Do you long for living in a (very) old villa in Tuscany, in a Medieval village on a hill, surrounded by olive grooves, with a stunning view including the ocean (and, who doesn’t 🙂 ), but find that you do not have the means? What you need is income from two apartments that can be rented out. And, lo and behold, Villa 72 comes fully equipped!
You can go for maximum freedom and rent out to tourists, or longer more stable arrangements. Depending on your needs. When we restored it, we designed Villa 72 so that it supports several “modes”. You can have it all for your selv, and integrate both apartments into your own. This gives you a large home with up to seven bedrooms with four bathrooms. Or, you can close and lock an internal door and rent out one apartment, or two doors and rent out two. Both apartments have their own separate entrances.
We have an agreement with SiToscana. They have rented out the apartments for us, in addition to what we have managed to obtain our selves. The apartments are named Karine and Marianne (after our children). You can find SiToscana’s presentation of the apartments Karine and Marianne.
Unfortunately the description there is in Norwegian, but you will also find pricing information.
In addition we have obtained many guests from AirB&B. And do not forget: If you move to a spacious villa in Tuscany, your friends will come to visit you! And you can rest assured they will spread the word.
Being Norwegians, we have focused only on the Norwegian marked. During summer, there are direct flight from Norway several days each week. That marked has been big enough for us.
However, South Germany, Switzerland, and Austria are all within a day’s driving distance. Austria and Switzerland alone have more than three times the population of Norway. Add tens of millions in South Germany, and a (very) large marked is within reach. Also the south-west part of France is available to you.
The kitchen has been approved by the proper authorities. It is not directly transferable as it is the owner who holds the license, but you can get one as well. All necessary documentation and routines for proper dealing with hygiene and so on is available and can be re-used. If you want to run cooking courses, everything is in place!
The two small apartments have both been equipped with rental in mind. Fifteen years of experience has taught us what works and what the guests feel to be sub-optimal. Reading through the books with feedback tells us we have found a near perfect mix.
What can your guests experience?
The village is a small adventure in itself. Tucked away well above the valley floor, at the end of a single-lane road. Only one of the “streets” can be used by cars, but it is so narrow that in most places two cars can not pass. The rest of the “streets” wind themselves around the old houses. It is impossible not to be charmed, and feel transported back in time.
Still, the commercial center of the municipality is a mere two km away. Down in Calci your guests will find everything they need. More places to eat, bars, cafés, gelateria, post office, banks, a supermarket and quite a few small shops, and more. On the way down you pass a small wine yard where you can stop and taste.
From Villa 72 you can walk directly into the pine forest. Many of the paths are sign posted. In particular the one leading to the Medieval fortress of Verruca, and the one to the top of the mountain.
On the way to the top you pass by several places to eat. In particular I Cristalli which we recommend.
The municipality has build a pool down in Calci. However, the ocean is only half an hour away, and most guests will rather go there than using the pool.
Apartment Marianne
The smallest apartment is named Marianne (after our youngest daughter). It is on the first floor. It has separate entrance, access to the garden, kitchen, bathroom, sitting room, and bedroom.
Marianne is in most cases rented out to a couple, and it is perfect for two.
In addition, the sofa can be turned into a narrow double bed, suitable for a pair of children, or a single adult.
The kitchen has a table where to dine. The kitchen is simple but fully equipped and very functional. The cooking by gas while the oven is electric.
There are windows in all rooms (except bathroom), and it ensures that the apartment is well lit and airy. The view is towards the garden on both sides.
The private space outside is shaded in the shade in the afternoon. In general, guests love to sit here in the evenings.
A double door separates Marianne from the main apartment.
Apartment Karine
Karine occupies the entire basement of Villa 72. It is still above the ground, and one of the doors lead onto the (very narrow) street. Another door is from within the property.
Karine offers an entrance, kitchen, two bedrooms, and bathroom.
Karine is the largest of the two apartments in Villa 72. It is separated from the main apartment by a flight of stairs and a door.
As it has two bedrooms, it is perfect for two couples having vacation together. We often host families, or groups of friends. The bathroom has two doors, one from each bedroom.
We normally say that Karine is an apartment with two bedrooms, but that sleeping accommodation for 2-3 extra persons can be added. There are often families, or pair of couples. The bathroom has two doors and can be used without disturbing others, and the kitchen is behind doors that can be closed. Two doors lead outside. On onto the (narrow) street, and one into the garden.
Because the walls are thick, it is nice and cool in Karine regardless of how hot it might be outside.
Expenses
When renting out, the use of water, gas and electricity is higher than “normal”. Since it is impossible to rent out without incurring these costs, we believe you should get an idea.
In addition to power, water, and gas, the fixed costs include insurance, duries to the municipality and regione (Toscana), and phone (becuase of ADSL).
We have used about 500 euro/month on this, including heating through all of winter. Note, however, that we have heated with wood and not gas. There are modern stoves in all parts of the house!
A large house must be maintained. In particular: When renting out everything must be ship-shape, to a much higher standard than “at home. The costs oif this has not been calculated, as we have done most of it our selves.