Villa Larino

Villa Larino is a traditional house with a tower in the hills of Palaia, a few minutes from the village and within reach of Pisa, with a panoramic saltwater pool of 10 by 6 metres framed by olive groves. Four double bedrooms, an outdoor gym, a lounge under the sky and a village a few minutes down the road. Eight guests, Pisa Airport 33 km.

Four double bedrooms sleep eight, with three bathrooms: two en-suite, one shared. We’d suggest it for two families with older children who’ll use the ping-pong table and the PlayStation, or four couples who want Lucca, San Gimignano and Pisa all around 40 km away. Of the villas in Tuscany we place, it’s the one for a quiet week at a quiet price.

THE HOUSE

The house is built in the old Tuscan way, terracotta underfoot, beams and brickwork overhead, with modern furniture set against them. The ground floor has a spacious living room, a dining area made for long meals and a fully equipped kitchen of contemporary design, plus one double bedroom with an en-suite shower. On the first floor, two double bedrooms look out over the greenery and share a shower room. The fourth double is in the tower, with its own shower and a panoramic view over the countryside. Air-conditioning and heating run throughout, with a fireplace, an alarm, mosquito screens, a washer and dryer, an iron and a laundry room reached from outside; the kitchen has espresso, moka and American coffee machines, an ice-making fridge, a juicer and a dishwasher.

THE POOL AND THE GROUNDS

The saltwater pool is 10 by 6 metres and 1.20 to 1.80 deep, open from 2 May to 3 October, with a sunbathing area beside it. An outdoor dining area, an external lounge for reading, and an outdoor gym with a step and a weight bench share the grounds with a ping-pong table, a hammock, a barbecue, a pizza oven and an aromatic garden, all framed by olive groves. The property is fenced, with parking on site.

THE ENTERTAINMENT

Satellite TV with Netflix, Bose Bluetooth speakers, a sound system, a CD and DVD player, and a PlayStation and a Wii for the rainy afternoon.

THE SERVICE

A welcome basket, linen, bath and pool towels, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, local taxes and final cleaning are included, with a Wednesday changeover on weekly stays. Heating is metered and charged at EUR 8 per cubic metre of gas. Children are welcome, with a cot and a high chair in the house; pets are not accepted and the house is non-smoking. Check-in runs from 5 pm to 7 pm, check-out by 10 am.

THE LOCATION

The nearest restaurant is 1 km away and the grocery store 4 km, with Palaia a few minutes by car. A tennis club is 9 km, the railway station 12, a golf club 18 and Pisa Airport 33. Lucca and San Gimignano are both 40 km, Pisa 41, the sandy beaches of the coast 42 and Florence 74. San Gimignano is the obvious day trip; our guide to the most beautiful towns in Tuscany has it, and Volterra beyond it.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When is the pool at Villa Larino open?
From 2 May to 3 October, along with the outdoor gym and lounge area.

What is the minimum stay?
Three nights, with arrival on any day; weekly stays change over on Wednesday.

Are pets allowed?
No.

Are there extra charges?
A security deposit of EUR 800 and the heating, metered at EUR 8 per cubic metre of gas. Local taxes are included.

How far is the airport?
Pisa International is 33 km.

To check dates or request a quote for Villa Larino, write to [email protected].