Villa Bibbona is a large 8 bedroom Tuscany villa rental, perfect for holidays in Italy with large groups of family and friends. It has been faithfully restored using traditional techniques to create a truly charming holiday home. The accommodation is also brilliantly flexible. If required, it is possible to split the house into two separate apartments each with four bedrooms. However, these are usually joined together via an internal staircase to create one large, beautiful villa in Tuscany.
This Tuscany villa rental enjoys incredible 360 degree views of the surrounding countryside and is situated close to the village of Guardistallo. However, guests staying here enjoy the best of both worlds. Whilst it’s very much in the heart of rural Tuscany, the villa is also just 13 km from the coast and some of the finest beaches that the region has to offer.
One of the things that we pride ourselves on as a company is in providing a personalised service to all our clients. In short, we don’t just provide our guests with a villa, but we also aim to provide them with tailored advice on how they may want to spend their time on holiday. Here’s a flavour of what guests can enjoy when staying at this Tuscany villa rental with Italian villa specialists, Bookings For You.
What to see and do at this Tuscany villa rental
The nearest shops and restaurants are 4 km away in Casale Marittimo. The traditional town of Casale Marittimo is widely regarded as one of the most scenic villages in the area and it thoroughly deserves its place on the list of Tuscany’s borghi piu belli. If you can, try and visit during one of its annual festivals. Most of these are dominated by food, including the snail fair in July and the wild boar festival in August. However, don’t worry if there’s nothing specific on during your visit. Throughout the year, the town’s sleepy, medieval streets contain many family-owned restaurants serving authentic Italian food such as Bistecca alla Florentina, a Tuscan speciality.
Enjoy a drink at one of the many cafes littering the streets of Casale Marittimo or, alternatively, why not visit one of the wineries located close to the town for a tasting. Tuscany is world-renowned for its winemaking, with the Sangiovese grape having become well-established within the region. Whilst you are in Casale Marittimo you may also want to visit the Etruscan remains here. The remains include decorated tombs belonging to rich and powerful members of Etruscan society, dating back to the 6th and 7th centuries BC.
Another nearby village is Montescudaio, which is situated just a 5 minute drive in the opposite direction from this Tuscany villa rental. This village is undoubtedly similar in atmosphere to Casale Marittimo yet still offers its own unique charm. Another of Tuscany’s borghi piu belli, the town’s origins date back as far as 1000 AD and it has a long history of bread and oil-making, having joined associations which promote the produce of the area. Every year, on the first weekend of October, the town also hosts a dedicated festival celebrating its wine-making traditions. This can be the perfect time to visit the area for those wishing to avoid some of the higher temperatures seen during the peak summer months. With a spectacular fireworks display lighting up the Tuscan landscape marking the festival’s finale, for what Montescudaio lacks in size, it undoubtedly makes up for with its rich cultural history.
Whatever time of year you visit, make sure you head to the village’s castle. Its impressive walls rise up to 15 metres high. Head to the top of the only remaining watchtower to marvel at the incredible views over the Cecina plain to the Tyrrhenian Sea beyond. And explore some of the other beautiful buildings that the village boasts including the palaces of the Ridolfi and Marchionneschi families and the Palazzo Guerrini which is now home to the town hall. Also of note is the Church of Santissima Annunziata and the the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in the Piazzale del Castello.
A little further afield, just fifteen minutes further south from Casale Marittimo lies the small village of Bolgheri. Known for its iconic cypress-lined roads and excellent wineries, this is the perfect place to stop off for a drink after a long day at the beach, or for a relaxing afternoon enjoying the Tuscan sun. Bolgheri’s castle dominates this rather enchanting hamlet which is a delight to explore. If you can, make sure you drive along the famous Viale dei Cipressi (Cypress Avenue). This is a straight, 5 km long stretch of road lined by ancient cypress trees and it’s quite a spectacular sight. In 1974, Bolgheri became internationally recognised for its winemaking capabilities when it was announced as the surprise winner in a competition displaying an assortment of Bordeaux wines. Since the competition, the town has capitalised on its success, and in 2017 opened a wine museum which showcases the local history of food and wine production in the area. Certainly, with its convenient location, this is a must-visit for any wine enthusiast staying in Villa Bibbona. Head here to sample some of the most renowned Tuscan wines including the Super Tuscan Sassicaia along with the Bolgheri Superiore, Rosso and Vermentino wines along with the Ornellaia red wine.
Keep driving south from Bolgheri and in another half an hour you will reach Sassetta. Here you will find one of Tuscany’s thermal spas, offering a range of treatments as well as a chance to bathe in the thermal waters of the Terme di Sassetta. The waters come out of the ground at a temperature of 49.6°C. Set within woodlands made up of oak and chestnut trees, there are three pools in total (one indoor and two outdoor), each at a different temperature.
Also just outside Sassetta is the Parco Forestale di Poggio Neri. This nature park has a range of trails for visitors to enjoy along with a number of picnic spots. There is even a short 500 metre trail which is suitable for those with disabilities. There are also opportunities to cycle here or enjoy a ride on horseback. Located within the park is the Museo del Bosco (Forest Museum) which educates visitors on the lives of chestnut gatherers in the area.
Alternatively, if you’re looking to discover some of Tuscany’s famous cities during your stay at this Tuscany villa rental, then Pisa is just an hour away by car as is Lucca, Siena 90 minutes away and even Florence is under a two hour drive. Also within easy reach are the smaller towns of Volterra (30 minutes) and San Gimignano (75 minutes).
But we earlier mentioned that this Tuscany villa rental offers the best of both worlds. We have already shown what a great location this villa is in if you want to explore both the rural heart of Tuscany as well as some of its most beautiful villages, towns and cities. But if, instead of heading south from this Tuscany villa, you instead head west, you will reach Cecina and the Tuscan coast within just 15 minutes. Cecina itself is home to an extremely important museum – the Guerrazzi Civic Archaeological Museum in the Villa La Cinquantina. This is where you will find a number of Etruscan and Roman artefacts. And nearby is the Roman villa of San Vincenzino, a villa that dates back to the 5th and 6th century AD and which has some incredibly well preserved mosaics.
However, Cecina is also the nearest gateway to Tuscany’s beaches from this Tuscany villa rental. Backed by a pine forest, Bau beach is the closest to this Tuscany villa rental, and is perfect for those with pets, as it is dog friendly. For those hoping for a more peaceful experience, the Spiaggia di Rimigliano offers scenic views and an idyllic golden, sandy beach perfect for enjoying all the Mediterranean sea has to offer.
Head down the coast a little way further and you will reach Piombino. From here, you can easily enjoy a day trip to the beautiful island of Elba. Elba is Italy’s third largest island behind Sicily and Sardinia. The island has a fascinating history (most notably for harbouring Napoleon when he was exiled in 1814) however it’s also where you will find some of Tuscany’s most beautiful beaches, surrounded by crystal clear waters. Nature lovers and outdoor sports enthusiasts will love the opportunity to enjoy both snorkelling and diving, to play a round of golf, or simply to hike or cycle along its rural trails. Elba is also home to more thermal baths at San Giovanni.
If you’re visiting Villa Bibbona with children, then don’t worry – there is plenty to keep the younger members of the family entertained too. One example is the Parco Gallarose, home to over 150 species of birds and animals which can be discovered by walking along a 3 km trail. The park is divided in two, with a farm and zoo area. Also fun for all the family is Il Giardino Sospeso, a treetop adventure park, whilst in Cecina there is a Hawaiian themed water park with slides and pools. There is plenty more for children of all ages to see and do.
If this has whetted your appetite and you’re interested in staying in Villa Bibbona, please do get in touch and we would be very happy to provide a quote. Alternatively, if you’re interested in one of our other villas in Tuscany and would like a similar summary of what to see and do in the area around your chosen holiday home, then do get in touch too.