Located just 15 minutes from central Florence, Villa Domitilla is a magnificent Renaissance villa owned by a prominent Florentine family whose wine estate headquarters are near the villa. The villa faces a landscape of vineyards and olive trees in the Arno valley below. The villa was restored to luxury standards but maintains a traditional interior decoration, filled with antique pieces, oriental rugs and artwork. The spacious rooms have high ceilings and windows with lovely views. Tall wood beam ceilings and antique terracotta floors throughout maintain the feel of a Tuscan country villa. Three bedrooms have air conditioning.
The second floor, the "Piano Nobile," centers around a formal entrance hall, which contains a tall fireplace and a rare ceiling decoration made of wood with terracotta medallions. Double doors lead out to a terrace area, which can be used for dining, and the beginning of the lawn. On one side of the entrance hall there are two sitting rooms with comfortable couches as well as antique furniture. On the other side of the hall is a formal dining room with an antique oval table that seats 14 and has a glorious Venetian chandelier. It is next to a new, modern kitchen with top-quality appliances. Two of the bedrooms are on this floor, both with king-sized beds, windows overlooking the lawn, and ensuite bathrooms.
Stairs to the third floor lead to a large open room with a baby grand piano situated under a tall wood beam ceiling. Next to this room is a large and comfortable family room with satellite TV and a DVD player, complete with a large collection of English language films. The master bedroom suite on this floor has a king-sized bed capped by a gold Florentine headboard and an ensuite bathroom. The views include a villa designed by Michelangelo and the Arno Valley. Two twin bedrooms, and a double bedroom, that can become a twin bedroom, are also on this floor. The twins share a bathroom; the double has an ensuite bathroom.
Stairs in the Piano Room lead to the former old Tower of the villa. There is a sitting room with high arched windows and a fireplace, and stairs lead to a double bedroom with ensuite bathroom. The double bedroom can be converted to a twin bedroom.
A garden filled with cypress and oak trees provides shade for outdoor dining and relaxing, and a large lawn sweeps down from the side of the villa. An open covered loggia is perfect for outdoor meals and contains a luxurious outside seating area. The large swimming pool is on the other side of the parking area, set into a large lawn with lawn furniture and many trees for shade.
There is a small fitness room with a treadmill and stationary bike. The villa is equipped with a telephone, high speed internet line, washing machine, dishwasher, 2 refrigerators/freezers, separate freezer, microwave oven, American coffee maker, CD player, window screens, hair dryers, and independent heating.
A full-time staff of two people prepares daily breakfast and does daily cleaning Monday-Saturday. They are also available to prepare dinner for an extra charge. The owners provide an Aperitif and Welcome Dinner to guests on the evening of arrival that is included in the weekly rental price.
Villa Domitilla is in a perfect location for visiting Florence and the hill towns of the Chianti. The town of Impruneta, with markets, shops and restaurants, is a five-minute drive. The well-known golf course at Ugolino is ten minutes away.
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