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San Casciano dei Bagni is a charming medieval hilltop village
in southeastern Tuscany, near the border of Umbria. The town is popular with chic
Italians because of its central yet rural location, as well as its natural beauty,
ancient hill towns, fine restaurants, and thermal springs. Massages and a variety
of beauty treatments can be found at Fonteverde Spa, named best in Italy by Spa
Finders Readers' Choice. Begin your mornings with a cappuccino at one of our favorite
coffee bars, or dine at a local restaurant after spending an afternoon by the
pool. Destinations such as Montepulciano, Pienza, Montalcino, and Orvieta are
a 40-minute drive. Perugia, Assisi, Siena, and Arezzo can be reached in an hour.
Travel by rail north to Florence or south to Rome in less than two hours from
nearby Chiusi (20 min.).
Villa Amiata is located
just four kilometers from the village. This beautiful, luxurious home was designed
and built by its artistic owner on a 50-acre site chosen for its panoramic views
of Monte Amiata, Cetona, and Radicofani, as well as its view of San Casciano dei
Bagni. Decorated to the highest standards, Villa Amiata has been featured in several
magazines and appeared in a book about Tuscany. Set on a woodland-covered hill,
with beautifully landscaped grounds, the villa makes the most of its views with
wraparound terraces, creating intimate areas for relaxing or dining al fresco.
A formal yet unpretentious medieval garden features olive trees, lavender, and
irises, and potted plants and window boxes line the walkway that leads to the
front door.
Inside, the colors are muted and restful.
All of the rooms have been beautifully decorated, with lovely fabrics, antiques,
and portraits of the owner's ancestors. Yet Villa Amiata is not fussy or pretentious;
it has the feeling of a real home, with personal touches throughout.
An
entrance hall opens onto a spacious living room with a large fireplace and French
doors that lead to a terrace and the pool area. French doors in the dining room
open onto a covered loggia. The charming kitchen is state-of-the-art and is outfitted
with a dishwasher. There are also two bedrooms located on this level: a master
bedroom with king-sized bed and en suite bath, and a twin bedroom with en suite
bath.
Upstairs are four bedrooms: a double bedroom with
a study area and en suite bath, a twin bedroom and a double bedroom that connect
to a bathroom, and a double bedroom with en suite bath. A terrace offers beautiful
views of the surrounding countryside.
On the lower
ground level is a small twin bedroom with en suite bath and a utility room. Amenities
at Villa Amiata include satellite TV, laundry facilities (washer & dryer), stereo,
DVD player, and fax.
The heated pool (14 x 4 meters)
has lounge chairs for relaxing and a covered sitting area with a rustic wood table
seating eight. A separate sitting area offers loveseats and comfortable armchairs,
and there are two additional areas for outdoor dining, including a table than
seat up to fourteen guests. Potted plants, jasmine, and flowering vines decorate
the exterior, and an outdoor staircase leads directly to the upper bedrooms. The
grounds are beautifully lit at night.
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VILLA AMIATA