This stately villa was originally owned by the Church until 1350, and subsequently sold to a noble Florentine family. It is located in a splendid panoramic position, and is surrounded by the peace and tranquility of the green Mugello valley on the southern slopes of the Apennines. The estate consists of 230 hectares (570 acres) of farmland, mostly devoted to the cultivation of wheat and cereals, alternating with chestnut woods and fields. The elegant, historical building has been recently renovated, but still retains some of its original elements, including beamed ceilings in some rooms and warm Tuscan terracotta-tiled floors. The rooms are furnished with period furniture and decorated with valuable paintings and prints. The balconies and the windows of the villa offer nice views of the valley below. Guests have exclusive use of the extensive outdoor areas and the beautiful swimming pool (open June 10 - September 30). Behind the villa and the swimming pool, partly separated by a laurel hedge, is a farmhouse divided into three apartments. The caretaker lives in one of the apartments. The other two are mostly rented for long-term and all apartments have separate entrance. Privacy at Villa Giotto is guaranteed. The poolside is furnished with sun loungers and sunshades. A chapel and a grove of century-old trees are in the park, as well. A portico is furnished with table and chairs for al fresco dining. Please note that the pool ground is located at 200 meters from the house. The town of Vicchio, the birthplace of Giotto and Beato Angelico, is around 4 km away. It is possible to buy fresh bread and other basic foods in Vicchio. There is a wide selection of shops in Borgo San Lorenzo, which is around 15 km away. Florence (around 45 km) can be easily reached by car or using the convenient and frequent train service from Vicchio. It is possible to go sailing on Lake Bilancino, which has some beaches that are suitable for bathing. The villa has ADSL broadband and Wi-Fi internet.Villa Giotto is the ideal accommodation for all kinds of guests: those who love history and art can visit the magnificent Medicean villas and Romanesque churches in the neighborhood; sports fans can hike, mountain bike, or horseback ride along the pathways stretching around the estate, and those looking for water sports can find them in the nearby lake of Bilancino; and shopaholics cannot pass up the chance to visit the Barberino Outlet Village, just a few kilometers from the villa. Last but not least, the villa is also an excellent starting point for trips to Arezzo, Pisa, Siena and Lucca, all reachable within easy car reach.THE VILLA: Consists of two floors (connected by two internal staircases) and sleeps 12 GROUND FLOOR: The ground floor is composed of a large entrance hall, a simple but fully equipped kitchen (fridge/freezer, stove, oven, dishwasher, toaster, microwave, kettle), a dining room seating 12 guests, a living room with fireplace and Satellite TV, two guest bathrooms, and a laundry room with washing machine.FIRST FLOOR: Consists a second living room with fireplace and Satellite TV, two double bedrooms (one of which has a terrace) with ensuite bathrooms with shower, two double bedrooms with access to a large loggia, two twin bedrooms, two bathrooms with shower, and one bathroom with bathtub. One of the bedrooms features a wide balcony, whereas two of them open onto a large portico.Supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, banks, pharmacies and the post office are in Vicchio, about 4 km from the villa. In Vicchio there are also a bus station and a railway station with buses and trains for Florence. Distances: Vicchio 4 km - Barberino di Mugello 30 km - Florence 45 km - Arezzo 70 km - Siena 100 km - Lucca 90 km - Pisa 90 km - Florence airport 50 km. Other activities in the area: Public tennis courts 4 km Riding School 7 km Golf 15 km