The Fonte Ripa Residence
Perks for the Parents
A contemporary take on a classic Tuscan country house with a private outdoor pool, a playground for the kids and a spa center for the adults. It sleeps 14. Perfectly set up for one large family or 2 groups travelling together, accommodation is split between a main villa and a separate cottage with its own kitchen, living room and bedroom suite for extra peace and privacy. There’s an on-site wellness center complete with a sauna, a Turkish bath, jacuzzi, gym and treatment room which can be booked via the hosts at an additional cost. There is plenty of outdoor space to relax and unwind in with a solarium, infinity pool and acres of beautiful parkland to explore, all fully fenced for additional peace of mind. Interiors are fully air conditioned offering a cool respite on warmer days with elegant living areas including a basement for hosting in-house cookery classes and wine tasting.
Why Kids Love it
Kids can run free in acres of wooded parkland with an abundance of space for games and den building, alongside lawned areas ideal for younger toddlers. There’s a designated playground area with a five-a-side football/volleyball field, and a large outdoor pool for splash about fun. Aspiring chefs might enjoy selecting fresh ingredients from the villa’s own vegetable garden, and there’s a BBQ, a wood oven and shaded alfresco dining area for Tuscan style pizza nights. Inside areas are air conditioned with plenty of space to retreat to on warmer days. There’s a smart TV for movie time, a HiFi with indoor and outdoor speakers, and a games area in the basement with a pool table. Local attractions include food markets, hiking trails, and horse trekking. A crib and a highchair can be provided on request, and the hosts can help arrange for private tours and cookery classes suitable for all the family.
Things to Know
Minimum stay: 7 nights. The outdoor pool is open between May and September; please note that it is unfenced so young kids should be supervised whilst outside. The villa is powered entirely from renewable energy sources; it has air conditioning in all rooms, heating on request and WiFi throughout, with work space available in the main house. Ensuite bathrooms have showers and no bathtubs. A welcome basket, a weekly change of linen, pool towels and bathrobes are included in the rental price. A daily cleaning service, access to the spa facilities and additional bed linen and towel sets can be arranged via the hosts at an additional cost. A double sofa bed and an extra bed can be made up on request, prior to arrival. Mosquito nets are fitted in the rooms. The villa has car parking for up to 10 cars on site and car hire is recommended to explore the area fully. Please note that a security deposit of €1500 will be taken at the beginning of the stay, and refunded subject to a post check out inspection. There is a daily tourist tax of €2 per person, not included in the rental price. Check in is between 4 and 6.30pm; check out by 10am.
About the Location
The villa is set in Valdichiana, a province in the Tuscan countryside located 1 hour south east of Florence, between the historic towns of Arezzo and Siena. Foiano della Chiana is an 8 minute drive with shops, bars, restaurants and other amenities. The historic village of Cortona is 26 minutes drive with more restaurants, cafes and shops. The Tuscan hill towns of Arezzo (32 minutes drive) and Siena (55 minutes) are ideal for short day trips with foodie rated restaurants, wine bars and medieval, Roman and Etruscan history to explore. Outdoorsy families might enjoy hitting local hiking, biking and horse trekking trails, and there are several vineyards just 10 minutes drive from the villa; the hosts can help arrange wine tasting and local cookery classes. The closest international airport is Florence’s Amerigo Vespucci Airport, 1 hour 10 minutes by car.
Accommodation Details
The villa has 6 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms set across 3 floors, divided between a main villa and a cottage outbuilding. The main villa's entrance is on the ground floor, leading into a large kitchen which is fully equipped with everything guests might require including a dishwasher, a coffee machine and a large dining table to seat all the family. There is a separate elegant living room with a fireplace, sofas, armchairs, satellite TV and a sofa bed. Doors lead out from both here and the kitchen to the garden for easy inside/outside access. There is a powder room on this level for added convenience. On the first floor there are 5 air conditioned bedrooms all with kingsize beds, an armchair, TVs, a fridge and ensuite shower rooms with bidets and a hairdryer. The basement of the main villa has a second living area with a billiards table, and a second full kitchen with workshop/events space. The cottage outbuilding is a short walk from the main house. On its ground floor there is a fully equipped kitchen and a living room with a TV. On the first floor is a bedroom with a kingsize bed, TV and an en-suite shower room. The outbuilding also houses the spa center where there is a sauna, a Turkish bath, a mini jacuzzi pool with relaxation area, a range of spa showers, and a massage room. Outside space includes landscaped parkland with lawned areas, a vegetable garden and wild flower meadows. There’s a solarium with sun beds, and several partially shaded terraces surrounding the villa with outdoor furniture, and an alfresco dining area complete with a BBQ, and a wood fired oven. There is an infinity pool with a sundeck, sun loungers, and an outdoor shower, as well as a playground area with a football pitch.
Style Notes
Reimagined Tuscan farmhouse. A contemporary and stylish rural villa that combines traditional materials and local building techniques with sleek, modern and environmental design. The villa's interiors are light and minimalist with clean lines and cooling natural stone. Linens and artistic textiles are weaved into the mix providing both luxury and comfort, with high beamed ceilings, large fireplaces, statement lamps and arched feature windows and doors adding further character and coziness. Natural stone, exposed brick and concrete set a natural tone, in tune with the verdant landscaped gardens and rolling countryside outside. We love the basement events space, with its extra kitchen and workshop areas perfect for in-house wine tasting, cookery lessons or general celebrations.
-
Air Conditioning
-
Baby Bath
-
Baby Monitor
-
Babysitter / Nanny
-
Backyard / Garden
-
Balcony
-
Bathtub
-
Bed Rails
-
Bicycles
-
Cabinet Locks
-
Changing Table
-
Chef / Catering
-
Children's Dinnerware
-
Corner Guards
-
DVD Library
-
DVD Player
-
Dishwasher
-
Elevator
-
Fireplace Guards
-
Game Console
-
High Chair
-
Housekeeper
-
Outlet Plugs
-
Parking
-
Pet-friendly
-
Pool
-
Pool Gate
-
Stair Gates
-
Television
-
Toys / Children's Books
-
Washer / Dryer
-
Wifi
-
Window Guards
Arezzo, Tuscany
La vita è bella
This medieval town between Perugia and Florence is known for its Renaissance frescoes. Children will love playing in the ruined Roman amphitheatre and day trips to Poppi Zoo, where they meet the rare European Lynx among other animals. Surrounded by countryside and hilltop villages in true Tuscan style, leisurely lunches and divine wine are the order of the day.
