We also invite you to inquire about several properties of interest and let our team help you find the perfect villa.
If you have questions please call us at 1.215.248.2570
Handpicked and personally inspected villas in Italy
July 2009Fourteen of us descended on Casale de Pastore with high hopes for a special vacation. Our hopes were exceeded. The property was stunning, yet down to earth and comfortable. The staff was warm and accommodating, yet completely unobtrusive. The food was amazing. We had so many unforgettable experiences: a day trip to Pienza with lunch and at the recommended (perfect) local bistro; soccer games on the lawn; afternoons by the pool; a tiramisu cooking class with the lovely Francesca; Simone's pizza night forever spoiled Brooklyn pizza for us! I cannot recommend this property more highly. Everyone in our party--from six to 73 said it was the best vacation of their life.
Joyce and Michael T. Brooklyn, NY
Casale di Pastore lies just south of Siena near the Renaissance hilltown of Pienza, the medieval hot springs of Bagno Vignoni, and the wine capitals of Montalcino and Montepulciano.
Casale di Pastore is a recently restored farmhouse and stone cottage sitting within the Lucciolabella Nature Reserve. It has sweeping views of the Val D'Orcia (a UNESCO Heritage Park) and the hilltop towns of Montalcino, Pienza, Bagno Vignoni, San Quirico D'Orcia and Radicofani. Scenes in "The English Patient" and 'Under the Tuscan Sun" were filmed in this area.
The Val D'Orcia is the quintessential Tuscany of postcards and calendars, and has been rigorously protected from modern development. The result is a breathtaking and unblemished landscape. The area is also rich culturally and historically, with small, walled villages still beautifully preserved, frescoed monasteries, and imposing medieval fortresses guarding the hilltops. Less than 20 minutes away, Tuscany's twin wine capitals of Montepulciano and Montalcino produce Vino Nobile and Brunello, some of Italy's top wines. Visiting small producers nearby offers the chance to sample spectacular and difficult to find wines in beautiful settings.
But what makes Casale di Pastore truly unique is how the London and Florence designers collaborated to set aside the rustic aesthetic (dark woods, heavy fabrics, small windows etc.) of most Tuscan houses to create a luxury retreat with a fresh contemporary design. Although all the materials are traditional and local, and the original external features of the old farmhouse have been maintained, the open common spaces and spacious, light-filled guest rooms are totally modern.
Inside, you will find cream-colored stone floors, brand new queen size mattresses with luxury white linens from Bussati, massive showers with Santa Maria Novella and Hotel Sirenuse skin care products, and in several rooms stand-alone bathtubs with views over the valley.
The totally new kitchen is outfitted with professional appliances and is designed as the center of the loft-like main common area downstairs. There is a long wood table for dining, a record player with the owner's personal collection of classic LPs and a flat screen television in front of an oversized designer sofa. Upstairs, there is a second common area in front of a large open fireplace. High-speed wireless internet is available throughout the villa.
The property itself sits on four acres surrounded by rolling sheep pasture and grain fields. There is a 36 square meter infinity swimming pool with infinity edge facing west across the wide valley, a hot tub with Jacuzzi jets, and a covered dining pergola for outdoor dining and relaxing.
The property sleeps 16 adults and three children comfortably. There are seven double rooms in the main house and a suite in a stand alone stone cottage about 15 meters away from the main house. There are two cots for infants available free of charge. All rooms have self-controlled air conditioning and heating, a private bathroom with a large shower, pull down mosquito screens in all the windows and great views.
BEDROOMS:
Room One:
One queen-sized bed, two-person bathtub sunken into the floor in the bedroom area. Private entrance to the garden. Bathroom has a large stand-up shower.
Room Two:
One queen-sized bed, private entrance to the garden. Bathroom has a large stand-up shower. This room is on the ground floor and is wheel-chair accessible.
Room Three:
One queen-sized bed and sunset view. Bathroom has a large stand-up shower.
Room Four:
One queen-sized bed and sunset view. Bathroom has a large stand-up shower.
Room Five:
Two twin beds, can be pushed together to make one double. Bathroom has a large stand-up shower.
Room Six:
One queen-sized bed, one twin bed and bath tub in bed room area. Three large windows on a corner with great views. Bathroom has a large stand-up shower.
Room Seven:
One queen-sized bed, one twin bed and bath tub in bed room area. Three large windows on a corner with great views. Bathroom has a large stand-up shower.
COTTAGE:
Queen-sized bed in a bedroom closed off by large sliding doors and a glass door opening onto a private garden area. One sitting room with pull out sofa and small kitchen with refrigerator, four burners, and a stone counter work top. Large bathroom with two-person bathtub, large stand-up shower with oversized showerhead, and two sinks.
OUTDOORS:
There is a shaded outdoor dining area with views over the wide valley. This has a wood decking floor, a bar with a sink and long wood tables that seat up to 20 guests. There are also two soft outdoor sofas. By the pool is a large shaded, rain-proof pergola. This has wood decking and also has a bar with a refrigerator that is kept stocked by the staff with wine, soft drinks, water and beer. There is a card table here with games, yoga mats and blankets, an iPod dock, and a soft sofa.
"You have only to raise your eyes and Art and Beauty come to meet you" --Franco Zeffierelli
Learn more and browse our Tuscany Villas.
The Tuscan countryside includes a myriad of Medieval and Renaissance hilltowns that extend from Florence in the north, Mt. Amiata and Pitigliano in the south, Cortona and Arezzo in the east and Lucca and Pisa to the west.
Learn more and browse our Tuscan Countryside Villas.