Casa Fiorentina

Description from the manager

Midway between Florence and Pisa, if you follow a certain unpaved road through oak woods, olive groves and fields of sunflowers, you will suddenly find yourself on an open hilltop whose glorious views of the countryside surrounding San Miniato will second your decision to holiday at Casa Fiorentina. A farming estate of 250 acres, it is situated on part of the ancient pilgrim's road to Rome, Via Francigena, and provides a sense of being far the rest of the world yet immersed in a territory rich in history and character. Home to hare, wild deer and pheasants, it is both hunting preserve as well as a place to relax, where the opportunity to hike..., lie by the pool with a good book or explore the local culture provides a holiday to suit everyone.

The three hilltop buildings that comprise the estate are perfectly integrated among the trees and abundant greenery. In one of the houses live the housekeeper and his family; they both look after guests during their stay and work in the fields on the estate and large organic vegetable gardens, where guests are invited to help themselves to the delicious seasonal produce. The main villa, with entrances on two sides, is divided into two large apartments that can also be rented as a whole. In the third building there is an apartment that the owner uses occasionally at the weekend and another large apartment for guests. All the interiors are decorated in authentic Tuscan Style, with original furniture in wrought iron and chestnut and a touch of welcoming colours in the precious tapestries and carpets.

All guests share the large pool, located 50 meters from the villa, sheltered from winds yet exposed all day to the sun. The large garden around the pool offers a privileged viewpoint from which you can contemplate the Tuscan countryside and savour the serenity it offers. For this reason the owner decided to build just here a large wooden platform, the perfect spot for dinners and barbecues. Near the swimming pool there are also a gazebo and small wooden house with bathroom, shower and a fridge.

Six kilometres away lies the medieval town of San Miniato, birthplace of Matilde di Canossa and Francesco Sforza and famous for its truffles, which we recommend you taste during the Feast of the Truffles in November. In the surroundings there are some true jewels of history and architecture to discover. Montaione has a small historical centre well known for its craftsmanship, ancient neighboring villas and a remarkable number of organic farms. Certaldo, the birthplace of Giovanni Boccaccio, has a very fascinating well-preserved medieval castle and a thriving cultural centre, home of the theatre and music street festival, the Mercantia. Only slightly farther down the road are Volterra, San Gimignano and Monteriggioni. With Florence and Pisa are only a half-hour away and Siena, Lucca and the sea-cost of Versilia an hour's distance, Casa Fiorentina is a wonderfully positioned base from which to explore.

Check-In: 5:00 to 8:00 pm

Check-Out: 10:00 amRead more

Additional Location Information

What Past Guests Are Saying

• Diane P
  Miami, FL

  A dream come true!

  Left on 05/21/2012 for a stay in May 2012
  
  

  When you see photos of beautiful Tuscany, Casa Fiorentina (Casa Bini) meets everything you have ever dreamed about Tuscany - the rolling countryside, hundreds of rows of grapevines, olive trees and Italian cypress trees. The sky is so blue it seems surreal. The villas were wonderful and the property managers, Rose and Paul, met every need we had. They went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable and provided more than enough information to tour the entire area. They make their own wine, olive oil and honey. What a relaxing vacation and we'll never forget the area or Rose and Paul.

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Travelers, Romantic, Families

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• Julie R
  Tampa, Florida

  A fantastic place in every respect.

  Left on 05/19/2012 for a stay in May 2012
  
  

  We spent 10 days at Casa Bini (the other name for Casa Fiorentina), and it was, in every single way, fantastic. The property itself is stunning; we were able to hike all over the beautiful fields and woods; there is a charming, large patio right in front of the building in which we stayed, and a more remote deck down by the pool to read in absolute quiet, except for the many birds singing beautifully. There are big, well-equipped kitchens in which to live the dream of going into the farmers' markets and coming back to cook in a real Tuscan kitchen. The winery on site produces excellent 100% sangiovese reds - and they are making a lovely, crisp white as well. All the bedrooms have bathrooms, and each bedroom - and the villas as a whole - are virtually sound-proof. The owner and property managers are so gracious and helpful, that they made everything on- and off-site a pleasure, rather than a chore...and that is so appreciated while on a much-needed vacation. I could go on and on, but will just say that we hated to leave and will definitely be back!!

  

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Travelers, Romantic, Luxury, Families, Rugged

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• Mike D
  Tampa

  An oasis in Tuscany!!

  Left on 05/16/2012 for a stay in May 2012
  
  

  After spending 10 days at Casa Bini, I cannot say enough great things. The views are amazing. The grounds are spectacular. The accommodations were comfortable and homey. Thanks to proprietors Paul and Rose, everything was taken care of. Being able to escape the city and enjoy the quiet and the stars made this a relaxing place. It was very convenient to the train which could easily take you to the major cities, but it was also centrally located to enjoy some of the great Tuscan countryside and quaint villages. Be sure to check out Certaldo and San Miniato.

  

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Travelers, Romantic, Luxury, Families

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  Was this review helpful? Yes