Special Price!
20% discount for weeks August 14 - October 30

Podere Babo is the complete Tuscan Farmhouse experience and what most people think of when planning life in a Tuscan home. Situated on six acres of land, among vineyards, olive groves and farmland, you are assured your privacy, yet it is only a ten minute drive to a nearby village. Rental includes daily concierge service, maid service and breakfast. Combined with panoramic views of the Arno valley from the hills between the Chiana and Arno valleys, Podere Babo has all the amenities that dreams are made of.

Just a short thirty minute drive through picturesque countryside and you arrive at the village of Monte San Savino, one of the first urban settlement in Tuscany. It originated around 1100, but a further century had to pass before Monte San Savino could be considered a center of a certain social, political and cultural importance of Tuscany in those times. The town of Lucignano (46 km) is a must see, a remarkably preserved medieval walled hill-top village, elliptical in shape. It was strategically located between Siena and Arezzo, and between 1200 and 1500 was disputed between these cities and Florence and Perugia. The name Lucignano probably derives from the Roman family of the consul Licinio. Once the town came under the rule of Florence, construction began of the fortress, attributed to Bernardo Puccini; the sanctuary of the Madonna della Querce (attributed to the Vasari) in 1568; convent of the Cappuccini (c. 1580); the churches of Misericordia (1582) and della Collegiata (1594). Of note is the elaborate reliquary made for the Franciscan church, now in the Museo Civico. Called the Lalbero della vita it is a gilded and bejeweled tree surmounted by a crucified figure. It is signed by two jewelers, Ugolino da Vieri in 1350 and Gabriello D'Antonio in 1471.

Podere Babo started its life over 1,000 years ago as a church compound. Records dating back to Medieval times record the existence of the church on the property where many weddings were performed. Over the centuries, the church fell into disuse and it grew into a small hamlet housing thirty or so farmers who were responsible for taking care of the surrounding lands. Relics of the church were uncovered during the restoration of the house and while the church is no longer here, the large outdoor terraces and spacious interior rooms continue its memory into the twenty-first century. Today, Podere Babo is a large beautiful home with eight bedrooms, a large swimming pool, a childrens wading pool, poolhouse with shower and changing rooms and lots of outdoor areas for relaxing in tune with nature. The city of Arezzo and the A1 autostrada are only twenty minutes from the house and it is located just three kilometers from a train that runs between Florence and Arezzo, making a trip to both convenient.

Podero Babo is ideal for large groups of families, friends and even corporate retreats.

GROUND FLOOR
Main Living Room Once the cow barn, the original stone pillar supporting the four brick arches combine to form a large and spacious living room, with three sofas (one, a queen sofa bed), comfortable armchairs and French doors that open to the terrace and garden.
Dining Room Seven steps down from the living room is the large dining room with Tuscan mahogany table with seating for sixteen guests. French doors open to the internal courtyard. It is possible to hire musicians (a string quartet or perhaps a soloist) to serenade you unseen from the loft above this room.
Kitchen This professionally equipped kitchen has everything a serious cook needs or just longs for. Two cooking stations, a commercial, high speed dishwasher, stainless steel refrigerator/freezer, two gas stoves, two ovens, built-in pasta boiler, stainless and marble work surfaces and a double pastry refrigerator.
Second Kitchen Adjacent to the dining room is a small but fully equipped kitchen with gas stove, electric oven, refrigerator, dishwasher  perfect for stocking wines, cheeses and salami for impromptu wine tastings.
Study Seven steps down from the main kitchen lead to the study. While the owners were excavating this area, they uncovered a thousand year old foundation wall of a possible tower. It was so beautiful, they did not want to cover it up so they installed a glass floor so everyone can enjoy this piece of antiquity. The room houses a sofa, comfortable armchairs, an electronic piano and writing desk. It is the ideal place for music, reading or writing your postcards. French doors open to the outdoor terrace with tables for dining al fresco.
TV Room/Play Room What was once a carriage room used to store wagons and farm implements now houses satellite TV with VHS and DVD player and CD player. A large farm table sits near the fireplace. There are childrens toys and games stored here making it an ideal childrens play room.
Bedroom 1 A short landing and five steps down bring you to the queen bedroom, with French doors opening to a semi private furnished terrace. The terra cotta and wood beamed ceiling continues into the en suite bathroom on the landing level, with blue and white tiles and glass shower.

FIRST FLOOR
Bedroom 2 Here are two twin beds that can be combined into a king, This bedroom shares a bathroom with Bedroom 3.
Bedroom 3 The queen bedroom has a marble corner sink and shares a bathroom with Bedroom 2.
Shared Bathroom This bathroom has a guest bath plus a full bath with tub and shower, decorated with hand-painted ceramic tiles.
Bedroom 4 Two extra long twin beds that can be combined into a king. This pretty stone walled room has a daybed and chair and table for sitting and relaxing when you need some private time. En suite bathroom with tub and hand held shower, two windows, one facing west and another facing south offer up beautiful views.

SECOND FLOOR
Second Living Room Double doors open to a warm and welcoming living room with breathtakingly high ceilings, satellite TV and a large hearth fireplace. One wall is exposed stone with a brick entrance. This room was originally the Tuscan kitchen for a large farming family that lived in one half of the house.
Bedroom 5 Queen bedroom with en suite bathroom with tub and wall mounted shower.
Bedroom 6 Queen Bedroom with western exposure that opens out onto a unique courtyard that was created due to the result of centuries of additions to the original building. It is a quiet retreat with stone paving and climbing flowers.This bedroom's bathroom is across the adjacent second floor living room and includes a walk in tiled shower with rain shower head.
Bedroom 7 Two twin beds that can be combined into a king bed on request with an en suite bathroom with tub and shower.
Bedroom 8 King/twin bedroom with en suite bathroom decorated in beautiful, hand painted ceramic tiles with shower.
Loft Situated overlooking the dining room, the acoustics are perfect for dining to music.The loft is furnished with plush, down-filled armchairs and double partnerss desk. It is a comfortable place to relax, read or work. Your concierge can hire musicians for your personal concert or wedding ceremony

THIRD FLOOR
Bedroom 9 This private bedroom suite has a living room with a queen sofa bed with en suite bathroom with shower. Seven steps up lead to the queen bedroom.

Living Room, Dining Room, Study, Terrace, Courtyard, Garden, 2 Fully Equipped Kitchens, 2 Living Rooms, TV/Play room, Balcony Room over the Dining Room

3 King/Twin Bedrooms with en suite bathrooms
3 Queen Bedrooms with en suite bathrooms
2 Queen Bedrooms
1 King/Twin Bedroom
1 Queen Sofa Bed

4 Bathroom with Shower
4 Bathroom with Tub (includes either handheld or wall mount shower)
1 Half Bath

Stove, Oven, Microwave, Private Barbecue, Refrigerator, Freezer, Dishwasher, High Speed Internet Access,

Private Inground Pool, 16 x 8 meters, Fireplace, Central Heat, Maid Service, Breakfast Included, Cook Available, Views, Concierge Service for arrangements of all types of services, Daily Maid Service, Midweek Linen Change, Daily Continental Breakfast, Portable Air Conditioning unit, Fans

           available     unavailable     on hold     by request     2011

2010 PRICES

Weekly rate, Sat. to Sat. arrival/departures unless stated otherwise

Low Jan 02 - Apr 16 Oct 16 - Dec 17 $10,150 Mid Apr 17 - Jun 11 Sep 11 - Oct 15 Dec 18 - Dec 31 $11,368 High Jun 12 - Sep 10 $12,586

Click here to see 2011 calendar and prices

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It is possible to book this villa with 5 bedrooms. Special Price! 20% discount for weeks August 14 - October 30 Arrival Time: 4 - 7pm SECURITY DEPOSIT (payable on arrival to the key holder) 1500 Euro - will be returned via mail Security Deposit payable by check to Papavero Villa Rentals and refunded no later than one month after your departure from the apartment, less any unpaid fees or damages. ADDITIONAL CHARGES Telephone, Heating, Grocery Shopping TRANSPORTATION NEAREST AIRPORT: Rome/ Fiumicino 257km ( 2 1/2 hours) , Florence Peretola 80km ( 1 hour 10 mins) NEAREST TRAIN STATION: Arezzo to Florence line, 3km 15min CITIES AND TOWNS: Arezzo 14km, Siena 42km, Cortona 44km, Florence 67km, Pienza 66km, Umbria-Assisi 124km, Todi 141km SERVICES: Shops, Restaurants, Bank, Grocery Store 6km