This large historic Tuscan farmhouse with a shared pool is a perfect place for relaxing family holidays. Once likely a feudal farm serving the nearby abbey of Badia a Agnano, today its owner has transformed into 2 beautiful apartments and a standalone villa, sleeping 10 comfortably and up to 16 if sofa-beds are included. Each of the properties can be rented on its own - or you could take the whole place with a group of friends.
read moreThe buildings are set in the fertile landscape south of Florence and west of Arezzo, surrounded by beautiful medieval villages and towns. At the house there is a large shared swimming pool set against a backdrop of trees amongst which inviting hammocks are suspended. Each apartment has its own private space to relax, and there are plenty of shared spots to enjoy.
Nearby villages
Pieve a Presciano is to the north of the house and is a 5 minute drive away. It also has a good restaurant, the "Perbacco", with excellent typical Tuscan cuisine on offer.
Civitella in Val di Chiana is a short drive to the south. It is a medieval hill top village with absolutely stunning views over the valley of the "Chiana" river (hence the Val di Chiana in its name). The village has several restaurants:
"Enoteca Il Vicolo" in Piazza Mazzini, 7, 52041 Civitella in Val di Chiana AR, Italy. It has no website but you can ring on +39 0575 448189 to book.
"Castello di Civitella" in Via Senese, 4, 52041 Civitella In Val di Chiana AR, Italy. The website was throwing an error last time we checked so best to ring on +39 0575 410343
Nearby cities, towns and museums
If you'd like to see more of the work of Piero della Francesca, I can highly recommend a visit to his fresco of the pregnant Madonna, now housed in a tiny museum in the village of Monterchi. - the village is around 45 minutes from your base in Valdambra. Where is Monterchi?.
If you'd like to base a trip on following his footsteps and his work, there is an excellent website dedicated entirely to his work: "Terre di Pietro: in the footsteps of the Travelling Master"
Things to do with the children
Parks and outdoors.
I. Valle dell'Inferno. You might get more mileage out of the build up for this trip - the rather scarily name "Valley of Hell" is actually a very pleasant park around 20 minutes drive away from Valdambra. It is centred around a lake and the nearby wetlands. Before the valley was dammed the river Arno ran fast through gorges in this area, and the "foderai" were brave men who stand up on the logs and guide them through the narrows, on their way to the shipyards in distant Pisa.
Today you are more likely to see herons and egrets, as well as the cheeky moorhens. There are observation huts dotted around the lakes and long, well marked walks to enjoy. Directions to Valle dell'Inferno e Bandella
III. Should more water and sea be in order, the Tuscan coast is no more than 90 minutes drive away, with the wild nature reserve beaches of the Parco dell'Alberese for nature lovers, or the restaurants of Castiglione della Pescaia for those who like a little more comfort with their seaside.
Tower climbing and exploration
III. Perugia's hidden city. More exploring, this time in Perugia, about an hour away from Valdambra. Park at the railway station (or take the train from Arezzo) and then get on the escalators that carry up towards the old city. Halfway up the hill the escalators, which are long and built in stages, head underground and come out into a medieval city that's underneath the actual city above! When a lord of the city wanted to expand his fortress he just ordered people out of their homes then built his fortress on top of them. Today you can explore these old medieval streets, left as the were save for the vaulted brick arches that hold the fortress above them. After walking through the underground alleyways you will pop out in the city centre - a wonderful way to arrive in a city! More information on visiting underground Perugia.