Villa Alfri

Villa Leopoldo dates back to the 15th century, the Renaissance times when this territory belonged to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. The villa has been built by will of Duke Pietro Leopoldo, in typical Fiorentine style, as a decision of improving the conditions of living of the farmers who worked in sharecropping in this area, called Val di Chiana. The owner has restored the whole villa making improvements and modernization in the interiors but kept the authentic construction as it was in the origins.
Still now guests will be able to immerse in the real atmosphere of the Tuscan countryside and enjoy all features of a typical Renaissance villa like this: high vaulted ceiling with wooden beams and covered with terracotta (fired) bricks, as well as its floors. Wide French doors and windows, bricked archways and antique furniture. The authentic characteristics of the villa creates a peculiar environment where to make a trip back in time, yet not so far away from all modern amenities.
The wide park that surrounds the villa provides the most seclusion and privacy, and offers the possibility to enjoy a delightful vacation in contact with nature. Many types of flowers, plants, century old trees like the local pine trees, cypress trees, fruit trees and olive groves provide a peaceful area with some shadow as well as a wide English style meadow offers wide spaces for playing around and sunbathing. The extra large swimming pool (7 x 14 meters) is set in the middle of this park, a few meters from the villa and surrounded by a solarium with all pool facilities: sun beds, umbrellas, hammocks and other garden furniture.
The house is composed by three floors: the ground floor that once upon a time used to be the old stables hold an extra wide room composed of hall, living room with open fireplace and large dining room, with wooden tables and seats for family gatherings. Also ceremonies and weddings can be arranged in this villa, upon request.
The dining room gives access to the kitchen, which can also be reached directly from the barbecue area in the garden. The kitchen is fully equipped with all necessary utensils and appliances for any kinds of meals and preparations. You can even hire a cook to come up in the villa and prepare delicious Tuscan meals upon request. The kitchen is equipped with: table, chairs, a balcony with 5-burning stove, electric oven, stainless steel sink, dishwasher, refrigerator with freezer and all sets of dishes, glasses and utensils for the whole group.
Right outside the kitchen you reach an outdoor gazebo where a really long iron table and chairs are set, ideal for family meals and also parties. There is a great quality barbecue structure with all necessary equipments to cook delicious Italian steaks and T-bones – the famous “bistecca alla fiorentina” matched with top quality local wines that you find anywhere around. The outdoor table has a wonderful view of the wide flowery garden and the pool area.
Also on the ground floor of the villa are located 2 double bedrooms and one fully equipped bathroom, with shower, WC, sink and bidet. Besides there is a service bathroom on the ground floor and a complete laundry area with clothes washer, dryer, iron and iron board. The villa also offers modern appliances like SAT-TV, telephone and WI-FI internet connection, central heating and air-conditioning.
From the living room there is an authentic stone stairway that leads up to the first floor, where you will reach a wide room that used to be the old kitchen, originally the vital meeting point of the antique farmhouses. Many features of the original architecture have been well preserved in this room like the big open fireplace, once used to cook. Also the old stone sink is kept almost intact as well as the original wooden staircase to the second floor.
Before getting upstairs, the first floor holds 4 double bedrooms, each one with its own private en-suite bathroom, three of them fully equipped with shower box, WC, sink and bidet. The fourth suite is furnished with a bathtub and handheld shower in addition to WC, sink and bidet.
All bedrooms still maintain the Villa's architecture still intact like the high wooden beamed ceilings, terracotta roofs and floors. Also the furniture is chosen to match perfectly the Leopoldine style: antique wooden wardrobes and dressers, mirrors and objects like lamps and flower vases. The beds themselves are all handmade with wrought iron, a typical Tuscan handicraft.
Finally, the second floor holds what once upon a time was called “colombaia”, the pigeon’s house. Completely restored, now it holds one charming double bedroom with private en-suite bathroom fully equipped with shower, sink, WC and bidet. Don't need to mention how incredible are the views from the windows of this villa, with 360° panorama of the local private park and the surrounding Tuscan hills, covered of vineyards and olive groves.
The Chiana Valley is a splendid territory between Arezzo and Siena, in which the Tuscan jewel named Cortona, an Etruscan – Medieval town which remains almost intact on a hilltop with breathtaking views of the valley and the Lake Trasimeno, the largest lake in central Italy. Cortona can be reached within only 10 minutes drive from the villa.
The surrounding areas are great for many day-trips: Cortona, Lake Trasimeno, Arezzo, Siena, Perugia and also many small Tuscan towns all around like Civitella in Val di Chiana, Foiano della Chiana where is a famous Carnival in Tuscany, and also shopping trips in Valdichiana Outlet stores at Bettolle. Not to miss Chianti wineries and hamlets, only short drive away in direction to Siena.