Il Castagno, nr Cortona

Arriving at the house, two huge and ancient Lebanese cedars provide a frame for this delightful home.

The original tower portion of the house dates from the 17th century, and like many converted farmhouses, the ground floor was once home to the animals, whilst the family lived above.

The owners have been most careful to retain the original features, reflected in its rustic yet comfortable style. Entering by a large stone porch covered with jasmine, the charming sitting room is still dominated by the original beams. Wide steps leads to a dining room and traditional kitchen. Circular stairs from ground floor lead up to the original living room/hall, with a huge working fireplace, and a door leads to a small terrace and the original stone outside staircase. A guest bedroom has a large shower-room opposite, and the master bedroom, with interconnecting dressing room and single bed, suitable for a child, has an en suite bathroom. (Steep) steps lead up to a simple twin bedroom with tiny shower-room, suitable only for teenagers.

Outside, is a guest annexe with a large spacious bedroom suite, its 2 extra beds/sofas also making an ideal “dorm” for older children wanting to get away from their parents! From the kitchen, a door leads to the garden and a small covered loggia, and then to a delightful wisteria covered area for outside dining.

In the evening the twinkling lights of Cortona, and the hypnotic chant of cicadas in the olive trees provide an idyllic setting. From here, looking up the hillside, is a glimpse of the tiny hamlet of Castagno, an enchanting destination for an evening stroll.

The property is surrounded by a small area of informal garden and lawn, with olives, fig trees, lemon trees and up and behind the house terraces of vines lead to the 11 hectares of woodland with walking trails to the top of the hill. From the garden, steps lead down to the ultimate “leisure area”, an unusually large swimming pool, surrounded by grass, and a superb all weather tennis court. A game of tennis in the cool of the evening, with beautiful Cortona clearly visible in the distance, is an experience in itself.

For maximum comfort, this delightful property is most ideal for 6, or for 8 to include teenagers.

A delightful and atmospheric venue for a truly Tuscan experience “under a beautiful Tuscan sun.”