Arcata 2
Couples Retreat on Former Monastery Estate near Arezzo with Salt-Water Pool : Badia Agnano between Arezzo and Siena
Perfect for
- Couples wanting a peaceful Tuscan base without luxury pricing - sleeps 2 comfortably in one bedroom, or 4 if you use the double sofa bed in the sitting room
- People who value a helpful, engaged owner - Annmarie lives upstairs, knows the area intimately, and genuinely looks after her guests (mentioned specifically in all three reviews)
- Those comfortable sharing a pool and grounds - there are 3 apartments total, all with private outdoor spaces but sharing the large salt-water pool and gardens
- Cyclists and walkers - the Valdambra valley has quiet roads and good routes, bike rentals arranged through Annemarie
- Horse riders - stables within walking distance
- Anyone who appreciates the charm of staying in a former monastery farmhouse with olive groves, walnut trees, and hammocks
- Cooler-weather visitors - the wood stove makes the apartment cozy in spring, autumn, or winter when most Tuscan rentals are too cold
Good to know
- This is a ground floor apartment in the main farmhouse - Annmarie and her family live upstairs. You'll hear footsteps occasionally but reviews don't mention noise as an issue
- The bedroom has a jasmine-covered exterior staircase leading to the side garden - charming, but means you can access the garden without going through the sitting room
- The pool is salt-water rather than chlorine - gentler on skin and eyes
- WiFi works better near windows, but reaches the pool area outdoors
- No air conditioning, but ground floor stays cooler than upper floors, plus portable fans available
- Heating charged extra based on consumption
- Kitchen has basics but you'll need to buy essentials (salt, pepper, oil, coffee)
- Final cleaning included in the price
- Small dogs permitted with advance request
- This is one of 3 apartments sharing facilities - you'll see other guests around the property
Arcata is a ground floor apartment in the main farmhouse of an estate that once supplied grain to the Abbey of St. Mary at Badia Agnano - a powerful Benedictine monastery that controlled vast landholdings across the Valdambra valley from the 11th century until 1652.
The apartment sleeps two comfortably (or four with the sofa bed in the sitting room), and opens directly onto a private patio with views across the gardens to the large salt-water pool.
Annemarie, the British owner who lives upstairs with her family, gets consistent praise in reviews for her helpfulness - arranging cooking lessons, booking restaurants, organizing bike rentals and horseback riding, and providing the kind of local knowledge that turns a good holiday into an excellent one. The estate has two other apartments (three total), all sharing the 7x15 meter salt-water pool with diving board, hammocks strung between olive and walnut trees, and extensive gardens.
The bedroom has its own jasmine-covered staircase leading down to the side garden - useful for quiet early morning coffee or evening walks without disturbing anyone in the sitting room. A wood stove makes the apartment cozy in cooler months. The Valdambra valley is excellent for cycling and walking, with horse stables within easy walking distance. This is budget-friendly authenticity with attentive owner support, positioned perfectly between Arezzo (25km) and Siena (35km).
Arcata is listed under the following categories:
Accommodation
Entrance to this apartment is through the arched entryway directly into a generous sitting room with sofa, armchairs, a wood stove and an extra double sofa bed.
Up a couple of steps to the right is a double bedroom with wrought iron bedstead, desk, wardrobe and ensuite shower room and an independent access to the side garden down a short jasmine-covered staircase.
Also off the sitting room is access to a 2nd shower room and a large eat-in kitchen with view to the pool.
Features
Villa Details
- Swimming Pool
- Wifi
- Free Parking
- Central Heating
- Pets Welcome
- Barbecue
- Shared Swimming Pool
Bedrooms and Bathrooms
- 1 Double Bedroom
- 1 Ensuite Bathroom With Shower
- 1 Additional Bathroom With Shower
- 1 Hair Dryer
- Insect Screen On1 Bedroom Window
Kitchen equipment
- Full Eat-In Kitchen
- Oven
- Dishwasher
- Toaster
- Italian Coffee Maker
- Kettle
- Microwave Available On Request
Amenities
- Satellite Tv
- Dvd Player
- Cd Player/Radio
- Woodstove
- 1 Double Sofa Bed On Premises And 1 Single Bed Available On Request
- Portable Fan Available On Request
- Baby Bed And High Chair Available On Request
- Washing Machine In The Shared Laundry Room
- Iron And Ironing Board In The Shared Laundry Room
What's included
- Final Cleaning Included
- Pool Towels Provided
Extras
- Arrival Groceries Available On Request
- Catering Available On Request
- Cooking Lessons Available On Request
- Extra Cleaning Available On Request
- Transport And Tours Can Be Organized
- Heating: Extra On Consumption
Outdoors
- Large Salt-Water Swimming Pool (Shared)- Dim: 7X15 M, Depth: 1.20-2.20 M, With Diving Board
- Furnished Private Patio And Shared Gardens
- Shared Webber Bbq Available
- Ping Pong Table In The Garden
- Hammocks Strung In The Garden
Nearby Activities
- Tennis Court In Nearby Bucine 7 Km
- Horse Stables In Walking Distance
- Bike Rentals Can Be Arranged
- Read more about the area around Arcata
Photos
Reviews
FAQ about Arcata
1. What is the approach road like?
The last section of the road is a well-maintained gravel track that gets slightly steep just before the turn off to the house.
2. Why is the pool salt-water rather than chlorine?
Salt-water pools use a salt chlorine generator rather than adding chlorine directly. It's gentler on skin and eyes, doesn't have the chemical smell, and many people find it more pleasant for daily swimming. The salt level is much lower than seawater - you won't taste it.
3. Can we really fit 4 people in a one-bedroom apartment?
The apartment sleeps 2 comfortably in the double bedroom. There's a double sofa bed in the sitting room that can accommodate 2 more, but this works best for children or close friends rather than two couples wanting privacy. If everyone needs their own bedroom, this isn't the right property.
4. How does the jasmine staircase from the bedroom work?
The bedroom has an exterior staircase (covered in jasmine) leading directly to the side garden. You can access the garden without going through the sitting room, and vice versa - useful for early risers or if someone wants to stay up reading while others sleep.
Where is Arcata ?
Getting here
- Florence airport 1 hr
- Pisa airport 1 hr 45 mins
- Rome Fiumicino airport 3 hrs
- Fast train from Montevarchi 16 km. with connections to Florence, Rome and Milan
Around Arcata
Once the territory of powerful feudal lords, the Valdambra valley (the valley of the Ambra River) lies at the center of the Florence-Siena-Arezzo triangle. Throughout the Middle Ages this fertile land was fought over and frequently traded hands, until the Medici family took control and turned it into Florence's breadbasket. The modern tourist benefits: the protected landscape and buildings aren't far removed from what appears in medieval frescoes.
Immediate area: Badia Agnano (1.5km) - the medieval abbey village with the church of Saints Tiburzio and Susanna (once the Abbey of St. Mary), and remains of monastery walls and gatehouse. Pieve a Presciano (3km) has a bar and small restaurant. Ambra and Bucine (7km) both have supermarkets - Bucine also has a tennis court.
The triangle: Arezzo (25km, 30 mins) - Piero della Francesca's frescoes in San Francesco, monthly antiques market in Piazza Grande (first Sunday + preceding Saturday), Giostra del Saracino jousting in June/September. Train connections to Florence (1 hour). Siena (35km, 40 mins) - Gothic cathedral, Piazza del Campo, Torre del Mangia. The Palio horse race July 2 and August 16. Park outside the walls. Florence (60km, 1 hour by car / 1 hour by train from Montevarchi 16km) - Uffizi, Accademia, Duomo. Train recommended over driving.
Villages within easy reach: Cortona (30km) - Etruscan hilltop town, steep streets, MAEC museum, Frances Mayes territory. Montepulciano (50km) - Vino Nobile wine, Renaissance architecture, dramatic position.
Activities: Horseback riding at stables within walking distance (arrange through Annmarie). Cycling on quiet Valdambra roads (bike rentals through Annmarie). Cooking lessons with local chefs at the property. Restaurant bookings - advisable in high season as nearby villages get busy.
Nearby Activities
- Restaurants, bars and shops in Badia Agnano 1.5 km and Pieva a Presciano 3 km.
- Supermarkets in Ambra and Bucine 7 km
- Arezzo 25 km, and Siena 35 km
- Florence 60 km.
Arcata
Sleeps: 2
From € 156 to 215 per day
From € 1,089 to € 1,287 per week
Approximately
$ 1,274 to $ 1,506 in USD
Calendar for Arcata
How to book
Is Arcata perfect for you?
For over 40 years, Invitation to Tuscany has personally selected and visited every villa we represent. Our team knows each property and its surroundings intimately - allowing us to help you choose the perfect home for your family or group, and to make your stay as memorable as the place itself.
How to Book
Check availability: View pricing and availability in the calendar above. To book online, click your desired arrival date, then your departure date. The calendar will grey out dates for stay lengths that aren't accepted—most villas book Saturday to Saturday, but many also allow shorter stays or flexible dates.
Need help choosing?
We visit our properties regularly and can provide firsthand advice based on your wishlist. Contact us and we'll help you select the best villa for your holiday. Secure your dates: We can hold your preferred dates for 48 hours while you confirm flights and coordinate with your group. To confirm, simply pay the 30% deposit. Your balance will be due 10 weeks before arrival.
Complimentary Concierge Service
Every booking includes our free concierge service to help make your stay special:
- Up to 3 activity or restaurant bookings per stay
- Local recommendations and insider knowledge
- Standard check-in coordination
- General travel assistance
Need more support? Our Concierge Plus (€300) provides dedicated planning support for guests requiring more activity bookings, larger group logistics, or special occasions. Please note that weddings and event planning do not fall under this. Request this when booking or as early as possible.
Flexible Booking Options
Easy cancellation: Add XCover to your booking for a full refund if you can't travel. You can add XCover anytime before paying your balance - just ask your agent. See our Booking Conditions and XCover for more information. Need to change dates? Let us know - we can often modify your booking rather than cancelling outright.
Worth Knowing
Tourist Tax: Many local administrations charge a tourist tax for rental accommodation, which varies by town. Charges typically range from €0.50 to €5 per person per night, with a maximum of 5-7 nights. Children are sometimes exempt. These charges are collected by property owners and paid directly to them.
Still Have Questions?
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CIN: IT051042C24A9WQZW4
Booking Notes
- Heating costs to be paid directly to the owner
