HOLIDAY APARTMENTS

“LA CAPANNINA DI MATTEO”

“MATTEO’S COTTAGE”

A few hundred metres from the route of the ancient Roman road La Cassia – where Popes, artists and pilgrims journeyed – and just outside the centre of Tavarnelle – the Fusi family awaits you and wishes you a holiday steeped in Tuscan tradition and relaxation in their charming holiday apartments.

‘La Capannina di Matteo’ is the ideal stopping place for trips of fascinating discoveries in a region rich in cultural testimony.  The cities of art:  Florence, Siena and San Gimignano are easily reached by car or by public transport.  ‘La Capannina di Matteo’  is located near a Romanesque church dating back to the 5^th century A.D. whose original structure is almost completely preserved. 

The history of this land does not consist only of its artistic patrimony (buildings and medieval villages) but also of its age old woods and ancient systems of cultivation such as the vineyards and olive groves.  These are all traces of an important past during which man’s constant work has modelled this territory while at the same time maintaining the unaltered essence of this beautifully charming Tuscan landscape.

‘La Capannina di Matteo’ stands next to a wood and is surrounded by a large well-maintained garden where the ‘notes’ of lavander marry with the intense delicate scent of the roses.  This holiday complex is the result of the renovation of a typical Tuscan farmhouse with its old barn.

There are six apartments available to you.  Four are part of the renovated barn and the others two together with the reception, occupies a part of the original restored farmhouse main building.  Located only a few kilometres from the town centre, this farmhouse complex – a typical example of Chianti rural architecture – has only recently been renovated in a style reflecting its original state and its owners taste.  While offering all the comforts of the modern age its owners have preserved those typical elements of traditional Tuscan rural home interiors such as, for example, wooden beamed ceilings and terra cotta floors.

LA PICCIONAIA (‘THE PIGEON LOFT’) – sleeps 6

This is the largest apartment in the holiday apartment complex.  It has been decorated with taste and elegance.  It consists of two levels of the main farmhouse.

On the first floor there is a large welcoming living room furnished with comfortable sofas.  This leads into the kitchen which is completely equipped with oven-fridge-dishwasher.  On the same floor there are also 2 double bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with shower.  Thanks to an easily accessible wooden spiral staircase, it is possible to reach the above floor – the dovecoat (or ‘pigeon loft’).  The dovecote was originally used to house the numerous doves and pigeons of the farm.  A lovely double bedroom has now been created from this space which is a typical element of Tuscan farmhouse architecture.

Four delightful apartments have been created out of the well thought-out restoration of the barn.    They now form the ‘Capanna’ (‘Cottage’).  The most minute details have been adhered to and the apartments have been furnished with taste in every lovely detail including for example wooden beamed ceilings, terra cotta floors and wrought iron railings not to mention the stylish furniture and accessories.

The names given to the various holiday apartments refer to Tuscan peasant farmer traditions and evoke – in this comfortable and family environment – a memory of an almost forgotten past.

L’AIA  (‘THE BARNYARD’) – sleeps 4

In the world of farming the ‘aia’ was a large paved barnyard area surrounded by a wall.  This is where the threshing of wheat, the drying of corn and the outdoor husking of various grains took place.  It was also occasionally populated by many barnyard animals and at times used as an area for dancing, for family get-togethers and for fesivals.

This apartment consists of 2 floors.  The warm tones of the terra cotta floors combined with the refined accessories and light green walls create a truly unique atmosphere.

On the ground floor there is the kitchen/living room.  The built-in fitted kitchen is completely equipped  with oven, fridge, washing machine and dishwasher.  The sitting room is furnished with charming wicker furniture and it has direct access onto the private veranda and patio.  The upper floor is characterised by a classic slanted ceiling with exposed wooden beams.  There are two bedrooms each with private bathroom with shower.

IL POLLAIO (‘THE CHICKEN COOP’) – sleeps 2

This charming and extremely sunny apartment has been created using the warm shades of yellow ochre from sunflowers and corn (the favourite food of chickens!) in both the upholstery and the accessories.  This apartment is entirely on the ground floor.  It has direct access to a private veranda and patio with a lovely view of the pool.  This apartment consists of a completely equipped kitchen, large living room with fireplace, double bedroom and bathroom with shower.

LA STALLA (‘THE STABLE’) – sleeps 4

It will seem to you as if you are perceiving the ancient warmth of a true stable which was originally used to host farm animals at the end of a hard day’s work in the fields;  and during long days of inclement weather.  These beasts such as oxen and horses – with which farmers alternated the heavy workload – found shelter here in the stable which had to be continuously kept tidy and clean.

The simple elegance of both the furniture and the furnishings found in traditional Tuscan homes and the use of shades of antique rose for the accessories and upholstery have been combined with taste to create a very welcoming ambiance.  This apartment consists of two floors.  On the ground floor there is a built-in fitted kitchen complete with all household appliances and a large living room complete with fireplace.  The strong point of this room is this large fireplace which creates a truly charming atmosphere when its crackling flames light up the room.  Off the living room there is a room with twin beds complete with bathroom with shower.  On the first floor there is a delightful double bedroom characterised by its slanted exposed beam ceiling.  There is also a bathroom and a romatic covered balcony looking onto the swimming pool and the adjacent wood.  This apartment features a lovely private garden and a veranda area perfect for eating outside.

Il Fienile  (‘THE BARN’) – sleeps 4

Lodging here will evoke in your memory the fine scents of freshly scythed grass and the intense fragrance of hay.  This mnemonic track of land that you will follow will lead you through fields and meadows.  You will enjoy the cutting of the fodder and its definitive storage in the barn.  This agricultural farm annex, which was used for keeping hay, was a typical element of Tuscan rural architecture and necessary for the practical demands of farmers’ lives.   Hay was the only nutrient for the beasts and  in the winter months the straw was used as a warm bed for the farm animals.

This apartment, with its preserved original structure, exudes the sobriety of its forms and the spatial spirit of the original old farm building.

A large living room with fireplace takes up nearly the entire ground floor.  The kitchen is located in one corner of this large room.  There is also a bathroom with shower off this kitchen/sitting room.  On the first floor there is one double bedroom and one bedroom with twin beds both with bathrooms with showers.  Off the double bedroom there is a romantic covered balcony looking onto the surrounding countryside. In this apartment you will find a comfortable and relaxing environment decorated with great care in shades of pale blue used for the walls, the upholstery and the accessories.  This apartment also features a lovely private garden and a veranda area perfect for eating outside.

IL CORTILE:

Lodging here will be an unique experience. This apartment is entirely on the ground floor. It has direct access to a private veranda and private garden where you can spend unforgettable moment.
Characteristic of this apartment is the private "loggia" where you can enjoy your dinner with the fantastic products that this rich land offers. Barbecue and Air conditioning are at guests disposal.
The apartment consist of a large living room with lovely fireplace and confortable sofa. The kitchen is enterely equipped with oven, fridge, dishwasher and washing machine. On the ground floor there are also 2 bedroom, the first one double and the second one twin.
The apartment has 2 private bathroom with shower.In this apartment you will find a comfortable and relaxing environment decorated with great care in shades of pale blue used for the walls, the upholstery and the accessories

All the apartments come equipped with satellite t.v., phone and airconditioning.  At the guests’ disponsal there is a large swimming pool located in a field amidst decorative shrubs, lavander bushes and roses.  This is a perfect location, after day trips or excursions to the nearby medieval villages, to cool off and enjoy pleasant relaxing moments by the poolside.

The Chianti region is not only a synonym for wines but also a mix of unique emotions where modernity and the past live together;  where culture and nature characterise a territory rich in tradition – a tradition that touches the soul and its own identity by continuously offering unrepeatable holidays and short stays such as the cordial and passionate reception from the Fusi family and the ‘Capannina di Matteo.’