This ancient farmhouse built into the Tuscan hills (350m above sea level) seems so far away from any civilization. The front looks out towards the medieval town of Sassetta on the hilltop opposite, only 3 km away. There are also magnificent views of the tranquil Val di Cornia all the way to Massa Marittima; on clear days you can even see Gavorrano, 70km away.
The farmhouse was made of solid stone in the early 1800s. It has been beautifully restored to provide all modern comfort whilst maintaining its original structure and charm. The traditional country house was carefully renovated with warm, natural stone-work, colourful plantings and gorgeous little additions, among them an antique bread oven, it is situated in a very picturesque countryside.
La Pergola - It was once the stables, now it is a wonderful open space flat with 85m². The rounded windows were left with English glazing and the two beautiful old wooden doors remained, the rest has been renovated in Tuscan style but furnished with some modern elements, an indoor stairway and a cosy bedroom that gives a feeling of snugness when you lay there and look up at the new ceiling with chestnut wood beams and old hand made mezzane.
The flat faces south so that it is very light. As shelter from the afternoon heat of there is a Passion fruit that climbs the pergola in front of the windows.
Completely open 3 room flat: there are only 2 doors – the entrance and the one to the bathroom. Upstairs is a bedroom with 2 single beds that can be put together as a double. There is also a large wardrobe and a comfortable chair from which you can enjoy the view out of the window; it is a good idea to bring binoculars with you as there are often eagles, porcpines, badgers and other unusual birds to be seen.
There is a connecting door from the bedroom to the flat “La Terrazza” in which the farmer used to live. If you do not wish to share the flats then there is a very thick curtain in addition to the thick door for “soundproofing
The open stairs lead down to the living room with 6 dining places and the kitchen – here it is also “open space”. The stairs make the flat UNsuitable for small children.
Through a small hallway there is a bathroom and a door to “La Carraia” on the Eastside of the ground floor which can be opened if the flats are to be shared.
The entrance is to the west, between the house and the workshop that used to be the horse stables. When it is really hot one can lay here in the shade and have a siesta in the “wind channel”. If it is still too hot, then you can go up a couple of steps to the terrace behind the workshop facing north. From here there is also a wonderful view of the village and it is wonderfully cool under the old Holm Oak trees, there is sun here in the morning and evening.
There is a terrace in front of the workshop to the south that is shaded by vines in the summer. From here you can look over the olive grove, the old baking house and the village of Sassetta.
In the living room there are 2 sofas with new orthopaedic mattresses, flat screen TV, books (mostly in German) games, Onkyo stereo player with cassettes and CD player, plus WIFI internet for those that need it - it is of course MUCH nicer to sit outside with a laptop on one of the magical places if you do have to work. The kitchen has been modernised and painted white, there is now a dishwasher and in the corridor leading to the bathroom a built-in cupboard. The bathroom was renovated and now has a colour-therapy spa shower and a bidet.
Kitchen with electric oven and 3 flame gas cooker, large fridge with freezer compartment, mixer, toaster, blender, electric kettle, coffee maker with thermos jug, dishwasher. The beds upstairs are 90 x 190cm, the sofa beds with the new mattresses in the living room are 80 x 190cm but have no foot ends so that they are suitable for tall people.
There are additional costs to be paid directly to the owners; heating and gas as used, deposit €300, animals €10 per day, bedding if required €10 per person and towels if required €6 per person. Please bring your own towels for the beach. Sasseta raises a hospitality tax of €1.50 per person over 12 yrs and night between Easter and the end of September