VILLA LAURA
Near Cortona in southeastern Tuscany
Sleeps 18 total: Villa sleeps 10 in 5 bedrooms with en suite baths; Farmhouse sleeps 8 in 4 bedrooms with en suite bathrooms; air-conditioning, swimming pool, hot tub, pond, wood-burning pizza oven, WiFi, Note: this villa is only for large groups, 1 week minimum
Map | Villa photos | Farmhouse photos | Daytrip Ideas | Newsletter | View Availability

Villa:

Farmhouse:

Villa Laura is the very villa used in the filming of “Under the Tuscan Sun.” Newly renovated, this beautiful luxury estate includes a villa and adjacent farmhouse set on eight acres, just outside of the wonderful art city of Cortona. Guests who are fit can hike up to the center in fifteen minutes along the winding uphill country road that runs alongside the property. Or you may prefer the short five-minute drive, with parking available outside the city walls. 

The property was purchased in 2006 by the owners of Cline Cellars Winery of Sonoma, California.   The new owners have carefully and thoughtfully restored the property. The furniture is an eclected mix of antique and contemporary, sourced from Italy and Europe to achieve a balance of charm, character and comfort. Kitchens and bathrooms in both houses have been custom made by local craftsmen, using marble surfaces and restored original stone walls where possible. All of the beautiful old terracotta floors have been lifted, cleaned, and re-laid; these are all original. Throughout both houses (with the exception of the garden floor of the main house) Busatti fabrics have been used. These typical Tuscan natural fabrics are made from locally sourced cottons and linens, often woven on the original looms used to make the uniforms for Napoleon's troops. (Busatti is highly regarded throughout Italy; visiting their workrooms in the delightful village of Anghiari, less than an hour away, is like stepping into another world.) Antique wall lights and chandeliers are mainly from Italy and the Continent and include porcelain painted Capo di Monte wall lights from Sicily, Baccarat crystal chandelier and wall lights from France, and other lighting from England. The beds in the villa, mainly four-posters, where made in nearby Spello by an artisan iron worker. All mattresses and pillows are Italian, with all linens from England.

The villa and adjacent farmhouse form a sheltered corner with a rose garden and travertine marble swimming pool in the center. The main villa is slightly more formal in décor than the more rustic farmhouse, but both are beautiful!

Located on the main rail line between Rome and Florence, and at the crossroads of Perugia, Assisi and Siena, there is probably no more central location for exploring south central Tuscany and Umbria. Shops and restaurants are within five minutes’ drive and there is a spa hotel across the street.  In early August Cortona hosts the marvelous “Tuscan Sun Festival” of music in Cortona.

Villa Laura is marvelous for large families, groups of friends, wine or dining groups, or for weddings. This is your chance to step into a movie set for a Tuscan adventure of your own!

VILLA (6000 sq feet on 3 floors, sleeps 10)
The yellow villa with green shutters dates back to the 16th century and has been restored to maintain its original features but modernized with all of the comforts and amenities, including modern travertine marble bathrooms, air-conditioning, and wireless internet access in all of the rooms. There are three floors in the main villa, as well as a chapel and limonaia, the place where lemon trees where traditionally stored during the winters. Busatti fabrcis drape the windows, and there are beautiful decorative fireplaces. Interiors are light and colors harmonious. Original tile floors, beamed ceilings and stone steps were carefully restored.

Ground floor — lower entrance

• Sitting room; opens to the limonaia courtyard
• Vaulted TV room; opens onto the limonaia courtyard
• Club and music room
• Guest powder room
• Staff laundry room
• Private chapel

Main floor — upper entrance (up 5 steps, sleeps 2)

• Entrance hall
• Living room
• Dining room with large dining table
• State-of-the-art kitchen with marble countertop island, gas stove, large refrigerator, microwave, DeLonghi expresso maker, table with seating for 16
• Master bedroom (queen bed); en-suite bathroom in travertine with double sink and shower over tub
• Powder room
• Entrance to the private balcony overlooking the family chapel

Top floor (sleeps 8):

• Diane Lane room (queen bed) with view over countryside; en suite bathroom with shower and double sink
• Blue bedroom (queen bed) with view to garden and farmhouse; en suite bathroom with shower over tub
• Yellow bedroom (queen bed) with views over garden to farmhouse; en suite bathroom with double sink and shower over tub
• Master bedroom (queen bed) with sitting area, views to a castle and countryside; en suite bathroom with shower over tub.

FARMHOUSE (4000 sq ft on 2 floors, sleeps 8)
The ground floor is a marvelous open space with original doors from each room to the outside.

Ground floor:

• Study with desk and fax machine
• Living /sitting room
• Dining room
• Kitchen
• Wood pizza oven

Second floor (sleeps 8):

• Queen-bedded room; en suite bathroom with shower
• Queen-bedded room; en suite bathroom with shower over bathtub
• Twin-bedded room; en suite bathroom with shower
• Queen bedded master bedroom; en suite bathroom with shower over bathtub

GROUNDS

• Pool (16 x 32 ft) in stunning travertine with shallow end and deep end with diving board
• Jacuzzi (seating for 8)
• Romantic ancient cistern surrounded by columns and flowers
• Ancient Roman fountain
• Medici wild garden – woods with winding pathways, ancient stone bench and pond
• Parking lot
• Rose garden
• Limonaia courtyard with romantic seating under a handmade, grape covered, iron pergola
• Outdoor Ping Pong Table
• Security gates

Villa Laura is a pirvate villa that is rented to large groups by the week. It is not a B&B where guests can rent room by room for 1 or 2 nights. We can offer you lovely smaller places for smaller groups. Please ask.

Prices on request; please inquire.

Home > Italy > Tuscany > Southeast Tuscany > Villa Laura