About this property
If you are looking for a unique and charming home for your Tuscan holiday, look no further than Villa Salix. Sleeping 16 guests across the main home and the annexe, with the option to add 7 extra guests, this Renaissance house with its extensive grounds is a wonderful setting for a special trip with family or a group of friends.
As you approach the home through the tree-lined gardens, you will see these beautiful villas perched on the top of the hillside. These homes were built in the 1600s and are now a part of the stunning landscape. The spacious and elegant villa and annexe were once owned by the distinguished Medici family, who lived and ruled over Florence and the surrounding areas for centuries. The decor and furnishings reflect its prestigious past even today, and inside you will find traditional materials and period features alongside high-quality furniture and a calming colour palette.
The main villa can accommodate ten guests in the bedrooms, and the annexe can sleep 6. A further seven guests can also stay when adding in extra beds and using the sofa beds, making this a flexible space that can be adapted to suit your party’s needs.
As you enter the main villa, you will walk into a bright, open-plan living space with a large dining table, comfy sofas, and a feature fireplace. These areas all flow seamlessly into each other to create the heart of the home, perfect for coming together over a meal. Downstairs there is also a fully fitted kitchen with a breakfast table and a handy study. When you wish to retire for the evening, head upstairs where there are five serene bedrooms, two of which are en-suite.
The annexe is decorated and furnished in a similar style to the main house though it is entirely independent. This second building is not short on space and has two living areas, a large dining room, a modern kitchen and three bedrooms. Both houses also have all the modern features you could need, including air-conditioning, Wi-Fi and smart TVs to make your stay more comfortable.
Both villas share the expansive gardens, which are filled with trees, lawns and outdoor seating. If you wish to dine al-fresco, there are several terraces or covered dining spaces to choose from. On a hot day, you will love taking a dip in the private pool before relaxing with a good book for the afternoon, all while soaking in the views of the rolling countryside.
Villa Salix enjoys a rural location but is not isolated, and amenities can be found a mere 7km away in a village called Vinci. Vinci is a small village, but it is well-known because it is the birthplace of artist, scientist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci and is where he lived his teen years. Those interested in Da Vinci can visit a brilliant museum in the village and his family home. There is also a 13th-century castle that towers over the other buildings, The Church of Santa Croce and a handful of artisan shops and eateries.
A place which is a little further out but is a must-visit for a day trip is Florence, which is 35km away from the villa. This city is the capital of Tuscany and is known as the Cradle of the Renaissance. Head there early as there are countless museums, galleries, palaces and places of worship to visit.
The Chianti region of Tuscany is one of Italy’s most beautiful areas and is much-loved by visitors. Villa Salix is perfectly placed to make the most of the stunning countryside and to visit nearby villages.
When you need to stock up on groceries, there is a supermarket under 4km away. You can also head to the charming village of Vinci, only 7km from the house, which has a number of shops and restaurants. Known for being the birthplace of the revered artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci, people flock here to explore his childhood home, which houses a brilliant interactive museum and artworks. There is also a museum in town which showcases Da Vinci’s famous inventions and sketches located inside a medieval castle. After learning more about Da Vinci, you could enjoy a stroll along the Strada Verde walking trail shaded by olive trees. The village also has some pretty Romanesque churches and a historical centre which is a scenic spot for a lazy lunch.
The small town of Empoli (6km) was once a Roman settlement which was conquered and overtaken many times as the years went by, and though partially destroyed in WW2, it was rebuilt, and today it is a picturesque place to wander around. The main square, known as the Piazza dei Leoni with its pretty fountain, is a good starting point for exploring the town; from here, you can set off through the winding streets. A few key attractions include the Collegiata St Andrea, a church originally built in the 11th century and later updated; head inside to see amazing frescoes by artists such as Lorenzo di Bicci. Additionally, make sure to visit the Palazzo Ghibellino, a palace built in the 10th century, once home to the local parliament but now a palaeontology museum. As well as having gorgeous historic streets and buildings to look around, Empoli has bustling markets and a good selection of restaurants where you can sample fresh local produce grown in the surrounding farmland. Throughout the year, there are also many festivals held in town, such as food festivals, wine festivals, and even antique festivals.
Nature lovers will be delighted to visit this area thanks to its rolling hills, olive groves and vineyards punctuated by traditional villages. If you would like to get out and enjoy the outdoors, then why not visit one of the local Chianti wineries. There are many which you can visit close to the villa for a guided tour, a wine-making lesson and lunch. If you feel a little more active, Bellosguardo Golf Club is just 7km away. This lovely 9-hole course spreads over 6322m, making it one of Italy’s longest. Alternatively, you can explore the nearby trails on foot or by hiring a bike.
Make sure to set a day aside to visit the incredible city of Florence, which you can reach in under an hour by car (35km away). Florence is packed with maze-like cobbled streets lined with a huge selection of shops, eateries, palaces and museums. Some key attractions are the cathedral and the imposing Medici palaces, The Palazzo Vecchio and The Palazzo Pitti. If you are an art lover, there are plenty of galleries you can visit. However, the Galleria dell’Accademia, which has Michelangelo’s statue of David on display, and the vast Uffizi gallery with works by greats such as Botticelli and Giotto, are among the best. If you have time to squeeze in some shopping while in Florence, walk over to the Ponte Vecchio bridge, which is filled with ancient jewellery shops or explore some of the thriving markets in the centre of town.
Accommodation
Main House
Villa Interior (350m2)
Ground Floor
- Living room with fireplace, sofa, armchairs and Smart TV
- Fully-fitted kitchen with table seating 6 guests, oven, hob, fridge freezer, dishwasher, toaster, blender, kettle, Moka Pot and coffee machine
- Dining room with garden access and table seating 10 guests
- Study (option to add 2 double sofa beds)
- Laundry room with washing machine and dryer
- Guest WC
First Floor
- Master bedroom with double bed and en-suite bathroom with double sink, shower and WC (option to add single pull out bed)
- Bedroom with 2 single beds and en-suite bathroom with double sink, shower and WC
- 2 x bedrooms with double beds (option to add single divan beds)
- Bedroom with bunkbed
- Bathroom with bath tub, shower, sink and WC
Annexe
- Living room with sofas and smart TV
- Lounge with fireplace and dining table seating 16 guests
- Fully-fitted kitchen with oven, hob, fridge freezer, dishwasher, toaster, blender, kettle and coffee machine
- Master bedroom with double-sized bed and en-suite bathroom with double sink, shower and WC
- Bedroom with double bed
- Bedroom with bunkbeds
- Laundry room
- 2 x bathrooms with showers, sinks and WCs
Outside Grounds
- Swimming pool (10m x 5m, depth: 1.5m) open from approximately May to end-September
- Fenced grounds
- Terrace with outdoor sofas
- Covered al-fresco dining space seating 20 guests
- Poolside sun loungers and umbrellas
- Outdoor shower
- Ping pong table
- Barbecue
- Parking
Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Air conditioning
- Fireplace
- Heating
- Smart TVs
- Iron and ironing board
- Hairdryers