Cortona Rental Villa near Cortona Tuscany "San Silvestro"

Accommodates up to 5
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Available Easter - mid October

Use of the owners' pool
(40 ft x 20 ft, 3½ ft deep)
open end May - September

1 double bedroom,
1 bedroom with twin beds,
1 small single bedroom,
2 bathrooms (one with bath tub, one with shower),
sitting room with fireplace,
dining room,
kitchen with dishwasher.

Stereo, washing machine, pool towels, barbecue, table football.

The owners offer their own
cold pressed olive oil for sale

Click on + button for exact location. View Larger Map for distances and route planning to/from Cortona


Your historic sitting room

The sunny dining room	The spotless kitchen has recently been refurbished

The ample double bedroom with lovely old beams	Twin beds and plenty of space

Anyone for tea at charming San Silvestro?	Walk 50 metres for a dip in the owner's pool

Cortona is a beautiful hilltop town and one of Tuscany’s most sought-after locations. This cosmopolitan little town boasts a generous handful of excellent eateries and some very stylish shops line the atmospheric, medieval streets within the ancient city walls. The wide views across the valley towards Lake Trasimeno are fabulous. And nestling below the ancient town, just 2 km away, is historic San Silvestro.

San Silvestro was originally a country church in the 1300s! For the last two centuries or so, it’s been a farmers’ cottage but you can just make out a small picture of Saint Silvestro himself on the wall in your sitting room. 1300 was a long time ago and your saint has become rather faint down the centuries, but he’s definitely still there! As you would imagine, this isn’t a luxury property; it’s a simple, appealing place that can’t fail to win your heart. It is private and entirely peaceful, and for shopping you have the village of Camucia, just a mile away, with a couple of supermarkets, a post office, several bars and eateries, a bank and some interesting shops to explore - and the cantina sells local wines at ridiculously cheap prices! Enjoy a trip into Camucia in the cool of the evening to sample an ice cream, then pick up a pizza from the excellent take-away before heading back home to watch the sun go down over Cortona. Shopping up at Cortona is a more “touristy” experience, or maybe it’s just more “sophisticated” - whatever: you can buy some gorgeous clothes there and the local pottery is highly temptatious, while the Etruscan museum gives an interesting glimpse of life over 2,000 years ago. You have two interesting and very different little towns to choose from, and both within a 10 minute drive of San Silvestro!

The neighbours are discreetly tucked away from sight. Your quiet garden is entirely private, bordered by the owners’ vineyard, shaded by pines and filled with the scent of box hedging and the sound of busy cicadas - a quintessentially Tuscan spot! The old open fire and the impressive, ancient wooden beams in the sitting room will please. The two comfy sofas (in our photo above) are a nice modern addition! The dining room is authentic Italian 1950s decor under more seriously ancient ceiling beams. The atmosphere at San Silvestro is one of homely country simplicity. There’s an old marble-topped table in the kitchen, a stone sink, a modern oven and fridge-freezer. It’s all highly acceptable and practical! There’s a little shower room downstairs and a spotlessly clean, old fashioned bathroom upstairs. The double and twin bedrooms are both large and comfortable, while the little single room is cute in its Tuscan simplicity.

The warmly welcoming owners live in their fine villa about 50 yards away. Carla speaks reasonable English and her husband, the endlessly kind and considerate Paolo, will make himself understood no matter the gaps in your Italian or his English! They’ll happily offer local advice whenever needed, but they’ll never get in your way. Paolo is well connected locally: if you’d be interested, he can arrange some rather special discounts on stylish Italian children’s clothes, upmarket cashmere or traditional pottery - just say the word and he’ll ensure you get the opportunity to pick up some real Italian bargains!

This is a delightful country home for those in search of Tuscany at its most authentic. The great fig tree and the huge bay tree near the kitchen door have already shaded many a satisfied visitor, and there’s plenty of space for games and lounging in the garden.

Live the genuine “simple life” at San Silvestro - a holiday experience to treasure!

We loved this property! It was authentic Tuscan, from the house itself to the surroundings. The garden in the vines was peaceful and the use of Carla and Paolo’s beautiful pool in its enclosed garden was the icing on the cake!

We found all the facilities clean and perfect for a country holiday. Very comfortable beds and good supply of pots and crockery. Outside furniture was in good condition. It is very good value for the rental cost, we have stayed at much more expensive properties where the facilities have been much poorer.

The welcome was warm and both Carla and Paulo did all that they could to ensure that we had a good time. They gave us up to date info and maps, told us about the festivities in the surrounding towns and villages and the directions to the parking etc, vital at Ferragosto!!!

Margaret Stuart, Dumfries and Galloway.

We loved the accommodation it had everything we needed and it was just what we were looking for. We have recommended you to all our friends.


In front of the villa	A first look at the pool

Claire Novakovic, Middlesex.

We thought San Silvestro was a fantastic deal - a beautiful (and historically interesting) house in a lovely setting; simply but very comfortably furnished and with loads of space. The owners Carla and Paolo could not have been more hospitable and the house is very conveniently located for trips to the attractions of southern Tuscany. San Silvestro had the feel of an authentic Italian rural experience and provided a haven of calm and peace in this busy part of the world. Oh, and the visiting cats were a nice touch?


Gill at the Etruscan tombs north of Camucia

Richard and Gill Christy, Hants.

Property and its garden were private, really peaceful, and beautifully tranquil.

We could have slept forever in the bedrooms as they were so comfortable.

Carla and Paulo were welcoming and excellent hosts.

Barrie Tynemouth, Rickmansworth.

We very much enjoyed our stay. The house is charming and set in a beautiful landscape. Most of all, the owners went out of their way to be helpful and hospitable. Without their assistance, God knows when our lost baggage would have arrived. And it was a great pleasure to wind up our stay having dinner at their house--a dinner of enormous quantity matched by high quality. I cannot remember ever having hosts like them.

John Holmes, MA.

Had a lovely holiday here & were looked after really well by the owners. They cooked us a lovely Italian Easter breakfast (if you speak to them, then please thank them again for this as we were really grateful that they had gone to the effort & really enjoyed it - certainly made our first few days that bit more special). The kids loved the garden & we thought it was an excellent base for seeing the north side of Lake Trasimeno - very relaxing, great location & had everything we wanted for our 4 weeks. The owners were there if we needed, but did not intrude.

Alison Cartwright, Suffolk.

My wife and I plus another couple really enjoyed our stay at San Silvestro. Our plane was delayed 3 hours and we arrived at the property at around midnight!! Your Late Arrivals Line swung into action for which we were very grateful. Thanks to Bob forewarning Carla and Paulo, they were out on the road in the middle of Camucia waving madly and flashing their car lights like a beacon to shepherd us safely to San Silvestro. We arrived tired and hungry, having had no time to pick up any provisions. Carla returned to her own house and returned with wine, fresh bread, a mammoth hunk of cheese, and a large bowl of home made soup. No sulks, no moans; just a wonderful generous Italian welcome.

And so it was throughout the week. Carla came with us to show us where to find the best chianina beef; gave us pointers on Italian cuisine; advised on local events and happenings. Nothing was too much trouble. And all with so much grace, patience and kindness. We made a new friend. Any shortcoming the house might have had, and there were not many, were amply outweighed by the owner’s personal care for us. Thank you Summer’s Leases. We’ll be back!!

Clive Moore, Nairn.

The property was a delight - full of authentic charm. Carla and Paolo were the perfect hosts - maintaining a discreet distance but always friendly and very willing to help and offer advice - were really got the impression we were welcome in their property. The swimming pool was a huge bonus and plenty big enough to satisfy our family's needs for splashing, swimming or just basking on a sun lounger. Not the most beautiful landscape in the world (flat plain) but San Silvestro has a certain magic that worked wonders on a tired and frazzled family.

Anna Jago, South East London.

We loved San Silvestro. It was one of five back-to-back week-long rentals that made up the bulk of our seven-week-long stay in Italy. It rates tops. We would, indeed will, return in a heart beat. The dwelling is romantic to the extreme. (This from a client who has lived in Italy for more than six years, and returns there often.)

The owners - who lived conveniently nearby - were wonderfully attentive and considerate, without being intrusive. I will say no more, for fear they will raise the rent!

Ralph Jones, Colorado.

Price per Week (Saturday to Saturday)			Equivalent guide prices
Rental period		UK pounds	US dollars
March 27 - May 22	2010	£ 460
May 22 - June 19	2010	£ 750
June 19 - July 10	2010	£ 850
July 10 - August 28	2010	£ 880
August 28 - October 2	2010	£ 750
October 2 - 16	2010	£ 460
Prices held for 2010 ! Dates in blue mean owner's pool available Our prices include everything except heating in the cooler months Summer's Leases charges in UK pounds See our booking conditions