San Martino Italy

San Martino is an exclusive villa sitting in the Chianti hills overlooking the vineyards and olive trees of Tuscany. Sitting in a beautiful location between Siena and Florence, both famed for their medieval cityscapes and Renaissance history, the villa is a wonderful place to visit for a sunny, culture-filled break.
Sleeping up to 18 people in 9 bedrooms, it is popular for large family groups or friends. This stunning, historic house which has bee sympathetically decorated, sits in a stunning hillside location and has a beautiful garden and a vast pool for your party to enjoy. Sitting by the pool under the covered gazebo, you are able to look across the painting-like landscape of Tuscany, with the smell of the garden’s jasmine in the air. Whether you are visiting as a family holiday or reuniting with friends at the villa, the house and location cannot be beaten.
Set in serene countryside yet close to stunning little villages and fantastic, enchanting cities, your only difficulty will be deciding what you want to do on your trip as there is so much choice in the area.
Just 5km from your gorgeous villa, you will come across the lovely village of Certaldo which has all the amenities that you will need, such as shops and restaurants as well as being a great place to spend the day. It is also the birthplace of the poet Giovanni Boccaccio and it hosts the museum house which was once his home. The village is also home to a host of palaces, churches and historic monuments which are all wonderful places to take a trip to. Certaldo is also a great place to eat and is filled with small family restaurants which spill out onto the cobbled squares and stunning hillsides.
If you wish to head further out for a day then why not visit Siena or Florence, both around an hour away. Both cities are very popular with tourists and are packed with stunning historical sites and buildings which sit side by side with modern bars, restaurants and shops and so offer something for everyone on a day trip. San Martino is in a hard to beat location, surrounded by beautiful villages to visit yet set in a serene position overlooking the lush Tuscan hills and vineyards. 5km from the nearest village, the exclusive villa is in a rural setting but is not too isolated as there is plenty to see and do just a short drive away and further afield.
Your closest village is Certaldo and where better to start exploring than the palace that dominates the village. The Palazzo Pretorio has its origins in the twelfth century and was the home of the Alberti counts. The castle has seen plenty of change since the middle ages but retains many medieval paintings and frescos which visitors love to see. You can combine a trip to the palace, with a visit to the home of poet Giovanni Boccaccio and the church of St Tommaso and Prospero under one joint ticket.
Certaldo is also filled with lovely family restaurants which spill out onto the cobbled squares and stunning hillsides, as well as pretty shops and a small supermarket. There are larger supermarkets in Castelfiorentino around a fifteen minute drive away.
Siena (54km) is another lovely place to visit and is just under an hour away by car (or take the train from Certaldo). There are so many stunning streets in the city that you could wander around all day without getting bored, just make sure you stop for gelato on the famous Piazza del Campo which is the hub of the city. There are endless museums and significant buildings for you to visit while in Siena and the magnificent town hall is one you won’t want to miss. If you are looking for something a bit more lively, then in July and August you could go and see the Palio de Siena which is a horse race held in the centre of the city. The Palio means a lot to the local people and so there are plenty of pageants and festivities on at the time for everyone to enjoy.
Another beautiful city is Florence, again possible by train from Certaldo or just an hour by car. Get there early to get into the famous art museum the Uffizi gallery, before the crowds. If you book in advance you can also treat yourselves to one of the best views of Tuscany from the roof of Florence Cathedral. 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 from below 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 
Extra services available at this property (payable locally):
– Wine harvesting and tasting- Chef service- Extra cleaning 
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!