Gaiole in Chianti,
Villa Casanova is a 15th century stone tower, 3 stories high, with 5 bedrooms, each lovingly decorated with Italian linens, and 5 bathrooms, each with its own shower or bath.
The house is warmly furnished with a mix of traditional Tuscan antiques and overstuffed couches and chairs that complement the stone and richly colored stucco walls. The kitchen is fully equipped with range, refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, and pots and pans that even the most discriminating cooks will enjoy using.
Outside, a large terrace extends the length of the villa, perfect for dining al fresco. Fresh herbs border the stone patio and a wood-burning grill is built into the surrounding wall.
About the Chianti Region: The Chianti Region is a wine-lovers paradise, situated in the rolling hills between Florence and Siena. The region is most well known for the famed Chianti Classico wine, but is also a producer to many other red variants like Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Carmignano (together with other grapes), Morellino di Scansano, etc., while Brunello di Montalcino is based on a variant called sangiovese grosso. There are also new wines, based on sangiovese and some popular French grapes that are usually dubbed 'Super Tuscans'.
Exploring Tuscany: The Chianti Region can be an excellent base from which to explore Tuscany as whole, without having to stay in the busier, often crowded bigger towns. Furthermore, the region offers some of the best gastronomy and wines in Italy, making it an invaluable treasure for those who are interested in exploring the rich eno-gastronomic culture of Tuscany. Not to mention the peaceful beauty of the rolling hills, that evolve in color throughout the various seasons.
Apart from the charming small Chianti towns (Gaiole, Greve, Radda, Castellina) all within 5-10 minutes drive, we highly recommend visiting the following Tuscan cities in the surrounding areas, all of which can be easily reached by car:
- Siena - 25 minutes
- San Gimignano - 30 minutes
- Florence - 45 minutes
- Radda in Chianti - 10 minutes
- Lecchi - 5 minutes
- Cortona - 75 minutes
- Piensa - 80 minutes
- Montalcino - 80 minutes
- Lucca - 90 minutes
- Pisa - 90 minutes
It's also possible to make a day-trip to Rome, which is just a 2.5 - 3 hour drive.
Arriving & Getting Around: From abroad, usually the best way to reach Chianti is to fly to a major airport in Tuscany, such as the Pisa or Florence airport. It is also possible to arrive to Rome, although the drive will be slightly longer. From there on there are several alternatives to get to Chianti: rental car, bus, taxi, etc. Alternatively, from Central Europe one might want to take a train to Florence and continue by bus to Chianti.
Chianti and the whole Tuscany Region is easiest to explore with a car. There is much to see so a car will provide freedom to explore, plus the area is so scenic that the drives themselves become an enjoyable activity.
Car rental services are abundant at all airports and in major cities (Florence, Siena, Rome, Pisa). The most important road to know is the Chiantigiana from Florence to Siena, as it penetrates the heart of the Chianti region.
1
The property was perfect for the four of us and we had plenty of room for more. It was picturesque with lovely neighbors. We drove to nearby towns and villages during the day and everything was convenient with great restaurants within 15 minutes. The kitchen was well equipped for our cooking needs and we enjoyed meals inside and in the huge patio. It was a wonderful experience and we look forward to returning.
We felt fully immersed in the Tuscan countryside. The stone tower was just as described and we were able to truly get the feel of the rolling hills of Chianti. Bedrooms were big and comfortable. It’s rustic… but we fully enjoyed our stay. Upper levels were bright and sunny. Kitchen area was a bit too dark for my liking but overall a great place to experience. Had trouble with the washer, but Annie fixed it for us, and then dried and folded the clothes for us, and returned them back to the place. Wonderful customer service!
This was our first stop on our visit to Italy. What a way to start a trip. The little village, the views of olive trees, vineyards, fruit trees, and rolling hills were all so picturesque. We travelled to different hill towns during the day and enjoyed sitting on the terrace, sipping wine and soaking up the atmosphere in the late afternoons and evenings. We really enjoyed our stay. Communication before and during our stay was prompt and friendly. We have to give a shout out to the nearby restaurant, Pizza Pie. Great pizza and great service.
Wow, what can I say? The villa itself and the location were outstanding. You cannot find a better place to enjoy Tuscany and the small towns sprinkled throughout. There are lots of great restaurants and wineries nearby and the sunsets and sunrises over the vineyards and hills were amazing. I would easily give the villa itself 11 out of 10 stars! The management of the property, however, was...fussy. As mentioned in other reviews, there are extra charges that aren't outlined super clearly (or outlined at all) in the listing, such as the hot tub, internet, and gas. Be warned that you will undoubtedly end up paying something for gas (even if you don't use the heat) as the gas used for hot showers and cooking adds up. Cooking essentials (like olive oil), TP, garbage bags, dishwasher tabs, body wash/shampoo/conditioner are not included. Luckily, we were able to use some of what previous guests had left behind. Directions for parking were not clear (and we bore the brunt of someone very angry that we had parked in the wrong place) and although I know the villa is part of a working winery and oilery with a restaurant (or maybe two?), it wasn't very clear how to take advantage of those amenities. But...if you can get past those small annoyances, you will love your stay here!
This villa was just perfect For my family. We loved the old stone and wood architecture and the full authenticity of the stay. The location is extraordinary with wineries and olive groves in every direction. We were very close to Siena for the Palio and popped into Tuscany a couple times. Nearby Radda (8 minutes by car) is full of adorable shops and great restaurants and there were additional local dining options run by families and full of fresh ingredients and hospitality. This villa is in the middle of a very small and charming village and the buildings all around a steeped in history. It is a special spot for sure.
Lovely location if used as a hub. Driving to locations can be challenging. Home is lovely. Washing machine was not operational. That was a key for us to do laundry. Suggest bringing household supplies as they were not provided. Toilet paper, paper towels and garage bags.
The views are spectacular. The Villa warm and inviting. Everything you need for a great time. Managers more than helpful. True delight to stay in villa and visit surrounding areas. Fabulous wine tasting area. Great restaurants near by. Very warm and friendly people. Thank you for sharing your property. Best Regards, Barbara Brown
We loved every minute of our time in Tuscany. Daniel, the owner, was so responsive. The kitchen had everything we needed. The beds were extremely comfortable. The house is beautiful and we loved the views. We had the most incredible time. We fell in love with Daniella next door and her absolutely delicious food. The best lasagna we have ever had! Overall, I would absolutely recommend this home!
The authenticity of this villa was perfect! Just right blend of old world charm and modern convenience. We were a group of 8, there for a week, and this house served as a great base camp for us to explore the region. Reasonable drives to Florence and Siena as well as all the charming villages scattered throughout the hills. Just know that you will be driving a lot, on slow, narrow, winding roads whether you are going for a day in the city or just need a couple groceries. Not a problem for us, but I could see that being a issue for some. Overall though, this was a fantastic spot and I definitely recommend it for those looking for a authentic Tuscan experience.
Our family had a lovely time at the villa. There was plenty of room for our family of five adults, beautiful rooms and decor, wonderful vistas and very pleasant people all around. We had a very informative and delicious wine and olive oil tasting, along with amazing food accompaniments with Daniella- and a lovely walk up to Castella di Ama where the younger set had another fabulous wine tasting. Minor carps- didn't realize that we were supposed to bring smaller supplies ( toilet paper, dishwasher soap etc) and extra charges for a several things like firewood and extra heat, if used. We were very glad to have had a car, since most of the sights, activities mentioned in the ad, and restaurants were not within walking distance. All in all, a most enjoyable and memorable stay.
Your dates are Available!
Total
Includes taxes and fees