The EuroRanch '98 Villa

We considered over 80 villas in the quest to find the perfect one. Unfortunately, we didn't have a firm travel date and villa requirements until the end of April 98 and by that time, many were already booked. However, after a couple of misfires with various agencies (including Tuscany Now who told us we had a place but later backed out), we were finally able to get the one below.

If you're looking to rent a villa in Europe, and especially in Italy, check out the villas page. This was where we posted the villas we considered for the trip. We chose Castellare de' Sernigi rather late in the season (May) after a number of our other choices were taken. We feared the worst but this villas was amazing! Here's the details from the brochure:

Castellare de Sernigi - Tuscany, Tavernelle - Sleeps 12; $4,610 ($385 each); 500 square meters.

Castellare de Sernigi lies about 3km from Tavernelle in a commanding position with a view of the Val di Posa on one side and the Val d'Else on the other. Situated in a typical little village consisting of just a few houses, the property is completely independent and partially fenced. The main house has been recently renovated both inside and out with great care, making it very comfortable and of high quality. Every room has a private bathroom. The kitchen is particularly well equipped. Telephone and fax are available. Satellite TV and many other special touches make the villa particularly comfortable.

Outside you will find large private areas for meals outdoors and an extensive grassy area covered with olive trees that leads to the 7 x 14m swimming pool and a typical view of Chianti. The owners, who live in a house next to the property and use the swimming pool on prior agreement with the guests, sell Chianti and olive-oil produced there. Six hours of cleaning and service twice weekly are mandatory and are paid on the premises.

 

GROUND FLOOR: entrance/living room, dining room with fireplace, kitchen, 1 bathroom with WC, laundry with washing machine.

RAISED FLOOR: 1 full bedroom with bathroom and bathtub, small studio with telephone and fax.

FIRST FLOOR: two large living rooms of which one with fireplace, 3 double bedrooms with bathroom with shower, 1 twin bedroom with bathroom with shower, 1 single bedroom with bathroom with shower, Satellite TV, dishwasher, large private garden.

Right between Florence and Siena. Right around the corner from the cool little towns: Greve in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, San Gimignano and Castelfiorentina.

LOCATION: In the Heart of Chianti! Florence and Siena are 25km away. Tavernelle with a supermarket and all the main types of shops is just 3km away.

 

Here's our pictures of the villa:

The first living room as you walk up the stairs to the second floor. This faced the front of the villa. Turn 180 degrees from this picture and you're in the living room to the right. Sylvia's room was off of this room to the left of this picture.

The second living room on the second floor. Four double beds are off this room. Chris & Shannon's room, where the picture was taken from. Dave and Rhonda's room with the doorway visible. The doors to C & Christine and Colleen and Edwards room is to the left of the picture.

 

 

The view of the pool, yard (where we'd congregate most of the day when we were home, driveway and vineyards overlooking the Val di Pesa. This is from Chris & Shannon's bedroom window.

From C & Christine's room (the SW corner) the villa looks over the little church for the complex. As we all found out bright and early on Sunday morning, that bell works like new (and is hell on a wine hangover).

 

A shot from the olive tree garden.

 

Here's where we hung out every morning recovering from the night before.

A picture of Sylvie's room

 

 

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