Amerigo Vespucci

Florence - and yet not Florence:
a rural hilltop place for peace and quiet

This accommodation offers both rural peace and quiet but also proximity to Florence. It is a small guesthouse set in an exceptional location: next to a prominent Renaissance villa and in one of the best residential neighbourhoods of the area. South of Florence, the town is surrounded by gentle hills and cultivated fields. This quarter outside the town carries the proud name 'Poggio Imperiale' - Imperial Hill.

Yes my American friend - it is an Italian who baptised your land! It is here where Amerigo Vespucci, the famous Florentine navigator spent his youth, before he set sail to find the New World and give it his name. An avenue of lime trees leads to this elegant 15th century villa decorated with columns and statues which sits majestically atop a hill. This elevated position allows for a beautiful view of the landscape and a pleasant, soft breeze even on hot summer days.

Our guesthouse is part of a former, now renovated barn on the villa's grounds. It is located at the back on the side of the garden, approximately 15 m away from the villa. A side access with an electronic gate leads up to the property. In front of the guesthouse there is a wide-open space with a panoramic view of cypresses against a backdrop of hills.

An exterior staircase leads to the large living area. The ambience is similar to a studio and carefully furnished in a minimalist style: you'll find everything you need, everything in good taste and of high quality. The design consists of clear lines, simple forms and solid materials.

Heavy, antique roof beams, and the warm tones of the terracotta floor tiles and clay roof tiles convey a liveable atmosphere. A comfortable suite of armchairs, a long table made of oak right next to the kitchen area and some additional features such as air-conditioning, satellite TV, coffee machine, and a microwave oven offer comfort - a smooth blend of the country house style of Tuscany, comfort and fine design.

Stairs run on the outside of the apartment and lead to the roof-top terrace. From here you enjoy a beautiful view and wooden garden furniture invites one to lie back and relax: there is a table with chairs and there are also two sun-loungers. It is only a few steps to the pool with its little pool house. The pool face south and can be used jointly with the guests of the apartment Galileo (also featured in our portfolio), and the owners may now and then use the pool as well. A lawn surrounds the oval pool. From there, you have a fine view of fields, cypresses, pines and the Certosa - the famous, antique monastery of Florence in the background.

Here you live in an olive grove, far away from the bustle of the city with its humming motorbikes and honking cars. While the quiet location is far from every disturbance, it is only 3 km to the city - a distance which you could also cover by foot. There is a bus stop approximately 500 m away, and buses go to the centre regularly.

The hospitable family of the house provides bikes for free upon their guests' request for biking to the bus stop or conveniently exploring the city (two bikes). The villa's location at the southern edge of Florence is an ideal starting point for going on excursions to the Chianti region, to Siena or to the coast, as the feeder roads to the superstrada motorway Firenze-Siena and to the autostrada highway are close by (1.5 km) and can be reached quickly without having to pass through the city centre. All necessary shops and several restaurants are only 1 km away. Just by the way - the property owner can prepare dinners for you during your stay (please request menu and price on site). The accommodation is - compared to the usual prices in Florence - very reasonably priced and exceptional too for its quiet location and excellent facilities. A fine address in Florence!