Exclusive private farmhouse, Chianti hills. A country haven close to Florence - La Cantinetta
About the property
- Apartment1000 sqft
- Bedrooms2
- Sleeps4
- Bathrooms1
- Half Baths0
- Minimum Stay1 - 3 nights
House 4 bedrooms 3 bathrooms sleeps 7 + Apartment 2 bedrooms 1 bathroom sleeps 4
La Casermetta is set amongst cultivated rural properties above the village of San Polo in Chianti, reached by a winding 3.5 km country road. It's an ideal family home which, over the years, has proven to be very popular with groups of family and friends gathering to celebrate significant birthdays or anniversaries. The tranquil woodland setting offers picturesque walks and the house, with its many comforts, a private and peaceful haven after a busy day's sightseeing.
For mountain-bike riders there are also marked singletracks through the woodlands around the property where ancient chestnut tree-lined trails offer magic glimpses of Florence to the north, and views across the Valdarno to the south, as well as good proximity to challenging cross-country routes around the iconic Greve in Chianti wine region.
The village of San Polo in Chianti is somewhat removed from the tourist turmoil, yet it has excellent essentials shopping and nearby restaurants, and it’s well placed to access major roads such as the Chiantigiana, linking Florence and Siena, which meanders through beautiful wine country taking in historic sites and villages, and the Superstrada, an alternative route to Siena. Both the northern and southern entrances to the Autostrada, which opens up the rest of Tuscany, are only about 12 km from La Casermetta. (See ‘Location’ for further detail.)
There is a great deal to see in a relatively small radius around Chianti. We offer a very personal service to help our guests get the best out of their holiday. All guests receive a copy of our booklet of daytrip suggestions, our favourite restaurants, driving directions, parking tips, markets, designer outlets, cultural insights for first time visitors, and even ideas for further afield. We update each year, checking hyperlinks and adding or deleting as necessary. After many years of visiting Italy, we’re happy to share our inside knowledge.
La Casermetta (sleeps 7) is a much loved and cared for home which we restored from its partially ruined state, with careful attention to detail, under the guidance of a scrupulous Florentine architect. The main house features a live-in country kitchen, really the heart of the house. A huge oak refectory table and retired ancient boudoir grand loaded with family photos dominate the dining and living rooms. Quality finishes and comfortable furniture attest to the fact that the house was, and occasionally still is our primary residence. Antique wardrobes offer generous spaces for guests to unpack, settle in and feel completely at home. Children are welcome. Additional power supply to the house supports the various appliances. There's good reliable plumbing and strong water pressure. All windows have screens and internal cypress shutters. Central heating keeps the house warm and cosy in the winter and in summer its 400 m elevation promotes refreshing breezes, while thick stone walls help keep the interior cool.
La Cantinetta (sleeps 4) is a well equipped apartment one floor below in the oldest part of the house, also thoughtfully restored in the style of the main house. It shares no common doors or walls with the house above, it has its own driveway and entrance, and there’s a pretty outlook across the valley from all its windows. The apartment does not share the upstairs garden, but it does have its own dining terrace, and the woodland areas around the property provide plenty of scope for picnicking and rambling. Take a drink and watch the sun set from the bench overlooking our little olive grove across the track from La Casermetta's gate. The apricot tree here bears a surprising amount of fruit, if you can beat the locals. Like the main house, the apartment has its own barbecue, alfresco dining setting, deck-chairs and umbrellas. Also centrally heated, the apartment is cosy in the cooler months, while in summer it’s always beautifully cool. (Please click on the Available Rentals tab for further details.)
We return each year and check every little thing, refreshing and updating whatever needs attention, from small things like buying new linen to major improvements such as as redecorating or replacing the heating system. When we’re not there, our manager, Graziella, maintains the property as if it were her own. She and her assistant Franca are like part of the family. A booklet of information at the house covers the A to Z of how things work, with support phone numbers, including a direct line to us, just in case help is needed.
La Casermetta is set in a generous private garden beyond which rambles a further ten acres of forest. The lawn is often carpeted with daisies, and fireflies sometimes come out at night. From the garden there are views across the Arno valley to the Vallombrosa Monastery, nestled in the magnificent oak and pine woodlands of the central Apennines. Depending on the season, around the house and garden you may find grapes, plums, raspberries, apricots or figs. The squirrels get the hazelnuts and almonds.
Around the area are charming walks along chestnut shaded tracks (bring sturdy shoes), one leading to a sudden, unexpected view of Brunelleschi's dome in Florence. Our own land abounds with interesting vegetation and fauna such as capriole (deer), cinghiali (wild boar), picchi (woodpeckers) and istrici (porcupines). Keen-eyed locals inhabit these woods on weekends and can often be seen clutching bundles which could be salad greens, herbs, asparagus as fine as wheat which make delicious frittata, funghi porcini or chestnuts. All are plentiful in these hills at different times of year, although the experts always beat us to the truffles.
The village of San Polo in Chianti has two small supermarkets and a chemist, a laundromat, a popular restaurant (more restaurants not far away), a post office, a bar/tabacchi and an edicola where bus tickets to Florence can be purchased, a petrol station with after-hours self-service, a bank with ATM, a tiny weekly produce market, and a speed camera by the school. Ten kilometres north towards Florence is Grassina with many shops and boutiques, elegant bars and pasticcerie and services such as dry cleaners and medical practitioners. The large hospital at Antella is a few minutes out of Grassina. Ten kilometres south is Figline Valdarno which has a lovely piazza (similar to the distinctive one at Greve in Chianti, also nearby) and a huge supermarket selling absolutely everything. (Look out for Sting at the check-out, I understand his Tuscan hideaway is nearby.)
As well as producing the acclaimed Gallo Nero Chianti Classico, and the rich, peppery, extra virgin olive oil that is synonymous with Tuscany, San Polo is famous for iris production (a labour intensive process yielding prized iris roots, harvested after flowering), supplying the French perfume industry for generations. Production has dwindled in recent decades as life has changed and modernised, but if you're lucky enough to be there in the spring, the hills and houses around the village will be daubed with the distinctive booms. An iris festival is held in May (although dates vary each year) as the locals pay homage to a charming, ancient tradition and try to keep it from fading away.
Owner
Suzanne Byford
- Response rate:
- 100%
- Response time:
- within a few hours
- Speaks:
- english, italian
- Calendar last updated:
- Apr 01, 2018
Amenities
- Internet
- Heater
- Kids Welcome
- Washer & Dryer
- Parking
- TV
- No Smoking
Bedrooms
- 2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4
- Bedroom 11 king
- Bedroom 21 twin/ single
- Both bedrooms have generous wardrobe and drawer space. The sofa bed, for a fourth person, is located near the bedrooms, separate from the apartment's living room.
Bathrooms
- 1 Bathroom
- Bathroom 1toilet, combination tub/shower, bidet
Location Type
- Rural
Theme
- Away From It All
- Family
- Farm Holidays
- Historic
- Romantic
- Rustic
- Tourist Attractions
Meals
- Guests provide their own meals
General
- Local Maps
- Activities Guide
- Heating
- Internet
- Iron & Board
- Linens Provided
- Living Room
- Hair Dryer
- Local Restaurant Guide
- Parking
- Sofa Bed
- Toilet Paper
- Towels Provided
- Washing Machine
- Wireless Internet
Kitchen
- Kitchen
- 4 Ring Stove
- Cooking Utensils
- Dishes & Utensils
- Dishwasher
- Freezer
- Coffee MakerLavazza Mio Capsule Espresso Machine
- Microwave
- Oven
- Refrigerator
- Stove
- Stove
- Toaster
Dining
- Dining
- Dining Area
- comfy seating for 4 people
Entertainment
- Books
- Books for Adults
- CD Player
- DVD Player
- MP3 Dock
- Music Library
- Stereo
- Television
- VCR
- Video Library
Outside
- Beach Umbrellas
- Deck / Patio
- Lawn / Garden
- Outdoor Furniture
- Outdoor Grill
- Porch Furniture
- Terrace
Suitability
- Long-term Renters Welcome
- wheelchair inaccessible
Attractions
- museums
- autumn foliage
- cinemas
- forests
- library
- live theater
- churches
- playground
- restaurants
- ruins
- synagogues
- winery tours
Leisure Activities
- bird watching
- outlet shopping
- scenic drives
- walking
Local Services & Businesses
- ATM/bank
- Babysitter
- fitness center
- groceries
- hospital
- laundromat
- medical services
Sports & Adventure Activities
- cycling
- golf
- hiking
- mountain biking
Notes
- Attention bikepackers… Chianti is the perfect location for cross country mountain biking around the Tuscan slopes and ranges, and the apartment, is an ideal base for bikepacking and soaking up the Italian culture and cuisine. Marked single tracks through the woodlands around the house and ancient chestnut tree-lined trails offer magic glimpses of Florence to the north, and views across the Valdarno to the south, as well as challenging cross-country routes to iconic locations in our historic wine-growing region of Greve in Chianti. Great choice of local restaurants (San Polo in Chianti has a fabulous pizzeria), supermarkets, coffee bars, food and produce markets, and relaxed local culture in spades.
15 Reviews
Latest reviews
La Cantinetta a gorgeous private little villa.
Fantastic Stay In A Beautiful Home In Chianti
Thank you for your lovely review. We feel quite privileged that your daughter chose our home for her wedding. I’m glad you took the whole house so that everyone could be together, but have their own space. Many guests do return to La Casermetta, but I think four visits is a record, as well as a lovely compliment! All the best, Suzanne and Joe
A lovely base from which to explore Tuscany
Hi there, thank you for going to the trouble to post such a lovely review. I’m glad your stay was a success and that some of our suggestions worked out well for you. I must pass on your comments to La Posta. It’s been a recurring theme in guest feedback this year – the new name and facelift seems to have worked wonders, although Aldo is the life and soul of the place and must receive due credit. He’ll be very happy for the feedback, as we are. Thanks again, Suzanne and Joe
Wunderschöne Ferienwohnung mitten im Gebirge
Yes, we are lucky to have such a terrific restaurant in the village. I'll pass on your comments to Aldo at La Posta, he'll be delighted. I'm glad you were happy and comfortable at La Cantinetta and found everything you needed, and I really appreciate your comment about entertainment on a quiet night at home. When we next go to the house I'll see about increasing our DVD collection to include more diverse language films, and I'll definitely put some games in the cupboard for younger guests. Thanks again Guido! Suzanne and Joe
Blissfully peaceful and comfortable living
We couldn't have chosen a better place
Thanks for taking the time to write a review. Glad you and had such a satisfying holiday in Tuscany. And thanks for noticing the small things, it makes it worth the fuss. All the best, Suzanne and Joe
Location
La Casermetta is situated in the hills above the village of San Polo in Chianti, reached by a winding 3.5 km country road. From the village it’s an easy 30 minute drive to Florence. San Polo in Chianti, a little remote from the tourist turmoil, has excellent essentials shopping and restaurants nearby, and is well placed to access major roads such as the celebrated Chiantigiana, linking Florence and Siena, which meanders through lush, undulating wine country taking in historic sites and charming villages like Strada, Greve in Chianti, Montefiorale, Panzano, Castellina and the picture-perfect towns of Radda, Gaiole and Volpaia. From La Casermetta it is about 12 km in either direction to the northern and southern Autostrada entrances for swift access to other parts of Tuscany such as Arezzo, Pisa, Lucca, Montepulciano, and even the Cinque Terre. The Superstrada, an alternative route to Siena, takes you to Monteriggone, Colle di Val d'Elsa and San Gimignano. San Polo is about half way between Grassina (10 km north) which is close to Florence, and Figline (10 km south), gateway to the Valdarno.
Rates & Availability
Additional information about rental rates
Prices include gas, electricity, heating, wifi, towels, linen and a weekly clean and linen change (or initial and final clean in the case of short stays). There are no additional costs, fees or commissions (with the exception of the small fee your bank will charge for the international transfer). Prices above are for the apartment, La Cantinetta. Prices for the main house, La Casermetta, can be found under 'other rentals on this property' below the property description. Please enquire about rates and availability from November to March. Gas for heating may be charged during these months.
We don’t ask for a deposit, but we do request full payment in Euro 60 days ahead by bank transfer to La Casermetta in Florence, an old fashioned method we have found to be totally safe and reliable for over a decade. We send you an invoice with all the details required to make the transfer, online or at your bank. A fee will apply. Once payment is received we send your receipt and arrival package.