A Tuscan treasure
Welcome to Tuscany!
Before a recent visit, I'd read books and seen movies about this central region of Italy. It seemed a warm, dreamy place where olives and grapes flourished happily, where sunflowers appeared to smile as they grew to tremendous heights and where lines of slender Cyprus trees guarded the horizon next to ancient castles.
Earlier this year - inspired by these images - I suggested to my husband, two daughters and parents that we spend time in the Tuscan countryside during a trip to Europe in June. It seemed the right thing to do since we knew we'd need down time after a week of hectic sightseeing in Paris and Rome.
The clan agreed and, with months to go before the summer adventure, we began to search for a vacation rental property (one with a pool, since the temps in Tuscany would be toasty.)
To make our job easier, we explored HomeAway.com, whose Texas-based parent company HomeAway, Inc. is considered the world leader in online vacation rentals. (VRBO.com, VacationRentals.com and BedandBreakfast.com are just a few of the websites under the HomeAway, Inc. umbrella.)
Launched in 2006, HomeAway.com features more than 250,000 villas, apartments, houses and other properties to rent. VRBO.com, marking its 15th anniversary this year, has more than 160,000 listings.
Through the online digging, I discovered 'I Melograni del Chianti', a villa located about four kilometres from Poggibonsi, Tuscany. Once a farmhouse, the large stone structure has been extensively remodelled to include several apartments.
After wowing my family with photos and descriptions of the property, and after reading many positive reviews on HomeAway.com and other sites, I contacted owner Serena Brandi and booked our visit.
Months of anticipation ended in June when we arrived at the entrance to I Melograni del Chianti in the tiny village of Talciona. We sprang from our minivan in disbelief. Despite the beautiful images and rave feedback, we had no idea until that moment we'd be spending six days in heaven!
Farmhouse Swimming Pool Tuscany - News
Possibility of creating a swimming pool. Recuperating the first floor of the house and outbuildings it comes to a total of approx. 500 sqm living space. We offer all international clients a full, English-speaking advisory service.
A former purchasing department manager with oodles of energy, Serena seized the opportunity and oversaw renovations to create seven apartments within the space, which lies adjacent to an enormous pool, lovely outdoor seating areas and gorgeous gardens.
perhaps slightly old-fashioned swimming pool – in Tuscany, or in the south of France, or Martha's Vineyard. A little way across the garden is your holiday house which, in these respective scenarios, might be a time-weathered stone farmhouse,
We had been invited to join other guests – Buck Henry, Anjelica Huston, David Hockney [who painted the swimming pool] and John Gielgud”. The peacock, she said, symbolised “the otherworldly quality of time and place at this escapist's paradise.
Back in 1989, Tricia Guild, founder of Designers Guild, bought a ruined Tuscan farmhouse called Le Contesse, rearranged the interior to make big light rooms and filled them with Designers Guild fabrics, paints and furniture. Voile hangings from India
Farmhouse Santa Maria, Holiday accommodation in Tuscany with ...
SANTA MARIA Property Details Photo Gallery Enquiry Form Farmhouse Santa Maria, Holiday accommodation in Tuscany with swimming pool for discerning travelers wishing to spend their holidays in Tuscany. Farmhouse Santa Maria – Exterior View Farmhouse Santa Maria – holiday accommodation in Tuscany with swimming pool is for discerning travelers wishing to spend their holidays in Tuscany. This rental farmhouse is wonderful for a family holiday and located between Pienza (where the english patient was filmed) and San Quirico (a lovely historic town in perfect condition with many shops) (5kms from each town). There is also a small village at 1.5 kms with a bar, Pizzeria and small goods. There are many superb restaurants in all these towns and also at 3 kms the antique thermal spa baths of Bagno Vignoni and the village boasting the Roman remains, enoteca`s, restaurants, pizzerias, breathtaking views and quaint shops. This area is one of the most sorts after one by the Italians as it has remained un spoilt. Also this is made famous by the photographers who photographed the area for postcards, books and calendars. The area offers so much due to its closeness to Siena, Pienza, Montalcino, San Quirico; the antique thermal baths of Bagno Vignoni and San Fillipo. Florence is an easy day trip. Numerous beautiful medieval villages that have been restored to perfection, yet still maintain their original beauty and lifestyle of the Tuscany of years gone by.
Farmhouse Swimming Pool Tuscany - Bookshelf
The Farmhouse, New Inspiration for the Classic American Home
This remarkable collection of over 300 photographs vividly details and celebrates today's interpretation of the American farmhouse and focuses on traditional ...Swimming, steps to success
This comprehensive guide provides progressive instruction to help you master several swimming strokes and skills: backstroke, front crawl, breaststroke, ...Pool Player's Edge
With over 250 full-color illustrations and photos, Pool Player's Edge gives readers the diagrams and tips to advance their pool skills.Swimming
Haunted by an agoraphobic mother, a lost father, and a drug-addled sister, Philomena, reluctantly known as Pip, transforms her suffering and rage into beauty, ...In Tuscany, Tuscan towns, Tuscan types and the Tuscan tongue
IN TUSCANY THE TUSCAN TEMPERAMENT (A Frankly Part1san Apprec1at1on) "I do not profess to understand the Italians," says Mr. Grant Allen somewhere,1 "they ...Gold Information Directory
Tuscany Farmhouses & Farmhouse Rental for Holidays in Tuscany
... pool, apartments, farmhouses, farm holidays to rent across Tuscany: Accommodations in Florence, Siena, Pisa, Chianti, Maremma and Arezzo. ...
Tuscany Farmhouses:Agriturismo Toscana,Farm Holidays in ...
Tuscany Farmhouse List: our guide helps you find the tuscan farmhouse for your farm holiday in Tuscany, Italy ... Farmhouse with Panoramic Swimming Pool in Casentino ...
Farmhouse Accommodation in Tuscany:Farm Holidays,Swimming Pool
Agra Farm Holidays - Radicofani (Siena) Farmhouse accommodation with swimming pool in the Tuscany countryside of Val d'Orcia
Tuscany Accommodation with Swimming Pool:Farmhouses,B&B ...
Accommodation with swimming pool in Tuscany: find a farmhouse, bed and breakfast or holiday home in Tuscany and contact the owners directly to book your stay!
Tuscany Farmhouse Rentals - Farmhouses in Tuscany and Florence
Tuscany Farmhouse Rentals @ TUSCANY HOLIDAY VILLAS Holiday accommodation in Florence and Tuscany, Italy: villas, farmhouses, country houses, farm holidays...