purbantv.gif.gif (16534 bytes)

   Just 18 miles outside of Italy's treasured city, Florence, is the lovely suburb of Londa in the province of Tuscany. Above the village (less than a mile) at an elevation of 1200 feet is the 850 acre wine and olive oil producing estate of Villa Zingale. Nicely spaced and privately located along paved roads on the Zingale estate are three 350 year old villas - Villa Paterno, Villa Poggiolo and Villa Antica.. All have been recently restored with re-designed interiors by a famous Florentine architect, creating spacious, private apartments while maintaining the classic Tuscan character of the homes, both inside and out. Villa Paterno, Villa Poggiolo and Villa Antica are part of the Zingale working farm estate, situated on sun drenched hills overlooking the estate's vineyards, olive groves and lush green forests.

Londa, known as Little Switzerland, is surrounded by soft, green rolling hills and sits in a valley nestled against a lake fed by clear mountain streams. Alongside the lake is a tennis court, a roller rink, and park like grounds where people fish, swim and enjoy festivals throughout the year. The wooded hills provide the ingredients for the gourmet specialities of wild boar, porcini mushrooms, homemade pasta, pizza and rice dishes served at the local restaurants. By the beauty and cleanliness it's easy to see that Londa is an "upscale" village. The main street bustles with a bakery, fruit vendors, food markets, gas station, bank, barber shop and a couple of bars for wonderful pastries and prepared foods. The people are friendly, the food is FABULOUS and the air is so pure. Londra's history dates it to Etruscan and Roman times. Small towns nearby are filled with historical works of art. This is where the Medici family had their country villas and where the Renaissance was born.

 

Most important of all is the close proximity of Florence with all of its treasures. Only two miles away, a commuter train which runs 18 times a day, transporting you to the main train station in Florence in only 35 minutes. Using your own private villa apartment as a home base, day trips to destinations such as Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa and Bologna are all within an hour to an hour and a half's drive for daily adventures. Your villa apartment is only 60 miles from the Mediterranean Coast and lively Cinque Terre, Michelangelo's marble town of Carrara, the exquisite Italian Riviera and Portofino. You are also located 60 miles from the Adriatic Sea Coast, Rimini and the smallest country in the world, San Marino. Equidistant between Rome and Milan, the Florence train station provides frequent connections, reaching Rome, Venice or Milan in 2-3 hours.

 

Villa Paterno and Villa Poggiolo, built around large courtyards and terraces, are classically furnished in a mixture of Italian antique and new furniture which complement the original thick white stucco walls, the terra cotta tiled floors and the beamed ceilings. These combine to capture the restful, quiet country feeling of Tuscany. Each spacious and pleasant apartment has its own entrance off the private courtyard. There are fully equipped new kitchens, nicely sized rooms with wonderful views, and new fully tiled baths. There are tables and chairs and lounges for outdoor enjoyment. If needed, two apartments with adjoining doors can be opened for access to each other for a four bedroom rental. There is a telephone in each apartment. Even a fax machine is available. The apartments are all heated and Villa Poggiolo is centrally heated. Rates include weekly cleanup and change of linens, firewood and all utilities, except telephone. Short or long term rentals are available.

cresttr.gif (890 bytes)Adorno - Private garden entrance, skylights in the living room (with fireplace), dining/sitting room and large kitchen with dishwasher. Two bedrooms (one double and one twin-bedded) one full bath, plus extra sofa bed.

cresttr.gif (890 bytes)Giotto - Double arched glass entry, living room (with fireplace), built in kitchen with stone sink, two bedrooms (one double, one twin-bedded) and two full baths. Private terrace with beautiful views.

cresttr.gif (890 bytes)Bellina - Large arched glass entrance, living room, dining room, kitchen with fireplace and dishwasher, two bedrooms (one double, one twin-bedded), one full bath, terra cotta stair entrance.

cresttr.gif (890 bytes)Leonardo - Glass entry passage between living room and kitchen with separate dining area, two bedrooms (one with fireplace), one full bath plus extra sink. Private terrace with beautiful views.

cresttr.gif (890 bytes)Carina - Five sets of double arched windows, living room with fireplace, dining room, kitchen with dishwasher, large glamorous master bedroom, loft and full bath. High ceilings. Juliet balcony.

cresttr.gif (890 bytes)Dante - Private stair entrance, skylight in living room, built-in kitchen, beamed ceiling great room, two bedrooms (one double, one twin-bedded), two full baths. Spacious courtyard, beautiful views.

cresttr.gif (890 bytes)Dolcetta - Living room, large kitchen/dining room with diskwasher, two bedrooms (one double, one twin-bedded), one full bath, extra sofa bed. Private garden entrance off master bedroom.
Note: Adorno and Bellina have adjoining door. Carina and Dolcetta also adjoin. The whole villa has seven bedrooms and four fully-tiled baths.

cresttr.gif (890 bytes)Donatello - Private stair entrance, skylight in great room, built-in kitchen, large living room, two bedrooms(one double, one twin-bedded), one full bath plus extra sink. Spacious courtyard, beautiful views.
Note: Dante and Donatello have adjoining doors. The whole villa has eight bedrooms and six fully tiled baths and sink areas.

cresttr.gif (890 bytes)Marco - Entrance loggia opens into a very large living room with kitchen and wood burning fireplace. The room is divided by stone-column arches. Full bath with shower on first level. Stucco walls, beamed ceilings and terra cotta tiled floors. The master bedroom upstairs has a fireplace and queen-sized bed. The second bedroom has twin beds. Dual baths in twin towers have a sink and shower and a sink and toilet. Beautiful views. Private garden entrance.

cresttr.gif (890 bytes)Michelangelo - Separate freestanding 3 level townhouse. High ceiling living room, built-in kitchen, two bedrooms plus den (or third bedroom), two full baths. Private terrace.

cresttr.gif (890 bytes)Isabella - Entrance into kitchen with beautiful built-in walnut cabinets. Full bath with tub and shower in bright fully tiled bath. Three steps down to large living room/dining room with large windows and gorgeous views. Upstairs is large master bedroom with arched glass windows and full bath with shower. Second bedroom has twin beds. Additional sleep futon plus daybed. Rear garden. Stucco walls, beamed ceilings and terra cotta floors. Beautiful fiews. Private entrance.. Note: Marco and Isabella have adjoining doors to combine the two, if desired.

 

e-mail1.gif (196 bytes)   E- Mail  tuscanyvillas@hotmail.com

Home