TENUTA DI LUPINARI

Description:
When we first visited the Tenuta di Lupinari, we got into a traffic jam in Cortona at lunch time and joined the sound of our claxon to those of all the Italian drivers. On the Piazza Signorelli, the filmmakers of Frances Mayes’ book “A House in Tuscany” had blocked all thru-traffic and however proud the locals were that a movie was being made, their stomachs overruled their pride.

When we finally arrived in Bucine, we were a bit cranky and even sweaty for of course, although owner Mariana had provided us with a good route description, we managed to take a wrong turn. Wouldn’t it be just typical, we grumbled, when this tenuta will be a disappointment? But we were proven so totally wrong, and once we were on the splendid driveway, edged with majestic cypresses, to the castle belonging to the estate, our bad mood turned into euphoria. Isn’t this lovely, isn’t it wonderful, we repeated each other’s exclamations as if we were a pair of parrots. The small castle is privately owned and cannot be visited, but just behind it lies the former hamlet of Lupinari, which has been transformed into eleven apartments, restored with the utmost care. The immediate surroundings are beautiful; extensive woodland, olive groves and vineyards. You can (re)discover one of the great gifts of mother Nature, the true relaxation of mind and body. But because the Tenuta di Lupinari is so stragetically situated, many of the famous cities of both Tuscany and Umbria are within easy driving distance, e.g. Gubbio, Assisi, Cortona, Perugia, Arezzo, Florence, San Gimignano and Siena.

The complete estate comprises 750 hectares of woodlands, vineyards and olive groves. All apartments have been restored with eye for detail, respect for the original building materials but above all, love. They are spacious, comfortable and very elegantly furnished, with many antiques. The same can be said about the hotel rooms.

Facilities:
All apartments have telephone, satellite tv, a heating system and almost all have a private garden and/or a terrace. The bedrooms in the apartments have air conditioning. The kitchens are provided with oven, refrigerator and freezer. Some of the apartments have a dishwasher. The spacious swimming pool (20 x 8 m., depth 1,40 m) is provided with sun chairs, parasols and showers. At a short distance, there is a pond where you can fish. Upon request (please do so in the morning), you can enjoy a meal in the restaurant which is only available for the guests (closed on Sundays and Wednesdays). Also breakfast can be booked. The cook specialises in the local recipes and you will have to take pot-luck. But you don’t have to fear you won’t like it; all our clients who stayed here had nothing but praise for the meals. The personnel at the reception will be pleased to answer all your questions and in the common living room you can always spend a lazy hour or so on one of the comfortable couches. Recently there is created a bar area near the lounge area, where they can have coffee, tea, snacks and cake all day. Mountainbikes for rent. WiFi in the comunal areas. apartment. Pool towels available on request.

Distances: (approx. kms.)
In Bucine, at about 5 km. distance, you find shops (the supermarket is open on Sundays from 09.00 - 12.30 hours), a post office, bank and drugstore. Market on Wednesday. And, attention all fashion lovers: You might want to know that there are factory outlets in the neighbourhood! (Dolce & Gabana, Prada, Gucci, Armani, Yves Saint Laurent, Sergio Rossi, Fendi.) Upon booking, Elisabeth Travel will provide you with a list with all necessary information.

Possibilities for sports:
Tennis court and riding at 4 km. distance. There is a golf course in the neighbourhood of Florence. There are mountainbikes for rent.

Lay-out of the apartments:
Apt. Superior (110 m², 4 pers.):
Ground floor: Living room, dining room/kitchen, 2 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms with shower.Terrace and garden
Apt. with 2 bedrooms (110 m², 4 pers.):
Ground floor: Living room, dining room, kitchen, 1 double bedroom with walk-in-wardrobe/dressing room, 1 twin bedroom with walk-in-wardrobe/dressing room, 1 bathroom with shower. Private terrace and garden.
Apartment with 2 bedrooms (110 m², 4 pers.):
First floor: Hall, living room, dining room/kitchen with open fire place,1 double bedroom, 1 twin bedroom, 1 bathroom with shower. Private terrace. .
Apt. with 1 bedroom (80 m², 2 pers.):
Ground floor: Living/dining room with open fire place, kitchen, 1 big double bedroom, 1 bathroom with shower. Private terrace and portico (i.e. partly covered terrace).
Apt. with 1 bedroom (80 m², 2 pers.):
Ground floor: Living/dining room with open fire place, kitchen, 1 big double bedroom, 1 bathroom with shower. Private terrace.
Apt. De Luxe (190 m², 6 pers.):
Ground- and first floor: Spacious living room with open fire place, large dining room/kitchen (with dishwasher), 1 double bedroom, 1 bedroom with 3 beds (a suite), 1 twin bedroom, 3 bathrooms with shower. Private terrace.
Apt. De Luxe (190 m², 6 pers.):
Ground- and first floor: Spacious living room, large dining room/kitchen (with dishwasher), 2 double bedrooms, 1 small living room, 1 twin bedroom, 3 bathrooms with shower. Private garden and terrace.
La Terrazza (250 m², 6 + 2 pers):
Suite (90 m2, 2 pers.):
First floor: Stone steps leads up to this spacious first floor apartment: Livingroom with fireplace, kitchen area with oven, hob and fridge/freezer. Lovely double bedroom with large walk-in wardrobe and en-suite bathroom with shower. One guest toilet.
Il Casale:
This is a small hotel with 4 double rooms with bathroom. The hotel has a common living with open fire place, a dining room, reception and covered terrace. All rooms with private garden and terrace.