The artists' house...Relaxing, light simple holiday house with pool, sole occupancy - the house is completely for your enjoyment .
Sits alone on a little hill. Own gate, drive, private land.
Huge terrace with pool, views overlooking the lovely historic colonaded town of Poppi, situated to east of Florence , and 35 minutes from Arezzo, easy reach of Cortona, Siena and sea, with excellent opportunities for sightseeing.
The house sits on its own little hill down a small gravel track and across a couple of fields, from the village, (passing umbrella pines and a good place to pick blackberries!)
The air of the Casentino is very clean - the house is on the edge of the National park and so one can drive up the mountain on a hot day for a cool walk among the chestnuts, followed by a panini or even hot chocolate in Camaldoli.
The house is easy to relax in, it has dining inside and out, with different sized tables set around the lavender lined terrace, pool and garden so you can choose to sit in the sun or under the vine clad pergolas .
The pool is 7x3 metres and overlooks the whole valley. The terrace behind it is a good place for yoga and meditation or for just sitting with a glass of wine after a day's sightseeing.
There are beds for sunbathing, and a barbecue ( the local Chianina beef is available , as well as ready made local meals, are available from the macelleria in the piazza , and lasagna etc can be made to order ).
Many games available. There is a tiny field with goal posts for playing football or pop up tennis, croquet, basketball hoop plus ping pong/ table football in the shade of a massive oak tree. A yoga teacher can be
supplied by request.
There is also swimming in the River Arno or for serious swimmer, an Olympic sized pool in Bibbiena.
Poppi is a collonaded town with a Castle built as a model for the Uffizzi in Firenze. There are 9 other castles in the area to explore. Poppi has a variety of shops and has a market on Tuesday's when everyone comes in to town for a gossip. There is a great icecream cafe on the piazza for watching the world go by! There are also good delicatessens selling local produce and organic vegetables etc .
Apart from horse riding, cycling and, for the brave, a flight over the valley in a microlight, there is also a fabulous golf course behind Poppi ( see Golf Casentino)
Local Tuscan specialities served at a variety of local restaurants allow one to have a relaxing and entertaining break. There is a restaurant within a few minutes of the house selling well cooked meals from pizza and pasta to steak etc. Good for children as well!
Catered meals and a taxi service can be supplied on request.Bus and trains to Firenze and Arezzo.
During the colder months, board games, good supply of books, DVDs, wood fires.
The house is basic but comfortable. In spring birdwatching (46 varieties of bird listed in one week) with occasional visits to the fields by wild boar and deer.
Nightingales fireflies, shooting stars, golden oriel and hoopoes can make for a magical experience.
Cherries, plums, figs. walnuts in season are pickable.
Christmas New Year and the winter.
The house is not for the fainthearted in winter! It is stone built, has 2 fires and bathroom heating, plus electric blankets and hot water bottles. We have made the prices low because you will have to heat the house up which takes about a day. Bedrooms are cold thought there are electric blankets and hot water bottles.
Logs can be ordered either through us or through the wood man. It is also possible that you might be snowed in or have to leave your car at the end of the drive. Otherwise its very romantic!
Winter or summer you leave feeling refreshed!
THE HOUSE IS CLEANED and surfaces are disinfected. Hygenic sheets and towels are supplied by the local laundry, and for long stays are delivered weekly.
Artists froom the area - Piero della Francesco, della Robbia, the Bibiena brothers, Dante... George Elliot visited and trekked from Poppi to Camalodoli...
Fairs and festivals all summer.
Learn Italian, learn to make pasta, attend wine tastings..
THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES ARE FROM RECENT ( 2019) GUESTS WHO WERE NOT ALLOWED LEAVE REVIEWS ON THIS SITE AS THEY BOOKED THE HOUSE ELSEWHERE , BUT HAVE SENT THE FOLLOWING. All unedited.
Reviews from guests did not book through This website so can’t leave reviews..
Email from a guest while staying..
" Thank you for letting us know about the market, which we will visit. We are feeling just marvellous and really enjoying your beautiful house.
The kitchen stove is fantastic and all your odds and ends make for a very comfortable and attractive house....I spotted a number of deer early yesterday morning in the field just below the house. I am having a day here on my own, to which I look forward - the other 2 couples have arranged to have a game of golf. We had an excellent meal at the Restaurant near the roundabout last night and plan to visit the Frog Festa on the 31st. Yesterday we went to the Antique Market in Stia and picked up a few lovely things -
The paintings in the bedroom downstairs where I am sleeping, I love!
June 2019
Message from guest while staying :
Oh thank you! Just been exploring local food shopping and now just enjoying this lovely house and garden in today’s heat. Thanks for the suggestions which are really helpful and we’ll check out the Laterina festival tonight or tomorrow night. Keen cooking and barbecuing son is also eyeing up the exciting bbq! Such a glorious spot. 27 July 2019
Message review from guest after staying June- July 2019
Casa Feriale* could not be more idyllic. Sitting among the butterflies on the generous terrace, enjoying an uninterrupted view across rolling countryside to Poppi castle, you feel perfectly private, far from the madding crowd. Yet a short drive (or longish walk) takes you to friendly food shops, bars, cafés and a train station. Across a few fields, a neighbour sells freshly picked fruit, veg and eggs. The mature garden, beautifully planted, is a delight: lovely spots to sit and read quietly, and plenty of space for conviviality. As for the house, it's gorgeous: comfortable, characterful and unfussy, and lots to do, inside and out. Lovely shady walking nearby in the forests of the national park, great places to eat, and wonderful daytrips. The perfect place for a big family or group of friends to unwind, with every generation catered for.
