Villa Simonetta – Technical details and historical overview
Location: Calenzano (Florence), Tuscany
Capacity: 10 guests · Bedrooms: 5 · Bathrooms: 4 + 1 guest bathroom
Internal surface area: approximately 214 m² on 2 floors (+ service floor) · Garden: approximately 4,000 m², enclosed
Swimming pool: 3 × 7 m, protected by laurel hedges (total privacy)
Parking: 3-4 parking spaces on the property
Extras in the surrounding area: tennis court opposite with 3 courts (1 clay, 2 synthetic grass), bookable
Property identity
Villa Simonetta is a 19th-century (circa 1850) Tuscan estate in the Leopoldina style, just a few minutes from Florence. It is not a hotel in disguise, but a private home with a high standard of living, designed for those seeking tranquillity, balance and light. In the garden of approximately 4,000 m², hedges and shrubs create a natural backdrop that separates the privacy of the guests from city life, which is still within walking distance (shops and restaurants nearby). The 3×7 m swimming pool, surrounded by laurel trees, becomes the centre of the day: a place of true and discreet tranquillity.
History and archetypes (the “Leopoldina”)
The architectural structure corresponds to the Leopoldina: clear volumes, simple symmetry, generous heights, open central staircase that organises the internal layout. The villa was the private residence of the current family from 1960 to 2010; it was then gradually renovated with classic materials, high-quality finishes and discreet technical interventions. It has been open to guests since 2017 and has retained its original identity: wooden floors, high ceilings, authentic antiques. Here, beauty does not shout, it whispers: functionality, genuine materials, elegance through reduction.
Simonetta's “Italian” garden
The gardens were designed by Simonetta, a landscape architect and former owner, who created an Italian garden after the war with references to Art Nouveau and Neoclassicism: delicate perspective axes, moderately pruned vegetation, empty spaces that have the same value as full spaces. Among the plants are plum, apricot and olive trees, a maritime pine that provides plenty of shade and stone markers arranged like punctuation marks. The functional spaces are well defined: a veranda for outdoor dining, an outdoor lounge for reading and chatting, and a solarium with deckchairs near the swimming pool. Opposite the villa is a tennis centre (3 courts: 1 clay + 2 synthetic grass) which can be easily booked; Camisa Essential can arrange appointments, rackets and balls.
Distribution and layout
The interiors are spread over two main floors, with a service floor on the lower level.
Ground floor (living area): living room with fireplace (two sofas, TV), dining room for 10 people, separate living room/reading room, fully equipped kitchen (oven, microwave, refrigerator, toaster, kettle, dishwasher). Master bedroom with private bathroom (shower) and guest bathroom.
First floor (sleeping area): suite with king-size bed and private bathroom (bathtub + walk-in shower).Two bedrooms with king-size beds and shared bathroom (bathtub + separate multifunction shower with chromotherapy, hydromassage and Turkish bath). One double bedroom (the beds can be joined) with adjacent bathroom (walk-in shower).
Service floor (basement): second kitchen and laundry room (washing machine + dryer): the invisible ‘control room’ that makes long stays and group stays easier.
All main rooms have air conditioning (living room, dining room and all bedrooms).
Amenities and technical features
Climate and comfort: air conditioning in the living area and bedrooms; heating; Wi-Fi; satellite TV; stereo and DVD player.
Kitchens: main kitchen on the ground floor + second kitchen in the service area (convenient for catering/private chef).
Swimming pool: 3 × 7 m, equipped edge, laurel hedge (privacy).
Parking on the property: 3-4 parking spaces.
Maximum capacity: 10 guests (5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms + 1 WC).
Regulations: private holiday rental (not a hotel/farmhouse/B&B). By law, the typical services of a hotel are not provided (24-hour reception, meals/drinks, daily cleaning and linen change, etc.).
Energy efficiency: APE G – 132.5 kWh/m² per year.
Identification numbers: CIN: IT048005B4VP4FDEHR.
Location and connections
The villa is located in Calenzano, between Florence and Mugello.
On foot: amenities in the neighbourhood (shops, bars, restaurants).
Bus: stop a few metres away; Florence in about 30 minutes.
Train: Calenzano station 2.5 km away (fast connections to Florence).
Car: convenient access to the A1 (Milan-Naples motorway), perfect for day trips.
Approximate distances: Florence 20 km · FLR Airport 10 km · Barberino di Mugello 25 km · Scarperia 35 km · Lucca (approx. 80-90 km), Pisa (approx. 80 km), Siena (approx. 75-85 km) – all easily accessible for day trips. Leisure: Mugello International Racetrack (~40 km), Lake Bilancino (~30 min.; canoeing, sailing, windsurfing), Barberino Designer Outlet (25 km), tennis opposite the villa (3 courts), golf within a radius of 15-35 km.
Recommended use and advantages of purchase
Villa Simonetta is perfect for large families, couples of friends or creative groups who want to alternate Florence and the art cities (Lucca, Pisa, Siena) with long moments of relaxing idleness in the garden. The layout is well balanced: the ground floor bedroom ensures accessibility and privacy for all ages; upstairs, three bathrooms serve four bedrooms in a functional way. The second kitchen and laundry room make stays of more than a week and the organisation of private events (dinners with a chef, small birthday parties) easier. The tennis centre opposite is a real advantage for sports enthusiasts and families.
Essential services Camisa (on request)
Our concierge can take care of:
Private chef and table decoration on the veranda; oil tastings among the olive trees; Tuscan cooking classes.
Wellness (sunset yoga, massages in the villa).
Transfer to the airport/station; driver for food and wine tours in Chianti and day trips to Siena/Lucca/Pisa.
Reservation of tennis courts (in front of the villa), equipment rental and tennis instructors on request.
Tickets for museums, itineraries through the Oltrarno and artisan craft shops.
All extras are on request and subject to availability; they will be confirmed in writing with a quote.
Why Villa Simonetta
Real history (Leopoldina 1850) without being a museum: the charm is not just for show, but can be experienced every day.
Designer garden (Italian style, Art Nouveau/Neoclassical elements) and a truly private swimming pool.
Convenient location: lively neighbourhood within walking distance; Florence by public transport; convenient day trips to Lucca, Pisa, Siena.
Sports on your doorstep: 3 tennis courts in front of the villa (1 clay, 2 synthetic grass).
Efficient layout for 10 guests, full air conditioning, double kitchen, laundry room.
Camisa Essential: tailor-made services to make your stay more enjoyable without altering the house.
Final note
This sheet summarises the technical data, historical context and current use of the property. Villa Simonetta offers tranquillity, beauty and proximity: a perfect balance of time, light and silence, just a few minutes from Florence, with Siena and Lucca within easy reach for day trips. In other words: the Tuscan art of dolce far niente, applied with method.
The following might be to be paid extra: Bed linen (weekly changed), Extra Cleaning, Heating, Late Arrival, Pets, Refundable Security Deposit by credit card, Tourist tax, Utilities.
