There I was, in my bathrobe hanging over the wooden rail of my balcony form the upper floor of the my Florence villa, drinking, piping hot, freshly made, coffee from a china mug. I could feel the sun on my face as it slowly immersed from the Florentine hillside. Many years ago, I fantasised, another person would have been here, in exactly the same place, with the sun caressing their face.
What drew me to this farmhouse was the charming character. The photos were nothing in comparison. I had waded through many villa rentals in the Tuscany region in the vicinity of Florence before making my choice. With a mere brush against the walls you can sense the loveliness, the relaxing rural atmosphere and taste the odour of the fresh gentle breeze.
Looking at the facade you will be aware of the ancient tiles hanging on the edge of the roof. The walls, which have been exposed to the sun over the centuries, are a sort of gold colour.
The windows are deeply sunken into the walls. The ones to the front offer a landscape of the verdant valley, the flowing river and the surrounding hills. The posterior windows open onto the splendid vineyards. As soon as night falls you will be able to savour the local wine from the wine-making families.
The wooden floors throughout the villa take us through two living rooms and then through the large kitchen. The arched ceilings give you a feeling of spaciousness whilst the old stone fireplace is warm and inviting.
Under the sitting room window is the large settee, with the fireplace on the left and luring one to sit down for a gossip or coil yourself up immersed in some good authors paper back
The large kitchen, has everything that is necessary and is ideal for making those lovely Italian recipes with all the fresh produce of local farms and shops.
You will find the villa both comfy and adequately roomy for friends to stay and for doing some entertaining. Each of the five bedrooms has it’s own bathroom. Thirteen people can sit together at the generous dining table.
You will find all facilities are nearby even though the property it is huddled away in the hillside. The local village is about a mile away and the busy heart of Florence is only minutes down the road.
Friendly, personal English speaking concierges are available to help arrange everything from cathedral tours, dinner reservations and horseback riding.
Want to find out more about Florence villas, then check out yourflorencevilla.com range of on-line properties to spot out your perfect Florence villa rental for your summer holiday.