Cintoia (Chianti, near Florence)

Villa di Cintoia, a typical example of an eighteenth-century villa, is situated close to the road that connects the Chiantigiana (the old road between Florence and Siena) to the hills of the Florentine Chianti region. Down in the valley of the Ema River, little paths lead to small water falls, old mills, and idyllic spots of untouched nature. A mineral water spring that is well-known in the area of Florence is situated nearby.

The city of Florence is at only 20 km distance, Siena is at 50 km, and Greve in Chianti is at about 10 km. The nearest village, Strada in Chianti, is 7 km away, and the Golf Club of Ugolino is at a distance of only 10 km. There are also several good restaurants in the area.

The villa dates back to 1708. At that time, the ‘del Vernaccia’ family decided to leave Florence and to move back to its place of origin, building here this incredible country villa. The inscription on the main entrance, right under the family’s coat of arm, tells us about the course of events.

Villa di Cintoia has all the characteristics of an eighteenth-century villa. On the front, there are elegant and decorated windows that catch the eye. A double exterior staircase leads to the first floor that used to be the piano nobile, floor of the Nobles. The interior is characterised by spacious living rooms that are decorated with stucco and beautiful frescoes. Each living room has a big fire place, which served as heating system in ancient times. An immense garden surrounds the villa. There is also a private chapel from the 18th century with an original baptistery.

In the garden, a small round swimming pool (11 m diameter, 0.80 m depth) is at the disposal of guests. Parking place among the olive groves.

The villa extends on two floors:

Ground-floor: entrance, living-room with sat-TV, ample dining-room with fireplace, kitchen (with fridge, freezer, dishwasher, oven and a characteristic wood oven), storage room, studio with telephone and fax, WC.

First floor: billiard-room, twin bedded room with bathroom with tub, laundry room with washing-machine and dryer, living-room with fireplace and Sat-TV, living-room decorated with frescoes (“Sala delle Dame”) with fireplace, main living room with fireplace and prestigious frescoes and with exit to the garden through the external staircase, single bedroom with bathroom with tub, blue double bedroom with frescoes, pink double bedroom with frescoes, bathroom with shower in common for the blue and pink bedrooms, twin bedded room with bathroom with tub, double bedroom with baldachin bed with bathroom (with tub) and with exit to a small side terrace.

Extra to be paid on the spot:

• Breakage deposti: Euro 600
• Daily cleaning service included in the rental price
• Telephone upon consumption
• Heating in winter: Euro 1000 a week
• Cooking service on request: to be paid per hour