Italy | Toscana - Firenze

FATTORIA GERMANA

Description:
During our most recent orientation trip in Italy we were promised an overnight stay not far from Florence in a Bed & Breakfast run by a father and daughter. “You will love it”, we were told, “it is situated in such an authentic part of Tuscany!” Well, no question as far as the authenticity was concerned, and the road leading to it was an absolute horror; unpaved, a so-called “strada bianca” like a roller coaster, with frightening differences in height, numerous potholes and going on endlessly.

Upon arrival, we met the father and daughter. The daughter was a grumpy, rather unfriendly female and we immediately wondered, how will such a woman treat eventual guests? The Bed & Breakfast itself seemed to have taken on something of the daughter’s character; unwelcome, not all too clean and a bit shabby. Daddy, on the contrary, was a charming elderly man who, after having shown us the accommodation, directed us to the garden to enjoy the sunset and enjoy his wine. Not just a glass; we could surely manage a carafe? He would not listen to objections and we surrendered. But we were quite worried about having to drive back on that same road to find a bit to eat. Our brand-new car had as yet no scratch or dent and we were thinking of possibility percentages of a total loss on that nightmare road.

But no fear; papa Lorenzo always prepares a meal for his guests. The table was laid and two other guests appeared, a young couple from Sardinia which had only come to the mainland for the factory outlets. They seemed very much in love and hardly tasted anything of the delicious titbits Lorenzo offered.

We talked with Lorenzo and the wine made us philosophical. “O well,” we said, wisely and dosed with some cynicism, mixed with our own experiences, “they do not eat today, but we bet that within ten years from now, they’ll eat anything!” Lorenzo quite agreed with us. “You are so right, but they do not know that yet”…….

We ended the evening with limoncello, a lemon liqueur which originated in Naples, and exchanged life experiences. We came to the same conclusion: we eat anything far longer than ten years by now…

But now, we have gone far astray from what we want to describe, namely Fattoria Germana. The next morning, it appeared that we had, once again, taken a wrong turn and we arrived via a much better strada Bianca on the “normal” and after that at the Agriturismo Germana, situated in the Mugello, an absolutely beautiful region, North-East of Florence. This was the land of the notorious De Medici family; a region of peace now, but quite a bit less then. This family, and much other noble Florentine families, did leave their traces for all visitors still to see; there are many country estates, castles and fortresses here bearing witness of a turbulent but great history.

Nowadays, the surroundings are dominated by the impressive country estate of the Valeri family (about 500 ha.) Some of the buildings on this estate have been restored and divided into apartments to be rented. The small complex exists of a building in yellow and terra colours with 4 de luxe apartments and an independent one. All apartments have their own entrance and private terrace, with the exception of Il Picchio. All apartments have been tastefully furnished in classic style with rural elements. All details have been lovingly chosen. The good quality towels, for instance, have been embroidered with the family logo. The first breakfast after arrival is taken care of (including coffee). Olive oil, soap as well as lavatory- and kitchen paper present. The guests are kindly requested to replace what they used. All kitchens, in Tuscan style, are provided with oven, 4 burners, fridge with freezer compartment, dish washer, coffee maker and toaster. Moreover, all kitchens have an open fire place, enabling you to barbecue in case of rain. All apartments have a washing machine and the bathrooms have a hair dryer. The complex is surrounded by a lovely, fenced garden with a swimming pool, lots of rose bushes and rosemary shrubs. There is no reception, but the owner, who gives a lot of attention to the guests, can always be reached. The gardener also takes care of the swimming pool.

Lay-out of the apartments:
Il Pavone (120 m², 6 + 2 pers.):
Ground floor: Living-/dining room with kitchen corner and sofa-bed, 3 double bedrooms, 2 of which with en-suite bathroom with basin, toilet, bidet and shower. There is a separate bathroom with basin, toilet, bidet and shower. Spacious, covered terrace with outside furniture.
L’ Assiolo (110 m², 6 + 2 pers.):
Ground floor: Living-/dining room with kitchen corner and sofa-bed, bathroom with basin, toilet, bidet and shower, double bedroom (beds can be made-up separately).
Three steps upwards: 2 double bedrooms with en-suite bathroom with basin, toilet, bidet and shower. Covered terrace with outside furniture.
La Rondine (105 m², 6 + 2 pers.):
First floor, 16 steps : Living-/dining room with kitchen corner and sofa-bed, 3 double bedrooms and 3 bathrooms with basin, toilet, bidet and shower. In one of the bedrooms, the beds can be made up separately. At the entrance, a small loggia with furniture. Eight persons can sit down here to eat, but then there is hardly any space left.
Il Picchio (80 m², 4 + 2 pers.):
First floor: Living-/dining room with kitchen corner and sofa-bed, 2 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms with basin, toilet, bidet and shower. No balcony or terrace.
Il Fienile (detached, charming house, 4 + 2 pers.):
Ground floor: Living-/dining room with kitchen corner and sofa-bed, bathroom with basin, toilet, bidet and shower. Large, furnished terrace.
First floor: 2 double bedrooms, bathroom with basin, toilet, bidet and shower.
N.B.: Because of the staircase railings, we do not think Il Fienile suitable for guests with young – 2 till 5 years – children.

Facilities:
Fenced garden, covered parking , electronic entrance gate, swimming pool (communal use) with chairs, parasols etc., private fishing lake, rental of mountain bikes, sale of own products, oven, 4 cooking elements, dish washer, fridge with freezing compartment, coffee maker, toaster, washing machine, iron with ironing board, bath towels for the pool, sat-TV, telephone, Internet connection.

Possibilities for sports/excursions:
Riding at about 1 km distance, golf in Scarperia 15 km, Mugello International Motor Racing Circuit at 15 km, sailing on the lake of Bilancio. The private fishing lake to be used by guests only. Fishing equipment can be rented. Many excursions possible, e.g. to Florence, Lucca and Siena, or a daytrip to the beach. Moreover, there is a large factory outlet near Barberino.

Distances: (in approx. kms.)
Nearest grocery at 1 km, restaurant 800 m, Vicchio 5 km, Borgo San Lorenzo, with quite a many shops, banks, pharmacy and hospital at 8 km, Lago d Bilancio 20 km, Barberino 30 km., Florence 37 km, Fiesole (very nice!) 31 km,; Siena 122 km. and the beach at Viareggio 132 km.

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

Particulars:
Prices are per week, from Saturday till Saturday. During the low season other periods might be possible

Included in the rental price: Costs for water, electricity and usage of bed-, bath- and kitchen linens on a basis of a weekly change, babybed, high chair

Not included in the rental price: Costs for gas (also heating) upon usage (4,00 /m3), use of telephone/Internet, extra bed € 80,00 per week, final cleaning € 15,00 p.p., with a minimum of € 70,00 for an apartment 6 + 2 and € 55,00 for an apartment 4 + 2.These costs to be paid upon leaving

Deposit: Upon arrival, a deposit of € 300,00 is required

Check-in on the day of arrival from 04.00 till 06.00 p.m. and check-out on the day of departure before 10.00 a.m

The swimming pool (7 x 11 m, depth 1,70 m) is open from May 1 till September 30, depending on the weather conditions

Pets are not allowed

English spoken

A car is necessary

Public transport: Railway station in Vicchio. Tip: Drive to the railway station in Vicchio, where you can park your car for free, and then take the train to Florence

Extra services: Upon request, excursions, workshops and cooking lessons can be arranged. Also entry tickets to be reserved for the Uffizi, sparing you long hours waiting in line at the Uffizi itself! Extra cleaning services at extra costs