Villa Nicoletta

Details of the Chateau

A large and magnificent residence around two hours' drive south of Florence, Villa Nicoletta does things on a grand scale and thus has been frequented by Italian film celebrities including Vittorio Gassman and Federico Fellini (a room was named after him!). Enjoying the greenest of surroundings and offering spectacular views, this property just outside the village of Radicofani can accommodate from 18 to 26 guests, making it one to consider for either a large family gathering or those really special occasions. Your stay at Villa Nicoletta is likely to be unforgettable. That will be partly due to the setting – this former hunting lodge was built in the 18th century and sits on a hill at the height of 580m. Oak and cypress trees surround the property, with a verdant garden playing host to a 12m x 6m swimming pool and pretty, circular lawn area. A spacious terrace overlooking the lawn gives you plenty of places to sit and enjoy the sun and makes a great place to host a dinner or a less formal event. You have a bar and a well-equipped kitchen on the ground floor of the house, with amenities including a fridge freezer, dishwasher, washing machine and two large gas ovens. A large living room on the lower ground floor gives you direct access to the pool and gardens, and other useful features can be found on this level, in the form of a pantry, laundry room and garage. Villa Nicoletta's 13 bedrooms are located all over the property. There are three on the ground floor, with an exit to the semi-circular terracotta pavilion. On the first floor you will find five double and three twin bedrooms, while the remaining two doubles are to be found in the ‘lemon house', a separate property with kitchenette and bathroom which has direct access to the garden. Just 5 km from Radicofani, this local landmark is often used as a wedding venue or yoga retreat and is an incredible base for exploring the Siena region. You'll be around 90 minutes' drive from Italy's west coast, as well as cities like Perugia and Terni, although you may find yourself distracted by the many beautiful villages en route. #### Features The Villa Ground Floor - Three large rooms with fireplaces - Two guest toilets - En-suite double bedroom with shower - Reception area - Well-equipped kitchen - Laundry room with wardrobe - Small living room - Bathroom with shower First Floor - Three twin rooms en-suite bathroom - Five double rooms en-suite bathroom Lower ground floor (access via lower garden) - Large living room with exit to the pool side - Twin bedroom - Double bedroom - Two Bathroom - Laundry & garage Lemonaia house - Two double bedrooms with en-suite bathroom - Small kitchenette and exit to the garden Exterior - Swimming pool (6x12 mt) - Large park with oak and cypress trees #### Location Roughly halfway between Florence and Rome, Radicofani lies in the Tuscan province of Siena. The attractive location makes it well worth seeking out, and it has some wonderful architecture to discover. Chief among Radicofani's sights is the majestic Rocca di Radicofani, the ancient castle with a 37m tower which sits high above the village. It's quite a trek to reach it, but the castle certainly rewards the effort with some magnificent views of the Val d'Orcia park and volcanic Monte Amiata. Double walls surround the fortress, a pentagon on the outside, then a triangle within. You can learn more about this once strategically important landmark with a guided tour. Be aware that if you do make the ascent right to the top of the tower, the heights can be genuinely dizzying! The San Pietro church is another building of note, where frescoes, oil paintings and terracotta sculptures remain. You will probably also become familiar with Radicofani's most famous son, 13th-century ‘gentleman bandit', Messer Ghino di Tacco. Intriguing stories of this Italian Robin Hood's dastardly deeds for noble purposes abound in Radicofani. The village hosts regular festivals too, including October's ‘Harvest and Chestnut Festival' and there are regular antique markets to potter around throughout the summer. Another attraction is the ancient pilgrim's route, the Via Francigena, leading from Rome to France, which passes through Radicofani. The Tuscan section of the route is made easier to follow by regular signposts. Said to be a spiritual experience even for the non-religious, it is certainly an appealing way to be at one with nature in this particularly beautiful region of western Italy. #### Extras Good news! This property is available as a Vill'otelWith a vill'otel holiday, you can enjoy all these services throughout your stay: - Daily breakfast - Daily maid service - Deluxe welcome hamper with local delicacies - Welcome drinks for your group - Fridge-stocking service - Private chef serviceInterested? If you'd like to book the Vill'otel serviced option, contact us onfor a tailor-made quote! Typical costs range between £100-£250 per person per week dependent on requirements. Please note that all services are subject to availability and must be requested at the time of booking.