Set in a beautiful estate with charming hilltop villages nearby, Casale Bertino is in a prime position for exploring the very best of rural Tuscany. This carefully restored and stylish farmhouse is surrounded by scenic countryside and overlooks the estates olive groves, vines and golf course. Featuring both a large main house and an independent barn converted into an elegant annexe, Casale Bertino offers plenty of space for up to 16 guests to spread out across 8 bedrooms. In fact, this property can be split into three separate apartments, two in the main house and one in the annexe, each with its own private access. Each apartment has a fully equipped kitchen plus dining space and living area, with stunning original features such as vaulted ceilings, brick archways, tiled floors and stone walls running throughout the casa. Lush greenery, grassy hillsides, rosemary and lavender plants combine to create a serene outdoor setting, filled with delicious scents and featuring views of the golf course. A poolside terrace complete with sun loungers and umbrellas frames the lovely swimming pool, while there are also many shaded spots for cooling down. Enjoy a sunlit breakfast on the sheltered terrace or fire up the pizza oven before dining al-fresco in the balmy evening air and watching dusk fall over the estate. In the middle of the estate sits a delightful village known as the ‘borgo. Its just a 5-minute drive or 20-minute walk from Casale Bertino and features an ancient castle as well as shops and high-quality restaurants. A variety of lovely walks depart from the estate and cycling and horse-riding are also fantastic ways to explore the unspoilt landscape. There are also tennis courts available for use and the estate is home to the largest golf course in Tuscany. The picturesque villages of Montaione and San Vivaldo are just a 15-minute drive from the house and offer medieval architecture and unbeatable views. Other wonderful places to visit include San Gimignano, with its impressive towers and walled centre, and Certaldo with its beautiful buildings and charming palazzo. Florence is just over an hours drive from Casale Bertino and celebrated for its art, beauty and architecture. Pisa is a great place to visit for the day and no visit would be complete without seeing the iconic Leaning Tower. Siena is another sublime city, rich in art, culture and atmosphere and it has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. #### Features Villa Interior Ground Floor - Open-plan kitchen/living area with oven, fridge/freezer, dining table, fireplace and doors leading outside - Double bedroom, en-suite bathroom with shower - Twin bedroom, en-suite bathroom with shower First Floor (private access via external staircase) - Open-plan kitchen/living area with oven, fridge/freezer, dining table and doors leading to covered balcony - Double bedroom, en-suite bathroom with shower - Double bedroom - Twin bedroom - Bathroom with shower Annexe Ground Floor - Open-plan kitchen/living room with oven, fridge/freezer, dining table and doors leading outside - Double bedroom, en-suite bathroom with shower - Bathroom with shower First Floor - 2 x twin bedrooms, en-suite bathrooms with shower Outside Grounds - Swimming pool (11.5m x 3.5m, depth: 1.2m) open approximately May – September - Poolside terrace with sun loungers and umbrellas - Terrace with covered al-fresco dining area - Wood burning pizza oven - BBQ (on request) - Fenced grounds - Grassy lawns - Private parking Facilities - Wi-Fi - Air-conditioning - Heating - TV - Washing machine and dryer (x1) - Iron and ironing board (on request) - Hairdryer - Mosquito nets #### Location Casale Bertino is one of several villas spread out over a huge estate set in the glorious Tuscan countryside. At the heart of the estate, and just a 5-minute drive or 20-minute walk from the house, sits a quaint hilltop village known as the ‘borgo. Wander through its sleepy streets, explore the ancient castle and admire the sweeping views of vineyards, olive groves and rolling hillsides. The ‘borgo also boasts a selection of boutiques and a handful of excellent restaurants serving delicious local Italian cuisine. The estate surrounding Casale Bertino offers many fun activities allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the delights of the Tuscan countryside. Golf-lovers will be right at home here as the estate boasts the largest golf course in Tuscany. The 27-hole course is usually split into two separate courses, one more challenging course and another shorter course. There are also tennis courts available for use and many excellent walks of varying degrees of difficulty depart from the estate. Cycling and horse-riding through the vineyards and olive groves provide the chance to glimpse some of the areas wildlife including foxes, deer and even wild boar. There are several medieval hilltop villages nearby, including San Vivaldo and Montaione, which are both just a 15-minute drive from Casale Bertino. The beautiful 14th century convent perched just outside San Vivaldo is not to be missed, especially during summer months when it serves as a stunning venue for evening concerts. Picturesque Montaione is filled with a number of great osterias and pizzerias while Gambassi Terme is known for its thermal baths. San Gimignano is just half an hours drive away and is definitely worth a visit for its beautiful buildings, its historic centre encircled by ancient walls and its skyline of medieval towers. At 54 metres high, Torre Grossa is the tallest of San Gimignanos towers and the only one you can climb up – its worth it for the spectacular views at the top! Other fantastic places to visit in the area include the nearby towns of Castelfiorentino, which features Renaissance frescoes by the artist Benozzo Gozzoli, and Certaldo, with its rich history and blend of gothic and medieval architecture. The cities of Florence and Siena are renowned worldwide for their beauty and rich artistic and cultural heritage and can be reached by car in little over an hour. No trip to Florence is complete without a stroll along the bustling, boutique-lined Ponte Vecchio or a visit to Piazza del Duomo to gaze in awe at the mighty Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Escape the crowds by wandering along the banks of the River Arno and seek some shade within the Uffizi Gallery whilst admiring the collection of Medici busts and Renaissance paintings. Soak up Sienas ambience by resting in a cafe in Piazza del Campo or climb the Tower of Mangia which overlooks the central square and provides 360-degree views over the city. Pisa is just under an hours drive from the house and worth a day trip to see citys the famous Leaning Tower as well as the pretty Piazza dei Miracoli. Avoid the masses by visiting the iconic bell tower later in the day and instead enjoy a walk along the banks of the River Arno to see some of the citys beautiful aristocratic houses before returning to the city centre. Tucked away in a rural position, with medieval villages and several of Italys most loved cities within easy driving distance, Casale Bertino boasts an outstanding setting.