Villa Benedetta is the main house on the property, consisting today of 1200 acres of farmland and several farmhouses. It was originally built at the end of the XVth century as a wayside tavern, but soon became the centre of an estate belonging to the great Hospital of Santa Maria della Scala in Siena. In 1924 it was bought by Antonio and Iris Origo and turned into their comfortable home, from where they farmed and developed the land.
The Villa is built on three levels, following the slope of the hill, and is surrounded by the now famous garden created by Iris Origo and the English architect Cecil Pinsent – a labour of love lasting many years . The house is full of old-world charm, not showy, but with beautiful antique furniture and comfortable beds.
This valley has been renowned since the end of the first millennium as being an important stage on the Via Francigena, the great medieval pilgrimage road from France to Rome. More than 20 castles and rest houses crowned the valley bordering the road.
There are many cultural activities organized by and around La Foce, held mainly in the ‘Castelluccio’, a medieval castle only 1 mile away, that gather numerous music and art lovers to this beautiful and unspoilt part of Tuscany,the Val d’Orcia, that has recently been included among the World Heritage sites of UNESCO.
Three gardeners look after the premises, including the swimming pool opposite the ‘limonaia’ (orangerie). Two full-time maids (including a local cook) and an extra daily help care for the house and its guests. Meals are often held under the pergola in the garden, where guests relax in the shade of roses and wisteria, lulled by the sound of water in the fountain nearby.
The Villa includes an independent apartment on the second floor, with its own kitchen: a perfect retreat for children and nannies, or younger guests.
The main villa has a delightful library with a fireplace and sofas, a sunlit living room with SAT TV, a central frescoed dining room with a balcony for very special evenings, and a study - all on a raised ground floor. A music and living room, with a fireplace and two pianos, and several sofas and armchairs, offer plenty of room for entertaining friends and family gatherings, on a lower floor. A large kitchen and a second dining room are also on this floor, along with a breakfast room with double French doors facing an inner "fountain" garden. All rooms have stunning views over the gardens and valley.
Accommodations
GROUND FLOOR
Entrance hallway - Half bath - Library - Study - Dining room with frescoes - Living room with SAT TV - Two suite, each with a double and a single bedroom and an en-suite bath - Double bedroom with en-suite bath First Floor: (overlooking the balconied dining room) Double bedroom with en-suite bath - Single bedroom with its own bath across the hall Lower Floor: Large living room with fireplace, opening to garden and pool - In another wing, Breakfast room with French doors opening to garden pergola - Dining room - Kitchen
FIRST FLOOR:
Entrance hallway - Half bath - Library - Study - Dining room with frescoes - Living room with SAT TV - Two suite, each with a double and a single bedroom and an en-suite bath - Double bedroom with en-suite bath First Floor: (overlooking the balconied dining room) Double bedroom with en-suite bath - Single bedroom with its own bath across the hall Lower Floor:
LOWER FLOOR
Large living room with fireplace, opening to garden and pool - In another wing, Breakfast room with French doors opening to garden pergola - Dining room - Kitchen
FIRST FLOOR APARTMENT has two double bedrooms, a triple bedroom and a large and luminous living room. The views from all of these windows overlook the garden and the valley. This used to be the private apartment of Iris Origo. There is also a kitchen with a dining table and fireplace.
OUTDOORS
The garden at La Foce is completely at the disposal of La Foce guests, except on Wednesday afternoons, when it is open to the public from 3 - 7 PM. Visitors are not allowed to wander, but are taken on strictly guided tours.
DISTANCES
- Nearest train station: Chiusi, 25 minutes
- Airports: Rome and Pisa 2 hours, Florence 1.5 hours, Perugia 1 hour
- Perugia, Assisi 1 hour; Montalcino 30 minutes; S. Quirico, Pienza, Montepulciano, Sarteano, 15 to 20 minutes
- Hot springs and spas 10 to 30 minutes, wineries, wine shops, restaurants all within a very short drive
- Nearest village Contignano (grocery, bakery, butcher, pecorino cheese factory and gas station) only 5 minutes
Included in the price
- Electricity, water, heating if necessary, firewood
- Two full time maids and extra help for the house - gardeners, pool maintenance
- Food shopping (not wines - guests are encouraged to chose their own)
- Toiletries and hair dryers in each bedroom
- Firewood for fireplaces and barbecue
- Meals (not on Sundays): These include continental breakfast, lunch, plus 2 dinners per week
- Final cleaning
- Twice weekly change of bed linen, bath and pool towels
- Use of wireless internet in the house
Additional costs to be paid on the premises
- Use of house telephone, internet
- Personal laundry can be obtained from the maid
- Babysitting
- Refundable Security Deposit: $2500 to be included with your final payment and returned a month after your stay less any unpaid expenses.
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