious living with original terra cotta tiling; wooden beams on the ceilings, open fire place of Tuscan stone and beautiful view on the valley. Via an arch you reach the second living space. Then 6 little steps, and you enter the cosy, light-blue painted kitchen with table and chairs sitting 8 pers., dishwasher, oven and refrigerator/freezer.
All rooms mentioned here have access to the garden.
Floor in-between (mezzanine): With 4 steps, you reach this floor in-between, with a large, oaken dining table seating 10-12 persons and access to the loggia, one large double bedroom with Queen Size bed and an-suite bathroom with double basin and bath.
First floor: Another 6 steps lead to the first floor, with the other bedrooms; One double bedroom with queen Size bed plus en-suite bathroom with shower; another double bedroom with queen Size bed; one single bedroom – suited, e.g., for a child – and an extra bed; bathroom with shower. From these bedrooms, you can enjoy a lovely view on the surroundings.

The prices given are in Euro's
Prices for other periods than mentioned above, please inquire

Particulars:
Included in the rental price: Costs for water, gas, electricity, usage of bed, bath and kitchen linens on a basis of a weekly change, usage of baby bed and the final cleaning. Moreover, cleaning service for 3 hours a day on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Pool towels available

Not included in the rental price: Costs for heating and telephone (according to usage). Extra bed; € 100,00 per week. These costs to be paid on the spot before leaving.

Deposit: Upon arrival a deposit of € 1.000,00 is applicable; when usage of heating is applicable beforehand, an extra € 600,00 will be asked (both amounts in cash)

Check-in on the day of arrival between 16.00 – 19.00 hrs. Check-out on the day of departure between 08.00 – 10.00 hrs. Upon request, and to be agreed upon beforehand, a later check-in time is possible: till 21.00 hrs. Extra costs will have to be charged, as the caretakers who will check you in etc. then have to stay longer: € 50,00

The swimming pool is open from May 29th till September 25th, depending on the weather conditions

Pets: Small, well-behaved dogs are welcome, provided permission has been asked and granted beforehand. Extra costs € 60,00 per week

A car is of an absolute necessity

Extra services (please enquire for the extra costs): Shopping service for the day of arrival, cooking lessons, your own private cook, extra cleaning