LIMITED VACANCY, Ancient farmhouse near Florence, magic spot, artists retreat - Castellare

About Ms. Catina Cecioni

My name is Catina, and my family and I (my partner and my son) also live on the spot. This property was bought by my grandparents, and it has always been a holiday home for family and friends while I was growing up. I have been the first permanent resident though, for now almost twenty years, and I adore living immersed in nature in close proximity with the wildlife. Expecially deers. The restructuration of the house took some time during which I started really enjoying all things "home", from furniture to textiles to ceramics. Offering guests a holiday retreat with the warmth and care of a home , in the peace of nature, has become a passion as well as my job.

Ms. Catina Cecioni purchased this farmhouse in 1959

Why Ms. Catina Cecioni chose Pontassieve

Castellare's unique feature is it's location, completly sorrounded by nature. A driveway of about 700 meters connects the buildings to the main road, a charming winding street called Via di Parga with some breathtaking views. Then the driveway in the woods, where one feels the strains of contemporary life stay behind as the transformative power of nature takes over. Every time I come back from the center and the driving in traffic , I feel restored. The house appears after the last curve as the most cherished retreat, a place where I have always felt welcomed, from the day I moved in, and it was just the cat and I. Although Castellare really conveys the feeling of being out of time, the neaby village of Molino del Piano (about 5 km away , downhill), embraced me like family. The people have something magical about them, as they are open and friendly and kind, and we easily bonded. To try and participate to local life, like going sometimes for breakfast or a coffee at the local bar ("bar" in Italian is a caffetteria), play tennis in the village courts, or even try the weekly appointment at the free cinema, may give a glimpse to what it means to live in the area. It's a life of simple pleasures, lots of smiles, friendship and all the inspiration one can wish for in perfect reach, may it be the opera , art to last for a lifetime of awe, the discovery of surprising corners of nature, the wandering in one of the most beautiful regions of Italy.

What makes this farmhouse unique

The benefit I try to offer guests if the comfort of a cozy home, where it's a joy to return to after a day of adventures. I like that we are small, with just four accommodations. It's not luxury that I love, but the uniqueness of handmade things, silence, and the stories of people from the world. There are many mega resorts in Tuscany, but very few settings like this, unspoilt, and a bit magic.