La Fontanella, San Sano - Gaiole in Chianti - Siena

Set on a slight rise, with extensive views of undulating vineyards, Fontanella has an open, relaxed feel inside and out. At the edge of San Sano, a small medieval village popular with walkers and cyclists using its local paths, it is also well positioned for days out in Siena, Florence and San Gimignano, which are easy drives, not to mention access to the higher Chianti hills and towns.

The villa is laid out as two apartments, connected internally by a spiral staircase, lending itself equally to parties of friends or family. Tall pine trees bring drama and dappled shade to the grounds, which have something for everyone, from the cooling private plunge pool and terrace, a play area that is great for smaller children but also includes a volleyball/badminton net, an excellent brick-built barbecue and pizza oven, and shaded outdoor dining table. There is a restaurant a short walk away in San Sano (together with a small grocery store and church), but your garden here is super for al-fresco dinners.

Apartment 1 (Ground Floor)

Lounge
Sofa, writing table, chair, entrance.

Kitchen-Diner
Fully equipped kitchenette, bar table, three stools.

Bedroom 
Double bed (cannot be converted to twins), wardrobe, chest of drawers.

Bathroom
Shower, sink, WC.

Laundry Room
Fully equipped.

Apartment 2 (First Floor)

Lounge-Diner
Sofa, two armchairs, cabinet, table and chairs, fireplace, spiral stairs to ground floor, stairs to closed second floor, door to balcony, main entrance.

Kitchen
Fully equipped.

Bedroom 1
Twin beds (can be converted to a double), wardrobe, chair.

En-suite Bathroom
Shower, sink, WC.

Bedroom 2
Double bed (cannot be converted to twins), wardrobe, settle.

Bathroom 2
Shower, sink, WC.

Our Thoughts
This is a great no-fuss villa in the best sense – you have everything you need here and the living is easy. If someone in your party likes to rise and take a walk or cycle before breakfast, there’s a clutch of paths just beyond your doorstep that will show them the way. You have two kitchens and an outdoor barbecue for preparing food, and three furnished spaces outside, from picnic to dining table, plus one inside. No one will be squabbling over a bathroom. And you are very well placed for trips out, including Chianti vineyards such as Brolio, Dievole and Meleto, for wine tastings.

Notes
Three bedrooms. Three bathrooms, one en-suite. The twin room in the first-floor apartment can be made up as a double if you request when booking. The garden is fenced. There is another small building in the grounds which is unoccupied.
Approach road: paved.

The oval pre-fabricated pool is partly raised above the ground. The water is accessed via ladder steps from a terrace on one side, which has two sunloungers and a large umbrella.
Pool size: 7.5m x 4.5m, 1.1m deep. Open from May to September, weather permitting.