Tuscany vacation, Italy - apartment rentals within a working farm

Offering a marvellously relaxing Tuscany vacation, Italy, these are apartment rentals within a working farm.

A hearty welcome awaits at the Ponziani Gioiello and Uliviero agriturismo (holiday farm), now lovingly restored as a comfortable holiday farmhouse by local expert craftsmen. The farm is immersed in the unspoiled greenery of the Tuscan hills. Here you can spend glorious days of rest and relaxation, appreciating the sounds and smells of nature.

The farm holiday complex, which is open all year round, is run as a family business, and the owners have direct contact with the guests. The lady of the house, Morena, delights customers with genuine home-made dishes prepared with the produce of the farm, while the master of the house, Uliviero, astounds them with his fabulous, wood-oven baked pizzas.

This Tuscany vacation, Italy lets you take part in the farm’s daily activities: from grape picking to harvesting the olives, and gathering water-melons and melons. The surrounding country has broad meadows, woods, vineyards and olive groves: a landscape which invites long walks or bicycle rides, and reveals hidden pathways.

The farmhouse holiday complex has five apartment rentals, each with a kitchen, bedrooms, a lounge and bathroom. In addition, they are equipped with running water (fit for drinking), electricity, self-contained central heating, air conditioning, satellite TV and a telephone.

The farmhouse holiday complex has been awarded three stars, symbolised by ears of corn. The farm’s aim is to focus on its values: care of the countryside, direct contact with the various farm business activities of the four seasons, flavour and tradition ... and people.

Within the farmhouse there is a vast hall, set out to allow you to sample all the typical products of the farm, including water melons, melons and extra virgin olive oil. The room has a large fireplace and, on the warmer days, what could be more pleasant than to dine under the porch? You can also buy typical Tuscan farm produce.

Relax around the 12 metre pool, with deckchairs and sunshades. The farmhouse complex is completely enclosed and private. Upon arrival the owner will greet you in the reception and you may safely leave your car in the private car park. You will enjoy spending some time in the large grounds, which have a well, a barbecue, a play area for the children and benches for sitting and reading.

All the apartments have been authentically renovated in keeping with the architectural styles of Tuscany, with local materials such as wooden beams and decorative brickwork. All the rooms are air conditioned and the furnishings are simple and comfortable. Each apartment has a separate entrance and its own outdoor area with a table, chairs and sunshade.

Each apartment rental is subtly different. The living rooms are furnished in typical Tuscan style, with a well-equipped kitchen, fitted with four gas rings, oven, fridge and satellite TV, to make guests feel right at home. The bedrooms are very comfortable, with rustic decor and beds fitted with the best quality orthopaedic mattresses.

The farmhouse is 1km from the village of Orentano, (a small hamlet of the town of Castelfranco di Sotto, Pisa); 5km from the Altopascio exit from the A11 Florence-coastal motorway; 15km from Montecatini Terme; 35km from Pisa; 50km from Florence and 30km from the coastal resort of Viareggio. The principal centres of the area are Cascina, Pontedera, San Miniato and Volterra.

[ local map | map of Tuscany ]

The farmhouse is deeply rooted and well integrated within its area, bringing guests in touch with the traditions of the place. Every year in the village of Orentano there are a number of fairs: in February, there is the children's carnival; during June-July, there is the pizza and beer sagra (festival); from 15–20 August is the choux sagra, centred on a large cake decorated with choux pastry, placed on a cart, and each year representing famous national monuments.

The choux sagra is the event of the summer. There are many Orentanesi who live and work in cities such as Milan and Turin (where they run the best restaurants), and Rome (where they run the finest pastry shops). Each August, businesses close and they return for a well-earned rest in Orentano, and make the sagra a real event.

Orentano also has an archaeological museum, with Etruscan remains (including a human skeleton), found in the area surrounding the town.

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