Description
Villa Ruscello is a beautifully restored seventeenth century farmhouse for eight guests set within private grounds overlooking open Tuscan countryside, just a short distance from San Casciano dei Bagni. Brimming with original charm, this rustic home features open-plan living spaces, exposed timber beams and flagstone floors, where guests can truly imbibe their surroundings.
Set down a sweeping driveway, fragrant with surrounding olive groves, this elegant abode has a creamy façade with duck-egg blue original door and window frames, peppered with arched French windows on the ground floor leading to the ample gardens. The interiors emanate understated grandeur, with artefacts, gilded frames and bookshelves at every turn, along with writer’s desks and antique timber. Finished with personal flair, the owner’s love of travel, art and literature is entwined within the relaxed, yet stylish, space. Faithful to the original structure, the ground floor living and dining features a traditional oven fireplace and arched ceilings, with all the contemporary comforts for a chic family home.
Light-filled and with ‘lived-in’ appeal, the living area is scattered with coral and flower-printed cushions across cream sofas, offering an elegantly restorative spot after a busy day, with views across the gardens. The dining space features a hanging candelabra-style light, setting the ambience for lively group meals, or a chef-prepared dinner against the backdrop of farmhouse kitchen complete with pottery plates on the walls. The sweeping stairwell with white-washed walls is off-set by an ornate hanging carriage light leading to the first floor, which has its own living room and kitchenette.
The master bedroom is a characterful suite with exposed beam ceilings, and statement-making four poster bed with jade and gold-toned eiderdowns. The chaise-longue and pistachio coloured window frames sit along with writing desk and access to a cloistered balcony, complete with bistro set and far-reaching views. Two double bedrooms (one on the ground floor and one on the first) are finessed with personal flair, one with accents of warm amber along with hand-made wicker furnishings, whilst the ground floor double bedroom has direct gardens access, gilded frames and elegant olive tones. The final bedroom has two single beds with accents of vibrant fuchsia, pretty dual aspect windows with aqua coloured window frames; coming complete with a cot bed it makes an ideal children’s room.
The gardens are artfully un-manicured, offering panoramic views across the valleys and olive groves, set across sedate layers, from sweeping lawns to stone rockery and shrub gardens. The pool is set on a smart decked terrace, complete with loungers and parasols, while the gravel drive is peppered with swaying palms. With ample choice for dining, or a drink as the sun sets over the hills, from the trellis-covered pergola with grape vines overhead, to charming wrought-iron breakfast table or wicker and bamboo dining set. A stone-built barbecue meal under the pergola will be about as good as it gets.
Enjoying the privacy of its own grounds, this home is set only 800m from the historical village of Celle sul Rigo, which is nestled in the Valdichiana hills close to the Umbria borders. With an Etruscan and Roman heritage, the area is rich with cultural history, and close enough for visits to Arezzo and Siena, whilst the nearby Maremma region boasts stunning countryside for hiking and biking. An hour and a half south east of Sienna and an hour and twenty minutes south west of Arezzo, this is a sublime spot from which to enjoy Tuscany.
For an authentic Tuscan farmhouse holiday, blending local flavour, original touches, personalised services and proximity to some of the region’s finest towns and cities, Villa Ruscello (meaning stream in Italian), delivers on every front. /n Security deposit /n €1000 paid in cash to the owner upon arrival and refunded upon departure, subject to full inspection. /n Arrival time /n 4.00 p.m. /n Departure time /n By 10 am. /n Energy costs included? /n Yes. /n Linen & towels included? /n Yes, plus mid-week change for stays longer than a week. /n Pets welcome? /n On request only and with prior agreement with the owner. If accepted, a pet supplement of €25 per pet per week will apply (paid locally). /n Changeover day /n Saturday. /n End of stay cleaning included? /n Yes. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. /n Smoking Allowed? /n Outside only. /n Insurance /n It is recommended that all guests take out insurance to cover against potential cancellation and any accidental damage caused during your stay at the property. /n Minimum stay /n 7 nights (short-breaks may be possible on request outside end June-end August). /n Heating costs included? /n Extra €30 per day, paid locally. /n Pool heating charge? /n No. Please note that like all heated pools, pool heating and water temperature are reliant on weather and outside temperatures. /n Tax /n Italian Visitors Tax payable locally in cash (typically costs €1-€3 per adult per night- please enquire if exact amount is required).
/n Internet access? /n Wi-Fi connection included. /n Pool towels included? /n No. /n Pool opening dates? /n The pool is open approximately end-May to end-September. Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming.
