Villa dei Cavalli is a charming holiday home set on a small estate that produces wine and olive oil, located in the upper Valdarno Valley, at the centre of a triangle formed by Tuscany’s most important art cities: Florence, Siena and Arezzo. Nearby lies Le Balze, one of Tuscany’s most unusual landscapes. These striking rock formations fascinated Leonardo da Vinci, who included them in the background of the Mona Lisa. With its spacious layout, the house is ideal for a relaxing holiday with family or friends.
The medieval village of Loro Ciuffenna, considered one of the most beautiful in Italy, is close by. Highlights include the picturesque bridge over the Ciuffenna river and the church of Santa Maria Assunta with frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries. A small supermarket and several restaurants can be found in the village, as well as in nearby Terranuova Bracciolini. The Osteria de l’Acquolina, located in a beautiful setting about 10 kilometres away, comes highly recommended by the villa owners. Montevarchi, with several large supermarkets on its outskirts, is only a ten-minute drive. From the Montevarchi-Terranuova train station, there are direct trains to Florence. Siena, Arezzo, Cortona, Lake Trasimeno and the UNESCO-listed Val d’Orcia are all excellent options for memorable day trips.
The 30-hectare estate offers plenty of space for walking, including a woodland of oak and chestnut trees, and trails through the olive groves up to the Le Balze with spectacular views. The villa is built partly of natural stone and partly rendered, and features a large, vine-shaded terrace for outdoor dining. Additional seating areas beneath the trees provide quiet spots for relaxation. The swimming pool is beautifully positioned across the vineyard, and guests may use a golf buggy to reach it, if they wish.
Inside, Villa dei Cavalli has been lovingly restored. Traditional terracotta floors and wooden beam ceilings have been preserved. The walls are painted in soft pastel tones, creating a warm and airy atmosphere. The interior is comfortably furnished with a thoughtful mix of contemporary and antique pieces, and the carefully selected details make it feel like home.
Ground Floor
Lounge 1
Two sofas, settle, bookcase, coffee table, chair, smart TV, stairs to first floor, double doors to garden, air-conditioning.
Dining Room
Dining table and chairs, cupboard, air-conditioning, double doors to garden.
Kitchen
Well-equipped, plus table and chairs, door to garden and furnished terrace.
Bedroom 1
Double bed (cannot be converted to twins), wardrobe, mosquito screens, air-conditioning.
En-suite Bathroom
Shower, sink, WC, bidet.
Cloakroom
Sink, WC, bidet
First Floor
Lounge 2
Sofa, couch, pouffe, bookcase, writing desk, two chairs, stairs to ground floor.
Bedroom 2
Double bed (can’t be converted to twins), wardrobe, two chairs, mosquito screens, air-conditioning.
En-suite Bathroom
Shower, sink, WC, bidet.
Bedroom 3
Double bed (cannot be converted to twins), wardrobe, sideboard, bookshelf, chair, mosquito screens, air-conditioning.
En-suite Bathroom
Shower, sink, WC, bidet.
Bedroom 4
Double bed (cannot be converted to twins), wardrobe, chair, mosquito screens, air-conditioning.
En-suite Bathroom
Shower, sink, WC, bidet.
Laundry room (external)
Washing machine, storage for the buggy.
Private Pool:
Length: 14 metres
Width: 6 metres
Depth: 1.1 - 2.25 metres
Entrance: Roman steps
Opening times: May to September
Fenced: No
Furnished: sunloungers and a bamboo-covered pergola
Cleansed: Chlorine
Distance from villa: 70 metres
Hohenschäftlarn, Germany
We ate out in the older part of Loro Ciuffenna in the pizza restaurant (cannot recall the full name) and we enjoyed the bakery Antico Forno Canu in Loro C.
Travelling with a large group? 
