Villa Serenissima, in a superb location and setting, provides the most perfect and very comfortable base for a Tuscan holiday. It comfortably accommodates 15 in the main house and its Annexe. The Annexe gives a degree of independence for a second family, in laws or different generations within a multi generational group. With a swimming pool and tennis court. Set in 200 acres of its own land it is completely private. Remote feeling and with spectacular far reaching views, yet accessible enough to be easy to reach to enjoy and appreciate all that this beautiful area offers.
Villa Serenissima
Pisa, Tuscany, Italy
Overview
Sleeps: 16
Bedrooms & Bathrooms
Main house:
3 doubles bedrooms
1 twin / triple bedroom
1 single or child’s bedroom
Annexe:
1 double bedroom
1 double that can be made into a twin
1 twin room
Rent per week
€5,000 – €13,600 per week depending on the season. Saturday to Saturday.
Detailed break down of price per week
Key features
House with 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms
Annexe with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms
Pool
Tennis court
200 acres of garden, grounds and land
Spectacular position
Air conditioning in the bedrooms
Piano
The House and Accommodation
Kitchen / Dining: A large well equipped open-plan Kitchen – Dining room 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.
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.
Second Sitting Room /Playroom with a large TV and wood burning stove.
Bedrooms & bathrooms
Double Bedroom Bedroom 1: with double bed and its own ensuite bath/shower room with shower washbasin and WC.
Bedroom 2. Master Bedroom: With king size double bed, south facing views and an ensuite Bathroom with shower, tub, double washbasin, WC and its own dressing room.
Bedroom 3. With king size double bed, south facing views and ensuite bathroom with bath/shower, WC and washbasin.
Bedroom 4. A twin or triple room, which shares a bathroom with bedroom 5 which has a shower, bath, WC and washbasin.
Bedroom 5. A child’s bedroom with a fan. There is a cot, a changing top and a fan. Which shares a bathroom with bedroom 4 which has a shower, bath, WC and washbasin.
NB: All bedrooms have individual air conditioning.
The Annexe and Accomodation
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 a dishwasher and hob.
Living Room: has comfortable seating, a table and enjoys the best views to the South.
Bedrooms and bathrooms:
Bedroom 6 with Queen size double bed, ensuite bathroom with bath, shower, WC and wash basin.
Bedroom 7 a twin room. It shares a bathroom with bedroom 8 and has a shower, WC and washbasin.
Bedroom 8 a twin room but which can be made up into a double. It shares a bathroom with bedroom 7 and has a shower, WC and washbasin.
Garden and Grounds
The gardens and land extending to some 80 hectares are an outstanding pleasure of Villa Serenissima.
Landscaped over several levels and planted with Olives, cypress trees, maritime pines and a varied mix of lavender, rosemary and other colourful garden shrubs, herbs and flowers give interest, colour and pleasure in all seasons.
The gardens give way to an olive grove to the south and to meadow land planted with trees on the lower slopes. The wooded hills make up the longer view beyond.
There is a boule court.
Additional buildings, terraces and eating areas
A beautiful wide and elevated terrace runs the full length of the southern side of the house. Here there is comfortable seating and shady dining areas with large tables to seat up to 15.
Swimming Pool
The swimming pool is reached by steps leading down from the terrace on the eastern end of the house. The pool measures 4.5m by 16.5m descending from 1m at the shallow end to 2.3m at the deep end.
Comfortable day beds and seating are dotted around the pool terrace, where there is a pool shower, and a hammock hangs from the cypress trees for enjoying an afternoon nap.
Tennis Court
There is a tennis court sited within the olive grove. A selection of racquets and tennis balls are provided.
Location
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.
How to get there
Airports
Villa Serenissima is 1 ½ hrs hours from Florence airport and 45 minutes South of Pisa airport
TGV
Cecina is well-serviced for trains to Rome, Pisa, Florence and beyond
Things to see and do nearby
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 3rd 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 14th and 15th 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
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.
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.
Additional Information
Arrival welcome and departure: Guests will be welcomed on arrival, and will be shown how everything works, both inside and out. A welcome hamper will be provided and additional villa pre-stocking is available upon request.
Wifi and Broadband: There is an internal telephone system, plus WiFi broadband internet access.
Housebook: 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.
Additional entertainment: There are a selection of tennis rackets, balls and also some golf clubs. There are a number of English language books and board games for the use and enjoyment of guests.
Music and TV: The Television receives Italian Sky, including Sport and Cinema, with English language options, and there is a DVD player with the TV. The stereo/sound system can be used with ipod connections, radio and CD’s. There are a selection of CD’s and DVD’s for the use and enjoyment of guests.
Services included: 3 hours of cleaning per day on weekdays are included in the rental, as well as swimming pool and garden maintenance.
Optional / additional services available: A welcome hamper will be provided and additional villa pre-stocking is available upon request. Any additional hours of housework should be agreed direct with the cleaner, and paid to her by tenants at €15/hr. The housekeeper is available also to cook for guests, at the hourly rate of €15/hour, provided sufficient notice is given.
Utilities: A utility room adjoins the kitchen in which there is a washing machine and tumble dryer.
Air conditioning and heating: There are wood burning fireplaces in the living rooms of the house. There is air conditioning in all the bedrooms except for the baby room which has a fan. This is an all year round property and is centrally heated throughout. There is one fireplace and one wood-burning stove.
Children: There is a travel cot, a high chair, a baby crib, a play pen and an assortment of toys.
Car Parking: There is plenty of parking space.
Rents
2024
| Period | Rent per week |
| 22nd March – 18th May | €5,000 / week |
| 18th May – 22nd June | €5,400 / week |
| 22nd June – 6th July | €10,000 / week |
| 6th July – 13th July | €12,800 / week |
| 13th July – 23rd August | €13,600 / week |
| 23rd August – 31st August | €12,800 / week |
| 31st August – 7th September | €10,000 / week |
| 7th September – 14th September | €5,400 / week |
| 14th September – 29th October | €5,000 / week |
Terms & conditions and the booking process
The Booking Process: A deposit of 25% of the rent will be payable to Anglo French Properties Ltd on signing the Rental Agreement, with the 75% balance to be paid 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the tenancy.
Security Deposit: A Booking and Security Deposit of €650 will also be payable to Anglo French Properties Ltd on signing this Rental Agreement. This will secure the booking and will cover (a) the cost of replacing/making good any losses, breakages and/or damages incurred during the rental and (b) any exceptional cleaning work which may be required at the end of the tenancy. It will be refunded (less any deductions as outlined above) within 4 weeks of the conclusion of the tenancy.
Minimum stay: Unless otherwise agreed, all rentals will be for a minimum of one week and will begin and end on a Saturday.
Arrival Time & Departure times: Tenants should arrive as soon as possible after 5pm on the commencement day. They will be welcomed on arrival, given a tour of the property and shown how everything works. Tenants should leave by 10am on the agreed day of departure.
Number of People: Unless otherwise agreed, there should not be more than 16 people staying in the property at any one time.
Security: The owners’ insurance policy requires that all doors are locked, and that all windows are closed when tenants are away from the property. The electronically-operated entrance gates should also be closed whenever tenants leave the property for whatever reason.
Energy costs are included: The energy costs are included in the rental price.
Heating costs are included: The heating costs are included in the rental price.
Linen and towels: Linen and towels, and the cleaning of the linen and towels are included in the rental price. These will be changed on a weekly basis.
Smoking: No smoking allowed inside the property. Caution should be taken when smoking outside during the summer months as the risk of fire can be extremely high.
Internet access: yes, included in the rental price.
Optional / additional services available: any additional services, if available, (eg extra cleaning or cooking) will be agreed in advance at a pre-agreed rate per hour. These costs will be the sole responsibility of the tenant.