The house sits within a large garden, lined with established trees, flower beds, and lawned areas which wrap around the picture-postcard home. This historic building, constructed from local stone, is packed with charm. There are pretty shutters on the windows and wooden beams on the ceilings. The high-quality furnishings and warm color palette accentuate the character of the house.
As you enter the home, you will find a spacious living room with comfortable sofas gathered around the fireplace and walls lined with bookshelves. The dining room is just next to this and opens out onto the garden, so you can choose to dine inside or outside depending on the weather. The kitchen is well-equipped and has all the appliances you would need to prepare meals for your party and for brewing your morning coffee to sip on the terrace.
There are three bedrooms to choose from when you wish to retire at night. All of the rooms are large, with queen-sized beds, artwork lining the walls, and solid wood wardrobes. The rooms also boast chic en-suite bathrooms with walk-in showers. Two of these bedrooms are located on the ground floor with access to the garden, and the third bedroom is set on the first floor.
Outdoors there is a leafy landscaped garden that offers panoramic views. You can enjoy these views while dining outside on the terrace or under the covered pergola. You can also cool down by taking a dip in the private swimming pool before an afternoon of reading a good book on the sun loungers.
If you wish to dine out in the evening, then a good place to visit is the village of Cortona which is 5km away. This is a quintessentially Tuscan village that sits inside its original walls, which encase maze-like cobbled streets. There is plenty to see in the village, including three museums, an art gallery, gorgeous churches, and even a medieval fortress. On top of the historic attractions, there is a wealth of artisan shops, a market, and a supermarket where you can pick up gifts and fresh local produce. There are also cafes, restaurants, and wine bars here which spill out onto the atmospheric village squares.
Close to the home, you can easily reach walking routes through the stunning valleys or take part in activities such as water sports, cycling, and golf. Or if you would prefer, you can enjoy the sunshine by visiting a vineyard where you can sample the wines, visit the cellars, and walk amidst the vines on a tour with the owners. There are many vineyards close to Villa Galestro.
For a full day out in nature with your party, why not visit Lake Trasimeno which is 18km away from the villa. This expansive lake is a fabulous place to go for walks or boat trips and also has a number of sandy beaches for sunbathing and swimming.
There are many more places you can visit when staying in this area, such as the spa town of Montepulciano which is 34km away, the lively city of Arezzo which is 30km away, and even the incredible city of Siena can be reached in just over an hour (75km away).
Ground Floor
Living room with sofas, TV, and open fireplace
Dining room with doors onto the garden and table seating 6
Fully fitted kitchen with oven, hob, dishwasher, fridge-freezer, wine fridge, toaster, coffee maker, and kettle
2 bedrooms with queen-sized double bed, armchair, and en-suite bathroom with sink, shower, and WC, and doors opening onto the garden.
First Floor
Bedroom with doors onto garden, queen-sized double bed, armchair, and en-suite bathroom with sink, shower, and WC
Outside Grounds (1000m²)
Private swimming pool (4m x 8m, depth: 1.2m-2.2m). Open early March to mid-November
Poolside sun loungers
Landscaped grounds with lawns and trees
Covered dining terrace
Outdoor armchairs
Furnished balcony
Barbecue
Parking
Facilities
Wi-Fi
Air-conditioning
Central heating
Fireplace
TV
Sound system
Washing machine
Dryer
Iron and ironing board
Hairdryers
Location:
Villa Galestro is a traditional home that overlooks verdant green hills in the heart of Tuscany. This villa is the ideal place to stay for a relaxing break but also makes a fantastic base for visiting the villages and towns of Tuscany and neighboring Umbria.
From the villa, guests are well-placed for making the most of the stunning natural surroundings. Close to the home, you can access scenic hiking trails and picnic spots. In the 25km around the home, you will also find tennis courts, a brilliant golf course, water sports, and horse-riding treks.
Tuscany is known for its countless hilltop villages, and you can visit many of these from Villa Galestro. The closest is Cortona, which is a walled village sitting 500 meters high and looking down over the staggering Val di Chiana. The village is steeped in history and was originally founded by the Etruscans. As you wander around, you will notice these original remains plus medieval and Renaissance architecture. When visiting Cortona, there is plenty to see and do; you could enter from Porta Bifora, which is one of the ancient gates, and continue on through the winding cobbled streets which lead out onto bustling squares. You will see historic churches and picture-postcard buildings everywhere you look, including the 8th-century Palazzo Casali. The former palace is now home to a museum packed with Etruscan artifacts and exhibitions on local history, and there are well-preserved ruins to see in the nearby park. You can also see the vast art collection at the Diocesano museum and explore the Fortress del Girifalco, which was built by the famous Cosimo I de Medici. There are so many historic sites in the village plus a market and a great range of shops and restaurants; you may want to visit a few times to see everything.
There are plenty more lovely towns and villages which you can discover in this area. Another you should add to your itinerary is Montepulciano which is 34km away. The town and its surroundings are known for wine production, so this is the perfect place for you to visit a family-run vineyard for a tour. The town itself is delightful and is over 1500 years old; while here, you can see the Temple of San Biagio and its rectory, visit the Gothic town hall and the cathedral. As well as having amazing architecture and a wide array of shops and eateries, Montepulciano is known as a spa town. The natural thermal springs here draw in visitors all year round who wish to soak in the thermal waters, which have restorative properties. Some of these pools are utilized by a luxurious spa where you can also book massages and beauty treatments for a day of pampering.
Security deposit
€500 paid in cash to the owner upon arrival and refunded upon departure, subject to full inspection.
Arrival time:
3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Arrivals after 6:30 p.m. are subject to a €40 fee.
Departure time:
10:00 a.m.
Minimum stay:
7 nights. All other durations on request.
Changeover day:
Saturday. All other changeover days on request.
Energy costs
Included up to 200 kWh. Excess charged extra.
Heating costs are not included and are an extra €4.5 per m3, payable locally.
Pool opening dates?
The pool is open approximately early-March to mid-November. Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming.
