San Giovanni d'Asso Tuscan farmhouse - Vacation home in Siena area

Podere La Selva is a charming 250 year old villa-farmhouse 40 minutes south of Siena, which has been beautifully restored by the anglo-irish artist/owner. The house and its gardens, olive groves and pool form a harmonious and nurturing environment for a relaxing stay in Tuscany, with panoramic views of a uniquely beautiful landscape, the Castle and the surrounding undulating "Crete" hills. It stands in its own grounds, 1.2 kms from the medieval village of San Giovanni d'Asso, at the head of a secluded valley of cornfields and Mediterranean pines and poplar woods. Nearby are historical Abbeys with their celebrated frescoes...Monte Oliveto Maggiore and Sant'Anna in Camprena, and the famous towns of Pienza, Montalcino and San Quirico d’Orcia .

Views:Panoramic views of a uniquely beautiful landscape, the Castle and the surrounding undulating "Crete"

San Giovanni is our village. It’s very small and quiet. The Castle, an imposing medieval structure beautifully restored, and built in part by the same Piccolomini Pope as Pienza, includes the Town Hall and Conference rooms, and a Museum dedicated to the White Truffle. Famous village with unique Early Renaissance square and Duomo, to the design of the Piccolomini Pope. Many shops with local produce; ceramics, linens etc. Nice restaurants for lunch, and walkway along the walls with majectic views of Monte Amiata.... The Maremma coast, from south of Grosseto to Golfo di Baratti and Punta Ala, offers an endless series of delightful and scenic beaches for sea-bathing. The famous Parco Naturale Dell’Uccellina at Alberese is 1hr20mins drive.

Rental notes: Balance to be paid 60 days before the arrival date. A cheque (500 GBP) will be left with the owner/representative as a refundable security deposit to cover any possible damage.

Delicious meals can be prepared by local cooks at the house, in the fully equipped country dining room kitchen, with characteristic brick vaulted ceiling and open fireplace, sofas and TV, room for 10 people to dine comfortably. On the first floor there's a large living room with fireplace and comfortable sofas, a big double bedroom with windows looking out on three sides, off which there's a small wash-basin room. At the other end of the living room a corridor with fitted wardrobes takes you to the master bedroom and its en-suite spacious bathroom with tub. There is separate accommodation in the old barn, refurbished as a guest cottage, with large double bedroom, a bathroom with shower, a kitchen area, and its own private terrace to one side.

Outside Area:The pergola covered by jasmine and roses for eating out at a travertine marble table. The back door leads to a terrace with the old well and bread oven, and a path through the gardens brings you to the swimming pool (the water is ozone treated), surrounded by terracotta sun terraces, immersed in luxuriant aromatic herbs, decorative shrubs, roses and lavender, and overlooked by the silvery olive groves.