Villa Velari in Tuscany, Italy — Rental House Evaluate
As a hustle-and-bustle girlie with a penchant for historical past and structure (and no concern of crowds), I’ve lengthy been obsessive about Italy’s fairly cities. Rome, Venice, Palermo, and Milan have all been checked off my bucket checklist prior to now few years—a pair greater than as soon as as a result of they have been simply that good (attempt a Roman fried artichoke and you will get it). However this winter, I made a decision it was time to veer a bit of off the big-city crushed path and provides Italy’s most relaxed area a go: Tuscany.
Sure, the countryside was calling—or possibly simply the promise of scrumptious vino, olive oil, and recent air by the gallon—and I answered, with my dad and mom, fiancé, and soon-to-be mother-in-law in tow. (Belief me, we might all stand a bit of R&R.) There are dozens of lovely cities in Tuscany with the rolling hills we have been after, so at first we weren’t certain the place we needed to put up up for our four-day journey. However that drawback was solved once I was launched to one of many chicest villas I’ve ever laid eyes on. Enable me to introduce you to Villa Velari.
The Luxurious Journey Ebook
The three-bedroom, four-bathroom rental house is one among a number of swanky villas and flats on The Luxurious Journey Ebook, a reserving platform with mind-bogglingly lovely properties all around the world, from Greece to Capetown and the South of France. (For those who love Promoting Sundown and glam getaways, consider me once I say you possibly can spend hours scrolling by way of the positioning and looking out on the luxurious actual property.) Villa Velari had the proper quantity of bedrooms for our fam, gave the impression to be positioned close to some cute cities, and likewise simply seemed goddamn spectacular within the pictures (that pool!!!), so it was a no brainer. The flights have been booked and we have been off to stay our greatest lives below the Tuscan solar.
Spoiler alert: I extremely suggest Villa Velari—and The Luxurious Journey Ebook, obv—in your subsequent group getaway. And you need to hold studying for the deets.
Hannah Chubb
Hannah Chubb
THE QUICK HITS: VILLA VELARI EDITION
- Identify: Villa Velari
- Location: Tuscany, Italy
- Price Per Evening: Beginning at €815 (approx. $905)
- Finest For: Group getaways the place recent air is a necessity
- Whereas You’re Right here, Go to: One of many *many* close by agriturismos (like Fattoria Poggio Alloro, in San Gimignano)
- One-Phrase Vibe Examine: Dreamy
- Most Iconic Picture Spot: On the fringe of the pool, overlooking the olive groves
- Don’t Go away With out: Internet hosting a ping-pong competitors (winner will get first dibs on the wine)
BOOK A STAY
THE FIRST IMPRESSIONS
I knew this was going to be an excellent keep earlier than we even arrived, as a result of the host we have been put in contact with was so form and accommodating it was clear we weren’t in Kansas (learn: the U.S.) anymore. She welcomed us to the property after opening the huge swinging gates and promptly gave us a tour. To say we have been gobsmacked can be an understatement. The house itself is stylish and fashionable whereas nonetheless being a basic Tuscan villa, and you possibly can inform a really well-trained inside designer had their approach with the place. There was additionally a bit of charcuterie setup and wine ready for us within the kitchen, which was greater than beautiful (dare I say mandatory?) after our travels.
Hannah Chubb
Hannah Chubb
THE ROOMS
As I discussed, the house has three bedrooms. Two are on the principle flooring, whereas the third, the principle suite, is mainly in a wing of its personal, full with a swanky sitting room. Each single bed room has an ensuite rest room, which is clutch once you’re touring with a bunch (IYKYK), with a rainshower and all of the toiletries you possibly can want. The bedrooms all have massive home windows with fabulous views, as properly, so that you get a flash of gorgeous surroundings each time you get up or go to mattress.
Hannah Chubb
Hannah Chubb
Hannah Chubb
THE AMENITIES
Along with the bedrooms, inside you may discover a state-of-the-art kitchen (no actually, it has among the most futuristic home equipment I’ve ever seen), a fitness center overlooking the yard (didn’t use, nevertheless it seemed good), a comfy lounge with a hearth, a eating room with floor-to-ceiling home windows, an workplace nook (additionally didn’t use), and extra. Exterior, it is laborious to overlook the heated pool (with floaties!), a scorching tub, ping-pong and foosball tables, a fireplace pit, and a stunning herb backyard. Truthfully, there was a lot to see and do this I nearly felt a bit of responsible once we left that I hadn’t taken full benefit of the property. However the scorching tub and ping-pong desk undoubtedly acquired some strong use, lemme inform ya.
Villa Velari
Villa Velari
As a result of we have been so busy, we did not attempt the concierge service the property gives, however you need to know that they’ll e-book and ship a personal chef, therapeutic massage therapist, yoga teacher, photographer, and extra straight to your door. Luxe, no?
Villa Velari
THE FOOD AND BEV
After all, this is not a typical resort, so there is no on-site restaurant. However the kitchen is so good even Uber Eats’s number-one fan may be impressed to provide the range a whirl. (Not not talking from expertise.) The host left us a bevy of drinks (alc and non-alc), snacks, and components to cook dinner with—and I am not simply speaking your commonplace salt, pepper, and olive oil. The fridge got here stocked with recent fruits, veggies, prosciutto, cheese, and eggs, and there have been drawers stuffed with dry items like crackers, pasta, and pastries. We made a delish spaghetti dinner on our final evening and ate within the eating room at sundown, and…it is a core reminiscence.
Hannah Chubb
Hannah Chubb
If cooking actually is not your factor, although, you may nonetheless be wonderful. There is a tremendous cute and homey restaurant a few 20-minute stroll or three-minute drive from the villa, referred to as Borgo della Speranza. The employees is nice, the pizza is 🔥, and the costs are nice.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Villa Velari was the proper place for me and my fam to chill out, get pleasure from one another’s firm whereas feeling like royalty, and see what gradual Tuscan dwelling seems to be like (trace: it seems to be like plenty of empty wine bottles). It was so good having the entire residence to ourselves, and it was in a perfect location for visiting among the hottest cities within the space, like San Gimignano, Volterra, and Montaione. (And FYI, it is solely a 45-minute drive from Florence, if that is in your bucket checklist.)
Hannah Chubb
We visited in November and it was a fab fall getaway with climate within the excessive 50s—which means the new tub acquired used greater than the pool—however I think about early autumn or spring can be much more lovely. Lengthy story brief, already cannot wait to return!!!
Hannah Chubb is the life-style editor at Cosmopolitan, masking all issues residence, journey, meals, well being, profession, and extra. She spends just about each hour of day-after-day curating the web for the perfect new merchandise, traits, and journey locations. You may usually discover her in search of homes she will be able to’t afford on Zillow or Airbnb, planning her subsequent meal earlier than she will get to the restaurant, or taking the entire Justin Bieber lessons over and time and again on Peloton. Observe her on Instagram.
