{ "version": "https://jsonfeed.org/version/1.1", "user_comment": "This feed allows you to read the posts from this site in any feed reader that supports the JSON Feed format. To add this feed to your reader, copy the following URL -- https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/category/villas-in-italy/feed/json -- and add it your reader.", "home_page_url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/category/villas-in-italy", "feed_url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/category/villas-in-italy/feed/json", "language": "en-US", "title": "Villas in Italy Archives - Italy Perfect Travel Blog", "description": "Get the inside information on your Italian Vacation Planning. Great tips, inside information, travel advice and more!", "items": [ { "id": "http://www.italyperfect.com/blog/?p=9043", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/introducing-divine-dante-villa-minutes-florence.html", "title": "Introducing the Divine Dante Villa, Minutes from Florence", "content_html": "

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We have just added a wonderful villa to our offering that is ideally situated in the beautiful hills overlooking Florence. We had the opportunity to visit the Divine Dante villa earlier this year to see for ourselves if it was as lovely as depicted in the photos. To our delight, it is ideal\u00a0for guests looking for a luxury villa located a very short drive\u00a0from the center of Florence. The drive took just 10 minutes, and we found ourselves in the hills on the road to beautiful Fiesole. Luxury villas dot these hills. Not only is the location convenient, but stays as short as 4 nights are possible except during July and August.

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Private pool on the grounds of Divine Dante.

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Beautifully manicured grounds and gorgeous interiors are topped by easy access to both Florence and charming Fiesole above. You can walk just minutes to the bus stop to catch the bus in either direction. Breathtaking views of Florence on the road to Fiesole as you approach\u00a0the Divine Dante villa, wonderful swimming pool and\u00a0beautiful gardens of the exquisite Divine Dante villa will make your villa dreams come true.

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This fine historic villa has been completely updated recently with modern amenities and comforts, while retaining its important past. The villa was once the home of Dante Alighieri’s family and then later of the family of beautiful Beatrice, the object of Dante’s desire. Dante was the author of the Divine Comedy, Italy’s great literature masterpiece.

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With five bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms, \u00a0it is great for a family or group of friends.

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The post Introducing the Divine Dante Villa, Minutes from Florence appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.

\n", "content_text": "We have just added a wonderful villa to our offering that is ideally situated in the beautiful hills overlooking Florence. We had the opportunity to visit the Divine Dante villa earlier this year to see for ourselves if it was as lovely as depicted in the photos. To our delight, it is ideal\u00a0for guests looking for a luxury villa located a very short drive\u00a0from the center of Florence. The drive took just 10 minutes, and we found ourselves in the hills on the road to beautiful Fiesole. Luxury villas dot these hills. Not only is the location convenient, but stays as short as 4 nights are possible except during July and August.\nPrivate pool on the grounds of Divine Dante.\nBeautifully manicured grounds and gorgeous interiors are topped by easy access to both Florence and charming Fiesole above. You can walk just minutes to the bus stop to catch the bus in either direction. Breathtaking views of Florence on the road to Fiesole as you approach\u00a0the Divine Dante villa, wonderful swimming pool and\u00a0beautiful gardens of the exquisite Divine Dante villa will make your villa dreams come true.\n\nThis fine historic villa has been completely updated recently with modern amenities and comforts, while retaining its important past. The villa was once the home of Dante Alighieri’s family and then later of the family of beautiful Beatrice, the object of Dante’s desire. Dante was the author of the Divine Comedy, Italy’s great literature masterpiece.\nWith five bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms, \u00a0it is great for a family or group of friends.\nThe post Introducing the Divine Dante Villa, Minutes from Florence appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.", "date_published": "2017-05-08T11:33:17-04:00", "date_modified": "2021-08-29T03:59:27-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Italy Perfect", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/author/italy-perfect", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c1ba51ac97471f227c07dcecf9b744dc9e7df2e53897ae9ef49ce10c4109e12?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Italy Perfect", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/author/italy-perfect", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c1ba51ac97471f227c07dcecf9b744dc9e7df2e53897ae9ef49ce10c4109e12?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/narrow.jpg", "tags": [ "Florence", "Italian Culture", "Tuscany", "Villas in Italy" ] }, { "id": "http://www.italyperfect.com/blog/?p=6018", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/villa-rental-questions-answered-even-didnt-know-ask.html", "title": "Villa Rental Questions Answered\u2026Even Those You Didn\u2019t Know to Ask!", "content_html": "

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AFAR magazine, a leading travel publication, recently interviewed Italy Perfect founder Lisa Byrne\u00a0for their April 25, 2017 article\u00a0“How to Rent a Villa in Italy“. \u00a0The article offers practical advice and insights that range from\u00a0how far ahead to reserve to what to expect in terms of price and amenities. The bottom line is\u00a0that its easier than you think to rent a wonderful villa in Italy\u00a0if\u00a0you have help from an expert.

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If you are dreaming of a wonderful vacation with family or friends to a country or seaside villa in Italy, we can help!\u00a0We personally inspect and “test drive” every villa we offer to understand the special features, so that we can match your needs and wishes to the villa. Not all villa inspections are as glamorous as you might imagine; we reject many that don’t meet our standards, sharing\u00a0laughs and frustrations when,\u00a0upon personal inspection, a promising villa\u00a0disappoints with negative\u00a0aspects not obvious in\u00a0flattering photos or dreamy\u00a0descriptions. Memorable rejections\u00a0include an impressive villa that\u00a0–\u00a0surprise, surprise\u00a0–\u00a0was within earshot of a\u00a0high speed train that roared\u00a0by every 30 minutes! \u00a0A villa we nicknamed\u00a0the “Chair Museum”\u00a0was\u00a0filled with museum-quality antiques– with many\u00a0chairs and sofas roped off, so you couldn’t sit in them!\u00a0 Our funniest was the villa we dubbed\u00a0‘Fawlty Towers’\u00a0where a workman accidentally cut the power\u00a0line\u00a0on a\u00a0sweltering August day; it was\u00a03 days before an electrician showed up. To top it off there was a church directly next door with loud bells that rang every hour all\u00a0day and night!

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In addition to the useful information in the AFAR article, here are some handy tips to help you find the perfect villa for your Italy stay. There is still some summer 2017 availability, but best to plan 6 to 12 months in advance for best selection. Contact the Italy Perfect experts.\u00a0\u00a0 Email: reservations@italyperfect.com \u00a0Phone: 1.888.520.2087 or 1.424.223.5669

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Where should we stay?

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There is much beauty in Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast to enjoy. These are world-class destinations for good reasons: gorgeous views, scenic towns, wonderful food and wine, and a rich cultural heritage. Destinations that are a short drive to a town or village, preferably with a train station, tend be the most popular. If the villa is a short drive to town it provides some autonomy to make day trips by train without having to always stick together as a group. Some can lounge by the pool while others go forth to sightsee and shop.

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Cassa Rossa in San Casciano is a classic Tuscan farmhouse near Florence.

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For families, locations that have a pool for fun downtime in summer and things to do that are enjoyable for kids \u2013 think pizza-making class, horseback riding, bicycling\u00a0through vineyards, easy day hikes or a ride on a funicular. For romantic getaways, consider an “agriturismo” a converted farmhouse that can be organized into several smaller units that provide peace and tranquility but are well situated for day trips to medieval villages, wine tasting and have a nearby town for a romantic dinner.

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Divine Dante is an elegant villa in the Florentine hills.

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Can we walk to town?

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The truth about \u201cWalk to Town\u201d is that villas where you can walk to town\u00a0are few and far between. The nature of country properties tends to be based on an agricultural setting, where there is ample land for growing grapes and olives, so they tend to be outside of town, not far, but typically not easily walkable on a country road. In-village villas may be appropriate but please be aware that then they are in urban or suburban locations without the vistas across the hills, vineyards and orchards, less privacy, and possibly subject to in-town noises like traffic.

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Vista Serena sea view in Amalfi coast.

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Do we need to rent a car?

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If you are\u00a0staying in the countryside\u00a0you will need to have a car or two to get around to see the sites, reach restaurants, small village with no train station, or even for destinations things like a pharmacy or a quaint country trattoria. A private driver can be a good choice for day excursions so you can enjoy the ride, taste the wine and views without fear of getting lost

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Large Medici apartment in Florence, great for a gathering with lots of space for get-togethers and multiple apartments in the building.

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If you stay\u00a0in a city you don’t need a car. You won’t be staying in a villa however, but in an apartment. For some, a city stay instead of a country villa is just as interesting, and gives families and friends the ability to be independent from the group for a bit, such as young adults\u00a0who might not want to be with mom and dad the entire time. Groups of friends can break off to pursue separate interests, whether it is taking a tour, a cooking class, sitting at an outdoor caf\u00e9 or shopping without having to coordinate agendas with everyone,\u00a0while enjoying cocktails and dinner together. Day trips into the beautiful countryside that surrounds the cities are easy and round out the experience with wine-and olive-tastings in a vineyard, visits to fortified hill-towns, and peaceful vistas.

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What are the best values?

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Multi-unit Tuscan properties that offer extra services such as hikes, cooking classes, winery tours are great for smaller parties or a larger group when everyone doesn\u2019t have to be under the same roof. A shared pool can be fun for kids to meet other children to play with. We have beautiful properties where grandma and grandpa can have their own cottage, while the rest of the family are in their own villa on the same estate, they can enjoy ample time together but can take respite in separate quarters, providing vacation harmony. Another nice feature is estates with multiple units that also have private on-site restaurants for their guests. Italy Perfect\u2019s Bucine, Borgo and Villa Mare-Villa Sole villas are good examples of multi-unit properties that offer good flexibility for a group. Full details at www.ItalyPerfect.com.

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Will the villa be air conditioned? A private chef? Daily housekeeping? Is the road paved?

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The shortest answer is “It depends”. Each villa is a unique home so the features vary. Read the property details carefully and ask for more information if it is not clear.

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Here are some pointers:

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Find out if the road to the villa is paved. If not, how far on unpaved roads.

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Riposo Verde is an elegant Tuscan villa with resplendent views among gardens, orchards and vineyards.

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Pools are usually not heated. If a property has a heated pool you may have to pay an extra fee to have the pool heated during your stay. Pools are typically not maintained in winter; being prepared for the summer season by early June and closing in early-to-mid September.

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Air conditioning is not pervasive yet throughout Italy. There is AC in most city properties but there are many exquisite country properties that do not have AC. You\u2019ll severely limit your choices if AC is a must-have in the countryside where breezes and thick walls ensure a cooler experience than in the cities. If it lists AC, ask which rooms.

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The Panorama villa near Montecatini is large and lovely with all the amenities.

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Window screens are not common either. More properties are adding them but there won\u2019t be any screen doors, so even if the windows have screens, a pesky mosquito can still find its way in through open doors. Bring mosquito repellent.

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Most villas\u00a0have washing machines, few have clothes dryers.

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Luxury villas that include an on-site housekeeper anticipate a tip in the range of \u20ac100 Euros/couple/week.

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Quality of Wi-Fi is often an issue at country properties where thick walls, remote locations might mean only one spot on the premises with a strong Wi-Fi signal. Time to get into vacation mode and unplug!

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The relative tranquility of a country setting still has its noises, so don\u2019t expect absolute silence: anticipate roosters, farmer tending to crops, a dog barking in the distance and the rumble of farm vehicles.

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Most villas rent Saturday-to-Saturday during the high season, so plan your travel based on that. On the other hand, most city properties can take shorter stays and have flexible arrival dates.

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The post Villa Rental Questions Answered…Even Those You Didn’t Know to Ask! appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.

\n", "content_text": "AFAR magazine, a leading travel publication, recently interviewed Italy Perfect founder Lisa Byrne\u00a0for their April 25, 2017 article\u00a0“How to Rent a Villa in Italy“. \u00a0The article offers practical advice and insights that range from\u00a0how far ahead to reserve to what to expect in terms of price and amenities. The bottom line is\u00a0that its easier than you think to rent a wonderful villa in Italy\u00a0if\u00a0you have help from an expert.\n\nIf you are dreaming of a wonderful vacation with family or friends to a country or seaside villa in Italy, we can help!\u00a0We personally inspect and “test drive” every villa we offer to understand the special features, so that we can match your needs and wishes to the villa. Not all villa inspections are as glamorous as you might imagine; we reject many that don’t meet our standards, sharing\u00a0laughs and frustrations when,\u00a0upon personal inspection, a promising villa\u00a0disappoints with negative\u00a0aspects not obvious in\u00a0flattering photos or dreamy\u00a0descriptions. Memorable rejections\u00a0include an impressive villa that\u00a0–\u00a0surprise, surprise\u00a0–\u00a0was within earshot of a\u00a0high speed train that roared\u00a0by every 30 minutes! \u00a0A villa we nicknamed\u00a0the “Chair Museum”\u00a0was\u00a0filled with museum-quality antiques– with many\u00a0chairs and sofas roped off, so you couldn’t sit in them!\u00a0 Our funniest was the villa we dubbed\u00a0‘Fawlty Towers’\u00a0where a workman accidentally cut the power\u00a0line\u00a0on a\u00a0sweltering August day; it was\u00a03 days before an electrician showed up. To top it off there was a church directly next door with loud bells that rang every hour all\u00a0day and night!\nIn addition to the useful information in the AFAR article, here are some handy tips to help you find the perfect villa for your Italy stay. There is still some summer 2017 availability, but best to plan 6 to 12 months in advance for best selection. Contact the Italy Perfect experts.\u00a0\u00a0 Email: reservations@italyperfect.com \u00a0Phone: 1.888.520.2087 or 1.424.223.5669\nWhere should we stay?\nThere is much beauty in Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast to enjoy. These are world-class destinations for good reasons: gorgeous views, scenic towns, wonderful food and wine, and a rich cultural heritage. Destinations that are a short drive to a town or village, preferably with a train station, tend be the most popular. If the villa is a short drive to town it provides some autonomy to make day trips by train without having to always stick together as a group. Some can lounge by the pool while others go forth to sightsee and shop.\nCassa Rossa in San Casciano is a classic Tuscan farmhouse near Florence.\nFor families, locations that have a pool for fun downtime in summer and things to do that are enjoyable for kids \u2013 think pizza-making class, horseback riding, bicycling\u00a0through vineyards, easy day hikes or a ride on a funicular. For romantic getaways, consider an “agriturismo” a converted farmhouse that can be organized into several smaller units that provide peace and tranquility but are well situated for day trips to medieval villages, wine tasting and have a nearby town for a romantic dinner.\nDivine Dante is an elegant villa in the Florentine hills.\nCan we walk to town?\nThe truth about \u201cWalk to Town\u201d is that villas where you can walk to town\u00a0are few and far between. The nature of country properties tends to be based on an agricultural setting, where there is ample land for growing grapes and olives, so they tend to be outside of town, not far, but typically not easily walkable on a country road. In-village villas may be appropriate but please be aware that then they are in urban or suburban locations without the vistas across the hills, vineyards and orchards, less privacy, and possibly subject to in-town noises like traffic.\nVista Serena sea view in Amalfi coast.\nDo we need to rent a car?\nIf you are\u00a0staying in the countryside\u00a0you will need to have a car or two to get around to see the sites, reach restaurants, small village with no train station, or even for destinations things like a pharmacy or a quaint country trattoria. A private driver can be a good choice for day excursions so you can enjoy the ride, taste the wine and views without fear of getting lost\nLarge Medici apartment in Florence, great for a gathering with lots of space for get-togethers and multiple apartments in the building.\nIf you stay\u00a0in a city you don’t need a car. You won’t be staying in a villa however, but in an apartment. For some, a city stay instead of a country villa is just as interesting, and gives families and friends the ability to be independent from the group for a bit, such as young adults\u00a0who might not want to be with mom and dad the entire time. Groups of friends can break off to pursue separate interests, whether it is taking a tour, a cooking class, sitting at an outdoor caf\u00e9 or shopping without having to coordinate agendas with everyone,\u00a0while enjoying cocktails and dinner together. Day trips into the beautiful countryside that surrounds the cities are easy and round out the experience with wine-and olive-tastings in a vineyard, visits to fortified hill-towns, and peaceful vistas.\n\nWhat are the best values?\nMulti-unit Tuscan properties that offer extra services such as hikes, cooking classes, winery tours are great for smaller parties or a larger group when everyone doesn\u2019t have to be under the same roof. A shared pool can be fun for kids to meet other children to play with. We have beautiful properties where grandma and grandpa can have their own cottage, while the rest of the family are in their own villa on the same estate, they can enjoy ample time together but can take respite in separate quarters, providing vacation harmony. Another nice feature is estates with multiple units that also have private on-site restaurants for their guests. Italy Perfect\u2019s Bucine, Borgo and Villa Mare-Villa Sole villas are good examples of multi-unit properties that offer good flexibility for a group. Full details at www.ItalyPerfect.com.\nWill the villa be air conditioned? A private chef? Daily housekeeping? Is the road paved?\nThe shortest answer is “It depends”. Each villa is a unique home so the features vary. Read the property details carefully and ask for more information if it is not clear.\nHere are some pointers:\nFind out if the road to the villa is paved. If not, how far on unpaved roads.\nRiposo Verde is an elegant Tuscan villa with resplendent views among gardens, orchards and vineyards.\nPools are usually not heated. If a property has a heated pool you may have to pay an extra fee to have the pool heated during your stay. Pools are typically not maintained in winter; being prepared for the summer season by early June and closing in early-to-mid September.\nAir conditioning is not pervasive yet throughout Italy. There is AC in most city properties but there are many exquisite country properties that do not have AC. You\u2019ll severely limit your choices if AC is a must-have in the countryside where breezes and thick walls ensure a cooler experience than in the cities. If it lists AC, ask which rooms.\nThe Panorama villa near Montecatini is large and lovely with all the amenities.\nWindow screens are not common either. More properties are adding them but there won\u2019t be any screen doors, so even if the windows have screens, a pesky mosquito can still find its way in through open doors. Bring mosquito repellent.\nMost villas\u00a0have washing machines, few have clothes dryers.\nLuxury villas that include an on-site housekeeper anticipate a tip in the range of \u20ac100 Euros/couple/week.\nQuality of Wi-Fi is often an issue at country properties where thick walls, remote locations might mean only one spot on the premises with a strong Wi-Fi signal. Time to get into vacation mode and unplug!\nThe relative tranquility of a country setting still has its noises, so don\u2019t expect absolute silence: anticipate roosters, farmer tending to crops, a dog barking in the distance and the rumble of farm vehicles.\nMost villas rent Saturday-to-Saturday during the high season, so plan your travel based on that. On the other hand, most city properties can take shorter stays and have flexible arrival dates.\nThe post Villa Rental Questions Answered…Even Those You Didn’t Know to Ask! appeared first on Italy Perfect Travel Blog.", "date_published": "2017-04-27T12:54:41-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-10-01T07:49:49-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Italy Perfect", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/author/italy-perfect", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c1ba51ac97471f227c07dcecf9b744dc9e7df2e53897ae9ef49ce10c4109e12?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Italy Perfect", "url": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/author/italy-perfect", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c1ba51ac97471f227c07dcecf9b744dc9e7df2e53897ae9ef49ce10c4109e12?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Villa-Roncovisin.jpg", "tags": [ "Amalfi Coast", "Italy Perfect Vacation Rentals", "Tuscany", "Villas in Italy" ] } ] }