Convertoie - Chianti Villa Rentals by Villas of Distinction

Convertoie - Chianti, Italy

Villa obtained from the careful restoration of a medieval complex that originated as castle with fortified tower. It sits on a massif pietraserena hilltop dominating the surrounding countryside and vestiges of the original castle foundations are visible at the ground floor.

The location has ancient origins: it was initially built by the Etruscans and later hosted a Roman garrison. Traces of the original Etruscan cobbled road that led from the Lucumonia of Volterra to that of Fiesole have been uncovered at the base of the structure. Nothing clear is known about the wars and sieges that involved the castle, but it is certain that it ended its defensive role around 1550, when part of the tower was transformed into a church. Documents show that the Sienese army irreparably damaged it during its war with Florence in 1530.

Situated in the heart of the Chianti region, the villa stands at 400 meters a.s.l. and dominates a beautiful and intact panorama. Greve in Chianti with all shops, restaurants and facilities is at 3.5 kms. The Ugolino golf course is at less than a half hour's drive, Firenze is at 25 kms, and Siena is at 45 kms. The small hamlet that rose at the base of the castle surrounds what was probably the original internal courtyard, now available to park one's automobiles.

Access to the Villa proper is on foot from the courtyard through an external archway and into the private Villa gardens. The Villa develops on three floors and its floor plan dates back to the 1700's, while modern restoration took place in 1992. The gardens and the terraces are fully furnished and develop on two levels. The 5 X 10 meters swimming pool is set into a terrace with beautiful lawn, gazebo and abundant pool furniture on a level below that of the Villa. There is a gardener who has access to the grounds and pool for maintenance.

In front of the Villa is a paved terrace that leads, up a few steps, to the Villa main entrance. Next to the entrance is the door to the kitchen that is near a furnished panoramic terrace that is covered and ideal for enjoying one's meals while contemplating the countryside. All the terraces are equipped with railings, but children must be watched. The main entrance is through a wooden portal into the ground floor hall. In the hall are the pietraserena stairs leading to the upper floors. Up one step from the hall is the formal dining room with fireplace and a door to a utilities room that remains closed. To the left of the hall, down 3 steps is a huge room with billiards table and fireplace. This room is barrel vaulted and shows the original stones on which the castle was built. To the right of the hall is the spacious, liveable kitchen that is fully equipped with mixed range, electric oven, dishwasher, fridge with freezer and kitchen robots. There are two doors in the kitchen: one remains closed and the other leads outside.

The hallway staircase leads to the first floor landing with two doors. The door on the right opens into a double bedroom with canopy over the bed, and complete ensuite bathroom with bathtub and hand shower. The door in front opens into a spacious living room with open-hearth fireplace. A first door in the living room opens onto a rear furnished terrace. A second door in the living room opens into a study with satellite TV. A third door in the living room opens into a twin bedded room with complete ensuite bathroom with bathtub and hand shower.

From the first landing, the stairs lead up to the second floor with three doors. The door on the left remains closed. The door on the right opens into a double bedroom with complete ensuite bathroom with bathtub and hand shower. The door in front opens into a second spacious living room with fireplace and beautiful wood beamed ceilings. A door in the living room opens into a double bedroom with complete ensuite bathroom with bathtub and hand shower.

All the second floor rooms have wood beamed ceilings, while the lower floors have coffered ceilings. The Villa is exquisitely furnished and boasts hand crafted Vietri tiles in the bathrooms, and ample use of pietraserena borders that offset the red terracotta floors. The Villa offers DVD, stereo with Cd player, barbecue, washing machine, baby cot, telephone, and central gas heating that is payable on consumption together with firewood.

Please Note: Please add 5% service charge to all quoted rates.
There is a Security Deposit of 260 Euros payable upon arrival.
Heating Costs are not included in the rental price.
The Villa offers DVD, stereo with CD player, barbecue, washing machine, baby cot, telephone, and central gas heating that is payable on consumption together with firewood. Maid service is provided thrice weekly for three hours each time and costs 180 Euro per week. A cook is also available on request.

Pricing Information

Please Note: The nightly rate of this villa is in Euros. The dollar rate will be guaranteed at time of booking.

Date	Bedrooms	Price (per night)
01/05/2008 to 05/31/2008	4	€ 536
05/31/2008 to 07/05/2008	4	€ 659
07/05/2008 to 08/30/2008	4	€ 773
08/30/2008 to 09/27/2008	4	€ 659
09/27/2008 to 12/20/2008	4	€ 536
12/20/2008 to 01/03/2009	4	€ 536