La Torruccia is one of two independent houses at the center of a terraced 18 hectare estate set on the side of a hill overlooking the Bisenzio river valley. The views space over the surrounding green hills and down to the river, next to which is a small town with an 1800's factory that now classifies as industrial archeology, with railroad passing through.

The town is at 2 kms from the house and offers shops and a famous bakery that attracts people from all over for its cakes and pastries. At 4 kms is another town with Post Office and pharmacy. At 6.5 kms is a town with train station and banks. Vernio, medieval town worth visiting, is at 8 kms and many hiking trails lead from Vernio up into the Apennines with their pristine lakes and rivers.

The other historical centers of Tuscany are all at less than an hour's drive. On a hilltop across the valley from La Torruccia are the ruins of the Rocca di Cerbaia which is a fortification in which Dante Alighieri sought refuge when running away from Firenze. The houses on the estate probably date back to the same time.

The smaller of the two houses is a barn that is occasionally occupied by the owners. It has its own separate access so as not to disturb guests. The area immediately surrounding the owner's barn is for their own private use, with the exception of the wood burning oven for baking bread and pizza, the large barbecue and the covered terrace organized for enjoying meals in the fresh air, that are shared with the guests.

Kitchen - dining room - living room - 3 double bedrooms - 1 twin bedded room - 3 bathrooms

The estate is reached by an asphalt road, with the last 200 meters of good dirt track leading to a huge paved terrace with a shady hazelnut tree. The terrace is private for the guests and it is equipped with table and chairs where one can enjoy a peaceful dinner in the summer breeze. For the joy of children, on one side of the estate is a fenced-in area with chickens, deer and fruit trees. There is an above-ground 4 x 9m swimming pool that is fully furnished and for exclusive guest use. Parking is on the property grounds. The owners are delightful people and are willing to help guests with advice on the trails and sights of the area.

Private entrance to the house, which develops on two levels, is directly into the living room with open hearth fireplace and TV. From the living room, a sliding door opens into the dining room. To the left of the living room is the spacious, liveable kitchen that is fully equipped with gas range, electric oven, dishwasher, washingmachine, fridge with freezer and mosquito screens. An open passageway in the kitchen leads to a hallway with doors to a double bedroom and to a complete bathroom with shower stall.

A flight of stairs in the kitchen leads to the first floor hallway. There are doors in the hallway that open into two double bedrooms (one has bed that can be separated into twins), into a twin bedded room, and into two complete bathrooms, one with shower and one with bathtub. There is a washing machine and all the rooms have mosquito screens. The house is very comfortably furnished, and offers the original stone walls in some of the downstairs rooms, that have been kept on sight maintaining the house's ancient origins.

Prato is at 14 kms • Firenze is at 45 kms • Florence airport is a half hour drive away

Please Note: The house has central heating which is payable on consumption together with firewood • Weekly maid service is provided three times weekly for three hours each time and costs €105 per week • The house cannot be let without maid service • There are two baby cots • Deposit €260 • Small domestic animals are allowed but an additional damages deposit will be required of €100 •