Villa Cognaia Italy

When you arrive at Villa Cognaia you can marvel at the magnificent views towards Arezzo as you’re greeted with a Prosecco cocktail and bruschetta by the enormously hospitable owners. This handsome home with glorious gardens and a wonderful pool is a great place to stay to explore this captivating part of Tuscany filled with historic villages and cities as well as beautiful landscapes.
Step inside and you’ll feel the immediate warmth and welcome in this elegant home. Beautifully cared for, this villa features ornate furnishings and decadent fabrics alongside modern comfort and touches of contemporary style. Dine under the chandeliers with a picture-book view of Arezzo through the windows and then retire to the beautiful living room whilst kids play with the games in the library upstairs. Each of the five lovely bedrooms are individual in style with air-conditioning and their own private bath or shower room. Whether an extended family occasion or a group of friends coming together, there is ample space in this inviting villa. 
Long, lazy days can be spent in the gardens whether relaxing on the sun-loungers by the swimming pool or playing football, badminton, table tennis, exercising on the fitness veranda … the list goes on. Dip into the swimming pool with magical views ahead of you or relax in the jacuzzi tub where you can gaze towards the majestic mountains. The poolside gazebo is also a special place where you can gather with your loved ones, cook pizzas in the wood-burning oven, drink Chianti from the Colli Aretini vineyards and listen to music or just chat on the sofas by the fire as the evening draws to a close.
The owners showcase an excellent selection of local wines, all of which are available to purchase and private tastings in your villa with a sommelier or at a local vineyard with a private driver can be arranged in advance. Other services the owners can arrange include a chef, guided tours of nearby historical sights, an in-house beautician or masseur and even vespa hire!
Despite the rural setting, the historic city of Arezzo is just a 15-minute drive away where you can explore the beautiful lanes and stunning piazzas featured in Robert Begnini’s famous film ‘Life is Beautiful’. You are also surrounded by stunning Tuscan landscapes, enchanting medieval villages and amazing food and wine from this rich and diverse region.
A little further afield, discover the wines of Montepulciano and charming Pienza, a UNESCO World Heritage site with its amazing Renaissance architecture. Siena can also be reached in just over an hour and the incredible cities of Florence and Perugia are just a train ride away.
Whether exploring this wonderful part of Italy or simply enjoying the relaxing gardens and swimming pool, Villa Cognaia is a fine holiday home where you can experience authentic Tuscany at its best. Set on a hill with breathtaking views towards Arezzo, surrounded by three hectares of gardens and woodland, Villa Cognaia enjoys an enviable location in eastern Tuscany near some of the region’s most beautiful landscapes and villages.
The stunning city of Arezzo (6km) is just a 15-minute drive away with its amazing historic centre and wonderful restaurants. Start at Piazza Grande, surrounded by palaces and towers, where an antiques market is hosted on the first Sunday of each month and you may even be fortunate enough to watch re-enactments of medieval jousting in June or September. Explore the town’s amazing churches, its handsome Duomo and admire the frescoes of Renaissance artist Piero della Francesca in the Basilica di San Francesco. Discover authentic osterias and wine bars or dine in more upmarket restaurants and enjoy traditional regional fare such as pappa al pomodoro, porchetta and truffles served with good wine from the Chianti Colli Aretini vineyards.
Near the border of Tuscany, Umbria and Marche and surrounded by various valleys, the Arezzo region is full of diverse natural landscapes, enchanting villages and amazing food and wine. Start by heading to the Casentino valley where there are some wonderful hikes through the dense woodland or you can visit some of the fascinating medieval castles of this area.
The beautiful natural landscapes of Val Tiberina are also waiting to be discovered where you can seek out ancient monasteries and churches or visit the famous villages of Sansepolcro (38km) and Caprese Michelangelo (40km, the birthplace of Michelangelo).
Finally, the Val di Chiana, with its Etruscan tombs and sublime walking and cycling trails, also has many idyllic villages to discover such as Civitella (20km), Monte San Savino (25km) and Gargonza (32km). One of the most famous towns here is wonderful Cortona (37km), set on a hilltop and made famous by the film ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’.
A little further afield, some of Tuscany’s most famous towns can easily be reached such as the famous wine-town of Montepulciano (55km) with its amazing vino nobile and charming Pienza (60km), a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its Renaissance architecture and wonderful Pecorino cheese! Siena (74km) can also be reached in just over an hour for a memorable day trip in this incredible city.
There’s also a train station in Arezzo where you can catch the train to Florence, taking around 45 minutes or Perugia in just over an hour. Both cities are full of art, history and fine cuisine and awe-inspiring places to visit.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 pick-up/drop-off- Babysitting / childcare services
Extras included at this property:
– Complimentary concierge service from owners to help plan/book activities and services etc. 
Extras available at this property (payable locally):
– Chef for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner- Cooking classes- Wine-tasting with sommelier in the villa – Showcase of wines in the villa available to purchase – Shopping service – Guided tours with private driver (wine-tastings, food-tastings, farm or city tours, shopping outlets etc)- Fitness sessions in the villa (yoga, pilates, swimming lessons)- Masseur and beauty treatments in the villa – Vespa rental- Bike rental- Transfers and/or car hire
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!