Villa Contignano

Villa Bella is an exceptional villa with a more than exceptional location and view; on top of a hill with a broad view of the Sienese Crete, in Tuscany's Val d'Orcia. This valley is renowned since the end of the first millennium for being an important stage on the Via Francigena, the great medieval route from France to Rome, that led pilgrims to the heart of Christianity. More than twenty castles and rest houses "ospedali" crowned the valley bordering the road. For those who remember the movie"The English Patient", or have seen recent Jaguar commercials, you will recognize the landscape. The villa was just restored five years ago and the interior is completely new, contemporary yet grounded in Tuscan tradition.

Surrounded by the typical Val d’Orcia clay hillocks, Villa Contignano enjoys the most stunning views over the valley and its hill towns such as as Pienza, Montalcino, Radicofani and San Quirico. An outstanding restoration project of the very highest quality Villa Contignano is luxurious in every way and the fabulous and stylish interiors are the creation of talented interior designer Ilaria Miani. A vast terrace surrounds the villa with several pergolas, patios and roofed dining areas from where one can enjoy 360° views of the valley and beyond and guests will relish sunset aperitivos relaxing in the large west facing hot tub watching the sun set over the crete Sinese. The fabulous infinity pool is perfectly positioned below the villa – the ideal spot to enjoy soaking up the Tuscan sun with a book and glass of Chianti.

Inside, one is struck by the incredible design and high standard of Villa Contignano. A spacious kitchen (divided in two rooms, one for cooking, the other for storing and appliances, out of the guest’s view) provides the perfect venue for any keen cook but, if guests prefer not to have to do anything at all (!), then delicious Tuscan cuisine, using fresh ingredients from the local markets and the vegetable garden, can be provided by the excellent cook service available at the villa. With two living rooms and a dining room downstairs and a further living room upstairs, there is ample space for guests to relax and spread out and for anyone who enjoys visiting Tuscany in the cooler months, two of the living rooms enjoy lovely open fireplaces in addition to underfloor heating throughout the property. All of the bedrooms are spacious and individually styled and furnished with exceptionally comfortable beds, top quality linens and, of course, enchanting views across the countryside. Nearby to Villa Bella there are all manner of classic hilltop Tuscan villages including Montepulciano, Pienza and San Quirico and further afield day tips can easily be made to Siena, Perugia, Assisi and Florence. For the more energetic there is plenty of activity available including hiking, horse riding and cycling and for those guests more interested in food and wine then there are all sorts of fabulous cantinas and markets to visit including Montalcino with its famous Brunello and Pienza with its yummy pecorino cheese! However, you may well find that its well nigh impossible to draw yourselves from the beauty, luxury and charm of the villa - an exceptional and out of the ordinary property.

The view over the Val d'Orcia is enchanting without a modern structure in sight. It has everything one could ask for in a Tuscan villa rental. All services are available from cooking to serving, party planning, wine and food touring etc.

Sleeps up to 18 guests in 8 bedrooms (5 double rooms in the main house). The master is on the main floor, but the other 4 bedrooms have outside entrances which make for a very private experience without sacraficing time together in the downstairs main living space.. There are three more bedrooms (can be either twin or double upon request) in the annex. The annex is to the side of the main house. below and is reached by stone stairs and lawn. There is garden lighting at night. All en suite bathrooms. Full built in air conditioning in each bedroom. Four living rooms, two with fireplace. Large kitchen divided in two rooms, one for cooking , the other for storing and appliances out of the guest's view. Only cars and vans that hold up to 9 guests can reach the top driveway that has access to the sidewalk leading to the house. Should you be using something larger (mini bus for touring), it will need to drop guests at the first driveway, which has stair and lawn access to the main house. The villa has a gate at the lower level of the driveway which requires getting out and entering the code. The gate is wide enough to accomodate a mini bus up to 20 guests.

Satellite TV, VCR, DVD, CD player for I-pod, free WI-FI access. No radiators, heating is provided by an under floor system.

Power for house heating and air conditioning is included, as is solar heating for the pool. Firewood for the fireplaces is also included. All bath amenities (bath robes, hair dryers, shampoo, soap, conditioner and cooking condiments, such as cofee, mineral water etc. is also included. Electrical Converters are Not supplied. Set on 3 acres with autommatically watered lawn.

9 bedrooms/12 bathrooms 9,000 sq. ft.

What Makes this Property Special?

Great views of the Val d'Orcia. Chic Tuscan design featured in many design magazines. All staffing options, including wonderful cooks, available.