Val d'orcia, Tuscany The huge kitchen with Carrara counters for hands-on cooking classes with Rossa-or let her delight you with a feast. Six spacious double bedroom suites with marble finished baths are a Tuscan farmhouse rarity. Rancioli is a holiday home for gathering and making memories relaxing, swimming, talking, touring. Central air, six spacious suites, cooks kitchen. The delightful Rossa will ensure you are happy and well-fed. A gorgeous part of Tuscany, poised between Val d'orcia and Val di Chiana, near the A1 and fast trains. Discover the elegant Etruscans, make sheep cheese, train to Orvieto or walk to an ancient hill town.
OVERVIEW Rancioli makes for a relaxing vacation without pretense, enriched by the essential pleasures of fresh air, good food and deep sleep. Few Tuscan farmhouses offer equivalent accommodation for a group of up to six adult couples but Rancioli does. Few homes are constructed around multiple gathering rooms for quiet conversation or dining, plus sleeping wings for the privacy of either families with young children or cousins and friends who want to bunk in together. The setting provides ample opportunity to enjoy family and friends in an unhurried environment a 30 minute walk to San Casciano dei Bagni, a charming and alive Medieval hill town, made famous by the exceptional luxury of Fonteverde Spa. Here you can live the village life firsthand, de-stress in thermal baths and wander as you will across stunning countryside. When you are ready for delving into the rich cultural history of the area, you can choose among numerous excursions within 30-45 minutes in both Tuscany and Umbria. You are near well-known Montepulciano as well as La Foce, especially for gardeners, with lunch at the chic Dopolavoro after a private tour. Enjoy dinner on the terrace of La Porta and an evening al fresco in Monticchiello for the famed Teatro Povero. Bagnoregio and Civita, reachable only on foot and therefore one of Italy's vanishing small towns, you can do on your own. For Monte Oliveto di Maggiore, Siena or an immersive introduction to the Etruscans, let us introduce you to one of our engaging guides. For the full villa vacation experience, extending your at-home experience into the local culture can be fun and enriching for all. Rancioli stretches across an open hillside with a view of Mount Cetona to the north; two other houses can be seen on the opposite ridge, the distance between filled with lush forests of mostly oak trees. The lawn is broad and open, front and back, with a handful of tall shade trees and young flower beds. The west lawn, in front of the house, is marked by a spreading querce tree where we imagine you will find yourselves gathering early and late on the comfortable chairs and couches as well as for meals. The charming talented Rossa will make sure the house runs smoothly and you are well-fed at every turn, whether she is guiding you in an onsite, hands-on cooking class or orchestrating a celebratory candlelit evening in the dining room. This is a remarkable property, combining the classic beauty of Tuscan architecture and materials with the sure, contemporary design style of the Rome-based, art-gallery owner. Each room offsets the original architecture with carefully selected pieces from the owner's extensive collection of contemporary art and objects. A pared-down, modern style emphasizing the use of natural materials coper, stone, wood - complements the fresh upholstery. There are doors opening to the surrounding lawns wherever possible, adding to the easy flow of living indoors and out. Rancioli offers a place where you can take each day in turn. You can fall asleep under a shady tree after lunch, swim by moonlight and forget time on a quiet back road. Rancioli was originally restored in 1991, from a forgotten ruin once occupied by two large farming families who raised cows and planted grain. The house was further enhanced with a thorough just-completed updating and reconfiguration to meet the tastes and needs of the modern villa vacation; more refinement, color and comfort was added to the house's strong lines and unsentimental attitude. The result is a property that has kept pace with the needs of vacationing families and groups of friends without sacrificing its own identity.
1000 SQ METERS INDOORS 3 HECTARES OUTDOORS GROUNDS GROUND FLOOR GROUND FLOOR West Wing Private drive of 400 meters leads to open hillside. Covered parking for 8 cars. Informal entrance across Cortile to Kitchen and Living/Dining room. Lawns surround the house to the South, North and West, leading to the pool area. Vegetable garden. Oliveto and walking trails to the Fighine road. North Lawn with alfresco dining for 8 to 12 under spreading 'querce' tree with views to Monte Cetona. Dining pergola for 6-8 under grape arbor just off Cafe Room. Casual outdoor seating for 8 to 12. West Lawn leads to pool (8 x 17 meters, 1.5 meters deep, stairs) with seating for 12+ and views of olive groves and oak woods. South-facing patio with ping-pong table. Reached directly from the pool, ground floor bedrooms and Living/Dining Room. Entrance: Arched glass door leads from North Lawn to Portico and central Entrance to house, doors leading to Living/Dining room, Library. Stairs to First Floor. Laundry rooms. Living/Dining Room: Dining area for 12+. Lounge area with working fireplace for 10-12. Guest Bath. Double doors open to Cortile and South Lawn. Kitchen: Very spacious and fully updated (10 burner gas stove on two sides of the counter, large ovens, microwave, double fridge/freezer, dishwasher) with Carrara counters. Excellent for cooking classes, accommodating up to 8 participants at one time. Double doors to Cortile and north lawn. Library: Two sitting areas accommodate 9-13, card table, working fireplace; book-filled library; CD player and cd's. Double doors to garden. Cafe Room: Cafe tables for 2-4 each, accommodating 12+ total, Carrara-top buffet area, small fridge. Huge plasma with Sky. Spiral stairs to First Floor and double doors to North Lawn. Olive: Double bedroom (queen), double doors to garden with retractable screen. Separate dressing area. Ensuite bath (tub with hand held and shower stall) with double sinks. Sabbia: Double bedroom (king) with double doors to back lawn and west-facing window. Dressing area. Ensuite bath (shower stall and tub with hand-held shower), double sinks and doors opening to back lawn.
1000 SQ METERS INDOORS 3 HECTARES OUTDOORS FIRST FLOOR East Wing FIRST FLOOR West Wing Salone Verde with seating for 12+ with working fireplace and views over North and South Lawns. Grigio: Double bed (queen) with canopy. View to woods and entrance. Separate dressing area. Ensuite bath (shower stall, tub with hand held) and two windows. La Mia: Double bedroom (queen) with view to Front Lawn. TV with Sky. Ensuite with shower stall. Salone Rosso: Seating for 12 and view overlooking North Lawn. Original external stairs lead to back patio. Spiral stairs to Cafe Room. Bianca: Double bedroom (king) overlooking North Lawn. Dressing area. Ensuite bath. Rose: Double bedroom (two French beds) with West Lawn view. Dressing area. Ensuite bath (shower stall and tub with hand-held).
WHAT'S NEARBY San Casciano dei Bagni (restaurants, shops, ATM, thermal pools and full spa) 20-30 minute walk, 5 minute drive Celle Sul Rigo (horseback riding) 20 minutes Cetona (market, shops, restaurants), Sarteano (shops, restaurants, museum) 25 minutes Citta della Pieve, Chiusi (Etruscan museum, restaurants, train station, Autostrada) 30 minutes Montepulciano, Orvieto, Pienza 45-55 minutes Perugia, Siena, Montalcino 1 hour Florence (including Florence Airport) 2 hours Rome (including Rome Airport) 2.5 hours ITINERARY RECOMMENDATIONS Nearby San Casciano dei Bagni will be your local village during your stay at Rancioli; pick up the paper or get gelato at the Bar Centrale, dine at Daniela's, soak in the thermal waters of Fonteverde, pick up fresh focaccia, pastries, fruit or a bistecca Fiorentina for the grill. Sarteano's ancient walls contain a maze of streets to wander and an archeological museum, Friday is market day. Cetona with it's wide, flat, car-free piazza and excellent shops particularly handmade ceramics and select leather and cashmere goods -- requires time at the open air cafe taking in village life. The local baker serves up whole grain and gluten-free options as well as traditional loaves. Road-bikers can head out for an early morning ride with superb guides, generally leaving from Pienza on the scenic, if challenging, country roads. Enjoy some of Tuscany's most spectacular countryside with a private three-hour trail ride with a local 'maneggio' with over 20 years experience. The varied terrain will introduce you to the characteristic rural landscape of the Val d'orcia. Let us introduce you to small, private wineries in nearby Montalcino and Montepulciano for a firsthand experience of the passion and dedication these families bring to their work. Rancioli's spacious and bright modern kitchen encourages everyone to get hands-on at the cheerful and easy-going direction of your cook Rossa. Formal instruction or 'stand around and drink while she does the work' are both options. The train from Chiusi makes an interesting day-trip of a visit to Orvieto with its Luca Signorelli frescoes at their marble-striped Duomo, Underground tour and charming shopping streets. Lunch at Trattoria dell'orso recommended, or stay for the Champagneria and start off the evening with excellent snacks and bubbly. A day trip to Siena - with or without a detour to the Crete Senesi - makes for a lovely day by car. Take the train to Florence or Rome for a change of pace.
WHAT TO KNOW Staff provide service for Continental breakfast and housecleaning six days per week, please see below for details. Additional domestic services can be arranged according to your preferences with additional costs; please inquire. Air Conditioning is available in all rooms with individual remote controls. There are retractable screens on all the ground floor doors. New parquet floors have been laid in all bedrooms and baths. The al fresco dining/living area is to the north side of the house, overlooking the view of Monte Cetona. These rooms generally stay cooler during most of the day, with nice afternoon light towards the west. TRAVELING WITH HOMEBASE ABROAD Homebase Abroad rates include our professional guidance and comprehensive travel planning - including preparation of your itinerary - for your time at your chosen villa. All arrangements are customized to the specific interests, needs and preferences of you and your guests. We draw from our extensive network of direct contacts as well as our personal travel experiences in Italy. The 30 minute walk to town takes you along a paved road with minimal shoulder in some places. Complimentary WiFi is available in the house. Please note there may not be consistent coverage throughout the property. Please discuss your particular connectivity needs before booking. Arrivals/departures can be any day of the week with rentals of a minimum of one week. Partial week rentals are accepted. Two additional suites (double bedrooms, 4 guests total) are being renovated for 2018. Please inquire. Upon arrival, you will be met by a Homebase Abroad Concierge who is available to you throughout your villa stay, and will be your first point of contact for any questions and additional requests regarding both your villa and itinerary. We are delighted to assist with travel planning for pre- or postvilla stays in Italy for you and your guests. Please contact us directly to discuss the applicable fees.
INCLUDED: GAS ELECTRICITY up to 350 kwh WATER AIR CONDITIONING INTERNET CLEANING up to 12: 4 hours per day, 6 days; 8-12 noon or 9-1pm. Up to 18 guests; 6 hrs/day LINEN CHANGE weekly and mid week WELCOME DINNER courtesy of Homebase Abroad BREAKFAST service only for Continental breakfast AVAILABLE: HEAT ELECTRICITY additional kwh at cost TELEPHONE/FAX PERSONAL LAUNDRY on request by additional payment @ 15 per hour LUNCH 35 per hour or 300 per day for cook & assistant; food and wine extra at cost DINNER 35 per hour or 300 per day for cook & assistant; food and wine extra at cost CHEF/COOK professional chef & assistant available @ 575 +/day PROVISIONS All food and beverage at cost ADVANCE SHOPPING SERVICE hourly payment to staff + receipts SHOPPING SERVICE hourly payment to staff + receipts PRINTED: 1/17/2018