Casa del Pastore 8
Valdorcia Villa for 8 with private pool and spectacular views : near Sarteano, south of Siena
Nice little touches
- The spectacular views of the wide valley under Mt. Amiata somehow make you breathe more deeply.
- Nearby Sarteano offers both a notable archeological museum as well as an August Jazz and Blues Festival
- The Val d'Orcia is famous for its wine and cheese, so expect to enjoy some fine tasting experience.
Good to know
- The last section of the road to the house is a dirt track - it is well maintained and easy to drive on but worth knowing.
- The pool is not fenced, and the grounds are terraced, making this property unsuitable for small children.
Set in the picturesque landscape of a UNESCO World Heritage site, this tuscan villa was recently listed in the Telegraph's list of perfect holiday villas, and then in the Sunday Times' List of 50 Best Villas in Europe. The ancient construction of golden local stone has generous spaces reflecting the wide Val d'Orcia valley just outside its doors.
This makes it the ideal location for relaxed family reunions or a holiday retreat for friends happy to eschew snarled traffic in favor of uncluttered hillsides and willing to leave full agendas behind. Once owned by a shepherd who produced fabulous Pecorino cheese here, today it has been transformed into a spacious and elegant family holiday home. There are spaces for family fun, with a table tennis table and fabulous pool, as well as understated interior design elegance for relaxing. The living room even features an original vinyl record deck, with an eclectic collection of records - some of our return guests even bring their own!
The house sits easily amongst the cultivated hills and towns perched on rocky outcrops which have been captured by artists since the Renaissance, surrounded by soul-renewing views. It was certainly not chance that brought the Sienese Pope Pius II to build his Ideal City of Pienza in this valley, though these days, the area is feted more perhaps for its Brunello wine and pecorino cheese for which the area is famous.
Casa del Pastore is listed under the following categories:
Accommodation
One enters the house directly into the large country kitchen. The dimensions are generous, with modern appliances, travertine countertops and a wooden table good for preparation. A furnished patio just outside is perfect for eating alfresco.
A first doorway from the kitchen angles through the thick walls and leads to a living-dining room, with a fireplace in the corner. With its original beamed ceiling, terracotta flooring, and comfy sofas, this is a room that will draw the crowd. This spacious living room has a glass doorway leading out to the villa's gardens and a table, shaded by a pergola, perfect for al-fresco dining. A second doorway from the kitchen leads to a lounge with comfortable sofas, while to the left is a room set up with a ping pong table.
The top floor is reach either by doors from the front garden to an internal staircase or a hallway from the dining room that accesses the same stairway through a room with the original bread oven and a handy washing machine.
From a landing near the top of the stairs a glass door leads to the first of four bedroom suites, this one with twin beds under the eaves, the same view enjoyed from the pool and an ensuite shower room. A long hallway with arched brick ceiling leads to three further suites - two doubles and one twin/double bedroom, all with ensuite shower rooms. All the bedrooms are very spacious and furnished with country antiques suiting the style of the house.
The heart of the house, this large room has plenty of space to relax, amazing views and the rooms next door have fussball table and table tennis too.
Features
Villa Details
- Swimming Pool
- All ensuite
- Wifi
- Free Parking
- Private Pool
- Fireplace
- Insect Screens
- Pets Welcome
- Barbecue
- Central Heating
- Fans
Bedrooms and Bathrooms
- 2 Double Bedrooms
- 2 Twin Bedrooms
- 4 Ensuite Bathrooms With Showers, One With Additional Free-Standing Bath
- Silent Ceiling Fans In All Bedrooms
- Insect Screens On All Windows
- Hair Dryer In Each Bathroom
- Extra Single Bed Available On Request
Kitchen equipment
- Full Kitchen
- 2 Dishwashers
- 2 Fridges
- Oven
- Coffee Maker (Italian Moka)
- Microwave
- Kettle
- Toaster
Amenities
- Free Wifi - Starlink
- Desk, Extra Monitor And Printer For Remote Working
- Washing Machine
- Iron And Ironing Board
- Baby Bed And High Chair Available
- Record Deck And Large Vinyl Collection
- Televison For Dvd Use Only
- Hd Tv And Dvd Player With Collection Of Dvds
- Bose Bluetooth
- Table Football
- Ping Pong Table (Table Tennis)
What's included
- Final Cleaning Included
- Pool Towels Provided
Extras
- Central Heating Is Charged On Consumption
- Arrival Groceries Organized For A Small Fee
- Cooking Lessons Available On Request
- Babysitting Organized On Request
- Additional Fold-Down Beds For Children If Required
- Small Dogs Permitted On Prior Request (Extra)
Outdoors
- Infinity Swimming Pool: Dim: 4.5 X 16 M.; Depth: 1.6 M.
- Furnished Terraces And Dining Pergola
- 8 Acres Of Surrounding Fields, Lawns, Fruit And Olive Trees
- Ping Pong Table
- Table Football (Füssball)
- Oak Garden Table Under Pergola
- Sunset Terrace With Lounging Sofas
Nearby Activities
- Tennis Court In Sarteano, 20 Min.
- Horse Riding Within Walking Distance
- Restaurant Within Walking Distance
- Read more about the area around Casa del Pastore
Photos
Reviews
FAQ about Casa del Pastore
1. What's the approach road like?
The house is reached along a gravel track that can be a little bumpy but is normally well-maintained. Not suitable for a low-slung sports car but any normal car can drive it with ease.
2. I'm worried that the house doesn't have air-conditioning - will it be hot?
Casa del Pastore is on a ridge high above the Val d'Orcia valley. It's an old building so has very thick solid stone walls. We've found that between the high thermal mass of the walls, and keeping windows open at night (they all have insect screens) with the silent ceiling fans running, the house stays cool without air-conditioning, with the added kudos of being environmentally conscious.
Where is Casa del Pastore ?
Getting here
- Rome Fiumicino (FCO) Airport 2hrs
- Florence airport (FLR) 2 hrs
- Perugia airport (PEG) 1 hr
- Pisa Airport (PSA) 2hrs 30 mins
- Closest Train Station: Chiusi 15 mins
Around Casa del Pastore
An early outing may be to Castiglioncello di Trinoro, the 12th century village that crowns the hill behind the house and offers restaurants, an art gallery and summer concerts.
The Jazz and Blues Festival takes place in August in the nearest town, Sarteano. Dominated by its 15th century castle, this lively town has been inhabited for thousands of years.
The Etruscan 'Tomb of the Chariot from Hell', unearthed only in 2001, merits a visit.
A half-hour's drive leads to Bagno Vignoni, whose underground acquifer made the small village the spa of choice for popes, saints, and politicians, or to Iris Origo's beautiful villa 'La Foce' and its famed gardens designed by English architect Cecil Pinsent, both venues for concerts throughout the summer. La Foce Concert Programme.
The restaurant Dopolavoro is nearby the Foce gardens and an excellent choice for drinks or dinner after you visit to the gardens. For wine tasting try to local producer of the excellent Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Boscarelli.
An easy day trip could take in one of the cultural and artistic centers of the Val di Chiana: Cortona, of 'Under the Tuscan Sun' fame, which spills down the hillside and offers stunning views over its medieval walls or Arezzo, whose Piazza Grande fills with jousting knights for the Giostra del Saracino or with bargain hunters at its monthly Antiques Fair. With the medieval gems Siena and Perugia only slightly further, it will simply be a choice of where to head next. Of course, if contemplation of this happens while lying in the sun near the long pool or tucking into a Tuscan meal under the furnished pergola, the option of staying put may take the day.
Nearby Activities
- Bar & restaurant in Castiglioncello di Trinoro 15 min
- Supermarket and restaurants in Sarteano 20 min
- Spa at Bagno Vignone 30 min
- Cortona 1 hr
- Siena 1 hr 15 mins
- Perugia 1 hr 15 mins
Local Towns and Places to Visit
People have been enjoying the hot waters of Bagno Vignoni since before Roman times - the village square is one enormous hat water pool.
The local town of Sarteano has a museum dedicated to the recently discovered tomb with amazingly fresh 2000 year old paintings.
This charming recently restored hamlet is a short drive or a walk away from Casa del Pastore
Close to Casa del Pastore, these stunning formal gardens designed by Cecil Pinsent for Iris Origo are well worth a visit.
Jazz and Blues in the square of Sarteano - normally in the third week of August. Image © Mauro Sini
Siena, with its famous Piazza del campo, Cathedral, Pinacoteca and other museums and sights, is only a short drive away
Casa del Pastore
Sleeps: 8
From € 571 to 1,103 per day
From € 4,000 to € 6,615 per week
Approximately
$ 4,680 to $ 7,740 in USD
Calendar for Casa del Pastore
How to book
Is Casa del Pastore 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: IT052031C248R4ID3D
Booking Notes
- Heating costs to be paid directly to the owner.
- Pets permitted on request (extra)
