Villa Sele

A private drive to the side of the house leads to an independent guest entrance to the property and a few steps past the covered furnished gazebo bring one to the arched glass door facing the pool. Entrance is into the main room which occupies the entire ground floor and includes a living area with a sofa and sofa bed in front of a fireplace, a long trestle dining table for 10 and a brightly tiled corner kitchen located behind a low dividing wall near the living area. A spiral staircase tucked in the corner of the main room leads up to a small sitting area with wicker chairs and table overlooking the pool, off of which are a shower room with twin sinks, a twin bedroom and a double bedroom, both of which are air-conditioned. Furnishings throughout the house are of a comfortable country rustic style and large chestnut beams overhead and tile or parquet flooring underfoot speak to the owners’ sensitive restoration.

Though the owners occasionally share the use of the pool and tennis court, these features are so convenient to the barn that they could easily become part of guests’ daily routine. The pool, with easy-entry steps either side of an in-pool Jacuzzi, is set in a lawn whose shade trees and tall shrubbery ensure privacy and whose sunbeds, umbrellas and poolside sofas will invite one to linger. The tennis court is on a lower level to the side of the house and has a handy WC and shower near the guest laundry.

Treggiaia has long views of the valleys which surround it, including those of the ‘Balze’ a dramatic geological formation whose colourful eroded shapes catch the eye and invites a closer visit. A short drive to Castelfranco di Sopra or San Giovanni Valdarno provide restaurants and the necessary amenities and trains from San Giovanni can deliver one to the heart of medieval Arezzo or Renaissance Florence. There are stables nearby that will allow one to discover the surroundings slowly on horseback and shopping outlets within 1/2 hr. for those whose preferences turn to Italian styling and a good bargain. Easy motorway access allows ventures into the famed Chianti for wine-tasting or relaxing visits at the thermal spas plentiful in this region. Yet with local markets providing those ingredients that make Italian cuisine famous, a BBQ in action and light off the pool might be reason enough to linger at home.

Nearby attractions

• Bar, restaurants, supermarkets in Castelfranco di Sopra and San Giovani Valdarno 4 km
• Shops and trains in San Giovanni Valdarno, 4 km, and Figline Valdarno, 12 km, with free parking and direct line to Florence hourly
• Weekly markets in Filigne Valdarno 12 km and Montevarchi 11 km
• Riding stables within 10 min, 18-hole golf course in 40 min
• Prada Outlet 24 min and The Mall outlet stores 26 min
• Loro Ciuffenna 24 min, Chianti villages 40-55 min
• Arezzo 35 min, Rapolano spas, Florence & Siena around 1 hr
• Airports: Florence less than 1 hr and Pisa 1 hr 40 min