good for you

This restored, extremely lavish 16th century farmhouse has been adapted to create a very comfortable ‘Agriturismo’ farm stay, with all the benefits of a self-catered villa, along with excellent hotel services and a small Tuscan restaurant.

Nestled in a 70-hectar landscape of rolling hills, olive groves and vineyards, the accommodations include eight apartments, two cottages and the farmhouse, all surrounded by a working farm which produces its own organic olive oil. There is a large shared swimming pool, surrounded by white sand and olive trees, and some of the accommodations enjoy their own private pools. The views from the pools and terraces are picturesque, taking in the rich fertile valley and the hills beyond.

The Villa is a short drive to the centre of Florence, with all its treasures, and is a quick walk to the lovely village of Impruneta, where you’ll find many gorgeous little restaurants and friendly trattoria and pizzeria, as well as fantastic delis to shop for Tuscan goods like cheese and wine.

good for tuscany

Chosen by The Good Travel Company for its heritage value, Villa l’Olmo was once the summer residence of the Davanzati, a very old and noble Florentine family, dating back to the 16th century. It was acquired by the current owner’s family in the middle of the 18th century, and restored and remodeled as the The Relais Villa l’Olmo in 2001. The original structure, which dates back to 1500, was restored with exceptional care and sensitivity to preserve its historical value.

The agriturismo accommodations are integrated with the farming business, which produces organic olive oil in the traditional Tuscan manner, with an ancient stone olive press.

Rooms

Food

All the accommodations are self-catered, but for those who prefer a catered breakfast, it is served at the top of the hill near the apartments and cottages, under an ancient loggia. Breakfast is from 7:30 to 10:30.

The village has a supermarket to stock up on food, and lots of fabulous specialty stores selling Tuscan cheese, wine, bread and smallgoods.

On the property, just a short walk from the accommodations, there is a typical Tuscan country restaurant in a small wooded garden, open during the summer months. During the low season, the Villa offers a half-board rate including meals at this country restaurant.

Many other Tuscan restaurants, pizzerias and trattorias are close by, some at walking distance, others a short drive away. It is well worthwhile to explore the villages around the property, as each has its own character and charming restaurants, trattorias and wine bars. Upon arrival, the reception desk will present you with information about the Villa’s recommended local eateries.

features

• Reception desk and concierge service (8:30am to 7:30pm) at guests’ disposal for information, reservations, tours, suggestions, golf reservations, babysitting services and many other services.
• Breakfast room, located in a charming old loggia, for guests who prefer to be served breakfast.
• Large private pool for each cottage and a large shared one for the apartments and farmhouse.
• Barbecue areas for guests to prepare their own meals.
• Shared computer at reception with Internet access.
• Daily apartment cleaning, bed arrangements, change of bath linens. Guests who remain for more than a few days will have complete housekeeping service and change of bedding every three days.
• Parking, as well as a bus service connecting the Villa with central Florence, which runs every 30 minutes, saving parking headaches in the city. Pick-up services can be arranged.
• Membership privileges at the nearby Ugolino Golf Club as well as a nearby Tennis Club
• Cooking classes (reservations at the reception desk) take place nearby, featuring various programmes from one-day lessons to a complete week of classes. These can also be combined with a program of wine courses with a professional sommelier.
• Massages and other spa treatments can be arranged.

Features & Facilities

Local Info & Activities

The Villa is in an incredibly cultural rich part of the world, with countless ancient churches, ruins, wineries, museums, and mediaeval towns to explore, not to mention the incredible artistic and cultural wealth of Florence.

Florence is a mere 15 minutes away, and a bus takes you from the Villa to the town centre every half hour.

There are also plenty of opportunities to get active with a game of golf, hikes or horseback rides in the area, or a bicycle tour.

Activities like cooking courses, wine tastings and castle visits can all be booked through the Villa’s reception desk.

During olive oil production time (November-December) private visits and olive oil tasting can be enjoyed on the property.

The following is a list of some of the tours and activities the concierge is happy to arrange for you:

• Italian cooking course or wine culture course, including cellar visits.
• Florence on Foot program with a knowledgeable guide.
• A visit to the Villa’s own olive press, with olive oil tasting.
• Excursion to Siena & San Gimignano and the surrounding vineyards, with a stop in Siena for lunch and a tour of the towns’ main attractions (the cathedral, the Piccolomini Library and the Opera Museum).
• Excursion to Lucca & Pisa with its beautiful riversides, the Piazza dei Miracoli and Cavalieri, the cathedral and the Leaning Tower.
• Excursion to the Chianti area with its wineries and lovely countryside, the Romanesque churches, Villas and castles, as well as a farm visit.
• Excursion to Vinci and the Leonardo da Vinci Museum and House and the mediaeval villages and Villas.
• Excursion to Perugia & Assisi, with the famous basilicas of Saint Francis, Santa Chiara and Santa Maria degli Angeli.
• Excursion to Pienza & Montepulciano to see the Papal Palace, Brunello Wine Cellars, cheese artisans.
• Plenty of insight into ancient Roman, Etruscan and Christian history in country Romanesque churches and magnificent monasteries.
• Visit nearby Italian gardens
• A hidden Tuscany Tour of the villages and attractions and artisans unknown to tourists.
• Horseback riding at a neighbouring farm.

Sustainability

This hotel has been chosen by the Good Travel Co for its heritage value and its careful restoration of historical buildings on the property.

Villa l’Olmo was the summer residence of the Davanzati’s, a very old and noble Florentine family, dating back to 1500. It was acquired by the current owner’s family in the middle of the 18th century. The Relais Villa l’Olmo was completely restored in 2000 with exceptional care to preserve the original structure which dates back to 1500.

The property also includes the owner’s private villa, a small restaurant and an olive press, part of the small farm which is operational to this day. Impruneta, a typical tuscan town, is a comfortable and short walk away.

With only 45 guests at a time as maximum, on a 70-hectare property with plenty of olive trees, vineyards and woods, the carbon output is relatively low, but the accommodations are not green, using conventional energy and waste disposal as well as air conditioning and all other modern conveniences.

Getting There

Relais Villa l’Olmo is located in Impruneta village at the doorway to the Chianti region, only 10 kilometers from Florence and the airport.

It is 5 kilometers from the Autostrada A1 to Milano and Rome, as well as the Speedway to Siena. The town of Impruneta is only a 3-minute walk from the Relais.

Very convenient public buses that connect the Relais with Florence run every half hour.

Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.

Rates & Bookings

High Season: Dec 29 – Jan 2, Apr 5- Apr 10, May 1 – Oct 31

Apartment for 2 persons p/night: Euro176.50

Apartment for 2 persons p/week: Euro1155

Apartment for 4 persons p/night: Euro218

Apartment for 4 persons p/week: Euro1388

Private Villa for 2/4 Pax p/night: Euro282

Private Villa for 2/4 Pax p/week: Euro1780

Private Villa for 4/6 Pax p/night: Euro376

Private Villa for 4/6 Pax p/night: Euro2310

Extra bed / Sofa Bed: Euro24

Breakfast p/p: Euro12

Air conditioning p/day: Euro12

Low Season: Jan 3 - Apr 4, Apr 11 – Apr 30, Nov 1 – Dec 28

Apartment for 2 persons p/night: Euro95

Apartment for 2 persons p/week: Euro618

Apartment for 4 persons p/night: Euro165

Apartment for 4 persons p/week: Euro1082

Private Villa for 2/4 Pax p/night: Euro188

Private Villa for 2/4 Pax p/week: Euro1235

Private Villa for 4/6 Pax p/night: Euro220

Private Villa for 4/6 Pax p/night: Euro1365

Extra bed / Sofa Bed: Euro18

Breakfast p/p: Euro12

Air conditioning p/day: Euro12

booking & cancellation policy

• A booking is confirmed on the payment of 45% deposit. This deposit will be deducted from the final bill at check out time.
• Cancellations made at any time incur a cancellation fee of 10% deposit.
• Cancellations made 50 days prior to the guest’s check-in date will result in a 40% cancellation fee.
• Cancellations made from 49 to 30 days prior to the guest’s check-in date: a 60% cancellation fee applies.
• Cancellations made from 29 to 15 days prior to the guest’s check-in date: an 80% cancellation fee applies.
• Cancellations made from 14 to 0 days prior to the guest’s check-in date:100% cancellation fee applies.

Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.