Discovering Tuscany in the company of friends and loved ones is a lifelong experience. Doing so in privacy and spacious comfort makes it all the more enjoyable.
Villa Tramonto lords over 10 private acres and is surrounded by rolling, wooded hills and lush meadows. Completely restored, the main villa and its two bedroom cottage are built on a sloping rise. The villa occupies the highest point. The cottage lies on a level below, and the pool, along with a furnished covered patio and wood burning barbecue, occupy yet another level beneath the cottage.
Shade trees are everywhere, providing cool rustling breezes and utter seclusion. Amidst the sheltering privacy, there are also strategic clearings allowing for views of one of Tuscany's most prized possessions - its striking and untouched countryside. The most far reaching panorama are from the villa and cottage's furnished patios.
This non-smoking villa's interiors are well above par. The owner restores Tuscan homes by trade, and Tramonto proudly incorporates his best refinements. With the aid of an interior designer, the rooms are stylish, inviting and well thought out. Brand new, quality fixtures, furnishings and appliances seamlessly mesh with original cotto floors, beamed ceilings and an open hearth fireplace in the living room. All of the property's windows are screened, and the villa has a washer and dryer.
The cozy living room opens onto the dining room which comfortably seats all. A large square dining table let's everyone converse at mealtime. A billiard table adds entertainment to the entry foyer. To emphasize the home's tasteful décor, each bedroom has its own bathroom and personality expressed by various shapes and color schemes. One bedroom in the main house is a tad larger and comes with a balcony and two French beds.
Chefs will adore the country kitchen. This long narrow hall sets its appliances at one end, a farmer's table and bench for preparation in the center and an 18th-century, wood burning oven and a waist-high fireplace for grilling at the opposite end. The cottage also has a full kitchen of its own.
Included in the price is a three hour, mid week cleaning with a change of towels on Wednesday. Additional cleaning service and meals may be ordered when booking.
The last mile leading to the property is unpaved and bumpy. An old barn, set on one side of the villa's long driveway, is unrestored and not in use.
The gorgeous hill town of Cetona, 10 minutes away by car, features alluring boutiques, wealthy residents - Giorgio Armani and others maintain residences here - good restaurants, medieval and Renaissance churches, palaces, forts and a weekly outdoor market every Saturday. Notable among the town's many events are the Corsa delle Brocche, an historic race held the last week in July; an arts and food festival held the first two weeks in October; the Fall Fair on the last Sunday in November and the olive oil festival on the last weekend of the year.
Sarteano, also a 10 minute drive away has a costumed medieval dinner on August 8th and offers more restaurants, shops and markets; Mt. Cetona and the prehistoric Belvedere caves: 10 minutes; Etruscan Chiusi and its modern train station: 20; thermal spas at San Casciano dei Bagni: 15; Chianciano Terme: 20; Cittŕ della Pieve: 30; Montepulciano: 35; Castiglione del Lago: 40; Orvieto: 45; Cortona or Arezzo: 50; Perugia or Montalcino: 60; Florence, Siena or Assisi: 90; Rome: 120.
Technical Description
Main villa: Ground floor: From furnished patio, one step up into entrance foyer with billiard table. Living room with fireplace, TV, CD player and French doors to outside. Dining room. Kitchen with six burner stove top, oven, microwave, fridge, dishwasher, wood burning oven, waist-high fireplace and French doors to outside. Two steps down into one bedroom with a queen size bed and en suite bathroom with one step up into tub and hand shower. Two half baths.
First floor: Small living room with ornamental fireplace and door with steps leading down to the outside. One bedroom with two French beds, small balcony and en suite bathroom with shower. Two bedrooms each with two single beds and en suite bathroom with shower. Two bedrooms each with a queen size bed and en suite bathroom; one with tub and hand shower and the other with shower.
Cottage: Ground floor: Eat-in kitchen for four with stove top, oven, fridge and dishwasher. One bedroom with a queen size bed and en suite bathroom with shower. Lower level: Small living room with fireplace. One bedroom with a queen size bed and doors to furnished terrace. One bathroom with shower. Laundry room with washer/dryer.
When rented to 12 guests, the cottage is closed.
