Villa Belle Vie truly does enable one to "live the good life". Located in the picturesque hills near Florence, the historical origins of this villa to rent near Florence date back to the 13th century. Originally the convent of the Church of San Biagio, the home has been lovingly and painstakingly renovated to its former splendor, with careful attention paid to every detail and modern comfort.
The Villa is furnished with beautiful, antique furniture dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, and the delightful bedrooms are decorated thematically according to their previous functions within the former farmhouse. The landscaped grounds create an idyllic setting for a relaxing holiday; fragrant gardens, meandering olive groves, a refreshing pool (with separate pool house, barbecue, lounge chairs and umbrellas), a covered eating terrace, two lovely gazebos, and panoramic views of the Tuscan hills are but a few of the features awaiting your arrival.
Within a ten minute walk is the charming village of Bacchereto, offering shops and restaurants, and, in the summer/fall, numerous lively, crop-themed festivals.
The caretakers live on-site and look after the gardens, pool, and house cleaning. Elisabetta, the concierge, (also on-site), is available to assist with any arrangements needed to make your holiday a great one, including airport transfers, cooking class, chef services, wine and/or olive tastings. With all it's beauty and amenities, Villa Belle Vie certainly is the perfect place to enjoy an idyllic and relaxing vacation.
Upon entering Villa Belle Vie , one is immediately struck by the thick wooden doors, the massive stone walls, wood-beamed ceilings, and geometrically tiled floors. But as your eyes adjust, you begin noticing the finer details, such as the Renaissance painting resting languidly over the antique bar, the coat of arms adorning the traditional Tuscan fireplace, the enticing figurine hiding in a wall niche, the ornate, 18th century chairs resting by two stone pillars, or the lavish silver candelabra in the reception area. The living areas are filled with comfortable furniture and interesting art pieces.
One of the living rooms features a large fireplace in which to gather for good conversation and cozy evenings. The dining room seats 16 and also offers a large fireplace for warmth and ambiance. Visit the music room and listen to the selection from the self-playing piano or attempt your own concerto. Arrange a tour of the impressive wine cellar and stay for a private tasting of the delicious estate wine or olive oil.
After dinner, try your luck in the billiard room, with it's beautifully restored 18th century billiard table. Or, procure another drink from the antique bar located in the former cattle shed and retire to the TV room for movie night on the 42" plasma screen TV with comfy viewing chairs and fantastic sound system.
Those in the group who love to cook (and, indirectly, those who don't) will be pleased with the well-equipped kitchen, featuring a fireplace, wood-fired pizza oven, fridge/freezer/ice maker, gas stove, oven, microwave, and dishwasher. Cooking classes and dinners with the Chef can be arranged upon request.
Upstairs you will find the library with an antique, handcrafted, iron-framed table, a selection of books, information about local happenings, and a peaceful view of the Tuscan countryside with which to enjoy it all. Also upstairs are the seven exquisitely decorated bedrooms (four with queen beds, three with twin beds) replete with ensuite marble bathrooms with showers, Frigo mini bars (an additional cost), electronic safes, air conditioning, and satellite TV.
Thanks to its location, situated in the heart of the Tuscan hills, between Florence, Prato, and Pistoia, surrounded by splendid vineyards and olive groves, the villa offers the possibility to spend a relaxing vacation in an exclusive and comfortable environment, and to be in touch with the traditional nature of the area. The property is a great starting point for nature and cultural excursions.
The territory of Carmignano is famous for being concerned, in ancient times, by the Etruscans (Comeana excavations). The hills around Carmignano are famous for producing high quality wines. Between the fifteenth and sixteenth century Cosimo the Elder and Lorenzo the Magnificent (of the famous Medici family) purchased different areas in the region, building the luxurious residence in Poggio a Caiano today known as Villa Medici, and later Villa of Artimino.
The beautiful and famous oil painting on panel of Pontormo, Visitation (1528-1530), is located in Carmignano, Capponi Chapel of Saints Michael and Francis. In the Uffizi, Cabinet of Drawings and Prints, it has retained a preparatory drawing of the painting.
An important step is undoubtedly the Municipal Archaeological Museum of Artimino, opened in 1983, where numerous archaeological finds (especially Etruscan) of great cultural and scientific value, found in the area, are preserved and displayed.
Continuing we find the medieval walled village of Artimino, placed on the top of Montalbano hills, and the magnificent Villa La Ferdinanda (one of the most important existing Medici villas), built in four years (1596-1600) to satisfy a desire of Grand Duke Ferdinando I de 'Medici.
Going down to Poggio a Caiano is situated Villa Ambra, one of the most famous Medici villas. Built by Lorenzo the Magnificent, it was the summer residence of Medici. The Villa, known as an example of Renaissance architecture, is surrounded by a beautiful park and enhanced with the frescoes of Pontormo.
On the slopes of Montalbano, is located the village of Vinci, the birthplace of the illustrious Leonardo da Vinci, where it is possible to visit his house (in addition to the Leonardo Museum).
Florence (Fiorenza in the Middle Ages), the capital of Tuscany, is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world and is undoubtedly one of the art and architecture cradles, so that it is identified as the birthplace of the Renaissance. It can be appreciated in its entirety from the surrounding hills, especially from Forte Belvedere, Piazzale Michelangelo with the Romanesque Basilica of San Miniato al Monte and from Fiesole hill that offers one of the most beautiful views of the Arno valley. In 1982, Florence has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, Duomo, Santa Croce, and all its other treasures.
Pisa, in the past one of the four Maritime Republics (together with Amalfi, Genoa and Venice), has been declared a world heritage site with the unavoidable Piazza del Duomo, called Piazza dei Miracoli, where is located the Cathedral, built in white and colored marbles, and the famous Leaning Tower, bell tower of the twelfth century, high 56 mt., one of the most famous monuments in the world.
Another definitely important step is constituted by city of Pistoia, founded by Romans, a Episcopal seat in the V century.
Lucca, one of the main art cities of Italy, is famous for its intact city walls of the XV-XVII century, which surrounds a perimeter of 4223 meters around the historic core of the city. It is one of the four Italian county seats to have an intact Renaissance city walls (the others are Grosseto, Ferrara and Bergamo). In particular Lucca city walls are among the best ones preserved in Europe.
Siena, with its districts, narrow streets and the spectacular Piazza del Campo, where the famous Palio is held, is a unique experience in its kinds.
San Gimignano and its the narrow streets are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The village stands imposingly with its copious towers (even today there are thirteen towers - in the thirteen century there were seventy-two).
During a visit in Tuscany it is necessary to admire the charming Monteriggioni (the most beautiful castle in the world).
Enjoy the mysterious atmosphere of Volterra (the "Windy and rock City" by Gabriele D'Annunzio, the Alabaster city), with the Medici Fortress or Mastio of Volterra, the Roman Theatre and Piazza dei Priori.
Rooms
Rooms
Living,
Library,
Dining,
Family Room,
Kitchen,
Terrace,
Balcony,
Bedrooms
Bedroom 1 - Queen bed (plus extra bed) with bathroom ensuite
Bedroom 2 - Queen bed (plus extra bed) with bathroom ensuite
Bedroom 3 - Queen bed with bathroom ensuite
Bedroom 4 - Queen bed with bathroom ensuite
Bedroom 5 - Twin bedroom (can be made into a queen) with bathroom ensuite
Bedroom 6 - Twin bedroom (can be made into a queen) with bathroom ensuite
Bedroom 7 - Twin bedroom (can be made into a queen) with bathroom ensuite
King size bed: 180 cm, Queen size bed: 160 cm, Double bed: 140 cm, Twin bed: 80-100 cm
Bathrooms
Full bathroom with tub (with wall mounted shower) - 2
Full bathroom with shower - 5
Half bath (WC) - 1
Prices
Price for Villa Belle Vie
Extra Charges
1 - Heating: on consumption
2 - Final Cleaning: 130 euro
3 - Laundry service: 15 euro/12 kg of clothes
View prices by seasons
Prices are per week and listed in US Dollars. Weekly Rental - arrival and departure any day of the week.
Details
Amenities
Type - house/villa
Floors - 2
Constructed - 13th century
Smoking - No
Pets - No
Children - Yes
Crib available - Yes
Jacuzzi - No
Pool - Yes
Linens - Yes
Air conditioning - Yes
Heating - Yes
Fireplace - Yes
Alarm system - No
Deck - No
Garden - Yes
View - Yes
Garage - No
Appliances
Stove - Yes
Oven - Yes
Barbecue - Yes
Refrigerator - Yes
Microwave - Yes
Dishwasher - Yes
Washer - Yes
Dryer - No
Phone - No
Television - Yes
Satellite - Yes
Cable - No
Video - Yes DVD
Stereo - Yes
Wi-fi internet - Yes
Staff
Caretaker - Yes
Cook - Yes
Cook fee - on request
Gardener - Yes
Maid - Yes
Maid fee - on request
Location
Area - rural
Car recommended - Yes
City - Florence 20 miles
Town - Bacchereto 1 mile
Attractions - 1 mile
Airport - Florence 20 miles
Train - Prato 8 miles
Bus - Bacchereto 1 mile
Parking - on site
Walk to town - Yes
Reviews
MY, Roswell, GA.
This was an amazing location and property. The caretaker was fantastic! I will definitely go back.
Map
Location : Carmignano
The marker indicates the general area of the property.
Photos