Val di Chiana, Tuscany
Property 5442
10 Guests
7 Bedrooms
7.5 Bathrooms
Oliveto is a stately and refined country villa designed for those who want to experience the luxury of a peaceful hillside in a truly graceful, tranquil home. Surrounded by an exceptionally beautiful and well-designed garden, one lives at Oliveto in a quiet, unhurried way, savoring time with family and friends. This is a home that invites a meaningful retreat from simply being busy, and it caters to those who will appreciate the lovely elegance of the estate.
Oliveto is exceptional in many respects, especially its position. The approach is on a narrow curving lane, cut into the terraced hillside of an extensive olive grove which gives way to lawn, perennial beds and well-placed trees enhancing both the house and the land. While only hundreds of meters from a well-paved road, it feels removed by leagues. The villa sits across a hillside facing southeast, benefiting from undisturbed country vistas. The sand-colored house, with its upright and square-shouldered style, is cradled by nature in both its gloriously tamed and untamed states. Comprising three distinct living spaces - Villa, Limonaia and Dependence - Oliveto offers very sympathetic and diverse gathering spaces. The exterior rooms are thoughtfully considered and furnished for lounging and dining in groups of various combinations. There is ample shade and ample sun, and all the essential conveniences and comforts have been considered and are provided. The owner and her staff are well-organized and committed to maintaining the calm atmosphere of the estate.
This is the Val di Chiana, a particularly sultry and seductive countryside. Oliveto is located two kilometers from a charming village with all the necessary services. The local village is a bit understated in tone, but with alot to recommend it; chic boutiques of exceptionally well-chosen gifts, clothes and leather goods; a hip bar with a particularly appealing sitting room for cooling refreshment, afternoon tea or a late night grappa. The large piazza is largely car-free for those with children who need to run or peddle a tricycle, and in unassuming positions around the edge of town are at least three better than average eateries for the nights you want to dine out close to home. Markets, pharmacy, bank with ATM and other services make it easy to enjoy an everyday Tuscan lifestyle close to home.
To explore Tuscany from Oliveto is easy, as the property is well situated for reaching both highway and train service to Florence, Rome, Orvieto and Arezzo as well as other major points of interest. For anyone with children, the train is highly recommended as it is inherently more interesting than the car. Montepulciano and Montalcino are perhaps the best known local towns, for their wine as much as their architecture and cultural life. There are numerous additional points of interest to explore; Pienza, San Quirico d'Orcia and Bagno Vignoni are some of our favorites. Chiusi, where one goes to take the train, is too often overlooked by visitors. It is home to the finest Etruscan museum in Italy - a surprising gem of an attracation in a charming historic center. The same can be said for Citta della Pieve with its trove of Peruginos.
Oliveto is a rich reward for those who want to sink into the slow rhythm of Tuscan country life, a place for real relaxation. There are many qualities that contribute to this sense of well-being. With three distinct and fully furnished outdoor rooms, Oliveto encourages you to really use and enjoy the property from different vantage points offering either intimate or expansive views. The harmonious, gentle and pleasing color palette of ivory, russet, yarrow and sage - plus a bit of Wedgewood blue - is consistent throughout the property and is used intelligently by the owner to define and enhance each space. The bathrooms are all newly redone and comfortable, all ensuite but one. The flow of living is seamless - indoor to outdoor through double doors from and to the living and dining rooms. Of the seven bedrooms, five have their own independent access to the garden, and two share access to an external staircase via a charming sitting room. In the warmer months, this layout is particularly sympathetic to the fullest experience of this lovely estate.
As with all distinguished private homes in the countryside, the quality and professionalism of the staff is essential. The maid/cook at Oliveto is smart, helpful and an excellent cook. The gardens are well-tended with diverse and non-traditional plant material in wide perennial beds, clipped flat lawn and well-maintained trees and shrubs. Embraced by silvery olive trees to the west and a cooling woodland on a rise to the north, there is both intimacy and grandeur at Oliveto.
Rentals can begin on any day, Monday - Saturday.
Cleaning included 4 hours/day, Monday - Saturday.
Additional cleaning on request at E.15.00/hour.
Bed linens changed weekly; bath linens changed twice weekly.
Cooking service included for breakfast, Monday - Saturday. Additional cooking on request at E. 15.00/hour plus cost of food.
Gas and electricity included.
Housekeeper has small dog who occasionally comes into the house.
Price information available upon request.
Homebase Abroad, Ltd.
Two Hooper Street
Marblehead, MA 01945
Phone: (781) 639-4040
Fax: (781) 639-3050