Villa Alessandro  

Description from the manager

You are sitting with a book in the garden of your Tuscany villa rental, one bare foot dangling over the side of the lounge chair, brushing the soft green grass. You're reading intently, but after a few minutes a warm breeze tousles your hair and you glance up to breathe in the faintly mysterious aroma of ripening olives. Across the garden the homey stone façade of your Tuscany accommodation near Florence beckons you to walk barefoot across the yard to the door, where you'll step inside and slide your feet across cool terracotta tiles. But before you can get up, you hear a splash-- glancing down the hill you see that your companions are b...eckoning you from the pool, perfectly positioned for a magnificent countryside view. When, you ask yourself as you join them, are we ever going to go exploring? All this can become reality when you rent one of our Tuscany villas. And don't worry about grocery shopping the moment you arrive... this villa comes stocked with the necessities, so all you have to do is arrive and relax!

[7 hectares] This independent villa, built in the second half of the 18th century, is the center of a property of over 7 hectares of woods and olive groves on the westernmost slopes of Mount Albano, about 250 meters above sea level. The grounds surrounding this villa feature a private swimming pool [12m x 6m, 1.35m deep], situated on a natural terrace a few meters below the villa with a wide view of the valley below. It is an overflow Infinity pool equipped with hydromassage, and nearby there is a changing room with shower and WC. The pool has lighting for nighttime swimming. The villa also has its own 3,000 m2 garden, enclosed within a high laurel hedge and dotted here and there by terracotta vases and orci [oil jars]. The lawn includes a small group of shade tress, a barbeque area, and a dining area under a wisteria-covered gazebo. On the western side of the garden, there is a parking area of five cars. The road to the villa is paved and quiet. The owners have another villa on the estate, and 100 meters away from the rental villa there is another small house with its own garden and swimming pool. Outdoor spaces, however, are private.

[500 m2] This villa was originally composed of two farmhouses. The two houses have been joined together, but maintain a level of independence agreeable for families traveling together. There are four steps up from one side of the house to the other. The owners have carried out rigorous and accurate renovations using only materials from the surrounding area, as well as period pieces. All windows have screens and the beds are patented Waterlily mattresses. Each room has its own heating and air conditioning units.

Ground Floor: This level of the house opens into a living room with an antique decorative fireplace, couches, and a card table with four chairs. The real focal point of the ground floor, however, is a large dining room with open-beam ceilings, an ornate rug, and a long wooden table with seating for 14. Also on the ground floor there is a second dining room for six, a lounge with two sofas and a double-faced fireplace communicating with the main dining room, a TV room with a sofa-bed suitable for one, and a billiard room with two armchairs and a table. The main kitchen is large and fully equipped with oven, dishwasher, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, and a table for eight. The secondary kitchen [on the other side of the house] is smaller but also well-equipped with dishwasher, microwave, coffee machine, and toaster. There are also two downstairs bathrooms, each with a sink, toilet, and Jacuzzi shower. A small laundry room has a washing machine and dryer.

Intermediate Floor: Nine steps lead up from the large dining room to a double bedroom with two single beds and nice views. Its bathroom is located downstairs.

First Floor: Two staircases [one on either side of the house] lead up to the first floor, where there are 6 bedrooms. Bedroom 1 is decorated in yellow and has a 180 cm king-size bed and a walk-in wardrobe. It also has an en suite bathroom with a sink, toilet, and bathtub with hydro-massage and handheld showerhead. Bedrooms 2 [green] and 3 [pink] each have a 180 cm king-size bed, wardrobe, and en suite bathroom with sink, toilet and Jacuzzi shower. Bedroom 4 has a 180 cm king-size bed, a wardrobe, and an en suite bathroom with a sink, toilet, and Jacuzzi shower. An open loft with a wrought-iron railing, where there is another single bed, can be reached via a spiral staircase. Bedroom 5 contains 3 single beds [2 may be put together upon request] and a wardrobe. Bedroom 6 has one single bed and a built-in wardrobe. Rooms 5 and 6 share a bathroom with a sink, toilet, and Jacuzzi bathtub with handheld showerhead.

This vacation villa enjoys a fantastic location in the heart of Tuscany, within an hours' driving distance of all the main Tuscan art cities: Florence, Pistoia, Lucca, Pisa, and Versilia [Siena is 1.5 hours]. The rental villa is only 10 minutes away from the Firenze/Mare motorway, making access to major routes easy. In the immediate area you can find a number of different leisurely activities, such as a beauty spa in Monsumano, three 18-hole golf courses, horseback riding, bowling, cooking and painting classes, and tours with cultural, artistic, gastronomic, and wine themes. The villa itself is located in an area of characteristic, natural Tuscan countryside. Within a range of fifteen or twenty minutes, one can reach the Giusti Grottoes with their hot thermal baths, the Monsummano caves, the Pistoia hills and mountains [with winter skiing], the Svizzera Pesciatina [ten medieval villages], innumerable Romantic churches, and the Fucecchio swamplands. You can find public transport [buses and taxis] down in Monsummano and the nearest train station is in Montecatini.

Siena: 90 km

Sandy beach: 50 km

Pisa: 45 km

Florence: 40 km

Lucca: 30 km

Montecatini: 7 km

Monsummano: 3 km

Available Amenities: Three working fireplaces, washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, microwave, coffee machine, oven, toaster, satellite TV, VCR, DVD player, stereo CD stereo, phone, ADSL wireless internet connection, private swimming pool [Open April 15 – October 15], perimeter and house security alarm, iron and ironing board, hairdryers, ice machine, wall safe, 2 children's beds, 2 highchairs, 4 mountain bikes.

Arrive and Relax: Don't stress about getting the necessities the moment you arrive! The owners provide a nice welcome basket with a loaf of bread, two bottles of still water, one bottle of sparkling water, sugar, butter, milk, tea bags, eggs, coffee, fruit juice, four rolls of toilet paper, nine dishwasher tablets, and dish soap.

Extra Services: The following are listed as an aid for trip planning; the services and prices are approximate and cannot be guaranteed by Rentvillas. All extra services are payable locally in cash.

* Air conditioning: approx. 90-100 euros/wk

* Central heating: approx. 400-500 euros/wk

Minimum Stay: 7

Check-In: 4:00pm - 7:00pm

Check-In: 4:00pm - 7:00pmRead more

Additional Location Information

What Past Guests Are Saying

Overall Rating

• Jane
  

  Jane's review of Villa Alessandro

  Left on 10/06/2012 for a stay in September 2012
  
  

  Tuscany was everything that I had expected. It was a wonderful experience that will be treasured for many years to come.
  
  The view!
  
  Just really being there. The people were all so nice!

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• Jeanne
  

  Jeanne's review of Villa Alessandro

  Left on 08/25/2012 for a stay in August 2012
  
  

  We had a great time with our family.
  
  The views and the pool.
  
  The area is beautiful and everywhere we went was great.

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• Carole
  

  Carole 's review of Villa Alessandro

  Left on 07/21/2012 for a stay in July 2012
  
  

  Our experience at Villa Alessandro was every bit as incredible as we could have imagined! What an amazing place for all 3 generations of our family to enjoy together and still like each other at the end of the week.
  
  We especially loved that each bedroom had its own bathroom--what an extravagance! And the negative edge pool saved us from the unexpected extreme temperatures while we were there. Just perfect.
  The billiards table, electric keyboard and piano all contributed to our enjoyment and entertainment, as did the enormous yard with room for kids to run around or adults to quietly read a book.
  
  Being in such picturesque countryside, yet close to both a train station and the motorway, ensured we did not miss a thing.

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• Vicki
  

  Vicki's review of Villa Alessandro

  Left on 09/24/2011 for a stay in September 2011
  
  

  Excellent! The villa exceeded my expectations! There is nothing I would have wanted different, we had a true Tuscany experience!
  
  Everything...the view, the view, the view...peace and quiet, the rooster, the bathrooms, the owner of the property, the pool area, the cleanliness of the house, the main kitchen, our location to Florence , did I say the view!
  
  Driving up the hill to get to it!
  
  The train station was close, Montecatini Terme; the highway was close, the view, Monnsumano Alto, hiking around the area, felt safe, so many wonderful cities close enough to spend a day or evening...like Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano.

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• Ted
  

  Ted's review of Villa Alessandro

  Left on 06/11/2011 for a stay in May 2011
  
  

  It was outstanding.
  
  Having 10 adults in our group increased the noise factor considerably. The layout of the villa is such that there are a number of rooms where one can get away for some quiet time.
  
  Having to leave after a wonderful two weeks.
  
  Being out in the Tuscan hills but only a short car ride to many wonderful towns and villages. It was very easy to take the train to Florence thereby avoiding the parking hassles.

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• Jon
  

  Jon's review of Villa Alessandro

  Left on 05/21/2011 for a stay in May 2011
  
  

  Absolutely had a wonderful time. Everyone in my group was quite impressed with the villa and the surrounding grounds.
  
  The peacefulness and serenity and the gorgeous views from the property.
  
  If there was one thing that was a challenge was the very narrow and challenging roads to and from town. But that's all I can think of. But as far as the property I couldn't ask for anything more.
  
  The views were magnificant and we were able to hike down the road a short bit then up the hill, where there is a restaurant, La Foresteria, and take in the spectacular panaramic views of the valley below.

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• Carl
  

  Carl's review of Villa Alessandro

  Left on 10/30/2010 for a stay in October 2010
  
  

  Great stay. The owners were MORE than accommodating, including two trips into town to help a member of our group.
  
  Elegant furnishings, terrific location, en suite bathrooms for all.
  
  Sooooo hard to find!!!
  
  Views, quiet, quiet.

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• Gail
  

  Gail's review of Villa Alessandro

  Left on 07/24/2010 for a stay in July 2010
  
  

  Absolutely exceptional. Our stay two weeks previous was spent quietly alone while these two weeks were shared with our family of 17: 9 teenagers and 8 adults. EVERYONE was completely enchanted with the Villa, and loved the pool, kitchen their bedrooms the outdoor meals etc., etc!
  
  Everything, especially the vistas...the live trees, the hills the flowers, the great location to the highway and the Trains which were so very convenient to Florence, Rome, Pisa, Siena and the small towns in the wine country of Chianti.
  
  Cannot think of ANYTHING!
  
  The quiet and peacefulness of the entire area.

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• Gail
  

  Gail's review of Villa Alessandro

  Left on 07/03/2010 for a stay in June 2010
  
  

  Glorious.
  
  The location and the feeling of peace.
  
  Having to leave.
  
  Loved Montecatini which was near to home and the wonderful
  restaurants, village scape, the proximity to the wonderful
  Spa the availability to the nearby Autostrad.e

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• Deborah
  

  Deborah's review of Villa Alessandro

  Left on 09/30/2008 for a stay in September 2008
  
  

  Delightful!
  
  Spaciousness of property, beauty of surroundings.
  
  Directions needed to be amended because of construction on the route.
  
  Beauty everywhere!

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  Response from Rentvillas.com - 10/04/2008

  

  Rentvillas.com

  Manager

  The construction has been finished, and there is an asphalted road to the owner's driveway.

• Bob
  

  Bob's review of Villa Alessandro

  Left on 07/31/2008 for a stay in July 2008
  
  

  We loved the villa. The villa sits on a hill and has breathtaking views. The grounds of the villa are beautiful. It gives you a true feeling of a Tuscany villa and more.
  
  The outside sitting areas and views.
  
  Lack of larger sitting areas inside.
  
  The close proximity to Florence, Pisa, and Lucca.

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• Sara
  

  Sara's review of Villa Alessandro

  Left on 06/30/2008 for a stay in June 2008
  
  

  We had a wonderful time! The Villa is beautiful, every detail is well attended to, the owners are very gracious and helpful, the dinners we had at the villa were spectacular, the outdoor areas are very inviting and well equipped. With the exception of some noise from dogs, car beeping around the corner, and construction which will soon be finished I think the Villa was an A!
  
  It's hard to say what we liked most because we loved it all. The furnishings and bathrooms were wonderful and the outdoor areas were beautiful. I think we most liked eating breakfast in the fairytale pergola in the yard, and the kids most liked splashing in the pool and playing various games in the yard.
  
  I would say that the construction noise, car beeping around the corner, and some dog barking from a neighbor's house were the only problems, but none of it took away from our love of the Villa or our vacation as a whole.
  
  The setting on top of the mountain is spectacular, and the town, while not picturesque, has everything that you need including a 'to die for' pastry shop. The location was good for touring Lucca, Pisa, and Florence and the rest of northern Tuscany.

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  Response from Rentvillas.com - 07/03/2008

  

  Rentvillas.com

  Manager

  The contruction has ended. August 2008.
  
  This is a good reason to take a train from a nearby city into Florence, rather than to try to drive and park a car.

• Claudia
  

  Claudia's review of Villa Alessandro

  Left on 05/31/2008 for a stay in May 2008
  
  

  We had a wonderful time. The owners are delightful and helpful.
  
  It is spacious and the grounds are beautiful.
  
  The many levels. Way too many steps and they are uneven and steep. I would not want small children there, and even us older ones had trouble. Also, no instructions on how to use washer, dryer, oven. All directions on the machines are in Italian, of course.
  
  Lots of things to see and do in the general area.

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• Courtney
  

  Courtney's review of Villa Alessandro

  Left on 09/30/2007 for a stay in September 2007
  
  

  The ability to sleep so many people. The owners were always available. The views are amazing. The pool is beautiful, but it was too cold to swim. The bathrooms are decorated nicely. Gorgeous furnishings and antiques.
  
  The noise of the nearby complex of apartments with dogs barking in the middle of the night. Also, this property is located right on the part of a road with a curve in it and the cars honk their horns when they come around the corner. Again, more noise, but not much can be done about that.
  
  Monsummano Terme is a small village but it has enough shops to keep one busy and interested. It has great highway access and is very close to Lucca, Florence, and Pisa.

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• Brian
  

  Brian's review of Villa Alessandro

  Left on 07/31/2007 for a stay in July 2007
  
  

  I would recommend Villa Alessandro without reservation for a truly wonderful experience and hope to return. I feel that it was a great experience and that we made some good friends with the owners.
  
  The villa was beautifully furnished with antiques, yet very comfortable to relax in after a day of exploring Tuscan cities and villages, which were easily accessible from the villa's central location. The views were incredible from everywhere on the property, especially from the infinity pool and outdoor dining areas! The villa was extremely well stocked with everything that was needed for a great stay--nothing was overlooked! The owners were very gracious and attentive to all our needs and were not only knowledgeable about the entire Tuscan scene but friendly and a pleasure to be with! My family and I had a wonderful stay and hope to return to this amazing villa in the future, and I can recommend it in the highest possible terms to anyone who seeks a truly wonderful experience in Tuscany.
  
  I would be hard pressed to find anything about the experience to dislike.
  
  The villa was so centrally located that touring the many charming Tuscan hill towns, cities and historical sites was easy and very enjoyable. The area has many great restaurants to sample we did not encounter a bad or even mediocre meal while we were there! And of course the wineries were incredible, especially in Montepulciano and Montalcino!

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• Jim
  

  Jim's review of Villa Alessandro

  Left on 05/31/2007 for a stay in May 2007
  
  

  We had the best time at the villa. The owners were most helpful, not only on villa matters but also suggesting places to go and things to see, where to dine, etc. They were like our local travel guides. The villa was beautiful and the view was magnificent. Like I told a friend this weekend, I can't go back this week, but next month is another story! We will recommend the villa, Rentvillas.com, and YOU to our friends traveling to that part of the world in the future. Thanks so much for your help. We had a wonderful week.
  
  The grounds, including the wisteria arbor were great! The views, from either side of the house down on the town were beautiful.
  
  There was some construction noise from next door. We heard dogs barking at night. The last 1/2 mile of the road leading up to the house was in need of repaving. The remainder of the road was narrow.
  
  Tuscany was great.

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  Response from Rentvillas.com - 06/03/2007

  

  Rentvillas.com

  Manager

  The construction, which is stopped when clients are renting the villa, was finished August 2008. Next, the road will be repaved.

• Judy
  

  Judy's review of Villa Alessandro

  Left on 10/31/2006 for a stay in October 2006
  
  

  This property is lovely. It is spotlessly clean and the owners are most attentive to any needs you might have. Construction of a new home for the owners is going on right now, but they managed to keep the noise to a minimum and it was rarely a bother.
  
  Road to the property is steep, narrow, winding, which makes walking difficult....... That, along with the seemingly unfriendly dogs in the neighborhood.
  
  There is no shortage of beautiful areas to visit from this location. Montecatini Terme is a lovely town..... a good "homebase"

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• Connie
  

  Connie's review of Villa Alessandro

  Left on 09/30/2006 for a stay in September 2006
  
  

  The owners of the villa are a lovely couple and were very helpful.
  
  The view and privacy.
  
  Local dogs that howl during the night.
  
  The village and surrounding towns are beautiful, clean and quaint. Easy access to all areas, locals were very friendly and helpful.

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• Maury
  

  Maury's review of Villa Alessandro

  Left on 07/31/2006 for a stay in July 2006
  
  

  Villa phenomenal, beautiful, pool was amazing, 360 views, fantastic! One day it was 105 in Florence, but very pleasant at the villa because at 4:30 – 5:00 every day a breeze would come up. It was great that the property was fenced, so we could just let the kids play without worrying.
  
  No surprises when we got there. With the photos on the website, we found it to be exactly as we thought it would be, but better! Fondest memories were eating on the veranda - almost every meal. Had the chef prepare at least 13-15 meals while at the villa, and were some of the best meals while in Italy. Has beautiful antiques in the house. Wonderful owners. They had us over for dinner our last night there!
  
  2 km from town, and it is straight uphill, very steep and narrow into town, so it was difficult to walk. Have to have a car.
  
  Centrally located – very easy to get to anywhere we wanted to go in 1 - 1/2 hours. Loved the location, close to Montecatini Terme for an easy train ride into Florence.

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