Refined, chic and undeniably Tuscan, Cottage Petra exemplifies vacationing in the new millennium where modern comfort and historical detail seamlessly mesh. Add to this sophisticated ambiance an ultra desirable location — a mere 25 minutes from Florence — and you have an instant winner.

Sitting picture perfect amid meticulously tended gardens ringed by tall Tuscan pines, Cottage Petra is part of a larger estate. The owner’s grandmother, the family matriarch resides with her staff in the villa a few yards behind the cottage and occasionally shares the pool with her friends.

A flower covered pergola shades and shelters the cottage’s furnished patio surrounded by olive and fruit trees. A short path leading to and beyond the pool reveals delightful country views. Inside, the cottage is bright and airy thanks to large picture windows and an inviting color palette. High quality furnishings interspersed with well placed antiques and original art complete the inviting decor.

All of the bedrooms are air conditioned and have window screens. The family room which easily doubles as an extra bedroom is also air conditioned. Additional amenities include a laptop with Wi-Fi Internet access and a large plasma television with English language movie channels.

While October and November guests witness the traditional harvesting of the olive trees, this estate’s extra virgin olive oil and wine may be purchased throughout the year. Both meal and cleaning service may be arranged when booking.

Once past the estate’s 400 yard unpaved and sometimes bumpy road, it’s smooth sailing into Florence, Siena and the classic Chianti hill towns. The village of Cerbaia is a five minute drive and offers basic shopping. Ten minutes away, the pleasant medieval town of San Casciano Val di Pesa offers more shopping as well as three restaurants. Inhabited since Etruscan times, as evidenced by the town’s Museum of Holy Arts, San Casciano’s proximity to Florence made it a strategic bulwark as seen by the town’s fortified walls and nearby castles.

The entrance to the Florence/Siena highway is reached in 12 minutes; Florence: 25; Castellina in Chianti: 30; San Gimignano: 40; Siena or Montecatini Terme: 50; Volterra, Lucca, Pisa or Arezzo: 60; Perugia: 120; Rome or Milan: three hours.

Technical Description
Ground Floor: Living room with fireplace and doors to patio. Eat-in kitchen with stove top, microwave, fridge, dishwasher, washing machine and doors to patio. Living room with TV, CD player, sofabed and doors to outside. One bedroom with two single, joinable beds. Small bathroom with shower.

First Floor: Two bedrooms; one with two single, joinable beds and one with a queen size bed. One bathroom with shower.