Villa Gambassi sleeps up to 20 (16 + 4) people in two structures that are adjacent across the pool area. Surrounded by nine hectares of forest, this charming estate is perfect for those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of the city while still being a short drive away from both Siena and Florence. On a farm-like setting with horses, tall Cypress trees and an estate that spans more than 15 acres, stands two stately and elegant villas that make one fabulous stay. Villa Gambassi has two houses which are rented together only. They are not seperate rentals. One is the original villa where most of your party will spend their idle time together, and the other is a fieldstone house that has most of the sleeping quarters. Between the two is the pool. As you will see in the pictures - furnished with taste, comfort and a sense of contemporary style, decorated with simple savvy and the fieldstone house kitchen has enough Carrara marble in the kitchen to alter Italian maps.

Perfect for: Groups and big families.

There are two parts to Villa Gambassi - the villa and the stone house.

The Main Villa (sleeps 4 + 2 on a sofa bed in the study, for 6 total) has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms en suite.
Ground Floor: The ground floor consists of an entrance way that opens out to a large gallery (loggia), a very spacious living room with fireplace and a large dining room with fireplace, bathroom, a large and rather long kitchen (10 x 6 x 50 sqm), fireplace and a store-room. There is also a kitchen/dining room equipped with 6 burners-gas stove, fireplace, two refrigerators, one deep freeze (with ice maker) and all the pots and pans, cooking utensils, and dishes to show the people staying in the villa - just who is boss in the kitchen.

First Floor: 2 double bedrooms both with en suite bathrooms, a study (which has the ability to sleep 2 on a double sofabed) and a terrace in Pienza travertine.

The Stone House Sleeping Quarters (Dependance) This part sleeps 12 total-with 5 br doubles, and 1 bunk bedroom with 4 bathrooms.
Ground Floor: living room + sofa bed, 1 double bedroom, 1 bathroom with shower, external laundry.
First Floor: Double bedroom ensuite and other 4 bedrooms (three double bedrooms and one small bedroom with bunk beds). Two bathrooms are shared common.

San Gimignano rises on a hill (334m high) dominating the Elsa Valley with its towers. Once the seat of a small Etruscan village of the Hellenistic period (200-300 BC) it began its life as a town in the 10th century taking its name from the Holy Bishop of Modena, St. Gimignano, who is said to have saved the village from the barbarian hordes. The town increased in wealth and developed greatly during the Middle Ages thanks to the "Via Francigena" the trading and pilgrim's route that crossed it. Such prosperity lead to the flourishing of works of art to adorn the churches and monasteries. In 1199 it became a free municipality and fought against the Bishops of Volterra and the surrounding municipalities. Due to internal power struggles it eventually divided into two factions one headed by the Ardinghelli family (Guelphs) and the other by the Salvucci family (Ghibellines). On the 8th May 1300 Dante Alighieri came to San Gimignano as the Ambassador of the Guelph League in Tuscany. In 1348 San Gimignano's population was drastically reduced by the Plague throwing the city into a serious crisis which eventually led to its submission to Florence in 1353. In the following centuries San Gimignano overcame its decline and isolation when its beauty and cultural importance together with its agricultural heritage were rediscovered. The construction of the towers dates back to the 11th and 13th centuries. The architecture of the city was influenced by Pisa, Siena and Florence. There are 14th century paintings of the Sienese School to be seen and 15th century paintings of the Florentine School. The entire town is a UNESCO site.

Touring Ideas:

Firenze 45 km
Siena 30 Km
Pisa 35 Km
Lucca 50 km
Seaside 60 km
San Vivaldo (grocer) 2 km
Gambassi 7 km
San Gimignano 12 km
Volterra 20 km