Villa Le Rose

The former private home of the Ferragamo family, Villa Le Rose is perfect for a family or group of friends who want the comfort of a private home and the convenience of Florence, which is 15 minutes away by car.

• The Cedar Garden, with ancient rose bushes and a 300-year-old cedar tree
• The private pool overlooking the Tuscan countryside
• The chef, who invites guests to sit in the kitchen while she creates culinary masterpieces

Located a 15-minute drive outside Florence and the heart of Chianti, the 15th-century Villa Le Rose is the perfect base for families or groups of friends from which to venture into the city and surrounding Tuscan countryside. The property offers six en-suite bedrooms with varying traditional design, a grand ballroom with a chandelier, frescoed walls and ceilings, extensive grounds and a pool.

While the villa is indeed grand, it does welcome small children, because the Ferragamos raised their own children here until 2004. An extra treat: the chef invites guests into her kitchen to enjoy a glass of wine and the scents of freshly baked Tuscan bread and just-picked herbs. While the upstairs dining room is spectacular with original frescoes, the majority of guests, especially children, end up eating most of their meals in the homey kitchen.

The villa will arrange excursions in the city or countryside including wine tastings and food or historical tours of Florence, as well as walks and horseback riding on the property’s 30 acres.

This property is very grand, and the frescoed, traditional decor will appeal to certain visitors; but guests who like to be closer to the action of the city or prefer more contemporary interior design elements should consider a more centrally located property.