Ulivi

Situated in the heart of the Maremma, totally secluded and with all the style and elegance of a country home, Ulivi is a unique find and will appeal to all those seeking both sophistication and relaxation in lovely countryside, yet within reach of sea, boats and restaurants at Monte Argentario - or cultural sights such as Siena.

The Maremma must be one of Italy’s most captivating and yet relatively unknown areas. Once known as the domain for cowboys, the countryside of the Maremma is wild and unspoilt with its hills rolling endlessly into the distance and the occasional hilltop fortressed town on the horizon.

Set in the midst of this scenery and yet only twenty minutes from Porto Ercole and the wonderful Argentario coast, is Ulivi, a beautifully renovated stone house, completely private and furnished to the highest levels. The owners have blended old and new meticulously with terracotta flooring and soft green doors and shutters throughout. Antique furniture, combined with warm fabrics and furnishings and a large open fireplace create an exceptionally comfortable and tasteful home.

Upstairs the master suite benefits from a beamed ceiling with air conditioning, fireplace and private terrace as well as a wonderfully spacious bathroom with separate Jacuzzi shower area. All bedrooms enjoy ensuite bathrooms and views across the surrounding hills. The covered terrace leading from the sitting room provides excellent outside dining with wooden and iron furniture and a long table for those sumptious Tuscan dinners.

Walking down a gentle slope across the lawn one reaches the pool with gazebo – a haven where one can relax and enjoy the calm and tranquillity of this very special home. An ideal retreat for a group of adults looking for rest in the countryside and yet proximity to the nearby sandy beaches and gentle “buzz” of Porto Ercole.

Room Description

Ground Floor: Hall • Sitting room with large fireplace • Studio • Dining room • Bathroom • Kitchen

First Floor: Master Double bedroom with bathroom en suite and terrace • Double bedroom with Jacuzzi shower room en suite •Two twin bedrooms each with shower room en suite

Facilities

Washing Machine, Dishwasher, Microwave, Satellite TV, DVD Player, CD Player, Air Conditioning (Master Bedroom only), Ceiling Fans (all bedrooms), Portable Barbecue, Telephone, Fax, Heating (on request, payable locally).

Private Swimming Pool

6m x 12m, 1.15m - 2.25m deep with built-in steps. The pool is open from mid May until mid September. Outside these dates, the pool can be opened on request for an extra charge.

Welcome Provisions Included

A welcome gesture to offer you a drink after your journey; tea or coffee and biscuits, wine or juice and a snack. They are not sufficient for an entire meal. Owners will also generally leave a few other items such as some salt, sugar, oil, bin bags and toilet paper.

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. For a list of possible ingredients, please ask.

Cook Service

The maid at Gli Ulivi, Giuseppina, enjoys cooking very good simple, local meals for guests.  Although she does not speak English, she manages to communicate using bilingual menus in English and Italian.  She can prepare one meal per day between  Monday to Friday (she does not cook on Saturday & Sunday). Giuseppina will cook in the afternoon (after 16:00 hours) and leave the meal ready. She does not lay the table or clear/wash plates.

Prices and Booking

We charge a booking fee payable in advance of departure directly to CV Travel London.

The cost of the service is 13 Euro per hour, to be paid at the end of the holiday directly to the owner, for the time spent for shopping, preparation and cooking for your party.  Giuseppina will keep receipts for the food she purchased to prepare meals.  If you are happy with Giuseppina’s services, we suggest a suitable tip at the end of your stay as a gesture of appreciation.

If you are happy with these arrangements, we need to know as soon as possible if you would like her services to book her well ahead of time.  We would therefore be grateful if you could ask for and complete the attached questionnaire and return it to us within 5 days of receipt so she is informed in time that you would like her to cook for your party. (Please note that, sometimes, the cook service is not available on Public Holidays).

We would like to emphasize that cooks have family commitments or may become ill, and we cannot promise that they will always be available to prepare meals as requested. Therefore it must be understood that this is a goodwill service on the part of CV Travel, and that the arrangements outlined here cannot be conditional on the booking either prior to or during the holiday. 

Shopping

We suggest you stop on the way to Ulivi and shop for ‘basics’ and food for breakfasts on Sunday and Monday morning. Please be aware that food shops are closed everyday between 13.00 – 16.00 hours.  Shops are also closed on a Sundays. However, if you are arriving late (planes can be delayed), you may wish to a order a Food Hamper (enough for two light meals, 2 breakfasts, plus ‘basics’ - please ask for more details).

Linen and Towels

Provided once per week on Saturday. Extra changes are available on request for an additional charge).

Maid Service

3 hours, 5 days per week.

CV Contact

An English speaking CV representative in Italy will be available by phone during your stay. Contact details will be sent with your travel documents

Tenancy Times

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

Your Location

Airports

Rome 140km, Florence 170km, Pisa 150km

Amenities

Shops and restaurants in Magliano in Toscana 4km, golf at Marammello 14km and Gavorrano, tennis at Orbetello 24km, diving at Porto Ercole 32km, beaches at Albinia 16kms and Porto Ercole 32km

Mainline Station

Orbetello 24km

Places of Interest

Capalbio 28km, Saturnia thermal baths 43kms, Pitigliano 47km, Siena 102km, Monte Argentario 30km, Parco Naturale della Maremma – Grosseto Alberese 28km, Lago di Burano, Capalbio Scalo 20km, Isola del Giglio (ferries from Porto Santo Stefano 34km), Isola di Giannutri (ferries from Isola del Giglio), Punta Ala 66km, Populonia 90km (ancient Etruscan village near Piombino on the Gulf of Baratti). The area is also famous for its wine & oil production “Morellino di Scansano”, produced by Frescobaldi, Antinori and others