Casale di Pastore is a recently restored farmhouse and stone cottage sitting within the Lucciolabella Nature Reserve. It has sweeping views of the Val D'Orcia (a UNESCO Heritage Park) and the hilltop towns of Montalcino, Pienza, Bagno Vignoni, San Quirico D'Orcia and Radicofani. Scenes in "The English Patient" and 'Under the Tuscan Sun" were filmed in this area.
The Val D'Orcia is the quintessential Tuscany of postcards and calendars, and has been rigorously protected from modern development. The result is a breathtaking and unblemished landscape. The area is also rich culturally and historically, with small, walled villages still beautifully preserved, frescoed monasteries, and imposing medieval fortresses guarding the hilltops. Less than 20 minutes away, Tuscany's twin wine capitals of Montepulciano and Montalcino produce Vino Nobile and Brunello, some of Italy's top wines. Visiting small producers nearby offers the chance to sample spectacular and difficult to find wines in beautiful settings.
But what makes Casale di Pastore truly unique is how the London and Florence designers collaborated to set aside the rustic aesthetic (dark woods, heavy fabrics, small windows etc) of most Tuscan houses, to create a luxury retreat with a fresh contemporary design. Although all the materials are traditional and local, and the original external features of the old farmhouse have been maintained, the open common spaces and spacious, light-filled guest rooms are totally modern.
Inside, you will find cream-colored stone floors, brand new queen size mattresses with luxury white linens from Bussati, massive showers with Santa Maria Novella and Hotel Sirenuse skin care products, and in several rooms stand alone bathtubs with views over the valley.
The totally new kitchen is outfitted with professional appliances and is designed as the center of the loft-like main common area downstairs. There is a long wood table for dining, a record player with the owner's personal collection of classic LPs and a flat screen television in front of an oversized designer sofa. Upstairs, there is a second common area in front of a large open fireplace. High-speed wireless internet is available throughout the building.
The property itself sits on four acres surrounded by rolling sheep pasture and grain fields. There is a 36 square meter infinity swimming pool with infinity edge facing west across the wide valley, a hot tub with Jacuzzi jets, and a covered dining pergola for outdoor dining and relaxing.
Daily breakfast is provided free of charge. A full time gourmet chef is available for all shopping and meals. Lunches and dinners are charged at a flat rate of 25 Euros and 40 Euros per person not including wine. The chef is also available for cooking instruction and market visits. You will also have access to the owner's personal wine cellar and a humidor packed with fine Cuban cigars.
Distances: Rome (airport) is two hours; Florence (airport), 1.5 hours; Siena, Perugia (airport), one hour; Montalcino, 30 minutes; Chiusi (one hour express trains to Florence and Rome), 25 minutes; S. Quirico, Pienza, Montepulciano, and Sarteano, 15 to 20 minutes; four hot spas and beauty farms from 10 to 30 minutes; and Contignano, the nearest village with groceries, bakery, butcher, pecorino factory, and gas station, five minutes.
Accommodations
The property sleeps 16 adults and 3 children comfortably. There are 7 double rooms in the main house and 1 suite in a stand alone stone cottage about 15 meters away from the main house. There are two cots for infants available free of charge.
There is a shaded outdoor dining area with views over the wide valley. This has a wood decking floor, a bar with a sink and long wood tables that seat up to 20. There are also two soft outdoor sofas.
All rooms have self-controlled air conditioning/heating, a private bathroom with a large shower, pull down mosquito screens in all the windows and great views.
SUITE ONE: queen-sized bed in a bedroom closed off by large sliding doors and a glass door opening onto a private garden area. 1 sitting room with pull out sofa and small kitchen with refrigerator, 4 burners, and a stone counter work top. Large bathroom with 2-person bathtub, large stand-up shower with oversized showerhead, and 2 sinks.
Room1: 1 queen-sized bed, 2-person bathtub sunken into the floor in the bedroom area. Private entrance to the garden. Bathroom has a large stand-up shower.
Room 2: 1 queen-sized bed, private entrance to the garden. Bathroom has a large stand-up shower. This room is on the ground floor and is wheel-chair accessible.
Room 3: 1 queen-sized bed, and sunset view. Bathroom has a large stand-up shower.
Room 4: 1 queen-sized bed and sunset view. Bathroom has a large stand-up shower.
Room 5: 2 twin beds, can be pushed together to make 1 double. Bathroom has a large stand-up shower.
Room 6: 1 queen-sized bed, 1 twin bed and bath tub in bed room area. 3 large windows on a corner with great views. Bathroom has a large stand-up shower.
Room 7: 1 queen-sized bed, 1 twin bed and bath tub in bed room area. 3 large windows on a corner with great views Bathroom has a large stand-up shower.
OUTDOORS:
By the pool is a large shaded, rain-proof pergola. This has wood decking and also has a bar with a refrigerator that is kept stocked by the staff with wine, soft drinks, water and beer. There is a card table here with games, yoga mats and blankets, an I-Pod dock, and a soft sofa. Pool towels are included and replaced by the staff each day.
Included in the price
- Full exclusive use of the house and the grounds and the pool
- Electricity including air conditioning/Heating
- All linens, towels, etc
- Daily Maid Service
- Change of linen once a week
- Final Cleaning
- Daily breakfast
- Unlimited bottled water, soft drinks and coffee
- High speed internet access
- Access to the private chef for an meals, charged at a flat rate per person per meal
- All meals for children under 8
- Two handheld GPS devices
Additional costs to be paid on the premises
- Pre-Paid Mobile Phone at your disposal and you will only be charged for the amount acutally used
- Refundable Damage Deposit: Euros 1500 to be paid in cash upon arrival and will be refunded upon departure less any unpaid expenses.
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