Vernaccia

Recently renovated, Villa Vernaccia, Florence Area, Tuscany and its adjacent guest house form an exceptionally comfortable country retreat in a setting that lends itself to a perfectly relaxing, get-away-from-it-all holiday. Named after the superb, earthy white wine that comes from the vineyards of the San Gimignano area.

From the superbly equipped fitted kitchen to the stone walls of the living rooms, the two houses combine Tuscan charm and style with very high quality finishes and the latest in conveniences. Terracotta floors and beamed ceilings are complemented by lovely, whimsical antiques and soft contemporary pieces in a cool calming palette of whites and greens. With air-conditioning as well as central heating throughout the property, guests are ensured of absolute comfort in every room, regardless of the season. 

Two gazebos for dining and lounging extend the living areas into the garden, where a private pool is set into a sunny terrace surrounded by trees and rolling fields. Situated in the rolling hills, the property is surrounded by lovely little villages that seldom appear on tourist maps.

San Gimignano: Located on a hill and commanding far reaching views over the surrounding countryside, San Gimignano is a must ! It is a fine example of a medieval architect and is unique in its preservation of fourteen tower houses in the heart of the village. In the 12th Century, the village prospered owing in part to its good location on the main road (Via Francigena) to Rome and building a tower was a way of each family to flaunt its power and wealth. The larger and taller the tower, the better off the family was. There were at its peak, over 70 towers in the village! Its fabulous skyline, strong sense of history, medieval street-scape and beautiful rural setting make it a very popular tourist destination.

The main Piazza della Cisterna is home to the World Champion Gelato house, 'Dondoli Gelateria di Piazza', and following repeated sampling, we can personally attest to their superior ice cream experience. San Gimignano was once a main growers of crocus flowers, for the production of saffron; there are still a few small producers in the area

Blessed with beauty, wine and an unparalleled artistic legacy, this area of Tuscany that covers partially the province of Florence and faces the glorious San Gimignano, close to Siena, is an area that lives largely up to its fame and deserves it: its fabled rolling landscape has long been considered the embodiment of rural chic, a favorite of foodies and wine lovers, while its cities harbour a significant slice of the world's Renaissance art. Blessed with beauty, wine and an unparalleled artistic legacy, it is famous for its hills outlined by endless rows of cypress trees, majestic castles, thermal spa towns, tiny medieval villages surrounded by olive groves: this is an idyllic valley with gorgeous emerald green and a medieval past originating from the Via Francigena, a pilgrimage road that connected Rome to northern Italy and beyond.

From Chianti Classico to Mugello, from Montalbano to Pistoia, passing through Fiesole and Impruneta, Florence surrounding areas offer a variety of landscapes that are as appealing as the Tuscan city itself. This ring around Florence is within arm's reach of some of the most important art and architectural sites in the world: guests will be able to head into Florence to visit Brunelleschi's Duomo, the Santa Maria del Fiore, and experience the beauty, culture, and history of one of Italy's most unique churches, as well as some of the Renaissance masters in Florence at the Uffizi and the Galleria dell'Accademia.