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TUSCANY - APARTMENTS CLOSE TO SAN GIMIGNANO

Case d'Elsa offers secluded one and two bedroom apartments, with swimming, pool sleeping two to four guests. These wonderfully secluded apartments are just fifteen minutes drive from the jewel of San Gimignano and its world-famous towers. They are also within an hour of both Florence and Siena. Virtually on the doorstep are some lesser-known treasures, such as the pretty mediaeval hill town of Certaldo, alive each July with its mediaeval pageant, the Mercantia, and a frequent venue for concerts and art exhibitions (you can also catch a train from here to Florence).

In the other direction lies unsung San Vivaldo, a 13th-century Franciscan monastery where 15 little chapels in a tranquil wooded setting contain life-size terracotta statues depicting Christ�s Passion (open selected days from May to September). Just beyond San Vivaldo is the town Montaione, whose engaging pedestrianised old centre is packed with shops and restaurants.

The approach to Case d'Elsa, along a cypress-lined country lane, gives away its origins. On the outskirts of Certaldo, it was once a modest farmhouse, now converted into seven delightful apartments. One is retained by the owners who are there to enjoy the peace of the countryside on occasional weekends. Their main business is making picture frames, so it�s not surprising that the apartments� charming furnishings include lots of beautiful pictures. Case d'Elsa has become their second passion. They love sharing their 'country home' and still tend the surrounding vegetable gardens and orchard to bring fresh fruit and vegetables to their table � and often to their guests�. When you prefer to dine out, there�s a wide selection of restaurants within 15 minutes� drive.

ACCOMMODATION DETAILS:

A separate renovated barn houses two charming apartments, each with covered patio:

La Quercia (Sleeps 2)

One bedroom apartment at ground floor with spacious living-dining room; satellite TV and kitchenette equipped with hob, small worktop oven/grill and fridge. Bathroom with shower. Private patio ideal for enjoying your al fresco meals .

Il Leccio (Sleeps 3)

This two storey apartment has the main bedroom, shower room and living �dining room on the ground floor, kitchenette equipped with hob, small worktop oven/grill and fridge. A stairway leads up to a small single room in the attic with en suite shower room. Private patio.

The main house has been converted into 4 apartments (one is retained by the owners):

Il Camino (Sleeps 2)

This very large one bedroom apartment is on the ground floor. The open plan living � dining room has a large fire place. There is a separate kitchen kitchenette equipped with hob, full oven and fridge. Bathroom with shower.

Il Forno (Sleeps 2)

This spacious first floor apartment is accessed by a private, internal stairway. One bedroom apartment, with living-dining room with satellite TV and kitchenette equipped with hob, small worktop oven/grill and fridge. Two shower rooms.

La Torre (Sleeps 4)

The old tower of the farmhouse has been converted into this delightful 3 storey apartment which enjoys lovely countryside views. The living � dining room is on the ground floor, an open wooden stairway (unsuitable for toddlers) leads up to the first floor bedroom and a shower room . The master bedroom with en suite shower room is on the next floor.

La Loggia( Sleeps 4)

A private exterior stairway leads up to a covered terrace (the Loggia) where you can enjoy your al fresco meals. Entrance is into the spacious open-plan living-dining room with a large fire place. This is a two bedroom apartment, with living-dining room with satellite TV and kitchenette equipped with hob, small worktop oven/grill and fridge. Two shower rooms.

All apartments have bedrooms which have beds that can be made up into either twin or double beds. Each apartment has a spacious living-dining room with satellite TV and kitchenette equipped with hob, small worktop oven/grill (Il Camino has a full oven) and fridge. A patio or terrace invites outdoor dining. One-bedroom apartments have a shower room, two-bedroom apartments have two shower rooms.

Laundry room for communal use (payable locally). Swimming pool: 12 metres x 6 metres (depth 1.4 metres), open beginning May � end October. Barbecues for communal use. Approximate drive to nearest:

Shops � 10 minutes, restaurants 5-15 minutes; driving times from airport (approx.): Florence � 45 minutes, Pisa � 1hour and 15 minutes, Bologna � 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Via Curtatone e Montanara 14, 50053 Empoli, Florence, Italy