La Fonte is a splendidly equipped house in the tiny hamlet of Casale (barely a dozen houses clustered together). You need to enjoy having neighbours if you are to fall in love with this fine villa - and it really is very fine! You’ll love the location on the edge of the National Park of the Casentino Forest and only 48 km from Florence. The owners have lovingly filled their Liberty-style villa with everything (and more!) that you could want to ensure a truly special Tuscan holiday.

Built at the turn of the 20th century, then beautifully restored after being bombed in the second world war, La Fonte is designed to please. You even get a handsome little private chapel on the top terrace should you wish to use it! The powerful telescope in the study will zoom you to the stars, while the gym and pool will keep you fit. Step through the little gate at the top of the garden and you are in the woods: a national park of stunning beauty! Go for some serious hiking or settle for a gentle stroll. Or hop in the car down to the bustling market town of Dicomano (market every Saturday) and take the train into the heart of Florence (30 minutes). There’s nothing much to the little hamlet of Casale - a dozen houses in a stupendous setting plus a little restaurant - pop in and book because its home cooking is famous and draws people from miles around!

The Mugello offers a vast range of country sports and activities: biking, trekking, canoeing, windsurfing, golfing, archery, horse riding ... There are villas and vineyards (luscious red Ruffino is the local tipple) to visit, museums to see and the very best of authentic Tuscan country cooking to sample. It’s no wonder this area was the summer playground - 500 years ago - for Florence’s fabulously wealthy Medici family, their elegant friends and their many retainers. On the one hand you could say you are “in the middle of nowhere” but in fact, you are surrounded by all that is outstanding in rural Tuscany. This area has been cosseting the wealthy and the elegant escaping Florence’s hurly-burly city life for a full five centuries now. The savvy Florentines still flock to the Mugello today, though fortunately, it remains largely undiscovered by mainstream tourists. It’s a rural haven with surprisingly cosmopolitan overtones. Giotto and Beato Fra Angelico were born here - you can visit their birthplaces. Perhaps all this explains the well stocked art galleries, the fine wrought iron, worked marble and terracotta pots you’ll find for sale? It’s hard to believe the wooded hillsides teeming with deer, boar, all manner of birds and rare wild flowers could be so close to the city. Borgo San Lorenzo has a big market every Tuesday morning as well as some very sophisticated shops, while cute little Vicchio holds its market every Thursday morning. A trip to the town of Scarperia is also a must! Their Friday market spreads around Palazzo dei Vicari, which was built in 1306. It’s a charming, baby version of Florence’s own Palazzo Vecchio. While you are at Scarperia, you might also want to drop in to visit Italy’s premier racing track, home to a fleet of fire-engine-red Ferrari racing cars. You’ve got it all in the Mugello!

La Fonte will please those who just want an especially nice villa, it’ll please the sophisticated shopaholic and it’ll please those who are happy in the deep peace of ancient chestnut and beech woods. Casale is 580 metres above sea level, while the hills stretch to become mountains over 1,200 metres above sea level within just a few kilometres of the hamlet. The scenery is wonderful and the air positively sparkles!

It’s a fast drive down from Bologna airport on the A1 (or up from Florence airport to Borgo San Lorenzo) to the exit at Barberino di Mugello, from Barberino on the A1 you head to Borgo San Lorenzo and then on to Dicomano. From there it’s only 10 km to San Godenzo and thus to tiny Casale on the edge of the national park. Turning into the hamlet you are at the imposing wrought iron gates in no time. The house is surrounded by neighbours, with Casale’s restaurant only two minutes walk away - and that’s it.

La Fonte is a handsome, well appointed villa in the midst of an area of Tuscany celebrated for its olive groves, vineyards and forests. We are sure the entire family will be well pleased with this one!!!