Valdera 12
Accessible Luxury Villa Near Volterra with Village Walk and Valley Views : Iano in Tuscany
Perfect for
- Multi-generational groups needing full wheelchair accessibility - one ground floor ensuite suite has wide doorways throughout to main rooms, garden, and pool area
- Groups of 12 valuing privacy - all six bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms, no sharing
- Anyone wanting village life without driving - Iano's restaurant, café with exceptional gelato, and grocery shop are 160 meters away (2-minute walk)
- Travelers positioned between Volterra (25 mins) and San Gimignano (25 mins) for day trips without long drives
- Remote workers or summer heat refugees - AC throughout keeps the villa comfortable even in August
- Sport climbers - bolted routes on nearby rocky outcrop (ask us for details)
Good to know
- You're on the village edge, not isolated countryside - other houses are visible
- The neighbouring property's pool is visible from your pool area, though your terrace and pool have privacy
- Owner Cinzia lives nearby and is exceptionally helpful (reviews consistently mention her responsiveness)
- AC and heating are metered (approximately €250/week under normal usage, many spend less)
Views That Defy Description—And a Village Restaurant Just Steps Away
I've spent decades painting Tuscany's landscapes, but the views from Valdera stopped me in my tracks. The breadth and quality of light sweeping across the Era river valley toward Volterra's Etruscan ridgeline simply defies capture - you have to see it in person.
What makes Valdera exceptional is pairing those spectacular views with genuine village life just 160 meters from your door. A two-minute stroll brings you to a proper restaurant where locals gather, plus a café serving exceptional gelato where you can watch Tuscan life unfold at its unhurried pace.
The owner has transformed this historic farmhouse into an elegant retreat that's both sophisticated and thoroughly accessible. Six bedrooms - each with ensuite bathroom - accommodate 12 guests comfortably. One ground-floor suite features full wheelchair access with wide doorways throughout to main rooms, gardens, and pool. Air conditioning throughout means cool comfort even in August, while open-plan living spaces connect to that magnificent rear terrace through wide glass doors.
Outside, terraces descend through lawned gardens to a private pool where that unforgettable valley view stretches to distant hills. You're ideally positioned midway between San Gimignano and Volterra (both 25 minutes), with Florence accessible by train from nearby Empoli - avoiding city traffic entirely.
Valdera is listed under the following categories:
Accommodation
Tucked back from the road leading up to the village, the stone facade of the villa, striking with its arched entry and crenellated roofline, only hints at its spacious interior. For once inside, the open plan layout and wide glass doors and windows connect living spaces to the amazing vistas to the rear of the house.
The entry hall flows into a living area with comfortable sofas and armchairs and an adjacent dining table for up to 12 in front of a large open fireplace. The line of arched windows that provide diners with a view is echoed in the glass door from a stylish marble-countered kitchen that accesses a walkway to the large rear terrace. Furnished with a dining table to seat the household and divans under a protective gazebo, the terrace has sweeping views of gently rolling hills and the swimming pool and olive grove in the grounds below.
There are two twin bedrooms on the ground floor, which can be made up as double bedrooms on request; both have ensuite shower rooms and doors leading to the side garden. The upper floor is reached via pietra serena stone staircase from the living area. On this level there are two double bedrooms, each with ensuite shower room - one with a furnished balcony, the other connected by stairs to the rooftop terrace. Each bedroom and shower room is unique in its decor, but all share a sense of elegance, comfort and attention to detail that leaves one feeling pampered. Downstairs there are ow a further 2 large double bedrooms with en-suite shower rooms.
A wide terracotta walkway and gravel path lead from the terrace down past green lawns to the pool area where sun beds and umbrellas sit on a wide stone patio facing the Era river valley. While guests at Valdera overlook the pool of the neighbouring property, no one directly looks on to the back terrace or pool area of Valdera.
Features
Villa Details
- Air Conditioning
- Swimming Pool
- All ensuite
- Wifi
- Free Parking
- Fenced Pool
- Central Heating
- Private Pool
- Barbecue
Bedrooms and Bathrooms
- 4 Double Ensuite Bedrooms
- 2 Twin/Double Ensuite Bedrooms
- 1 Sofa Bed
- 6 Ensuite Bathrooms With Showers
- Hairdryer In Each Bathroom
Kitchen equipment
- Full Kitchen
- American And Italian Coffee Makers
- Dishwasher
- Oven
- Washing Machine
- Kettle
- Microwave
- Toaster
Amenities
- Baby Bed And High Chair
- Iron And Ironing Board
- Wifi
- Underfloor Heating (Extra)
- Washing Machine
- Television
- Cd Player
- Insect Screens In 3 Bedrooms
- Air Conditioning Throughout (Extra)
- Fireplace
- Safe
What's included
- Final Cleaning Included
- Towel Change Twice A Week Included
- Pool Towels Provided
Extras
- Private Chef Available
- Arrival Groceries
- Extra Linen And Towel Changes
- Laundry Service
- Pets Welcome For Added Fee
- An Extra Bed Can Be Added For A Small Fee
- Cash Cautionary Deposit Required, €800 To Be Paid On Site And Returned - Minus Any Charges - On Departure
- Air Conditioning And Heating Are Extra And Will Be Metered And Charged On-Site At €0.49 Per Kw
- Approx €250 A Week Under Normal Usage, Many Spend Less
Outdoors
- Fenced Swimming Pool 12 X 6 Metres, 1 To 1.4 Metres Deep. Sun Beds And Furnished Surround. Open 25 April To 30 October.
- Furnished Outdoor Areas
- Barbecue
Nearby Activities
- Restaurant Nearby
- Public Tennis Court, 900 Metres Away
- 18 Hole Golf Course At Castelfalfi, 8 Kms Away.
- Rock Climbing 1Km Away (Ask If You'd Like More Details).
- Read more about the area around Valdera
Photos
The private swimming pool enjoys fabulous views of the Val d'Era, north of Volterra
Dining al fresco on the terrace that surrounds the living area of Valdera is a joy
To the front of a house a shaded pergola provides an outdoor living space.
The two lower-floor double bedrooms are very spacious indeed.
The kitchen is well-equipped for keen cooks - we've also had cookery lessons here.
Looking north toward the villa
The pool is a short walk away from the house.
The entrance is surrounded by flowers
The stairs lead up to two double bedrooms, the door in front of the stairs leads to two twin rooms. A further two doubles are on the lower floor.
The living room opens onto a terrace that surrounds two side of the villa
The views from the dining table are simply superb
The kitchen opens onto the living/dining area
The kitchen is spacious and light-filled
The terrace around the villa is equipped for relaxing and al-fresco eating
The lower ground floor double bedrooms have spacious terraces
Perfect for enjoying an afternoon tea
This is the second of the lower ground double bedrooms
both with spacious ensuite shower rooms
This is one of the upper floor double bedrooms
One of the upper floor doubles has a balcony with beautiful views
This is a ground floor shower
This double bedroom has a roof terrace accessed by private staircase
Shower room
The ground floor twins both have access to the gardens
The path to the pool is carefully graded
The swimming pool looks fabulous in the moonlight
Valdera from the pool
The views from the terrace are superb
A last photo of the villa in the moonlight
The pool
Valdera has a great pool
You can see where Valdera is in relation with the village here.
Reviews
FAQ about Valdera
1. What's the village near Valdera like?
The village is called Iano and it's tiny - it's what we might call a hamlet. But unlike some equally small places, it is lucky enough to have a shop and a restaurant. The little shop also makes coffee, has some cakes and some excellent icecreams. we've had good reports on the restaurant but I haven't eaten there myself. The walk from the villa is short and uphill, around 200 metres at the most.
2. You mention climbing nearby, what is this?
There is a rocky outcrop close by that has been bolted for sport-climbing by local climbers. If you'd like to know more please ask - there is no guide book that I've been able to find but I have climbed there in the past.
Where is Valdera ?
Getting here
- Pisa (PSA) and Florence (FLR) Airports both an hour's drive
- Bologna Airport (BLQ) 2 hours
- Nearest Train station in Castelfiorentino, 20 mins drive.
Around Valdera
Valdera sits on the edge of Iano, a tiny village (hamlet really) that punches above its weight with a genuine restaurant, excellent café, and well-stocked grocery shop - all within a 2-minute walk (160 meters uphill from the villa). Iano Village (160m walk, 2 mins):
Antico Borgo restaurant: Proper Italian restaurant where locals gather. Pizza, pasta, good views from outdoor tables. Gets busy on weekends - book ahead if you want outside seating.
La Chicca café: Morning cappuccinos, excellent gelato, a few outdoor tables perfect for watching village life. Reviews rave about the ice cream.
Village shop: Well-stocked for basics (bread, cheese, cold cuts, fruit), though pricier than supermarkets. Great for morning pastries and coffee.
Sport Climbing:
There's a bolted rocky outcrop very close to the villa for sport climbing. No published guidebook, but I've climbed there. Contact us if you'd like route details.
Nearby Towns & Services:
Montaione (10 mins): Closest supermarket, petrol, banking
Castelfiorentino (20 mins): Train station with direct service to Florence (40 mins to Santa Maria Novella station) - easier than driving and parking in the city
Empoli (25 mins): Larger train hub, more frequent Florence service
Day Trips - The Medieval Triangle (25-30 mins each):
San Gimignano (25 mins): UNESCO World Heritage medieval "Town of Towers." Famous skyline, Vernaccia wine, summer open-air concerts, excellent gelato at Gelateria Dondoli (world champion). Expect crowds, especially midday. Park outside the walls and walk in.
Volterra (25 mins): Ancient Etruscan city on a dramatic plateau. Less tourist-dense than San Gimignano. Highlights: Museo Guarnacci (exceptional Etruscan collection), alabaster workshops, Roman theater ruins. Known for truffles - watch for them on local menus.
Vinci (35 mins): Leonardo da Vinci's birthplace. Museum dedicated to his inventions, birthplace house in the hills outside town, olive groves and vineyard walks.
Wine Country:
Chianti Classico region starts 30 minutes east
Vernaccia di San Gimignano vineyards surround San Gimignano
Many estates offer tastings (book ahead)
Major Cities (1-1.5 hours):
Florence (1 hour by car, 40 mins by train from Castelfiorentino): Train is strongly recommended - parking in Florence is expensive and frustrating. Direct trains run frequently.
Siena (1 hour): Gothic cathedral with striped marble, Piazza del Campo (shell-shaped medieval square), Palio horse race twice yearly (July 2, August 16)
Pisa (1 hour): Leaning Tower and Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles)
Lucca (1.5 hours): Renaissance walls you can walk/cycle around (4km circuit), beautiful piazzas, lower tourist density than Florence
Tuscan Coast (1-1.5 hours):
Multiple beaches accessible including nature reserves Longer drive but doable for a beach day
Owner Cinzia lives a few minutes away and is exceptionally responsive. Reviews consistently praise her helpfulness with restaurant recommendations, booking arrangements, and quick problem-solving. She can arrange private chefs for special dinners.
The villa's position - equidistant from Volterra and San Gimignano, close to train access for Florence, with a village literally at your doorstep - makes it unusually well-positioned for exploring western Tuscany without the feeling of being constantly in the car.
Nearby Activities
- Bar, restaurant and shops in Iano, 5 minute walk.
- Closest supermarket in Montaione, 10 minutes
- San Gimignano 25 minutes
- Volterra 25 minutes
- Siena 40 minutes
- Florence 1 hour
- Tuscan Coast 1 hour
Local Towns and Places to Visit
Valdera
Sleeps: 12
From € 879 to 1,442 per day
From € 6,150 to € 8,650 per week
Approximately
$ 7,196 to $ 10,121 in USD
Calendar for Valdera
How to book
Is Valdera 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: IT048027B4D6TFPNPJ
Booking Notes
- Cash Cautionary Deposit required, €800 to be paid on site and returned - minus any charges - on departure
- Air Conditioning and heating are extra and will be metered and charged on-site at €0.49 per Kw
- Approx €250 a week under normal usage, many spend less
- Pets Welcome for added fee
- An extra bed can be added for a small fee
