Girasole

On the green hills high above Florence

This accommodation offers both: rural peace and quiet but also proximity to Florence. Girasole is situated in Bagno a Ripoli - an elegant region about 15 minutes' drive from the center of Florence. Antique villas stand among olive groves. 100 m unpaved road lead to the property. The estate is accessed through electronic gates.

Three houses stand on the sizeable lawn, the middle one being the owner's villa (also two Yorkshires live on the property), behind which there is a smaller house containing the 'Tosca' and 'Mina' apartments. 'Casa Violetta', a small, separate villa, is a short distance away. These three units can either be rented together or individually. Rented together they can accommodate a total up to 12 people: 8 people in the 4 bedrooms with 5 bathrooms and twice 2 people on sofa beds.

The houses have been redecorated and furnished in 2000. In the design of the apartments great care was taken to ensure a maximum of room and privacy. The units measure 100, 115 and 130 sqm living space. The interior is simple, solid and functional.

The gardens are immense: neat lawns surround the various houses; the lawns gently merge into the olive groves. Specially furnished garden sitting areas have been provided for each apartment. At the far end of the garden there is a lovely pool with a magnificent view through olive trees - across the valley to the silhouette of Florence, in the distance. The town is way down in the valley, the silvery Arno river meanders through it and the cathedral dome can be clearly seen, standing out against the rest of the town.

The Tosca apartment is located in the ancient part of the house - a medieval tower of the year 1200. It is equipped with satellite TV, dishwasher and washing machine. Particularly characteristic is the brick cross-vault style of the spacious and bright sitting room. The striking pattern of the elegant olive-wood parquet floor adds a unique touch to the apartment. The wooden dining table can be extracted, and 10 people can join together for a meal.

The Mina apartment is on the upper floor with a separate entrance via an outside staircase. The steps are quite steep and therefore not suitable for elderly people. Mina is equipped with satellite TV, dishwasher and washing machine.

Our tip: although these are two separate apartments, they are also suitable as combined accommodation for a larger group. If Mina and Tosca are rented together they form a detached house and can accommodate up to 8 people. Meals could be taken together at the large table in Tosca apartment.

Casa Violetta is a detached mini-villa. It is situated near the pool and a good distance from the other two houses. This small, modern house has a bright kitchen-living room with a long glass front and mobile air-conditioning. There is also satellite TV, a dishwasher and washing machine. Apart from the garden areas, Casa Violetta also has a small private patio. The direct garden access is particularly convenient: the kitchen leads onto the small patio and the two bedrooms into the garden. This cottage has the best views of Florence.

There is a pizzeria/restaurant in close proximity - just a walk down the hill. In the nearby village of Bagno a Ripoli (approx. 2 km) you will find more restaurants, bars, a bank, post, pharmacy, grocery shop and a bus stop, which is convenient if you want to reach Florence without car: you can park your car in Bagno a Ripoli and continue to Florence by bus. Girasole is an ideal starting point for going on excursions to Florence and the Chianti region. And after a long day filled with art you can return easily to your villa, where you can enjoy the rural setting in peace and quiet cooling off and having fun at the pool.

The accommodation units at Girasole