Casa Sherry

Casa Sherry
Soak in the charm of
the Tuscan countryside...

Location: Siena –Tuscany
Main Villa: Sleeps 14 + 2. Annex: Sleeps 2+3. Swimming Pool.

DISTANCES:
Florence – 46 miles
Siena – 22 miles
Arezzo – 28 miles

ACCOMMODATION
Beds & Baths:
Villa – 8 BDR/8 BTH
Annex – 2 BDR/1 BTH

Casa Sherry 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 comfortable living room features a fireplace, and a separate TV room allows for divided activity. The sizable fully equipped kitchen features a raised fireplace. A very large dining room features a long dining table that seats 20, and from this room two large doors open onto the swimming pool. On the main floor there are two twin bedrooms, each with private bathroom with shower. The upper floor, accessible from the dining room, features four queen bedrooms and one twin bedroom, each with a private bathroom. A tower level is accessible from the upper floor. The tower room has one queen bedroom with small en suite bathroom—perfect for children.

ANNEX
This is a separate building on the Sherry grounds. On the lower floor there is a large room that can serve as a living room or playroom, and one bathroom with shower. On the upper floor there are two bedrooms with a total of five single beds, dormitory style (we usually recommend the annex be used as a children's or staff residence).

Casa Sherry features beautiful views of the surrounding countryside—woods, vineyards, sunflower fields and grazing horses create a lovely landscape. 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).