Castello de Greco, Italy, Tuscany, Province of Livorno, Castagneto Carducci, 10 Bedrooms, Private Pool, Air Conditioning

With breathtaking views of the Tirreno Sea, in one of the most beautiful parts of the rolling Tuscan countryside, this Castle provides an unsurpassed Tuscan country home experience for families and other groups for up to 18 persons. It has been painstakingly restored, over 10 years, by descendants of the same noble family who built it in the 11th century. Within an hour by car are the diverse pleasures of Tuscany – historic villages, museums and churches with their priceless art, fabulous shopping, numerous fine restaurants and some of Italy’s most respected wineries – not to speak of the owner’s own first-class beach within 15 minutes drive. The house is fully staffed.

Location: The Castle is a two and a half-hour drive from Rome airport and 45 minutes from the Pisa airport. Several important historic towns such as Pisa, San Giminiano and Volterra are within 45 minutes.

Accommodation: There are six air-conditioned bedroom suites including the master bedroom with his and her bathrooms and a private tented terrace, four others in the main house and the sixth in the romantic, four-story 10th-century tower. Four other double bedrooms, cooled beautifully by the hillside breezes and the castle’s three-foot-thick walls, are perfect for children; each has an en-suite bathroom. In all bedrooms, sheets are of the finest hand-embroidered linen and bathrooms are spacious and use lovely local marbles.

The Castle: A grand entrance displays the Della Gherardesca coat of arms, carefully restored medieval stonework and a seemingly floating stone staircase. Continuing into the house, the main drawing room has massive-timbered beams and wonderful views of the countryside, the sea and the nearby island of Elba. Also on the main floor there is a sitting room, a library with cable TV and a collection of fine literature and art books, a study with computer/internet connection. Downstairs the dining room seats up to 18 at a grand round table, and there is a separate breakfast room, kitchen, playroom with cable TV and large collection of DVD’s, and a teenagers’ room with pool table.

The décor uses an imaginative combination of valuable antiques and contemporary pieces.

Outside along the picturesque west side of the house with the long views of countryside and sea, there is a terrace where most of the dining and entertaining in summer takes place. Just adjacent is the castle’s own medieval church, a 65-foot marble-lined, heated swimming pool with tented lounging area, a tennis court and yoga pavilion.

Local activities and excursions:
Apart from relaxing around the pool or on the secluded beach, excursions and activities are endless. Tuscany is rich in history; many say it has the highest concentration of art in the world. The towns of Pisa with its leaning tower, Volterra with its six ancient arched entrances, and charming San Giminiano with its many medieval towers are within one hour’s drive through rolling hills of olive and wine orchards. Walled medieval villages, off-the beaten track for most tourists, include Bolgheri, Castagneto, and Massa Marittima. Etruscan and Roman sites are also close by, as well as great museums and churches. An accomplished art historian can be hired to arrange private visits to important private houses and gardens, and to arrange views of private art collections not normally open to the public. Shopping, which can be guided if desired, includes ceramics, jewellery and the best of hand-made terra cotta urns and planters, as well as fabulous Italian country clothes and leather. Restaurants, all sampled by the owner’s family, include one that holds two Michelin stars and a number of Italy’s best trattorias. Tours of local vineries including the prized Sassicaia winery can be arranged in advance or after arrival, as can tours of the finest olive farms. It is also possible to hire a day boat for a short trip to the beautiful islands of Elba or Capraia.

Dining: The house staff includes a cook, who is available to prepare guests’ meals in the best tradition of Italian home-style. Local markets provide the freshest fish from the Tirreno Sea, and local farms organically-grown fruit and vegetables. During the summer dining is often outdoors, wit hundreds of candles lit on the terraces and a wood-burning pizza oven yields the finest Italian pizza and bread. Daytime meals can also be taken under the tent at poolside, barbecue-style, or with a picnic at the seaside hut. Undoubtedly guests will want to sample the excellent choice of restaurants in the area.

Other amenties of the Castle are:

• Church
• Medieval tower (bedroom 6, with bathroom, shower room and dressing room)
• Tennis court
• Swimming pool , with leisure tent and changing facilities.
• Beech hut

The rooms of the Castle in summary are as following:

• Drawing room
• Sitting room
• Library
• Study
• Dining room
• Breakfast room
• Playroom/ TV room
• Kitchen with outdoor pizza oven and barbecue facilities.
• Terraces and outdoor sitting areas
• Master bedroom with 2 en-suite bathrooms and terrace (air conditioned)
• 4 x adult bedroom suites (air conditioned)
• 5 further double bedrooms all with en suite bathrooms
• teenagers room/ playroom with 3 beds with en suite shower room

Staff:
The Castle is rent with 6/7/8 members of staff (depending from the number of guests), including an excellent chef. Every effort is made to ensure that guests have as good time as possible.