Outdoor lounging space is plentiful, with remarkable views and a garden extending well beyond Murgiano's large, private, infinity pool.
One step up from Salabetta's bedrooms is the lounge.This can also be accessed by wheelcghair through its French door facing the west patio. One step down from the lounge is a spacious spare room with a coat hanger, a fridge with freezer, a washing machine, and a clothes basin. .One step up from the lounge are the double French doors leading out on the Villa's portico. Two steps up is the door leading into MURGIANO Palagio. Salabetta's lounging/dining area has sofas and armchairs for 8, an oval dinner table for 6-8, and a full fledged kitchen fitted along 2 walls. Salabetta's amenities include 2 TV sets (one with a dish for international channels), a tape player, a hi-fi (adults only) and a few convivial games. Guests should kindly check they have put each complete set away after use, for the sake of the next incoming users.
Murgiano's furniture and furnishings are all antique. The outer walls are in stone, as some interior ones; the remaining walls are white and hung with collector piecesThe ceilings are rustic tiled and beamed. Salabetta has wood floors in its bedrooms and handmade cotto in both lounge and adjoining spare room.
MURGIANO PALAGIO
This is the first floor of the Villa. Palagio's front door is 2 steps up from the south patio and Portico. As you enter Palagio, the unobtrusive, internal door to your left leads you into Salabetta.
Opposite Palagio's front door is a cloakroom for your winter boots & coats, with a spare freezer and a full size clothes drier.
Up 11 steps from the entrance is the main living floor of the Villa. This ancient staircase has a safe handrail, and a removeable sluice at the top to prevent toddlers from venturing down.
As you climb up your eye meets an old style kitchen, with beamend ceiling and large fireplace. A further look reveals it is also comfortably equipped to enjoy preparing and taking your meals. It has a ceiling fan and airconditioning, and natural light from both ceiling and windows.
Once upstairs you can also turn direct into Palagio's drawingroom - a 10 mt long, closed in Loggia with a wall of windows overlooking the largest of Murgiano's 3 patios and the landscape beyond.
The antique furnishings include a dinner table for 8, a game table, and a lounging area for 12. An elecrically operated awning may be drawn over the windowed wall of the Loggia to screen your eyes from the bright Mediterranean sunshine.
Adjoining the lounge and kitchen is a central study, with doors leading on into a large bathroom and 3 bedrooms, each with its ceiling fan and airconditioning - 2 are large master bedroomns, named after their furnishings - Columns and Baldaquin - each with bath/shower room en-suite. One master room has a crib and a bar bed for baby visitors and young children, and each has a pull out, spare single bed in the event that a nanny needs to be at hand when parents go out.
The third bedroom on this floor is called Cypress, after the typical view framed in its window. This is a twin bedroom, with ceiling fan and airconditioning unit: its bathroom is the large one, accessed from the study.
Up a few steps is a fourth, airconditioned bedroom, which shares the large bathroom below. It is the Tower bedroom, with a queen-size bed and a split level library affording views North and South, including an unforgettable, view of Murgiano's pool.
Many books, 2 TV sets and a few game sets supplement the remaining furnishings, which are all antique.
The walls are white and hung with collector's pieces, the ceilings are rustic tiled and beamed; there are wood floors in the bedrooms and the Loggia drawingroom, and handmade cotto flooring in both study and kitchen.
A few dozen steps below the Villa is a modern, landscaped, 12 x 6 meter (40 x 20 foot) infinity pool, surrounded by olive groves, within a sculpted hedge enclosure.
The pool is generally open from mid April till mid October.
The outdoor temperature ranges from a maximum of 22-25°C in May/June and September/October to about 32-35°C in July and early August. Swimming and sunbathing are pleasant throughout the Summer season.
Winter temperatures may be no more than 15-18°C in November/December and lower still in January/February. But the middle of the day is usually bright and warm, as this is a very sunny region of Italy.
This Corsini estate includes Fattoria di Mezzomonte; a working farm producing its own wines, olive oils and honeys. Visitors and guests can shop and attend its frequent tasting events
Museums are possibly the number one entertainment in both town and country. There is an endless list of interesting collectios to visit. Advance bookings on-line.
Some museums have late night openings during peak season - aworthwhile experience in the -Summer heat. Some offer free admission at certain Spring and Autumn dates (check with tourist office or Tourist guides).
A professional tourist guide may enhance your pleasure and help you unravel the many secrets of Florence, whether you're a firstcomer or a veteran.
Your hostess at Murgiano will be happy to help you selecting a suitable guide if you haven't booked one already.
Music is also plentiful. From Florence's rich Maggio Musicale (concerts, opera and ballet), to La Pergola's Amici della Musica concert season, not to mention the countless Summer Music Festivals held all around Tuscany, including some chamber music played in nearby villas.
Classical music is often available for free in some Florentine churches.
Restaurants and Trattorias serve lunch between noon and 3pm and dinner usually from 7.30pm - 9.30-10pm. Booking is the rule, also for the best Pizzerias.
Cafes and wine bars work long hours.
Tips are welcome in restaurants and trattorias (10%).
Your nearest shopping venues (4 km) are IMPRUNETA and GRàSSINA , where you can pick up your basic groceries, from shops or supermarkets, call into the dry cleaner's, florist's, Post Office, medical surgery and pharmacy, or book a restaurant and get a newspaper.
Shopping hours are variable. Small shops tend to be shut 3 hours or longer, in the middle of the day, to allow for their owners' siesta. Supermarkets typically operate from 8AM to 8PM, Monday to Saturday and, occasionally, on Sunday mornings. (See notices in supermarkets).
MURGIANO's GSM coordinates are 43,70989°N / 11,26536°E; However, some navigator's most direct routes are not ideal for the size of modern cars. For this reason, when your booking is finalised, the owner's recommended routes are provided.
Driving around Florence is only permitted on Sundays all day and evenings from 7:30pm -10:30pm (watch for the green access light at city gates).
There are carparks quite close to the city centre (e.g., Piazza Beccaria, indoors - € 1.70 p. hour), or within its walls (e.g., Porta Romana, outdoors) where you pay as you exit. There are also many pay-and-display areas around town (blue parking lines). White prking lines are usuallly intended for residents only.
You may also choose to park further away (i.e., at Galluzzo, free parking) and take yellow ATAF lines 36 or 37 into and out of town (frequent runs till 10pm, fewer at night).
TAXIs may be booked, flagged down or picked up at taxi racks. The shortest trip in town may come to € 5.00. Coming up to Murgiano from Florence is € 20-30, depending on time and location The airport has set rates from € 20.00 and up. Taxi cabs phone no: (+39) 055 4242. It is expedient to summon a taxi by texting no: (+39) 334-6622-550 with exact address ; their reply will follow.
INTERNET CONNECTION from MURGIANO
Murgiano has its own, private, 24/24 wi-fi connection .
An in-house Windows7 Laptop is available for hire.
