Tuscany Villas – Live Like a Local

Choose from one of the four listed villas, completely remodelled and outfitted with all modern amenities on the inside, all nestled within a 500-year-old village.

Over the 7 days of your Tuscan Experience, you will:

Be Met on Arrival
Upon your arrival, you will be warmly greeted by a member of the villa reception team who will spend some time  with you walking through the small village. You will be introduced to the barista, baker, bistro and bar owners, Italian delicatessen with ready to eat food and wine by the glass and pharmacist. Meat and eggs in the shops come from producers just outside of the village. You will be provided with maps and brochures from the surrounding area. You are encouraged to wander and immerse yourself in the local culture.

Time with the owner of the villas is also possible, depending on her availability. She knows this area very well and can plan a great Tuscan adventure for you during your stay. A small fee will apply for this personalized service. .

Your Location
Nestled amongst the trees on a hilltop in the middle of the triangle that is Siena, Florence and Arezzo, you will find this quaint historic village. Be enchanted by the charming atmosphere and friendliness of Pergine Valdarno, the kind of place where locals call out a cheery “buongiorno” when you pass them.

It is cradled in the midst of the “golden triangle” between Siena (50km), Florence (64km) and Arezzo (20km) –  an area of historic strategic importance that was hotly contested through the centuries. Today, it’s ideally situated to give great access to those three important art and cultural capitals of Tuscany while retaining its small-town appeal.

The views from town are breathtaking and quintessentially Tuscan with golden-lit hills covered in olive groves and vineyards as well as woods.

Free Time to Explore
You will have lots of free time to explore on your own while you are here, so make the most of this time and go for a stroll around the local markets, nibble on some of the locally made cheeses and meet the local artisans. Gaze out onto the beauty of the valley below while sitting on the village terrace. Sip on freshly brewed coffee while you meander through the streets. Wander through the olive gardens with no sense of urgency as your mind focusses only on the beauty that is Tuscany. Breathe in the smells of freshly baked bread while your taste buds erupt when they experience fresh olive oil for the first time. Taste and see what Pergine Valdarno has to offer you.

Villa Miccia
(1-2 people; 1 bedroom; 1 bathroom)
Breathe deeply and take in the history and beauty that is this stunning villa for 2. Restored and renovated while keeping the traditional Tuscan culture in mind. Sink deep into the hot tub with a glass of wine and a roaring fire in the background and feel the stone and solid wood beamed ceiling above you as you relax. Bask in the warmth as you relax and feel the stresses of home melt away. Draw in the peacefulness of this private villa while you explore the romantic spaces in this exotic Tuscan villa. The bedroom, which looks like something from a fairy-tale, boasts a classic four-poster bed, comfortable enough to lose yourself and spend a honeymoon, anniversary or whatever you may be celebrating.

Villa Pigionale
(2-4 people; 2 level; 3 bedrooms; 2 bath – one large, one small)
This 2 level, 3 bedroom, 2 bath villa is located in the centre of Pergine Valdarno. The fully-equipped kitchen has a fireplace and a large antique table that can host up to 6 people. From there, climb the original stone staircase to the second floor where you’ll find two of the bedrooms and one bath. The house boasts the same wooded ceiling and stone that adorned the villa from the beginning. Sit on your private terrace with a glass of wine and watch the village go by.

Casa di Vignolo
(2-4 people; 2 level: 3 bedrooms; 2 bathrooms)
Able to preserve the majority of the original 16^thcentury structure, the Casa Di Vignolo has all the modern amenities with the charm of centuries gone by. Enjoy a book and a glass of wine while sitting in front of a fire in the original fireplace in the large living room. On the second floor, 2 bedrooms with a towering ceiling receive the warmth of the sun through a skylight. All living areas are equipped with air conditioning for those humid summer days. This villa has 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen. Breathe in the Tuscan air while sitting on the porch outside and greeting the locals as they walk by to get a coffee in the morning. Listen to the church bells chime at 8 and 8:15 to remind the children that school is about to begin.

Villa Fracassini
(3-6 people; 2 level: 3 bedrooms; 4 bathrooms, 1 shared & 3 ensuite)
One of the oldest houses in town, this 3 bedroom, 4 bath villa is perfect for 3 couples or a family wanting to experience the historical village of Pergine Valdarno. A stunning piece of history beneath your feet, the Villa Fracassini spans two floors with bedrooms upstairs and the living area downstairs. Each bedroom has an ensuite. An interior elevator allows those with mobility issues the ease of moving between floors; an external staircase connects the floors as well. The private garden provides you with a chance to take a dip in your private pool (pool is open May 1-September 30). Savour a traditional Tuscan meal, that you’ve prepared in your fully equipped kitchen, outside in the gazebo overlooking the beautiful Tuscan countryside.

Car rental
We can arrange for a car rental from your airport of arrival, with a drop off at your airport of departure. All sizes of vehicles are available. Certain restrictions apply as far as one-way rentals and driver’s age. We can offer you an exact quote once your flight details have been confirmed.

Transfers
Private transfers from any airport or train station to/from the villas can be arranged in advance.

Full Day or Half Day Private Tours – add additional tours to your program, customized to suit your interests. Wine, art, photography, history…just let us know what you are interested in doing and we can source a local guide to put together a private tour that will be “just right”.

Day in Florence by Train
After a 45-minute train ride through the beautiful Tuscan countryside, a private guide will meet you in Florence to help you explore this overwhelmingly beautiful city and all it has to offer. Let the many sights, sounds and tastes of Tuscany’s capital city seduce you. Stand in awe of the many cathedrals, museums and the multitude of famous artworks that adorn the walls and spaces in and around the city. Gaze at the Palazzo Vecchio Tower and the Bardini Garden. Pay your respects to the most illustrious Italians at the Santa Croce; This is the burial place of Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, Foscolo, and Rossini. Catch your breath in the church, abbey and cemetery of San Miniato. Stare in awe at the breathtaking detail of Michelangelo’s masterpiece, ‘David’ in Florence’s Accademia Gallery. Soak up the views of the Arno River as you cross the Ponte Vecchio bridge into the Piazza della Signoria, Florence’s main square. This is where you will find the Palazzo Vecchio, the town hall. Take time to admire the wide arches of the Loggia dei Lanzi. Lead with your taste buds and savour your way through Florence’s markets and small artisanal food and wine shops. Explore the hidden gems that only locals know about. Savour each stop as you taste your way through the city.

Wine Tasting with food pairing
Visit to the winery, explanation of production methods with a dedicated sommelier. Tasting with wine and food pairing, prepared from scratch with quality raw materials from the garden to the table. € 50/ pax
“Takeaway” service available (wine not included, to be purchased separately)

Private Dinner
Preparation and staging of a meal in a villa with wine pairing.
Including preparation, dedicated sommelier, and chef, setting up and reset of the rooms. € 50/ pax + Menu and Tasting € 50/ pax, Min. 15 pax

Private Chef
Enjoy a full meal prepared from scratch in the comfort of your home away from home! Laid back and relaxed we will prepare a full meal, including dressing the table, with pairing of local wines. The chef will take control of the kitchen while you’re visiting or relaxing by the pool, afterwards the kitchen will be all reset for you! 55€/ pax including wine* (1 bottle every 2 people); Min. 4 people

Wine Tasting with food pairing IN VINEYARD
Visit to the cellar, explanation of production methods with dedicated sommelier. Tasting with wine and food pairing, prepared from scratch with quality raw materials from the garden to the table. The setting will be especially arranged between the rows of the vineyard! € 70/ pax, lunch (except during July and August) or dinner.

Truffle Hunt with Wine Tasting with food pairing
Know and find the truffle through a simulation followed by the Tartufaio and his Faithful companion. The truffles collected will be used in the preparation of dishes for tasting with the sommelier, to follow. € 130/ pax, Min. 6 people
Seasonal depending on weather, generally June-Spetember. Enquire for current applicable dates.

Mushroom Hunting + Wine Tasting with food pairing
Learn how to look for mushrooms thanks to the master mushroom maker! The collected mushrooms will be used in the preparation of dishes for tasting with the sommelier.
€ 100/ pax, Min. 4 people
Seasonal depending on weather, generally off-season excluding July-mid-September. Enquire for current applicable dates.

Olive Harvest or Grape Harvest with Wine Tasting + food pairing
Experience a real day of harvesting, followed by a tasting with wine and food pairing. €170/ pax
*Possibility to visit the oil mill, by reservation: +15 € /pax for transport to/from the mill.
Seasonal, enquire for current dates. Possible to organize special events during the Olive Oil Festival, first week of November.

Cooking Class at the Winery: Fresh Pasta and Wine Tasting
Preparation of 3 courses with a recognized chef, of which the main course: fresh pasta! To follow, guided tasting with sommelier. Start at 10 am, duration about 3hrs € 135/pax, Min. 6 people

Cooking Workshop at Home
A dedicated chef will guide you through the preparation of several dishes, including fresh pasta (without pasta machine!). This is a real cooking, hands on! Table styling and setting, cleaning up included. Starting at 6 pm, duration about 3hrs plus dinner. € 65/pax – local wine included,  Min. 4 pax

Wine School
Approaching wine lesson with professional and certified sommelier. Beginning at 10am, duration about 2hrs. Walk in the vineyards; Visit in the cellar; Lunch with tasting of 6 labels and food matching; Certificate of participation in wine tasting from the producer. € 130/pax,  Min. 2 pax

Beer Tasting and visit to the local Brewery
Tuscany is not only wine, recently many brewers have opened thanks to the great quantity of water and the quality of local hops! Beer Tasting including food platter. 35€ per person, Min. 4 pax

Picnic basket with local Valdarno produce
This is an authentic self-made experience in which we provide you with all the tools and ingredients to be able to enjoy local produce in a magical frame of our territory! We will discuss the destination together and choose the right spot according to your desire, then you can simply pick up your basket from home with your picnic set and your map, and follow our instructions to collect your food and local produce.
This is not the usual picnic, we want you to fall into the local life and let you experience every step that will take you to see places familiar to us, and to meet locals: we believe we learn more form a place when we connect with the local people who live there! 25€ per person, Min. 2 pax
**Reservation required at least 1 week in advance of date of service.

Private Butcher for your “at home” BBQ
In collaboration with the famous Butcher Sani of Bucine, you can be pampered by our local butcher with a barbecue at home! The service includes antipasti and BBQ, local wine or beer, table styling and setting, cleaning up. Starting from € 45 per person: to be agreed according to the choice of produce

Outdoor Adventures:
Guided excursions with quads, electric mountain bikes, trekking, horseback riding… any outdoor excursion takes place locally and with a local supplier. Most of the activities also cover food!

E-Mountain Trail Bike (E-MTB)
For all those who dream of cycling through Tuscany! See the sites around Pergine Baldarno by e-bike, with the convenience of a motor to assist you to seamlessly glide up and down the hills surrounding this picturesque area. Starting from 40€/ per person

Trekking and horseback riding: Starting from 40€/ per person

Quads: starting from 115€/ per person

Arno SUP (Stand Up Paddle): excursions on the river Arno starting from a XI century roman bridge! The instructor will take you on a unique excursion to admire the beauty of our territory from an unusual perspective. To follow aperitif with wine produced by our winery! Possibility to add transfers, not included.€ 40/ pax, Min. 4 pax

Softair: € 30/ pax (incl. 2 chargers) + € 3 per charger or € 10 bag

Paintball: € 35/ pax + € 15/ pax x membership card required for insurance