ItalianVisits.com - Tuscany - Villas, houses and apartments to rent

Castello di Bibbione
Via Collina 66, 50026 San Casciano in Val di Pesa (Florence), Italy Tel/Fax: 055 8249231

Type: 13 Villas and Apartments in Castello di Bibbione can accommodate from 2 to 56 people.

Other: Meetings, wedding, anniversary and family reunions and parties.

Booking: IV Travel (please make first contact by email)

Facilities:
All the houses are situated in the estate and enjoy a splendid view of the Chianti hills. They were restored respecting the original structures. Only antique handmade terra-cotta tiles were used, the interior and exterior stairways are made of pietra serena (a typical Tuscan stone), and there are open beamed ceilings. The apartments were decorated with family furniture and antique kilim carpets.

For list of houses and apartments - see chart below

Amenities: The estate is located in San Casciano in Val di Pesa in the heart of the Chianti wine district. There are numerous towns, villages, castles, monasteries and churches close by. Guests can walk and hike a multitude of trails, and can arrange horseback riding, spa treatments, fishing expeditions, golf trips and winery tours.

The Castello also features a complete spa and wellness center offering a variety of treatments including massage, yoga, turkish bath, reflexology etc.

Breakfast is upon request. This year, the swimming-pool is opened from May to October. Mountain bikes are available for free. Wine tasting is usually every Wednesday at 18:00, but it can also be arranged other days. For the cooking lessons, you can can talk to Mattisse, the Castle chef.

Location: The Castle is centrally located and well-served by good roads to all major art towns.

Distances:

Nearest village (Montefiridolfi) 2 Km
San Casciano in Val di Pesa 5 km
Bank 5 Km
Chemistry 5 Km
Post office 5 Km
Grocery 2 Km
Restaurant 2 Km
Bus stop 2 Km

Florence 15 Km
Florence Airport 30 Km
Florence train station (S.M.Novella) 20 Km
Siena 44 Km
Pisa Airport 100 Km
Rome 290 Km
Venice 260 km
Milan 310 km

Map: MapQuest (Montefiridolfi, Chianti province)

Availability: By the week, Saturday to Saturday, during high and mid seasons; other arrangements can be made during low season.

High season: July 1 to Sept 2; Dec 23 to Jan 7
Mid season: April 8 to June 30; Sept 3 to Oct 28
Low season: Jan 8 to April 7; Oct 29 to Dec 22

Check-in is on Saturday between 3 pm to 7 pm, and check-out is always before 10 am. Sunday and Monday, the office is closed.

Cost: see table below

Payment: 30% deposit, remainder within 30 days of booking

Cancellation:

From reservation time to 30 days before check-in, penalty of 30% of total amount; From 29 days to check-in time, penalty of 100% of total amount.

ItalianVisits.com links: Tuscany, Florence, Siena, Greve, Montepulciano, Montalcino, Pienza, San Gimagnano, Lucca, Pisa

Description

Castello di Bibbione and the fabulous complex of farm houses on a beautiful estate in the heart of the Chianti wine district offers affordable luxury, relaxation, and easy access to the great "art" cities of Tuscany, including nearby Florence.

The history of the Castle, estate and village reaches back to 997 AD. In 1511 it was purchased by none other than Niccolo Machiavelli, who used it as a hunting lodge and country retreat. The current Marchioness Antonella Rangoni Machiavelli, the proprietor of the estate oversaw the renovation of the Castle and the village

Many of the completely (and tastefully) restored farm houses on the estate were built in the 13th century. A secret passage that was constructed to ensure that the occupiers could overcome sieges during the violent period before the Renaissance, winds its way for hundreds of meters from the castle to the plain below.