2 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Features
Just-finished renovation maintaining Italian farmhouse charm
Excellent position just outside Siena on large working estate
Outdoor dining area with adjacent kitchenette
Perfect for two couples or a family
Overview
Vico Basso is part of a large and beautifully kept estate in the
Crete Senesi just outside Siena. The location is superb; five minutes
to Taverne d'Arbia or Due Ponti for basic shopping and services.
Seven minutes to the Porta Pispini of Siena.
The fast road to Florence is no more than 10 minutes away -- you
can make the trip to the Uffizi in just an hour.
Vico
Basso is situated alongside a quiet dirt road, running past the
owne’rs Villa and the stable. This is a cluster of stone structures
that once housed farming families and their animals, perched on
a hillside with wonderful views of trees, fields and adjacent farms.
A private garden with olive trees and dining terrace with potted
plants is set off one side, enjoying a lovely view and a quiet position
for al fresco meals. A small summer kitchen with forno and simple
barbeque has been created in the adjacent covered courtyard for
ease of preparing and serving meals. A short flight of open stone
stairs leads to the upper level apartment of Vico Basso. Next door,
in the other half of the building but with a private entrance and
their own outdoor area, lives a delightful young Italian family.
The
owner retained the broad wood beams and cotta floors of traditional
country housing, but updated the look with a colour palette of whites
and beige, set off by carefully selected antiques and objects. The
counters in kitchen and bath are sandstone local to the area, blending
beautifully with the neutral tones of the apartment. The large sitting
room is dominated by an oversized working fireplace; ivory-coloured
couch and upholstered side chairs for lounging; Bleached wood floors
make for a lovely look. Two windows, with floor-to-ceiling drapes
overlook the countryside. Adjacent study with TV with CNN and VCR,
CD/Tape player and fax machine. The room is organized with a handsome
desk for working and writng, and a pull-out sofa (double), which
can be converted for sleeping, if arranged in advance.
KTICHEN
Large eat-in kitchen (4-burner gas stove, oven, fridge, separate
freezer, dishwasher, washing machine) is all new, with plenty of
space for a meal at the long, pickled-wood table. A window over
the sink looks across the adjacent rooftop to the countryside beyond.
BEDROOMS/BATHS
Double bedroom (queen) with handsome antique bed and matching side
tables. A draped window overlooks the view towards Siena.
Full bathroom (open shower stall with curtain).
Double bedroom (twin beds cannot combine) also with wonderful antique
beds and floor-to-ceiling drapes, this time with fabric-draped,
glass-topped side tables. Ensuite bathroom (tub with hand-held shower,
curtain).
Notes
Monday - Saturday arrivals. Children over 10 welcome. Weekly cleaning
available on request in four hour increments at E. 13.00/hr. Self-service
weekly linen change, if no cleaning requested. Cooking services
available by advance request and direct payment to chef, at: E.
45.00 per adult; children 5-10 years at E. 22.50; children under
5 free.
Distances:
Taverne d'Arbia (basic shopping, bar, banks, simple dining): 5 minutes
Siena (restaurants, supermarket, autostrada to Florence): 7 minutes
Florence: 1 hour
Florence airport: 1 1/2 hours
Extras
Vico
Basso is situated alongside a quiet dirt road, running past the
owne’rs Villa and the stable. This is a cluster of stone structures
that once housed farming families and their animals, perched on
a hillside with wonderful views of trees, fields and adjacent farms.
A private garden with olive trees and dining terrace with potted
plants is set off one side, enjoying a lovely view and a quiet position
for al fresco meals. A small summer kitchen with forno and simple
barbeque has been created in the adjacent covered courtyard for
ease of preparing and serving meals. A short flight of open stone
stairs leads to the upper level apartment of Vico Basso. Next door,
in the other half of the building but with a private entrance and
their own outdoor area, lives a delightful young Italian family.
The
owner retained the broad wood beams and cotta floors of traditional
country housing, but updated the look with a colour palette of whites
and beige, set off by carefully selected antiques and objects. The
counters in kitchen and bath are sandstone local to the area, blending
beautifully with the neutral tones of the apartment. The large sitting
room is dominated by an oversized working fireplace; ivory-coloured
couch and upholstered side chairs for lounging; Bleached wood floors
make for a lovely look. Two windows, with floor-to-ceiling drapes
overlook the countryside. Adjacent study with TV with CNN and VCR,
CD/Tape player and fax machine. The room is organized with a handsome
desk for working and writng, and a pull-out sofa (double), which
can be converted for sleeping, if arranged in advance. 