La Vita represents a slice of Italian life that's not easily replicated. This lovely cottage is set in a residential neighborhood less than two miles or a 10 minute drive from Siena with easy access into the city. A bus stops 30 yards outside the estate's gated entrance with hourly service. A car is still needed, since this bus stops running early in the evening. Not to mention the incredibly beautiful scenery along the drive into the Chianti countryside, just 20 minutes away.
Cottage la Vita is attached on one side to a larger villa, where the kind and very hospitable owners reside with their family and pets and to the rear is a seminary. The owners designed the cottage to provide as much privacy as possible. Their villa's outdoor area is at the opposite end of the grounds, so that guests of the cottage can have their own private pool and garden area overlooking the rolling Sienese hills.
Inside this fully air conditioned cottage, there's an abundance of Tuscan charm with pleasantly decorated rooms, good quality antiques and majolica tiled bathrooms. Both bedrooms have screened windows. Cottage la Vita is strictly for non-smokers. Maid service may be requested at booking.
The kitchen area in the living/dining room lies hidden inside an armoire that includes a dishwasher. Oddly enough, Italians call these "American kitchens". For those wanting to do more extensive cooking, the owners have made a large eat-in, taverna style kitchen available. This is an extra kitchen in their villa with an independent entrance from outside. It's the room they use to welcome their guests upon arrival with a tasting of local products.
With the neighborhood road outside the estate's entrance and the Firenze - Siena motorway 500 yards away, cars can be heard when sitting outside. This roadway makes it super easy to tour Florence, Siena and all the areas in between including Chianti. Siena's museums, shops, restaurants and gorgeous Piazza del Campo, home of the famous Palio horse races are reached in a scant 10 minutes by car. The walled village of Monteriggioni is within a 15 minute drive; Castellina in Chianti: 20; Radda in Chianti: 35; Florence, San Gimignano or Greve in Chianti: 40; Volterra, Montepulciano, Cortona or Arezzo: 60; Perugia: 80; Orvieto: 90; Lucca or Assisi: 100.
During the 2012 season, the neighboring lot is renovating an apartment complex 30 yards from the front entrance of Cottage la Vita. Work is scheduled on weekdays from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. A second furnished outdoor area has been set up near the pool area around the side of the cottage. From here, guests can enjoy scenic views.
Technical Description
Ground floor: Living/dining room with TV, CD player and doors to the garden. Kitchen area with stove top, microwave, fridge, dishwasher and washing machine. One bedroom with a queen size bed. One bathroom with shower. One bedroom with two single, joinable beds, a hideaway kitchen with two burners and small fridge, doors to the garden and en suite bathroom with shower. From the garden, a separate entrance leads down three steps into a large eat-in, taverna kitchen with stove top, oven and fridge.
