Villa Bellavista, Certaldo - Florence and Chianti

A contender for the best view award, Villa Bellavista captures the twin towers of San Gimignano in its sweeping panorama, enjoyed from not one but two lofty terraces. The famous medieval town is just one of the exciting day trips from this private retreat in the olive groves.

Volterra, Siena, and Florence are also easy to reach and some of the best wineries in the world are at your feet. Take a walk along the Via Francigena in the nearby Val D’Elsa or head for the coast. In autumn catch the famous truffle festival at San Miniato.

Within its walls, this villa has retained lovely typically Tuscan assets – terracotta tiles on the floors and beamed ceilings, brick-edged arches, and wooden shutters. Yet a stylish eye has added a sleek kitchen and sparkling bathrooms, and a pleasing mix of antiques and contemporary furnishings.

The ground floor revolves around the kitchen and a double sitting room with a cosy hearth. There’s an ensuite bedroom on this level, but the other four are up the terracotta stairs. They include a master suite with a private balcony and two bedrooms beyond a communal door – a quiet choice for the children?

But the star of this show is what lies outside. A furnished loggia by the garden provides welcome shade, while the two viewpoint terraces are set with a dining table, easy chairs, a pergola and a hottub. Plus, down some steps is a supersize lap pool. No wonder this villa is named for its view, there are few better places to see the sun go down on Tuscany.

Ground Floor

Kitchen
Fully equipped, island unit, gas hob, built-in fridge/freezer, table, chairs, side cupboard, mosquito screen.

Lounge
Corner sofa, coffee table, side table, TV, armchairs, fireplace, stairs to 1st floor, French door to terrace, terrace with pergola, rattan armchairs, coffee table and table and chairs, mosquito screen.

Bathroom
Shower, sink, WC, mosquito screen.

Utility Room
Washing machine, dryer, sink.

Bedroom 1
Double bed (cannot be converted into twin beds), bedside tables, luggage stand, cot, wardrobe, mosquito screen, fan.

En-suite Bathroom
Shower, sink, WC, mosquito screen.

First Floor

Bedroom 2
Double bed (cannot be converted into twin beds), bedside tables, desk, chair, library cabinet, built-in wardrobe, French door to balcony, mosquito screen, air-conditioning.

En-suite Bathroom
Bath with shower attachment, sink, WC, mosquito screen.

Bedroom 3
Double bed (cannot be converted into twin beds), bedside tables, luggage stand, chest of drawers, wardrobe, mosquito screen, air-conditioning.

En-suite Bathroom
Shower, sink, WC, mosquito screen.

Bedroom 4
Twin beds (can be converted into double), bedside tables, chest of drawers, built-in wardrobe, armchair, mosquito screen, air-conditioning.

En-suite Bathroom
Shower, sink, bidet, WC, mosquito screen.

Bedroom 5
Sofa-bed, chest of drawers, bunk bed, built-in wardrobe, mosquito screen, air-conditioning.

En-suite Bathroom
Bath with shower attachment, sink, WC, mosquito screen.

Private Pool
Length: 17 meters
Width: 5 meters
Depth: 1.4 meters
Entrance: Roman steps
Opening times: May to September
Fenced: No
Furnished: Furnished loggia, hot tub, pergola and sunloungers
Cleansed: Salt
Heating: available
Distance from villas: 12 meters