About this property
Perched commandingly on the hill of Montevettolini in the heart of Tuscany, the opulent 6-bedroom Villa Il Principe is a grand 16th century mansion accommodating up to 12 guests in the epitome of Tuscan charm and modern comfort. Once one of 12 sumptuous hunting residences belonging to Granduca Ferdinando I, grandson of the famous Lorenzo de Medici. “Il Magnifico”, this is a residence like few others.
With panoramic views across the Val di Nievole, the perched hill itself is silvered with olive groves, greened by vineyards, and carries a quaint medieval village on its back. Guests will arrive via the ring road circling up the hill, passed tall poplars and an even taller clocktower, directly into the villa’s entrance courtyard.
Upon entering the villa, guests are greeted by breathtaking interiors brimming with centuries of art, decoration, and sumptuous living areas and bedrooms. The ground floor features a range of rooms and facilities including an extravagant dining room with stone fireplace and an adjacent billiards room where guests can shift after dinner for leisurely games and winding down after a long day of adventuring in the Tuscan hills or lounging by the pool.
The kitchen is a haven for culinary enthusiasts whether they’re looking to toss together a quick salad or fully embrace the magic of Tuscan cuisine.
On the ground floor guests will also find the first two of six sumptuous bedrooms. The Royal Red Room boasts a king-sized bed, fireplace, air conditioning, storage, seating area, and ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower. Similarly, the Royal Navy Room also features a king-sized bed, TV, air conditioning, storage, sitting area, navy chandelier, and expansive ensuite with soaking tub.
Ascending to the first floor reveals two wings divided by a sprawling Royal living room with more than 10 sofas, stone fireplace and marble statues. The left wing features the actual, original chapel of the Medici family, and two more bedrooms. The Green Royal Room consist of a stunning green and gold canopy bed and an ensuite bathroom with soaking tub. The spacious Golden Royal Room, with a similarly stunning canopy bed, features elegant furnishings, large windows and an ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower.
On the other side of the house there are two more bedrooms. The Blue Room consists of two single beds (convertible to a double) and an ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower. The Panorama Room also features two single beds, a beautiful stone sun window with original stone benches, and an ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower. Completing the first floor are two smaller living rooms (often used as cosy TV rooms) and the impressively ornate Red Library with its centuries-old books and rococo furnishings.
While Villa Il Principe’s interiors are nothing short of sumptuous, the villa’s outdoor spaces are nothing short of spectacular, a true Tuscan paradise, including a sprawling garden and private swimming pool. Al fresco dining areas, shaded by ancient olive trees, offer a perfect setting for savouring local delicacies and wines, enhancing the sense of immersion in the region's rich culture.
Villa Il Principe’s carefully curated spaces and unparalleled vistas invite guests to experience Tuscany at its finest – a haven where tradition meets modernity, and every moment is steeped in the beauty of this iconic Italian landscape.
Villa Il Principe is perched high on the hill at Montevettolini, a small medieval village that was once the political and economic garrison of the whole valley. The surrounding regions of Monsummano and Montalbano are renowned for their wine and olive oil making.
For those who can’t imagine a holiday without a stroll along the links, have no fear, the nearby Golf Montecatini Terme is close at hand. If a long walk sounds like your version of purgatory, don’t worry, there’s ample opportunity to pamper yourself in this part of the world. Make sure not to miss out on Spa Grotta Giusti, a cave that was only discovered in the 19th century. Filled with stalactites, stalagmites, tunnels, and a hot water pond that creates a natural steam room. Officially the largest thermal cave in Europe, Grotta Giusti offers a wide range of beauty treatments and even a unique diving experience in the underground lake.
Art history lovers will surely want to make the short trip to Vinci, birthplace of the Renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci and home to the Museo Leonardiano di Vinci. The hills around Vinci and toward Villa Il Principe are the subject of the earliest known drawing by the great master, titled “Landscape Drawing For Santa Maria Della Nave”, which can be seen at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Guests can also hike the “Leonardino Road”, situated between Anchiano and Montevettolini. The road can be found just a few steps down the hill from Villa Il Principe and when followed reveals places associated with Leonardo’s early life.
Speaking of Florence, the famed Tuscan capital of culture is the perfect destination for day trips. One of the most beautiful and artistic cities in Europe, guided tours can take you past many of the city’s must-see sights, including Giotto’s bell tower, Ghiberti’s gates, Brunelleschi’s dome, and of course the vast array of museums and galleries such as the Uffizi Gallery.
The Vespa is an emblem of modern Italy, and the perfect medium by which to tour through the Tuscan hills. Many tours are based out of Florence, taking in beautiful nearby attractions including Piazzale Michelangelo, and finishing with a countryside lunch. Or if solid ground isn’t quite your thing, there aren’t many better ways to see Tuscany than via hot air balloon. Trips depart at dawn and voyages tend to last for approximately one hour. A continental breakfast is provided upon landing.
Other nearby centres include Lucca and Pistoia, both of which are certainly worth a visit. But don’t forget that despite the region’s rural allure, the stunning Ligurian Sea is not far away. Forte dei Marmi, an hour away, is a perfectly pleasant seaside town that will prove ideal for anyone who likes to treat themselves in high-end fashion boutiques, Michelin-starred restaurants, and stunning beaches beneath the backdrop of snow-capped mountains.
For wine lovers Tuscany is comparable to heaven on earth, and the region surrounding the villa is rich in tasting opportunities. If you’re taking the trip to Pistoia, make sure not to miss Borgo Antico Casalbosco. What is more, Villa Il Principe also offers wine and cheese tasting onsite (which just might be the best news you hear all day!)
Accommodation
Villa Interiors
Ground floor
- Fully equipped kitchen (oven, stove, microwave, fridge, freezer, kettle, espresso machine, ice machine etc.)
- Service Staff areas
- Dining room with imperial table seating 20 people, stone fireplace
- Living room
- Trophy room
- Master bedroom (Royal Red Room) with king-sized bed, fireplace, storage, seating area and ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower
- Master bedroom (Royal Navy Room) with king-sized bed, TV, storage, sitting area, navy chandelier and expansive ensuite with soaking tub
First Floor
- Royal living room with wide array of sofas, stone fireplace and dedicated workstation
- Chapel, as well as the villa, of the Medici family (original)
- TV room
- Red library
- Master bedroom (Green Royal Room) with king-sized canopy bed, sitting area, dedicated workspace and ensuite bathroom with soaking tub
- Master bedroom (Golden Royal Room) with king-sized canopy bed, sitting area, dedicated workstation, mirror and ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower
- Bedroom (Blue Room) with two single beds (convertible to double), TV and ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower
- Bedroom (Panorama Room) with two French single beds, TV, ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower
- Billiards room with billiards table, sofa and stone fireplace
Annexe
- Fitness area (ready for 2025)
Outside Grounds
- Private swimming pool (18x7m, depth 1.50-2.80m) open approximately from June to September
- Terrace
- Al fresco dining area
- Pool House (changing rooms, fridge, etc)
- Gardens
- Sun loungers
- Parking
Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Heating
- TV
- Air Conditioning in all bedrooms
- Iron and ironing board