Villa Aurora

The villa is in the perfect location, just 40 minutes outside Florence. It overlooks a spectacular valley of vineyards, and the sunsets are amazing. In the morning, fog envelopes the valley floor, and the ancient towered city of San Gimignano rises on the opposite end of the valley, which you can see from the villa. 7 km away is the small town of Certaldo, which has a modern supermarket and other shops, and a lovely old town. 2 km away you can find a grocery shop, a butcher, a pharmacy, post and a nice breakfast bar.

A Tuscan restaurant with a nice patio, a small alimentari (corner store) and one of the oldest churches of the region are within walking distance (approx. 800 m). Bring a torch if you like to walk as the street to the restaurant is not illuminated. In the proximity of the villa there is a great variety of small trattorias and specialty restaurants - each night you can dine in a new place. Eating out is a way of getting to know the area. Simple local trattorias rub their shoulders with more sophisticated restaurants specialised in refined cuisine. Fresh local produce allways plays the leading role. 

Villa Aurora is a perfect starting point to explore Tuscany: situated in the heart of Chianti, it is a short drive to Florence and Siena. The villa's location only 7 km from the railway station of Certaldo is a good base to visit Florence and Siena even by train: You can park your car in Certaldo (parking next to the railway station) and take the train in both directions. During the week, trains to Florence/Siena and back go regularly (approx. every 1.5 or 2 hours). The train ride takes less than an hour. In Florence the train will take you to the main train station which is right in the centre of Florence - it is just a short walk from the station "Santa Maria Novella" to the Cathedral or the Uffizi. In Siena the railway station is located approx. 3 km from centre, and you have to take a bus to reach the old town on top of the hill. One hour of driving takes you to the sea.

The Chianti area: Famous for its wines - the Chianti Classico - this area of Tuscany has more than just world-class oenological pleasures to offer. The curious visitor will come accross many delightful villages, each of them with a history of its own. Let us simply mention lesser known gems such as the romanesque church of Sant'Appiano, the Basilica of Impruneta, the fortified castle of Monteriggioni and the roofless romanesque abbey of San Galgano which are all close. And don’t miss the Saturday market in the small town of Greve.

San Gimignano is a small walled medieval hill town in the province of Siena, Tuscany, north-central Italy. It is mainly famous for its medieval architecture, especially its towers, which may be seen from several kilometers outside the town. The town also is known for the white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, grown in the area.

Florence: The city lies on the Arno River and is known for its history and its importance in the Middle Ages and in the Renaissance, especially for its art and architecture. A centre of medieval European trade and finance, the city is often considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance; in fact, it has been called the Athens of the Middle Ages. It was long under the de facto rule of the Medici family. From 1865 to 1870 the city was also the capital of the Kingdom of Italy. The historic centre of Florence continues to attract millions of tourists each year and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982.

Siena: The Sienese have no doubt, their town is the most beautiful in all of Tuscany, if not all of Italy. Siena has remained a Gothic city. Renaissance, one of the major influences in Florence, hardly affected the urban development of Siena. The city unfolds around the main shell-shaped square called "Il Campo." Twice a year the famous horse race known as the "Palio" takes place here. The narrow streets are lined with old shops and small cafes, while churches and museums are real treasures of the fourteenth century.

Local craftsmanship: hand-made terracotta pots from Impruneta, hand painted pottery from Montelupo, mouth-blown crystal glass from the neighbouring village Colle Val d'Elsa, not to mention the south bank of the Arno river in Florence where you will find a multitude of craftsmen working silver, leather, wood, glass, paper and metal.

Sports: riding stable 5 km, tennis court 10 km, beauty spa with sauna 15 km, golf course 35 km.