Villa Piscina
is a lovely 17th century
villa once owned by the
powerful Medici family,
possibly as a hunting
lodge. Located in the
heart of Tuscany, just
15 minutes from
Florence, the villa
abuts a beautiful
municipal park called
"Il Bargo" (formerly a
private game reserve for
the Medici family). The
current owners have
carefully and lovingly
restored the villa to
its original splendor,
paying close attention
to period detail and
elements of comfort.
The
villa sleeps up to 17 guests
in seven bedrooms and
three guests on sofa
beds. The property
consists of two separate
"wings", ensuring
privacy if needed. Large
French doors and windows
softly filter the
brilliant Tuscan
sunlight throughout the
villa. Terracotta
floors, muted wall
colors, and antique
furnishings create an
atmosphere of casual
elegance and luminous
living.
Villa Piscina is
surrounded by
well-maintained gardens
and ancient stone
fountains. Large,
furnished, terraces
provide ample
opportunity to admire
the magnificent views of
Florence and its
surrounding plain. There
is even an inspiring
view of Brunelleshi's
famous dome. A covered
portico offers tables
and chairs for al fresco
dining, and a pizza oven
for culinary creations.
There is a 12x6 meter
pool as well as a 6x3
meter whirlpool next to
the pool. Entrance to
the villa is through an
automated gate and down
a private drive lined
with olive trees and
secular cypresses. There
is ample space for
parking.
Villa Piscina's main
floor offers a pleasing
assortment of communal
rooms. The office, with
an old stone fireplace,
provides the guest with
a quiet place to make
phone calls or work on
the computer with
Internet access. Near
the office is a large
bathroom with shower,
and an impressive wine
cellar. Ask the owner
for a tour and a taste
from his private
collection.
The inviting
and comfortable living
room is enhanced by the
terracotta floor,
antique furniture and
TV. A sofa bed is
available for two
guests. The cozy family
room has a marble
fireplace and an
armchair-bed for one.
French doors lead
outside to the garden
and the covered portico.
The well-equipped
kitchen includes a gas
stove, oven,
fridge/freezer,
microwave, and
dishwasher. The large
dining room seats 12
guests comfortably. Just
outside is a small
courtyard with barbecue.
Next to the dining area
is a narrow hallway
leading to a small WC
and the
laundry/storeroom.
Upstairs you will find
the seven bedrooms.
Three of the bedrooms
(one with a wonderful
view of Brunelleshi's
dome, another overlooks
the landscaping, and the
third fronts the garden)
share a large, elegant
bathroom with Jacuzzi
tub and shower. The
fourth bedroom is the
largest and is replete
with wardrobe and
ensuite bathroom with
tub. In the opposite
wing of the villa are
two more bedrooms, both
with bathrooms ensuite
(shower) and views of
the garden. The last
bedroom is actually a
small, separate
apartment with two rooms
and a small bathroom. A
terrace offers lovely
views over Florence.
As Villa Piscina
consists of several
levels with connecting
staircases, it is not
recommended for guests
with confined mobility.
The nearby village of
Poggio a Caiano, reached
after a few minutes
stroll, offers
supermarkets, banks, a
post office, pharmacy,
and cafes. For golfers,
the elegant golf club
"Le Pavoniere" is not
far afield. Additional
activities, which the
owner owner is happy to
help organize, include
wine tastings, cooking
classes, a cycling tour
in Chianti, and
horseback riding.
