La Meridiana di San Mario nestles on the side of a hill looking across open fields towards the ancient Etruscan town of Volterra in Central Tuscany. Only 3 kms away, Volterra is a charming walled still mediaeval town with an unspoilt ambience. This is one of the most spectacular parts of Tuscany, discovered by those who enjoy and appreciate both its quiet beauty and its good location. From here you can make easy day-trips to Florence, Siena, Lucca, Bolgheri and Pisa or just linger around the beautiful pool or in the shaded, tranquil and peaceful garden with a good book and cool drink. With modern central heating and its large cosy Tuscan fireplace the house is also an ideal centre for spring, fall or winter holidays, each with their own ambience. The house is a modernised stone farmhouse (3 km from Volterra) with gracious proportions and exposed wooden beams, restored in a simple and stylish fashion.
Volterra and the Garden and Pool: Volterra (height 460m, population 12,000) is an Etruscan hill top town with mediaeval fortress walls and spectacular views. A working town but unspoilt with beautiful central square, a castle, Roman theatre, small narrow streets, arches and towers, a cathedral, an art gallery and one of the most important Etruscan museums in Italy. There are free Classical, Jazz and other events in the summer.
Superb swimming pool (Open mid May to mid October) seventy-five metres from the house. Green mosaic tiles. Width: 5m. Length: 13m. Depth from 1.4 to 2.6m. Surrounded by solarium of local stone and sandstone rocks and by the side of a small Oak wood providing shade. Garden: Mature shaded garden and trees around the house, further away newly planted fruit orchard and open fields grazed by sheep. Garden and pool furniture. Barbecue, washing line, parking, Informal badminton court, traditional bread oven.
Layout: Many further photographs, plans of the layout and many other details can be found on the house's own website. Contact us for the web address. There is full gas central heating and a large fireplace.
3 high standard modern bathrooms.
The house can accommodate up to 12 persons in comfort. Upstairs, on the first floor, there are three bedrooms, a large sitting room, two bathrooms. Downstairs there are a large kitchen-dining room, a small kitchen and a living room, and two bedroom with one bathroom, and a utility room. The ground floor is suitable for the moderately disabled.
Local amenities include horse-riding, tennis and walking. The region is known for gourmet food and wine.
Bookings and Further details: Bookings are usually for two weeks in high season (May to October), one week at other times.
Comments are available from past guests. For example:
'Wow! We felt right at home in your Tuscan hideaway. Our group had nothing but positive statements ..the fact there were comestibles left by the previous tenants, wine on the table, and the lovely Lombardos to see us through our orientation, started us on the right foot. The excellent accommodations and the lovely physical setting of the villa completed the equation. Thank you for the excellent driving directions. The location of the villa so close to Siena, Florence, Lucca, San Giminiano, Pisa, etc. made travel and visits to these important centers easy day trips. The town of Volterra itself is worth spending 2 days in. There was nothing we could think of to improve upon our stay.
