Le Cascine

Set high on a ridge, Le Cascine is spacious enough to accommodate large groups of up to 29 people and is the most secluded of the private villas on the Santo Stefano estate. Furnished and equipped to high standard, Le Cascine is within an easy drive or pleasant walk from the office of the English speaking estate manager who is on hand to welcome guests and assist with further information about the area.

The views from Le Cascine are simply outstanding, an idyllic 360 degree panorama of olive groves, woodland, cornfields, lakes, distant villages and farmsteads nestling in the countryside. Inspired by the natural beauty of the rural setting and the colours of the Four Seasons, the interiors are decorated in elegant contemporary style in intense tones of sage, green, sky blue, deep red and rich terracotta. A façade of French windows lead in from the south facing terraces to the reception room that runs almost the whole length of the ground floor. Decorated in a deep sunflower yellow with typical brick arches, beamed ceilings, sitting, dining areas and vast fireplace, this is a magnificent luminous space. A few steps lead down to the spectacular kitchen with all work surfaces and central work top in honey coloured grey tiles. Fitted out with the very best Italian appliances, this kitchen is perfect for amateur chefs! This stylish and contemporary theme of the reception rooms and kitchen is continued in the bedrooms. Cream bed linen and ivory coloured wardrobes and chests are offset by distinctive straw headboards, terracotta bedside lights and colour washed walls in striking tones.

French windows open out from the reception room and ground floor bedrooms to the gardens laid to lawn and dotted with olive trees, cypresses, lavender, rosemary and other aromatic shrubs. A few steps lead to the immense mosaic tiled infinity pool with its separate hydro massage area with moulding seating and bordered with paved stone solarium furnished with sun beds.

The open-air, terracotta paved pool loggia is furnished with large barbecue and outdoor kitchen facilities, and ample wrought iron tables, cushioned dining chairs and sofas. This is a perfect spot to shelter for long lunches in the heat of the day or gather for drinks watching the effects of the changing evening light on the countryside.

Le Cascine is a magical venue for a wedding reception. Personal consultancy in wedding and event organization is offered by the Estate Manager. Whether your wedding or party is for two or two hundred, all arrangements are totally a la carte exactly as they should be for your big day.

Room Description

Master Suite Sleeps 12: Sitting room with multiple French windows to garden, dining area, breakfast area, fireplace - arch to large kitchen • Cloakroom • Double bedroom • twin bedroom both with shower room en suite • Single bedroom • Shower room • First floor: 2 double bedrooms each with shower room en suite • Twin bedroom with shower room en suite • Single bedroom with shower room en suite.

First Floor Pool View Suite Sleeps 6: Sitting room with dining and kitchen • 2 double bedrooms, each with shower rooms en suite • Twin/double bedroom • Bathroom.

First Floor Garden View Suite Sleeps 5: Sitting room with dining and kitchen area • Double bedroom with shower room en suite • Twin/double bedroom with shower room en suite • Single bedroom • Shower room.

Ground Floor Olive Grove Poolside Suite Sleeps 3: Sitting room with dining, kitchen area • Double bedroom and single bedroom • Shower room.

Ground Floor Rose Bed Poolside Suite Sleeps 3: Sitting room with dining and kitchen area • Double and single bedroom • Shower room.

Facilities

Washing Machine, 2 Dishwashers, Microwave, Satellite TV, DVD Player,CD Player

Portable Barbecue, Air Conditioning (all rooms included in rental), Covered dining terrace with ample wrought iron tables and cushioned chairs and barbecue

Children's Facilities

A cot and/or a highchair available on request

Private Pool

15 x 7m. Ladder steps lead down into 1.5 m shallow end and 2.5 m deep end. Hydromassage area at one end with moulded seating. Pool shower. The pool is open from Easter until the beginning of October. Outside these dates, the pool can be opened on request for an extra charge

Food Hamper

Can be arranged for an additional cost and service charge payable locally. For guests who are arriving late or who recognize they may be delayed and arrive with no time to do shopping. Shops are shut on Sundays, so the aim of the Food Hampers is to provide two light meals and two breakfasts, to allow guests to go out for one meal, then do more shopping on Monday. We can adapt these hampers to take into account allergies, dislikes and dietary requirements, or according to whether there are children in the party.

Cook Service

The private villas on the private country estate of Santo Stefano provide the ideal setting for families and adult parties alike to enjoy dining in the privacy of your own villa. The dining rooms can be used for informal or formal dining with or without dining as required. The open-air pool loggias are perfect setting for private al fresco drinks and dining against the background of magnificent sunsets. We can arrange for a cook or professional chef to take care of your catering requirements and can provide cost guidelines for any meals. These cost guidelines will include the services of a cook, an assistant and food shopping, but exclude drinks and preparation for children's meals (if required) before the adults sit down. The overall cost of the meal is dependent on the menu selected. Reasonable local wines and top quality Tuscan wines are only available on a sale or return basis from the one of the best local enoteca who are also delighted to offer their services for a tasting. Cooks and staff are subject to availability and early booking is essential.

Maid Service

Twice mid week with a change of bath towels and full cleaning on departure. Extra maid service and personal laundry services are available on request. For rentals of two or more weeks, bed linen is changed weekly.

Owner Managed

Full concierge services are offered by the Santo Stefano management to guests staying at the private villas. Advance reservations are necessary to secure space for large parties and guarantee their excellent service. The manager is delighted to give advice on open-air markets with top quality produce, speciality food shops and qualified vinters that excel in their choice of exceptional Tuscan wines. Cooking demonstrations, wine tastings can also be arranged. Through excellent local contacts, private tours and informal visits can be organised according to your personal interests to potteries, historic gardens and olive oil mills. The managements can also advise on the best shopping outlets, local spas and beauty treatments many of which are also available in the comfort of your private villa.

Weddings

Le Cascine is an ideal setting for a magical Tuscan villa wedding event. Personal consultancy in wedding and event organisation is offered by the Estate Manager. Whether your wedding or party is for two or two hundred, all arragements are totally a la carte exactly as they should be for your big day. You fly to Italy, personally choose your very very own location, meet the professional suppliers with the support of the estate management. Guests have danced the night away to a top Italian jazz band, used hairdressers from the Milan Fashion shows, and enjoyed champagne cocktails at sunset by the pool. No effort is spared to attend to the smallest details, leaving you to enjoy the occasion to the full with your loved ones in the privacy of your own private Tuscan villa. Civil weddings usually take place at a classically beautiful town hall with the reception after in the privacy of your own villa or in a local restaurant. According to your budget, the Estate Manager can organise all levels of catering from a simple barbecue to a sophisticated black tie gourmet dinner, cocktail parties, hairdressers, beauticians, musicians, florists and photographers.

Tenancy Times

Tenancies commence at 16:00 hours on the day of arrival and villas are to be vacated at 10:00 hours on the day of departure

Activities

Table tennis  - please request on booking

Your Location

Airports

Pisa or Florence 50km, Bologna 150km

Amenities,

Nearest restaurant 4.5km, nearest shops Montaione 6 km, shops, restaurants, hospital, train station Castelfiorentino 6km

Places of Interest

San Gimignano 25km, Volterra 40km, Florence or Siena 50km, Arezzo or Lucca 80km

Owner Managed • Available All Year