Casa Rico is nestled in a magnificent setting in the rolling hills between Chianti and the Crete Senesi, 40 minutes from Siena. It is part of a beautiful estate, once property of the Medici family then taken over in the 15th century by the Siena and French armies. Originally built as a colony house by the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Leopoldo II of Lorena, it has been renovated with all the modern comforts and decorated in the style of the original era. The house and annex, surrounded on all sides by oak woods, are now an ideal place to spend a vacation in harmony with nature.

MAIN VILLA
The main villa has nine bedrooms and nine bathrooms. A spacious living room with fireplace, dining room, and fully equipped kitchen create an inviting environment. On the ground floor there is one twin bedroom, three queen bedrooms, and four en suite bathrooms with shower. The upper floor features three queen bedrooms, one twin bedroom, and one queen bedroom with mezzanine with two extra single beds. Five en-suite bathrooms with shower.

ANNEX
This is a separate house on the Rico grounds, which is only rented together with the main villa. There are two bedrooms (one queen and one king) and two bathrooms in the annex. The ground floor features a living/dining room with fireplace, a small fully-equipped kitchen, and a private garden patio.

Throughout the house and annex are beautiful views of the surrounding countryside—woods, vineyards, sunflower fields and grazing horses create a lovely landscape. The private pool is situated in the open countryside, complete with outdoor furnishings and a large barbeque.

Casa Rico is located on the small road that leads to the wonderful medieval town of Montebenichi, and tennis and polo can be played nearby.

What to do in the Siena region of Tuscany:
The medieval town of Siena was founded by the Etruscans and later became a Roman colony. During the 13th and 14th centuries it flourished as one of the major cities of Europe, growing rich from banking and the wool trade. The 14th century saw a great amount of construction: the Duomo, the Palazzo Publico and the Campo Square were all products of this time. Siena's glory took a tragic downturn by the end of the 14th century due to the Black Death and political upheaval. The city became little more than a rural market center. It was exactly this decline that accounts for the incredible state of medieval preservation that Siena exhibits today. Built across several hills and valleys, you will find a bit of up and down while walking through the historical center. However, the lack of traffic makes it a wonderful place to stroll—even when packed with tourists, there is a quiet and easygoing feel. A must-see is the shell-shaped square called Il Campo. This is the focal point of the city as well as being the venue for the internationally renowned horse race, the Palio.

Casole d'Elsa hosts one of the most charming museums of the many recently opened/restyled in Siena. The art exhibited ranges from the Neolithic era to the XVII century. A visit to the attached Collegiata di Casole is also highly recommended.

Colle Val d'Elsa's newer outskirts offer very few attractions, aside from the crystal manufacturing—but the old town/historical center, Colle Alta, deserves to be seen. Particularly interesting in Colle Alta is the Palazzo Campana, built in the XVI century by the architect Agnolo di Baccio d'Agnolo. This private building looks like a city gate, or a triumphal arch, and dominates the main street of Colle. The Cathedral shows a rich collection of paintings from the XVII century. Don't miss the dramatic and intense Nativity by Rutilio Manetti (fourth chapel on the right, looking to the main altar).

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