Casa Toscana - Property

Location - Podere Francia
Podere Francia is just outside the village of Montefoscoli, and halfway between Florence and Pisa. Montefoscoli offers the usual services: a bank, post office, shops and restaurants. This area is under the province of Pisa and is near to the villages of Palaia, Peccioli, Forcoli and La Sughera. During the summer months the local inhabitants put on traditional fairs, races, parties and so on, which celebrate medieval battles from the past. Palios, storytelling, dinners in the piazzas, obviously washed down with copious quantities of the local Chianti.

About 45 minutes away is the city of Pisa with its famous leaning tower and international airport. Florence is about an hour away. The vicinity of the airport means the property is also good for weekend breaks.

Pisa is one of the most glorious cities in Italy. In medieval times Pisa was one of the naval republics of Italy, alongside Venezia, Genova and Amalfi, who constantly disagreed over their commercial rights in "mare nostrum".

During this period Pisa basked in its glory, a city enriched by monuments, palaces, churches and its port on the Arno river spilling over with seagoing vessels of every description. But slowly the cracks started to appear,

culminating in the historic battle of Meloria, which saw Pisa beaten by Genova and subsequently divided up and sold to Ghibellina Florence in 1405. What remains today is a splendid centro storico with its glorious Duomo, and famours leaning tower.

15 minutes down the road is the village of Castelfalfi, a medieval town set into rocks and owned by the Medicees. The castle has a dominating position over the surrounding hills which host spectacular sunsets.

For sporty types it is possible to play golf in the breathtakingly beautiful but challenging 18 hole golf course. The holes are surrounded by woods and lakes requiring a large reserve of balls and a good sense of humour! There are tennis courts, a stables and 3 large swimming pools for those who can't stand the golf. Also worth a look is the hamlet of San Vivaldo and its convent still run by the monks and with its own rustic restaurant.