Il Pettirosso at La Colombaia, Cerreto Guidi - Florence

La Colombaia is a restored farm building divided into three sections which house a total of 9 villas and a reception. Care has been taken to create a simple but well maintained property in the heart of Tuscany with easy access to Cerreto Guidi, Vinci the birth town of Leonardo da Vinci and San Miniato, a town renowned for white truffles.

To one side of the property there is a large pool in full sun. It looks out to the pretty views that lay beyond the estate. To one side are three gazebos with barbeques for communal use. Next to the villas is a large, terracotta paved terrace furnished with tables and chairs.

Also on the property there is a vegetable garden which guests can use, and a bird cage with doves, from which the property gets it name. Near La Colombaia there are other villas however the gardens have plenty of privacy due to the hedges that surround the perimeter. The reception is manned for most of the day so there is often someone available for assistance should it be required.

Il Pettirosso is a ground floor Tuscan villa on the corner of the main building of La Colombaia. Outside it has a small terracotta terrace furnished with a table and chairs and shaded by a tall pine tree. Due to its position to the side of the property with only one immediate neighbour there is some privacy from other guests.

Inside is an open plan lounge and dining room paved in terracotta. It's a narrow room with a dining table and chairs to one side below a window to the back garden, and a double sofa along one wall.

At the far end is a squared arch leading to a tiny kitchen adequately equipped for two people. It includes two electric hobs and a small fridge with internal icebox. The kitchen is very luminous due to the window which faces out to the side garden and terrace.

Off the lounge is a short corridor which leads to a brightly colour, but windowless bathroom with shower on one side and a double bedroom on the other. The bedroom is tastefully decorated with an iron bed, armchair and a double, wooden wardrobe. It has a window opening onto the back garden.

Il Pettirosso faces the approach road of the villa however this is a small, country road with only occasional passing cars. A tall hedge protects the villa and terrace from view of the road.
It's neighbour is Il Cardellino, whose terrace can be seen.

The large pool is located in the perfectly manicured garden, a short distance away from the buildings. It is surrounded by a large terracotta sun deck with a shower on one side. There are many sun beds along one side facing the views over the boundary hedge.

Next to the pool is a large lawn with three furnished gazebos for communal use. From these areas of the property the views of the Tuscan hills covered with vineyards, stone villages and estates are pretty.
The pool is chlorine cleansed and has iron steps to enter. It is 7x14 metres and 11 to 1.2 metres deep. It's open from May to October, weather permitting. On request pool towels can be supplied for an extra cost.