Tuscany, Villa Colle	"We didn't stay long enough."
Central Location - Arrive Any Day

Overview

Location

Colle di Val d'Elsa

Quality

Sleeps

2 + 2

Bedroom(s)

Bath(s)

Price

€120/night, 5 nights min

Great Value

Enjoy

You can relax in comfort in this ancient 17th century monastery where medieval monks once lived. The property has been recently restored, respecting the original architectural elements, and divided into 10 apartments.

Location

The medieval town of Colle di Val d'Elsa (which means hill above the valley of the Elsa river) is close enough to walk to, 1 kilometer, .6 miles, so you can send your early risers into town for bread for breakfast or take an evening stroll or passeggiata in the piazza with the townsfolk. Teenagers can get away and explore the town on their own. The property itself, a farm, invites exploration with 35 acres of orchards, agricultural fields, and a poplar grove. You can see the towers of San Gimignano from several points on the property.

You are in the heart of Tuscany, just 1/2 mile from the medieval center of Colle Val d'Elsa (all kinds of shops, tennis, playground, castle, cathedral). 7.5 miles to S. Gimignano, 12 miles to Siena, 17 miles to Volterra, 27 miles to Florence, 43 miles to the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Colle di Val d'Elsa also offers some great shopping in the industrial outskirts with factory outlets, mostly for ceramics and glass.

Colle Val d'Elsa is a small town built high up on a rocky spur on the left bank of the river Elsa. Although less well know than many other small towns in Tuscany, it is a delightful place with many interesting art treasures. The medieval upper town is particularly well preserved and its position offers magnificent views on all sides. A classic Renaissance piazza is at the base of the hill

Exterior

The apartments are all in one chunky old building that has served so many purposes in the past. There are four apartments on the ground level. The ground floor apartments have exterior entrances and little patios right outside their doors. They are not particularly private because they can be viewed by guests walking the property.

A flight of steps to the 2nd floor (American designation) leads to a nicely furnished lobby off which are two apartments. They each have their own living rooms but also share this lobby with the three 3rd floor apartments.

Interior

Each apartment has a main room that contains a living room area with a sofa bed. The same room, the usual Tuscan layout, contains a dining table and chairs and against the wall is a kitchenette.

The kitchenettes that have been installed are modern, efficient, and have the essentials. There is the typical, under the counter refrigerator without freezer. If you have ice packs for your cooler that you would like frozen, your hosts will kindly put them in their freezer. There is a four burner gas stove top, but no large oven. One apartment has a microwave and the rest have good, counter top ovens that are great for reheating food and for baking.

The apartments share the outdoor area that includes an inviting swimming pool (23x46 feet), with bathroom and shower, and laundry room (€5/load). Each apartment has its own parking space and outdoor eating area with table, umbrella, and chairs.

The décor and furniture is quality Tuscan in style, comfortable and casual.

If the weather turns very hot, you will also appreciate the air conditioning option. Several of the apartments are cool in all weather and never need air conditioning. For any that do, there are portable air conditioners that the owners bring to you. You will pay the additional electricity cost in that case. Furthermore the windows have screens, very unusual in Italy.

Handicap Access: There is handicap access to the single studio on the property. They will open a back gate for you to drive up close to the building. The walks across the property are gravel. The studio apartment is very open and has a specially equipped handicap bathroom.

Tour

Click back/forward arrows on photos or select from thumbnails below.

Ancient Buildings at Sunrise, Beyond Elsa River

Colle Alta, the high hill, is a narrow ridge that contains the fortifications and old castle of the oldest part of Colle di Val d'Elsa, the hill above the valley of the Elsa river. Sunrise illuminates the ancient buildings. This part of Colle di Val d'Elsa is a five minute walk from your accommodations in Tuscany.

Towering Cypress Trees Along Drive to Apartments

Mature cypresses line the gravel path to the ancient building where the apartments are located. The building served as a monastery in the 1700s, it has been an olive mill, a barn and now all the various rooms and additions make for a set of unique apartments each with its own charm and historical accents.

Postcard-Perfect Early-Morning Scenery

Colle di Val d'Elsa

Relax by Large, Clean Pool With Poolhouse

A good sized pool welcomes you with plenty of room to sun bathe or swim. A pool house offers bathrooms and a shower. Because there are only nine apartments, don't expect a crowd.

Typical View of Tuscan Hills and Blue Skies

Azure skies and rolling hills are typical of Tuscany. Walk to the top of the hill on the left to spot the fascinating skyline of San Gimignano in the distance. This walk and terrace serve two apartments, one is the studio that is outfitted for handicap access.

Rustic, Yet Cheerful Open Plan Living Space

Photo Tour of Villa Colle

Poplar Grove at Villa Colle

A grove of poplars grows below the lawns, a nice place to wander, cool off, and, perhaps, play a game of hide and seek. The property also has its own small vineyard planted by the owner's mother. It is not of commercial size but serves the household. Sometimes there are a few bottles available for guests to purchase if they wish to try the fruit of the land.

Pool-Facing Side of Apartment Building

Two apartments are accessed from this side of the building that faces the pool. A walk wraps around on the left of this photo to access another apartment and the studio outfitted for wheelchair access.

Room for a Small Gathering in Common Area of Villa Colle

Up one flight from the ground level is a common room that provides access to five of the apartments, two on the second floor (American), first (European) and three more above. A nice place for friends to gather or for a quiet read.

Light-Filled Apartment With Comfortable, Rustic Furniture

Each apartment is different. This one is accessed from the common room. It is full of light and very comfortable.

Functional Kitchenettes for Preparing Small Meals

The kitchenettes offer all the essentials: a four burner gas stove top, under-counter refrigerator with no freezer compartment. A counter-top oven serves for baking small dishes and reheating food. The bureau on the right holds the dishes and cutlery. The television can be rotated for viewing from the table or the sofa.

Apartments Feature Sleep Sofas and Screens on Windows

The sleep sofa is very comfortable. The windows have screens, a special benefit and unusual in Italy. For very hot days, you may request a portable air conditioner for which you will pay the cost of electricity.

Charming Bedrooms With Beamed Ceilings

The apartments have a very nice Tuscan flavor with high, beamed or brick ceilings, terracotta or 'cotto floors that are so cool and easy to clean, lace trimmed window curtains, and large armoires. The beds all have bedside tables and reading lamps. This bedroom has a vanity or desk and chair.

Sparkling Tile and Modern Fixtures

The sparkling tile work and handsome fixtures are typical of the bathrooms. In this one, a sliding partition can separate the sink

At the entrance to one apartment, you will find the "Inferno" an element from the olive mill days. This deep hole was where the leftover pits and skins were thrown. Antique amphorae for the oil create a interesting conversation element. (This feature is locked behind shutters and cannot be seen if children are staying in the apartment.)

Villa Colle

Typical Arched Doorways for True Tuscan Flavor

The living room of the Inferno apartment with the entrance to the "inferno" chute on the right just inside the entrance. Arches are an important architectural element.

Bright Kitchen With Great Counter Space

All of the kitchens have the same appliances, this one offers extra counter space.

Arbor Shades View of Chianti Hills

An arbor welcomes guests to enjoy the view in the shade.

Interesting Arched Ceiling in Lower Level Bedroom

Careful remodeling has revealed small points of interest. This bedroom in the cool, lower level features an old stone manger under the arch and behind the bed.

Tuscan Sunset View Through Villa Colle Window

Sunset gives the gentle landscape a glow. Lift your glass of Chianti Classico and let the evening light bring peace and relaxation.

Villa Colle bathroom

A screen can be pulled across half the bath to separate the shower area from the mirror and sink area.

Kitchens Well-Equipped

All kitchens are similarly equipped with stove top, convection oven, small refrigerator

Iron bedstead in Villa Colle bedroom

Beds as Queen or Twins

Many of the bedrooms can be made up as one large bed or two singles, please request.

Antique bureau and mirror in large bathroom.

Tuscan Landscape

Verdant Tuscan landscape

Villa Colle Pool

View of the Pool looking back towards the main building

Red Poppies

Red poppies in Spring in Colle di Val d'Elsa

Details

Detailed Features for Italy Vacation Rental

Villa Colle

Colle di Val d'Elsa, Tuscany

Location	Colle di Val d'Elsa

Sleeps	2 to 4 each (10 apartments)

Bedrooms	Nine one-bedroom suites with one studio equipped for wheelchair access.

Bathrooms	One bathroom

Floor	Ground, 1st & 2nd floors

Elevator	No

Accessible & Ample	There is handicap access to the single studio on the property. They will open a back gate for you to drive up close to the building. The walks across the property are gravel. The studio apartment is very open and has a specially equipped handicap bathroom

Size	Varies from about 350 - 450 sq ft, 40 - 50m2

Balconies, Terraces, Views	The rolling countryside all around and from certain locations on the property, even the towers of San Gimignano.

Kitchen Equipment	Kitchenettes, small refrigerator, no freezer, counter-top ovens, 4 gas burners.

Laundry	(€5/load) Shared

Air Conditioning	Yes, portable units, extra payment

Heat	Central, extra payment

Parking	Own parking space

Crib	Available upon request €26/week

Recreation	Pool is 23x46ft, with bathroom and changing rooms

Entertainment	Yes, satellite reception for English language news

Linens	Included

Pets	No

Smoking	No

Family Suitability	Excellent for small families (children on sofa beds) and for family reunions.

Cleaning	Included

Security Deposit	€200 Euros on arrival

Dates-Rates

Availability and Pricing for Italy Vacation Rental

Villa Colle

Colle di Val d'Elsa, Tuscany

Availability

Available for bookings

Occupied/Not available

Reservation Pending

Price Information

Nightly Price in Euros
1 - 2 guests	€120
3 guests	€150
4 guests	€160

Stay Restrictions

Minimum stay 5 nights.

In August week long stays must start on Saturday and five or six night stays must fall between Saturdays.

Reviews

Reviews and Customer Testimonials for Italy Vacation Rental

Villa Colle

Colle di Val d'Elsa, Tuscany

Our Review

Great location on the edge of town but looking out into the countryside
Views are restful but not dramatic
Apartments are spotlessly clean and adequately equipped
Owner and staff are welcoming; their English is limited but everybody manages to communicate.
Good value

Guest Book Testimonials

We had a wonderful stay	May 2009
We had a wonderful stay at Villa Colle. The owners were warm and welcoming, the apartments furnishings lovely and with just the right items. The well kept grounds an Italian retreat from a busy day yet within walking distance to the old city. The central Tuscany location is ideally situated for day trips in the area from Pisa, Florence, Chianti, Sienna, to Montepulciano.
Ann , Winchester, MA

Amazing Colle *****	Sep 2008
We spent 8 days at Colle Di Val D'Elsa staying at the Villa Colle. Our villa had everything we could want (but for an exceptionally hard and uncomfortable bed). The villa grounds were breathtakingly beautiful. We enjoyed our daily stroll into Colle Di Val D'Elsa each morning for a coffee and each afternoon for pre-dinner drinks. The location was fabulous just a short walk into Colle but also very central for touring Tuscany. We visited Siena, Florence, San Gimmy and spent 2 glorious days roaming through the Chianti. My Tuscan experience was everything I had hoped for and would not hesitate to recommend Colle Di Val D'Elsa as the perfect place to stay in Tuscany and Colle Villa as the perfect accommodation (except for the bed). I will return. Note from the management: Thank you for the kind comments. One note, the mattresses on the beds and sofas are purchased new every two years. We select the firmer ones because they are rated as better for backs. We have tried a few soft ones but they loose their "tone" quickly. So, firm mattresses all around with apologies for those who prefer softer ones.
Julie, Perth, Western Australia

Great for families	Aug 2007
We stayed here in August 2007 for a 5 days. We loved the location and found the apartment to be simple but spotless. The kids enjoyed the pool every day and it was a great break for them. My concern was that it would be too hot (there were portable air conditioners if we needed them) but there was no need. The owners were helpful but very reserved. There were many European visitors but we were the only American family there at the time (which to us was a positive). We have only fond memories of our stay there.
traveling mom, Tenafly, New Jersey

Boys had a great time playing on the grounds

Jun 2006

We have just returned from our trip. I want to thank you for the help with the lodging in Tuscany . We were very pleased with the property overall, the ladies were wonderful to us and my boys had a great time playing on the grounds. The location really is ideal for exploring all parts of the area. Thanks again. Tom

Tom Z, Arizona

Immaculate rooms and surroundings. Great pool

Jul 2005

Accommodations overall: exceptional !! Illaria and her staff were very welcoming and helpful. Immaculate rooms and surroundings. great pool( a highlight for the kids-it was hot in italy!). very clean.

Enjoy the most? everything. the upper town (great cappucino and gelato at the local Bar), the pool, the vista. breathtaking...why go anywhere else.?

Any drawbacks or problems? didn't stay long enough... wish i spoke italian. People were lovely but it would be more enriching to be able to converse

Recommendations? we bought food in the upper village and cooked when we were not doing a day trip.

What can Excellent Europe do to improve its service? Excellent Europe was more than excellent...how do you improve on that? We will certainly contact you again for other trips.

Andrea K, Canada

Not fancy, but comfortably Tuscan.

Jul 2005

We had a lovely time in Italy. Everything went beautifully.

We recommended your website numerous times!

Our accommodations in all three places were just what I had hoped for.

Colle was particularly well suited for our family. The fact that we were truly within walking distance to an untouristy small Italian town gave us an option of relaxing by the pool for the afternoon and walking into town for dinner. We truly had some

KCB, Virginia

Spacious, clean and decorated very nicely.

Jul 2005

We had an awesome trip to Italy (and Croatia), thanks so much for all of your help.

Accommodations overall? They were very nice. The room was as described, spacious, clean and decorated very nicely.

Enjoyed the most? The children really enjoyed the pool and the quiet surroundings. We enjoyed the spacious accomodations and the nice kitchen in which we prepared a few meals.

Any drawbacks or problems? No

Location and the surrounding area? It was beautiful. A little off the beaten path, but that was part of the charm. We found it convenient that the small town had a grocery store nearby. We enjoyed the peacefulness of the location.

Nearby events or sites? We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Siena.

Any tips for future guests? None that you didn't provide. The towels for the pool was a good tip.

Do you recommend any restaurants or shops? We mostly cooked in the room during our time there.

What can Excellent Europe do to improve its service? Provide expanded directions from the Autostrada, as we had a little trouble determining the approapriate exit to take. [Have done. pb]

Rose D, Maryland

Clean, comfortable, well-equipped

Jul 2005

We had such a wonderful time! We are already trying to figure when and where to go next! We found the accommodations at Villa Colle to be great! It was very clean, comfortable, well-equipped, and Illaria and her staff were very helpful! We enjoyed the people we met from all over, we enjoyed how we were able to have some privacy, but could still intermingle with our friends in their respective apartments easily. We thought having the pool was key for our children. We used it a lot to relax and cool off midday when it was hottest, it was a great break for our kids between our planned activities at other locations. We also really appreciated the fact that, relative to the price, it was a great value! There were absolutely no drawbacks or problems! The location was ideal! It was easy driving distance to almost anywhere in Tuscany. We visited Siena, San Gimingnano, Pisa, Florence, Volterra, and towns in the Chianti region easily! It was also great to have the convenience of shopping in the "modern " part of Colle de Val d'Elsa by car. But what we liked best was being able to walk so easily into the historic, older part of Colle di Val d'Elsa. It was the perfect mix of old and new right at our fingertips! All recommendations from Illaria and her staff were great, from restaurant choices to directions to anywhere we wanted to go. I would suggest people use them as their guides for where to eat, and how to get where they want to go. Excellent Europe's service was great, we spoke with another family from Canada about using Excellent Europe and they were very pleased as well. I am sure we would use Excellent Europe again!

Suzy F, Virginia

Just a five minute walk to a true Italian town

Jul 2004

Overall: We loved it! definitely go back there again. Great for families or for anyone who wants to relax in the amazing Italian country side.

Enjoyed Most: The people, very little tourists, the landscape (olive trees, lemon trees, lavender... beautiful!)

Drawback, problems: none

Surrounding Area: Location was outstanding, just a five minute walk to a true Italian town (old Colle di). Very peaceful.

Nearby Events or Sites: Perfect location for short driving trips to all kinds of small hill towns.

Tips/ Restaurants: Make sure to learn a little basic Italian because in these smaller towns very few people speak English.

Café Lido in old town Colle di val d'Elsa was wonderful, very friendly. By far the best gelato we had in Italy. Molino il Moro was an excellent restaurant in a very unusual setting, an old flour mill.

Mary Jo W