| | Facilities within the Property |
 As soon as you enter the house, a pretty arched window overlooking the garden and the vineyards below welcomes you in this beatiful house full of hstoric feel. On your left there is the kitchen, a large, bright room, characterised by a collection of hanging plates and antique copper utensils, fully equipped with a large wooden table and chairs, two fridges, oven, hob, and all the necessary to prepare your own meals, coffee or tea should you wish to. In the morning breafast is served in the kitchen or in the garden if the weather allows. |
 On the right hand side of the entrance guests find a spacious lounge. The Tuscan terracotta flooring, the antique ceiling wooden beams, the elegant dark brown leather sofas, the reading corner with a selection of books, all to make your moments of relaxation an unforgettable experience and will make you feel at home .... better still in your dream home! |
 Outside a grassed terrace with tables and barbeque overlooks the swimming area and offers spectacular views of the Tuscan landscape. The wide garden offers spectacular views of the vineyards valley below; just a short walk from the house, guests can sun-bathe around the 12 mt x 6 mt pool, idyllically located within the garden area and surrounded by vineyards and olive trees. |
 On request we can organise horse riding tours and excursions to the nearby cities. Throughout the house there are common areas, such as the large sitting and living room, comfortably furnished, with an open fireplace and reading area; the large kitchen, with all comforts for our guests' use. Each room has been refurbished in typical Tuscan style, and each has en-suite bathroom. |
| Property Facilities Summary: |  Barbecue | Bicycle Rentals | | Child Friendly | Computer Rental | | Fridge | Hoover | | Kettle | Medium Pets Welcome | | Private Parking | Swimming Pool | | Towels for Swimming Pool | | | |
 Barberino Val d'Elsa is a middle aged village half way between Florence and Siena, along the Roman Cassia road. Once a time a strategic military base to separate the two powers of the Florentine League and the Senese one. During the centuries the village has not changed and you can still appreciate the original architecture of a town of the middle aged time. It was also the native village of the poet Francesco da Barberino inspirer for Dante and many to follow. Now Barberino is a touristic attraction for the beauty of its church and the splendid panorama you can have from its walls. Many are then the characteristic beauty of the surroundings: especially little villages and more often castles and Villas. San Donato in Poggio dates back to the Romans, supposedly it was a military "castrum" defending the military via Cassia which, on the way from Siena, passes over the hills and crosses the Pesa valley. In the 4th century, Christian soldiers from Arezzo, gave the fortress the name "San Donato" in memory of their bishop. Round about 1000 A.D. the Romanic church, with three naves and three apses, was built outside the castle walls. It is referred to in three documents in the state archives; one dated 985 A.A., one 986 A.D. and one 988 A.D. Inside the church there are numerous art treasures such as the decorated front by Giovanni della Robbia in glazed terracotta describing the lire of John the Baptist, a crucifix of the school of Giotto attributed to Taddeo Gaddi, two altar pieces by Giovanni del Biondo, another by Bicci di Lorenzo, two paintings from the school of Giotto and a 15th century Florentine chalice. Only part of the citadel remains today, parts of the walls, the two gates, Porta Fiorentina and Porta Senese, and some towers, such as the bell tower, known as the "Campanone" or Big Bell, and "Il Torrino" or Little Tower, which dominate the valley. It has however, maintained its originaI structure intact with the typical streets winding round the houses. Inside the citadel there is the suggestive Piazza Malaspina flanked by the Palazzo of the same name, and in the centre of the piazza an octagonal well beneath which lies a cistern embracing the whole area of the piazza: in the past this cistem constituted the town's one and only water reserve. Opposite Palazzo Malaspina is Palazzo Pretorio which houses the only work of art bearing witness to past glory, a 14th century fresco representing the Madonna and Child among the Saints. San Donato is cited in the history books for having been twice chosen as seat of peace treaties (1176 and 1265). lt was at San Donato that the Florentines perfected their military strategy and completed their final preparations for war before leaving for the Battle of Montaperti (1260). Located in the heart of the Chianti hills, Radda has maintained its charm intact from time immemorial. In the 50's its land and farmhouses were abandoned, but with its rediscovery in the 70's the old terraced olive groves and vineyards which by this time had fallen into disuse gave way to more intensive and extensive farming. Consequently the resumption of activity by the numerous large and small Agricultural Aziendas of the area, which fall within Chianti Classico boundaries along with top-quality wine and olive oil production famous even abroad, in recent years new artisans' and small industries - particularly in the construction, furniture, ceramic and terracotta sectors - have begun to make a name for themselves. |
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