VILLA TAMARA

Description:
The history of Pienza is closely connected to Pope Pius II, who in 1458 gave orders to rebuild his age-old place of birth into a perfect example of Renaissance architecture. If you pay a visit to Pienza, which we strongly recommend, you will notice that this pope got, more or less, what he wanted; nowadays, visitors from all over the world come to have a look. The ambiance, especially in the mornings, is friendly and joyful, with lots of shops selling local products. Also Montichiello, just like Pienza a “mountaintop village”, but really not much more than an ancient castle, forms part of the community. This region is very famous for its production of excellent wines and cheeses.

In the splendid Val d’Orcia (which we consider to be the “real” Tuscany), the valley with hills of clay, in the southern part of Tuscany close to Pienza, you will find the Villa Tamara. Notwithstanding (or perhaps, just because of, who knows…) the fact that this region is known to millions, with single villa’s on single hilltops adorned by cypresses, the landscape has not really changed so much, during the ages.

Villa Tamara is an excellent house, situated on a place with lovely views on the surroundings, including the villages of Montichiello and Pienza. Originally, the house was built as a look-out on the Via Francigena, but nowadays it is an attractive, comfortable family home, surrounded by a large garden in which a kidney-shaped swimming pool, to be reached by 8 steps down. An “ideal” day in Villa Tamara could be started with a breakfast on the terrace, whilst you discuss with your party where to go and what to do. There is so much to chose from. To start with, there are quite a many mediaeval villages and small towns in the direct neighbourhood. But you could as well decide to spend the day lazing in the sun at the swimming pool, and enjoy, at the end of this day, a spectacular sunset. In case you are of the more sportive type, you might want to go walking or cycling.

Villa Tamara is a detached villa, sleeping 8 persons. It is spacious, clean, well taken care of, and comfortably furnished, in a mainly classic style with a modern accent here and there. The kitchen is provided with all modern comforts. Lots of space around the house, and a large, covered patio suitable for meals outside. Try the excellent Brunello wines to accompany your meals! The garden is well kept, with several garden seats, a barbecue, olive trees and pots with flowering shrubs and plants. The swimming pool, with outside shower, is surrounded by a lawn, with a small, covered terrace and a gazebo. From the swimming pool, you have nice views of the surroundings. The terrain itself is electronically fenced off. On the premises, there is a covered parking space. The owner, Tamara, is very friendly and can offer you assistance in whatever you want is so required. She lives on the premises next to the house, but your privacy is safeguarded. Besides….. she is a great cook!

Lay-out (450 m², 8 pers.:)
Ground floor: Spacious entrée, living/dining room with open fire place and sat. TV, kitchen with wood-oven, dining corner, oven, stove with 4 cooking elements, refrigerator/freezer, dish washer, espresso machine, extra bathroom with basin, toilet, bidet and shower and washing machine as well as utility room with ironing utensils.
First floor: Large sitting room with open fire place and French windows leading to a terrace from which a beautiful view can be enjoyed; small dining area, 3 double bedrooms, 1 twin bedroom, bathroom with basin, toilet, bidet and shower, bathroom with basin, toilet, bidet and bath. Spacious patio with garden furniture.

Facilities:
Electronic gate, covered parking, garden, covered patio with garden furniture, barbecue, swimming pool with outside shower and garden furniture, sat. TV, telephone for incoming calls, wood oven, stove with 4 cooking elements, oven, refrigerator/freezer, dish washer, washing machine, espresso machine, ironing utensils.

Possibilities for sports/excursions:
Walking and cycling. Or just driving through the surroundings, as we like to do. As said above, a visit to Pienza is a kind of must. And then, also, Montichiello. Have a look at the Teatro Povero (the theatre for the poor) and then enjoy a lunch at the Ristorante La Porta. Not too cheap, but wonderful food, nice terrace, lovely views! Do not forget a visit to the ancient little towns of Montalcino, Montepulciano (with many “wine-houses” where you can taste before you buy) and Bagno Vignoni, with a Roman thermal bath smack in the middle of the village. Here, you will find restaurants where you can eat in the garden, for reasonable prices. Another suggestion for a lovely visit is the Abbey of S. Antimo. You might want to attend the Mess on a Sunday and see all the seven monks still residing here. They still sing Gregorian religious music. Other thermal baths are in Chianciano, also worth a visit, as well as the frescoes of Signorelli in the cloister Monte Oliveto Maggiore.
Of course, the world-famous city of Siena should be visited! Do not forget to sit down on the Campo, enjoy a coffee, a tea, a wine of whatever you feel like, and watch the people go by. Last suggestion: Go to Pienza, get greedy and buy all the food you most like in the many shops selling local products and do not forget some bottles of the delicious Brunello wine! Then quickly return to Villa Tamara, to enjoy it all wherever you want to sit down and relax!

Distances: ( in approx. kms.)
Closest-by shop in Montichiello, 3, Pienza 11, Bagno Vignoni 13, Montepulciano 13, S. Quirico d’Orcia 16, Montalcino 30, Chuisi 29, Cortona 45, Siena 62.