Villa Serenissima

The house is approached down a long private drive off the small public road that rises from Casino di Terra. The final part is accessed through gates in a stone wall before the final part of the drive drops down to the house and gardens.

There is ample parking to the rear of the house.

Accommodation is split between the main house (5 bedrooms) and a self contained (3 bedroom) annexe.

Accommodation exists in total for 15.

The House

Ground Floor

Doors lead in from the rear of the house to a hallway off which is

A large well equipped open-plan Kitchen - Dining room (Dining Area) running the full width of the house with French doors leading out to the terrace and views to the South. There is a working island in the middle of the kitchen area, fitted units to the walls, double sink, full height fridge freezer, food processor, table top grill, double oven gas cooker and washing up machine.

A utility room adjoins the kitchen in which there is a washing machine and tumble dryer.

Adjoining the Dining area is a Music/Sitting Room equipped with a grand piano, a large library, desk, sofa and reading armchair, followed by a further Sitting Room with comfortable seating and large stone fireplace.

Additionally, there is a second, cosy Sitting Room /Playroom with a large TV and wood burning stove.

All of these rooms have French windows opening onto a wonderful terrace, running the length of that side of the house and perfectly situated to appreciate the views from it. On the terrace there is the option of eating under the stars, or in the shade of the wisteria-covered pergola.

On the ground floor is one Double Bedroom (Bedroom 1) with double bed and its own ensuite bath/shower room (Bathroom 1) with shower washbasin and WC.

A downstairs WC is located off the hallway

First Floor:

All bedrooms (on both floors) have air conditioning except for the single, small children’s bedroom.

Stairs ascend from the hallway and open to a wonderful south facing Loggia or Day Room, filled with natural light, comfortable seating and with superb views through triple arched and very large windows to the hills to the South.

Bedroom 2.  Master Bedroom. With king size double bed, south facing views  and ensuite Bathroom 2 with shower, tub, double washbasin, WC and its own dressing room.

Bedroom 3. With king size double bed, south facing views and Ensuite Bathroom 3 with bath/shower, WC and washbasin.

Bedroom 4. A twin or triple room, which shares Bathroom 3.

Bedroom 5. A childs bedroom with fan. There is a cot, a changing top and a fan.

Bathroom 4 with shower, bath, WC and washbasin for the shared use of Bedroom 4 and Bedroom 5.

The Annexe

Adjoining the main house, separated by only a short walk The Annexe is on one floor with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms with a small kitchen and entrance/living room. As for the house it has a terrace along its southern side to relax and appreciate the views.

The Kitchen is small but well equipped, with dishwasher and hob.

The Living Room has comfortable seating, a table and enjoys the best views to the South.

There are 3 bedrooms:

Bedroom 6 with Queen size double bed, Ensuite Bathroom 4 with bath, shower, WC and wash basin.

Bedroom 7 a twin room

Bathroom 5 with shower, WC and washbasin for the shared use of bedroom 7 ad 8.

Bedroom 8 a twin room but which can be made up into a double, using Bathroom 5, shared use with Bedroom 7.

Villa Serenissima is located in the heart of coastal Tuscany, in the province of Pisa, a short distance inland from Castioglioncello, Rosignano Solvay, Vada and Cecina (20 minutes) on the coast. To the South is the famed super-Tuscan wine-growing area of Castagneto Carducci and Bolgheri and to the North, the famed cities of Pisa, Livorno, Lucca.

There are basic shopping facilities at Casino di Terra (10 mins away), including a post office and a bar and restaurant.

The nearest supermarkets are in Cecina (20 mins), which is also a market-town with a vibrant food and clothing market held every Tuesday morning.  In Cecina, you will also find a newly built hospital, banks, butchers, bakers and specialty stores.

The nearest town/cities of size are Volterra (25 mins), Lucca (1 hour), Siena (1 ½ hrs) and Florence (1 ½ hrs hours) and San Gimignano (45 mins) to the North East.

Villa Serenissima is 1 ½ hrs hours from Florence airport and 45 minutes South of Pisa airport    

The nearest Train station is in Cecina and well-serviced for trains to Rome, Pisa, Florence and beyond

There is a very helpful House Information Folder with further details of recommended local shops, restaurants, markets, cultural, sporting and recreational activities plus many other suggestions on what to do and where to go in the vicinity.

Pisa (45 minutes) Famed of course for its leaning tower, which is the bell tower of its magnificent cathedral, it does in fact contain more than 20 other historic churches, medieval palaces and bridges over the Arno. Its original wealth and prosperity grew as a result of its maritime history and endeavours, trading and otherwise, which is reflected in much of the city now.

Volterra (20 minutes) A magnificent old walled town and typical of the Tuscan hill towns. The Palazzo dei Priori contains superb medieval frescoes and commands superb views. The old Roman theatre contains the remains of the ruins of 3^rd century baths. Known very much as an Etruscan and medieval art centre.

Lucca (1 hour) On the Serchio river. It’s known for the immense and well-preserved Renaissance walls encircling its historic city centre and its cobblestone streets. Broad, tree-lined pathways along the tops of these massive 16th- and 17th-century ramparts are popular for strolling and cycling.

San Gimignano  (1 hour) is a rich in Gothic architecture and is one of the best-preserved Italian medieval towns, with city walls, gates and the many famous tower-houses as well as several masterpieces of 14^th and 15^th century art.

Siena (1 ½ hrs) is distinguished by its medieval brick buildings. The fan-shaped central square, Piazza del Campo, is the site of the Palazzo Pubblico, the Gothic town hall, and Torre del Mangia, a slender 14th-century tower with sweeping views from its distinctive white crown. The city’s 17 historic “contrade” (districts) extend outward from the piazza.

Florence, Tuscany (approx. 1 ½ hrs) Day trips to Florence are easily manageable, either by car or train.  Alternatively, it is possible to take a train from Cecina station, where you can take advantage of free parking and cheap train travel to take a relaxing journey into the city, arriving 5 minutes walk from the Duomo.

Beaches: The closest beaches are 25 minutes away around Cecina, either pebbled or sandy, and bordered by century-old pine forests with many beach-front restaurants to choose from. For white sandy beaches, head to Rosignano, where the sodium bicarbonate plants have created caribbean-like white sand.

Hanging Garden Adventure Park:  Located in Riparbella, only 5 kms away from the villa, the “Giardino Sospeso” is an adventure park set in the most beautiful oak forest. Children and adults have a choice of acrobatic courses on fixed and suspended platforms through the tree tops. It offers courses of varying degrees of difficulty and length. Children can also learn the basic techniques of archery with a qualified instructor. The park also organises birthday parties and summer camps. In Cecina there is also a Waterpark that is very popular with children.

FOOD AND WINE

Food

Food is a fundamental pleasure and part of Tuscany life. There are a huge variety of delights available to sample.

Markets: There are a number of markets in the area for those in search of fresh produce. For example, in nearby Cecina on Tuesday mornings, visitors have the chance to sample one of the region’s specialities: the delicious porchetta (roast suckling pig seasoned with sage or rosemary, fennel, and plenty of salt and pepper) served warm in fresh bread rolls. Also available in abundance are the fresh cheeses, wild porcini mushrooms, local wines and vegetables.

Other markets include: Castagneto Carducci (Mondays and Thursdays);  Bibbona  (Thursdays), Rossignano  (Fridays). The majority of the activity is earlier in the morning and the best time to go. All markets are morning only.

Restaurants: The House Information Book has a list of recommendations for eating out with helpful comment and opinions. From Villa Serenissima foodies have a good choice of excellent restaurants, including Michelin-starred ones, as well as some of Italy’s finest vineyards on their door-step.

Wine: No trip is complete without sampling some of the wines from this region. The vineyards around the medieval village of Bolgheri are known for producing Italy’s super Tuscan wines such as Sassicaia, Tignanello, Ornellaia  and are just a short drive away, so you can enjoy some wine-tasting before purchasing directly at source.

Golf: The following are golf courses within easy reach:

Cosmopolitan Golf and Country Club (55 minutes)

Golf Club Tirrenia (50 mins)

Golf Club Punta Ala (1 hr 10 minutes) one of the most beautiful and close to the beach.

Golf Club Ugolino (1 hr 45 mins) the oldest course in Tuscany.

Antognolla, in the heart of Umbria (20 mins North of Perugia)

Horse Riding: There are a number of riding stables where you can book a riding lesson or go for a ride in the countryside.

Walking: The immediate area is ideal for a leisurely walk in the unspoilt surrounding countryside. There are excellent details and maps of a number of walks from the house and in the area that range in length and difficulty.

Bicycling: Bike riding is a very popular sport in Italy and there are lots of cycle routes in this area. Hire bikes can be arranged for you during your stay and advice given as to where to go.

Thermal Baths: There are a number of thermal baths in Tuscany – possibilities include Terme di Venturina and Terme di Sassetta

Water Sports: Wind/kite surfing can be enjoyed closest at Rosignano (30 minutes)

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS Tuscany hosts a great variety of traditional events throughout the year. The local communities treat these events as an opportunity to confirm their roots and identity and it is a wonderful opportunity for tourists to experience genuine expressions of local culture. A list of many of the events in the area is in The House Information Book.