Villa Fratini Italy

This historic and beautifully renovated villa is ideally located for day trips to Florence and Siena. Villa Fratini is surrounded by its own private gardens and picturesque Tuscan countryside but, conveniently, is just five minutes to the nearest motorway junction. The vibrant town of Terranuova Bracciolini is a short drive away, offering all the local amenities you may need during your holiday. There are two nature reserves in the Arezzo province and the beautiful River Arno is just minutes away.
Villa Fratini sleeps up to twelve guests and provides the most exquisite accommodation for large family groups or friends gathering together for a holiday or celebration. A dwelling of some sort has existed on this site since before the ancient Romans, and it has a rich history through the centuries. A discerning architect started its renovation in the 1980s, culminating in the romantic holiday home enjoyed today.
The large covered entrance is a peaceful place to sit, and features a pizza oven for al fresco cooking. Once inside, the ground floor is mostly open-plan but divided into sections thanks to the original vaulted ceiling and arches. Elegant furniture and large windows provide a welcoming living and dining space, and the large kitchen features professional-quality equipment. An attractive al fresco dining terrace and veranda leads away from the kitchen, creating a space for all twelve guests to come together and dine outdoors, morning, noon and night. From here, you can explore the delightful garden, which boasts a huge number of plants, trees and fruits, including an olive grove, cypresses and figs. Your private pool is flanked by sun loungers and a terrace for soaking up the Italian sun and snoozing through the afternoon.
You’ll find five bedrooms on the first floor, including three double rooms – two en-suite – and two twin rooms. All feature air conditioning and tasteful, colour-coordinated décor. The ancient lookout tower, adjoining the villa, is home to an additional twin bedroom and bathroom, making it ideal for those seeking their own space. The views from here are spectacular. Villa Fratini lies in the heart of Tuscany and the beautiful Valdarno valley. This special area is brimming with nature reserves, wonderful towns and cities and the River Arno runs through mile after mile of stunning scenery. You’re just a few minutes outside of the small town of Terranuova Bracciolini and despite being surrounded by peaceful countryside, a motorway junction for the A1 is just five minutes away. You also have a bus stop just outside the villa gates.
Terranuova Bracciolini is small medieval Florentine town, complete with old piazza, historic centre and fourteenth century churches. You’ll also find mouth-watering eateries serving local dishes, including the irresistible variety of cakes, typical in the Arezzo area. Look out for baldino or gattò to complete the perfect meal.
With the incredible city of Florence just under one hour’s drive north of Villa Fratini, and Arezzo about thirty minutes south, you’re wonderfully situated for visiting the principal cities in this eastern part of Tuscany. Home to the iconic Duomo of Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore and world-famous Renaissance art, you may need more than one day trip to Florence, as simply wandering the old streets is a delight in itself.
Arezzo sits on top of a hill, overlooking four valleys, and has history dating back to the Stone Age. Today, it’s a vibrant place to visit with cultural landmarks including a Roman Amphitheatre, Medicean Fortress and Church of San Francesco. If your legs grow tired of sightseeing, head to Piazza Grande for a cooling drink, whilst watching the Italian world go by.
If you want to explore the countryside near Villa Fratini, the River Arno runs past Terranuova Bracciolini and up to Florence. You can enjoy the peace on a walking or cycling trail alongside the river, try paddle boarding or take a boat trip for a view of Florence from the water. The Balze Natural Protected Area (11km) extends up to Regello and is a unique landscape of eroded ravines, stone pillars and cliffs. It’s so spectacular, that Michelangelo features it in more than one of his paintings, including the Mona Lisa. At Excellence Luxury Villas we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact Excellence Luxury Villas Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
– Maid service/extra cleaning- Private chef/cook/catering- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge- Local day-trips or tours- Airport transfers- Babysitting/childcare services
Extras available at this property (payable locally, to book in advance):
– Extra cleaning- Local day-trips or tours- Private drivers for day-trips – Car transfers- Pre-stocked fridge/grocery shopping for arrival – Chef- Cooking classes- Breakfast- Maid service
Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact Excellence Luxury Villas Concierge Team.Please note that all services are subject to availability and must be requested in advance and that due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. Prices are on request. We will always do our best to fulfil your requests!