PLANNING YOUR 2009 SUMMER VACATION?

This cozy, rustic apartment is situated in the hillside town of Castelfiorentino Alto, across the street from the Municipal Library, where beautiful frescos by Benozzo Gozzoli are on public display. Castelfiorentino is a typical Tuscan village, with a small downtown area featuring restaurants, pizzerias, shops, banks, pharmacies, hairdressers, grocery stores, laundramat and even a large supermarket, with fresh fruits and vegetables, electronics, clothing et all. A kind of WalMart.

Castelfiorentino Alto, surrounded by ancient walls, during the Roman age had been the settlement of Timignano, built on the Via Francigena, the road that pilgrims from France and England travelled to reach Rome. It was a fortified castle that enclosed on the parish church of Sant'Ippolito, built in 1195. Along the river Elsa, Castelfiorentino Basso, built mostly after WWII, has the train station, an information office, taxis and busses that connect to the mayor cities and towns.

Castelfiorentino is situated right in the heart of Tuscany and the Chianti region, less than an hour away from Florence, Siena and Pisa. The nearby medioeval Certaldo is just 5 minutes away by train and San Gimignano, with its famous towers, is about 25 minutes away. Charming seaside resorts on the riviera, like Livorno, Viareggio, La Spezia, Cinque Terre, Castiglioncello can be easily reached by car or train in approximately 30 minutes. From Livorno, ferries to the islands of Elba, Corsica and Sardinia depart on a daily basis. The apartment has wonderful light and a small terrace from which the Val d'Elsa can be enjoyed. The interior has been restored. Heating and air conditioning are available.

Other locations that can be reached easily from Castelfiorentino are the thermal spas of Saturnia, Gambassi and Chianciano, offering sulfur healing waters and medical services. The beautiful Maremma, Parco dell'Uccellina and Monte Argentario are also easy to reach. A train schedule posted at the train station provides detailed departing times.

International nearby airports Pisa International Galileo Galilei and Florence-Peretola, less than an hour way, are served by major airlines (Air France, Lufthansa, British Airways, Alitalia and others). Rental cars are available at the airports (Hertz and others). Other international airports are in Rome (Fiumicino) and Milan (Malpensa) and require a 2-3 hour trip to Castelfiorentino / Florence. Taxis and busses provide transportation to the train stations (a cab from Peretola Airport to the main Florence train station, Santa Maria Novella, is $30) or directly to Castelfiorentino. The train ride from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Castelfiorentino lasts 45 minutes and costs Euros 5.

2009 INAUGURAL PROMOTIONAL FEES: $60 per night with 2 nights minimum and $400 a week. Additional refundable deposit of $500.

For more information, please e-mail casatilli@gmail.com.