Villa Ema 8 to 10
Modern Villa for 8 Near Le Balze - the Landscape Behind the Mona Lisa : In the Val d'Arno, south of Florence
Perfect for
- Anyone captivated by Leonardo da Vinci - Le Balze, the dramatically eroded sandstone cliffs immediately below the house, are widely believed to be the landscape Leonardo painted behind the Mona Lisa. Walks from the house take you directly into that scenery
- Families or groups wanting genuinely contemporary design rather than rustic Tuscany - this is an architect-designed modern house with striking interiors, not a restored farmhouse
- Groups who want entertainment beyond the pool - underground games room with billiard table and table football, gym, plus a restaurant within easy walking distance means no-one's bored on a rainy day
- Families with mixed mobility - the ground floor bedroom has its own independent entrance and can be reached without using stairs, making it suitable for guests with limited mobility
- Keen cooks - the owners use this as their own home so the kitchen is genuinely well-equipped with induction hob, Nespresso, and proper appliances, plus private chef and pizza evenings can be arranged
- Walkers - Montemarciano fortified village is a short stroll, and the surrounding Val di Chiana countryside has marked walking trails
Good to know
- The house sleeps 10 but has 4 private bedrooms - two guests will be sharing a room (one double and one twin have additional beds). If privacy matters to everyone, plan for 8 guests maximum
- AC and central heating are charged as extras
- Final cleaning is €500 paid on site, plus an €800 cash security deposit
- Part of the walk to Loro Ciuffenna is on the main road - not ideal; the nearby restaurant is much closer and the fortified village of Montemarciano is an easy walk
Most visitors to Tuscany look at the Mona Lisa in reproduction and wonder where Leonardo painted that strange rocky landscape behind her. The answer, according to art historians, is here - the eroded red sandstone cliffs of Le Balze, visible from Villa Ema and reachable on foot directly from the house.
That alone makes Villa Ema unusual. What makes it more so is the house itself: a striking modern building on a ridge of the Pratomagno hills, where most people expect ancient stone. Through the automatic gates, past the shaded parking pergola, you enter a living room centred on a large suspended chimney-breast with a sunken seating area around it - the kind of architectural gesture that announces a house designed with genuine care.
The owners built this as their own home, which shows throughout. The kitchen is properly equipped - induction hob, Nespresso, the full set of appliances - rather than merely furnished for guests. Underground, a cavernous games room runs the width of the house with a billiard table and table football. Outside, a kidney-shaped pool sits within a private laurel-hedged garden, with a furnished pergola and barbecue for outdoor eating.
The fortified village of Montemarciano is 15 minutes on foot - two cafes, ancient walls, and good views. La Cantinella restaurant is even closer. Below the house, the strada dei Setteponti winds south to Loro Ciuffenna, a medieval village built around a thousand-year-old bridge and a mill perched over a river gorge. Arezzo is 30 minutes. Florence is 45.
Villa Ema is listed under the following categories:
Accommodation
The villa is approached through automatic gates that lead to a shaded parking pergola. On entering you'll immediately notice the living room, a striking space focused on a large suspended chimney-breast surrounded by a sunken seating area. On this floor you'll also find an indoor dining room which may well often be overlooked in favour of the outdoor shaded and furnished pergola with a table for alfresco meals, and a barbecue.
The kitchen is beyond the dining-room and, like the living room, is strikingly modern with sleek surfaces and contemporary equipment. The owners are keen cooks and this is their personal home, so the kitchen has plenty of appliances, anything you might need for cooking delicious Tuscan family meals.
There is also a bedroom with three beds and ensuite bathroom on the ground floor. It can be set up as a double and a single, or as three singles. This room has an independent entrance and is ideal for somebody with limited mobility as they can avoid using the stairs.
Upstairs you'll find 3 more bedrooms, all ensuite and one with an extra single bed, useful for families with younger children who are happier still sleeping in with their parents. There are four private bedrooms overall so, though the house sleeps 10, two will be sharing in a double or a twin.
Downstairs there is a cavernous underground space with a billiard tables and more.
Features
Villa Details
- Air Conditioning
- Swimming Pool
- All ensuite
- Wifi
- Free Parking
- Central Heating
- Private Pool
- Fireplace
- Gym
- Barbecue
- Gated Property
Bedrooms and Bathrooms
- 2 Double Bedrooms, Both Ensuite
- 1 King-Size Double With A Single Bed In The Same Room, Ensuite
- 1 Twin Bedroom With An Additional Bed, Also Ensuite
Kitchen equipment
- Induction Hob
- Italian 'Moka' Coffee Maker
- Dishwasher
- Fridge Freezer
- Nespresso Coffee Maker
- Microwave
- Oven
- Toaster
- Kettle
Amenities
- Air Conditioning (Extra)
- Central Heating (Extra)
- Smart Tv
- Pool Table
- Table Football
- Washing Machine
- Travel Cot And Highchair
- Iron And Ironing Board
What's included
- Linen And Towels
- Garden And Pool Maintenance
Extras
- Air Conditioning
- Central Heating
- Cooking Courses And Private Chef Available
- Pizza Evening
- Final Cleaning €500 To Be Paid On Site
- This House Requires A Cash Security Deposit Of €800
Outdoors
- Furnished Garden
- Dining Loggia
- Private Pool
Nearby Activities
- Wonderful Walking Country
- Golf Course 30 Minutes Drive
- Tennis And Padel Courts 20 Minute Drive Away
- Read more about the area around Villa Ema
Photos
Reviews
FAQ about Villa Ema
1. What's the approach road like?
Villa Ema is on the edge of a tiny village so it has no gravel road at all, unlike many of our other Tuscan rental homes.
2. How far is the restaurant?
The restaurant is a short distance from the villa, slightly lower off the ridge. It's a very short walk, only 5 to 10 minutes.
Where is Villa Ema ?
Getting here
- Florence FLR Airport 1hr
- Pisa PSA Airport 1hr 40min
- Rome Airport (FCO or CIA) 3h
- Perugia PEG Airport 1h 30min
Around Villa Ema
Villa Ema sits on a ridge of the Pratomagno hills, just below the strada dei Setteponti - the road of seven bridges - a famously panoramic route winding through medieval villages above the Val d'Arno. Immediately below the house are Le Balze: dramatic cliffs of naturally eroded red sandstone that art historians identify as the landscape Leonardo da Vinci painted behind the Mona Lisa. Walks from the house take you directly into this scenery - a genuinely extraordinary thing to be able to say about a holiday villa.
On foot from the house: La Cantinella restaurant is within easy walking distance - useful for evenings when nobody wants to drive. The fortified medieval village of Montemarciano is about 15 minutes on foot, with two cafes and good views over the valley. Head south on the Setteponti road and the walk reaches Loro Ciuffenna, a beautiful medieval village built around a mill that overhangs the gorge of the Ciuffenna river and a thousand-year-old bridge. The narrow streets have several restaurants tucked away.
The Pratomagno and Le Balze: The landscape around the house is among the most dramatic in inland Tuscany. Marked walking trails head directly into the Le Balze formations from the house - the eroded sandstone shapes and overhanging cliffs are extraordinary, and the light changes them throughout the day. The Vallombrosa forest and monastery (see Treggiaia notes) is also reachable from this ridge.
Shopping (30 mins): One of Italy's best concentrations of outlet malls is 30 minutes south - Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Zegna, Nike and many others at significant reductions.
Arezzo (30 mins): Piero della Francesca's Legend of the True Cross fresco cycle in San Francesco, his "Pregnant Madonna" (15 minutes from Arezzo), the antique market filling the Piazza Grande on the first Sunday of each month, the Giostra del Saracino jousting tournament in June and September.
Florence (45 mins): The Uffizi (book well ahead in high season), the Accademia (Michelangelo's David), the Duomo and Baptistery, the Oltrarno neighbourhood for less-touristed restaurants and artisan workshops.
Food and wine: The Valdichiana and Valdarno produce excellent beef (Chianina cattle), olive oil, and local wines. The area is dotted with small wineries and trattorias that reward exploration - ask us for current recommendations.
Nearby Activities
- A restaurant within 5 minutes walk
- Village of Loro Ciuffenna 2km away with restaurants and shops
- Arezzo with Antiques Fair and Museums, 40min
- Florence 1hr - or 1hr by train from San Giovanni Valdarno
- Siena and Piazza del Campo 1hr
- Chianti and wineries 1hr
Local Towns and Places to Visit
Villa Ema
Sleeps: 8 to 10
From € 571 to 800 per day
From € 4,000 to € 4,800 per week
Approximately
$ 4,680 to $ 5,616 in USD
Calendar for Villa Ema
How to book
Is Villa Ema 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?
Call us for quick answers - we're here to help. You'll also find lots of useful information in our FAQ page . Haven't found the perfect villa yet? Browse our suggestions below!
CIN: IT051039C25ZPN5GIG
Booking Notes
- This house requires a cash security deposit of €800
- Final cleaning €500 to be paid on site
