Monterchi is a picturesque Tuscan hilltop village east of Arezzo, near the Umbrian border. And Il Palazzetto is an old palace built right into the fortified walls of the main village square.
On the first floor there is the main dining and living room, with CD player, wood stove and fireplace. A further small living room has satellite TV and a piano. The kitchen has an oven, hob, fridge and dishwasher. One bedroom has a queen-size bed and en-suite bathroom with shower. Another has two single beds and en-suite bathroom with shower. There is a bathroom with tub and hand shower, and a utility room with washing machine accessed from the outside.
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The classic Italian garden is on a terrace framed by the tenth century walls. Reached direct from the kitchen hallway, you’ll find a lovely spot under a centuries-old oak tree ... perfect for taking summer meals. The garden has many rose bushes and fruit trees, and a pair of centuries-old oak trees have their roots in the old walls around the villa, rising majestically into the Tuscan sky. These enclose the whole property, providing splendid isolation from the rest of the village. In a corner of the garden, the pool floats at the very foot of the village Hall clock.
Cooling off in the hot summer months, guests can enjoy wonderful sunsets lying in the pool and listening to the peal of the church bells. Alongside lies a roomy and comfortable gazebo. This is made for conversations around the wrought iron table, and you can have barbecues here. In the centre of the garden is a lovely fountain with goldfish, adding its musical babble to that of the birds who live undisturbed in this paradise.
Il Duettino was the servants quarters of an elegant 17th century villa, built on the remains of the old Castle of Monterchi. It has been lovingly restored as a comfortable and luxurious two-bedroom apartment, sleeping four, and perfectly located for fantastic holidays in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, surrounded by culture and fine food.
You enter Il Duettino from the main square of Monterchi, walking in through a small entrance hall (once the rear staircase of Il Palazzetto). Two large bedrooms both have en-suite bathrooms, and there is a kitchen-sitting room with an open, working fireplace. These Tuscany home rentals have been furnished with great care: it has all you’ll need, including toaster, fridge, kettle, washing machine, ironing board and shoe cleaning kit.
The ambience is fresh, cosy and clean, yet luxurious with fine antiques in every room. The floors are original terracotta and overhead are centuries-old chestnut beams. Some of the doors date back to the 1600s. Though it lies on the main piazza, this is a quiet village and you have no sense of having neighbours. The windows look onto the greenery of the surrounding woods and to the countryside beyond. Please note that there is no dishwasher.
