19/20 Ristonchi - 50060 Pelago - Florence, Tuscany, Italy Tel. +39 339 243 0972, +39 333 59 66 426 Email: ladoccia101@yahoo.com   
Hosts: Edward and Sonia Mayhew

ABOUT LA DOCCIA   La Doccia is part of the mediaeval settlement of Ristonchi, which takes its name from the Etruscan "Ristona" meaning a crest of a hill.   During the wars of the early 14th century, the small Castello of Ristonchi sheltered Guelfi families defeated in battle with the Ghibellines of Florence.   Now, La Doccia has been painstakingly restored to an extremely high standard whilst leaving the original structures largely unchanged. Many features remain such as stone staircases, a mixture of chestnut and terracotta ceilings and much of the original terracotta and brick flooring. Where it has been necessary to improve certain areas the same handmade or original materials have been used. La Doccia is open all year with double-glazing, external glass doors to all the main wooden doors and full central heating.     Every room at La Doccia contains an eclectic mixture of local handcrafted furniture made in the small mountain village of Tosi and our family antiques and furnishings brought here from England. Ours is a family home on a lovely small estate into which we invite you to enjoy yourselves in either one of our bedrooms on a bed and breakfast basis or in one of our apartments whilst staying in this timeless landscape.   The new addition to La Doccia is dated 1632, but it is built onto a much older farmhouse and the thick walls make the place cool in the hot summers and warm in the winters. We have superb terraces with breathtaking views of deep valleys and distant hills, perfect for escaping the concerns of everyday.   The accent at La Doccia is on the simple traditional pleasures of country living. Spend the day sightseeing, shopping, and visiting vineyards. then return to La Doccia in the late afternoon or early evening and relax over a bottle of great Italian wine. Of course, you don't have to leave La Doccia at all, but are welcome to pass the hours curled up in one of its many nooks and crannies around the property, reading a book, sunbathing by the pool, or painting or sketching calmly beneath a tree.   The main house at La Doccia includes three bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms, which are available on a bed and breakfast basis. Adjoining, we also have four independent apartments all available in a serviced self-catering basis. The Gourmet Evening...   at La Doccia In the relaxed atmosphere of a country house party, we like to feel our close attention to quality menus and outstanding wines gives our guests the best of Italy in a superlative setting. Cena, the Italian evening meal, is served either on the main terrace or in the La Doccia dining room where guests dine together at one table. Visit La Doccia Wine List. Our evening meals are intended to be examples of the best home cuisine available here in Italy. Using only the freshest ingrediants available, we concentrate on producing a daily changing menu that looks not only to Tuscan recipes, but also to those of the many different parts of this country's varied food culture. Edward normally cooks three or four times a week for guests and please let us know in advance. Our wine list "...Despite the universal trend towards standardization of types, the country that in most years produces more wine than any other remains unrivalled as the world's champion of diversity..." Burton Anderson "Wines of Italy " Our wine list has been a joy to assemble. The selection is shaped by the amazing range of wines available to us; not only in our "home" zone of Chianti Rufina and Pomino and across Tuscany generally, but also from other important areas, such as Piedmont, Trentino and Campania. We have concentrated on superior wines made from the wide range of different native grapes grown in profusion from one end of Italy to the other, some of which would have been familiar to the ancient Etruscans. * An honesty bar is available which also has a selection of the usual 'supporting cast' of hard and soft drinks, aperitifs, beers and suchlike. For those staying here in the main house on a bed and breakfast basis, we provide: -       A TV is in lower living room and a telephone for guests is available. Start the day with a relaxed breakfast, including juice, cereals, yoghurts, toast or fresh bread, fruit, tea and coffee. We respond to special requirements. Breakfast can be provided for those staying in the apartments by arrangement in advance.       As of 2006, La Doccia has a new tiled 12m by 6m by 1.5m swimming pool with underwater illumination. The new swimming pool is immediately below our veranda terrace and rose terrace. It is positioned to show off wonderful distant views over the Arno and Sieve valleys towards the Apennines and Florence. The pool is filled with the clearest mountain water straight from our own spring. Ample sun loungers and tables and chairs with umbrellas are ranged around the swimming pool terraces as well as a number of tables for picnics. The swimming pool will be open from May until the end of September. Golf within 40 minutes La Doccia lends itself to small business meetings, special parties and anniversary celebrations and for small groups, such as for painting or on wine tours. For a description of our wedding service click here but please do ask for further details. History The original farmhouse was built by the monks of Vallombrosa Monastery. It is named after the perennial spring that is considered to have beneficial qualities. The original farm was built during the medieval ages when Vallombrosa exercised considerable religious and secular power throughout northern Tuscany. It is likely that both Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) and John Milton (1608-1674) passed La Doccia on the old pilgrims route while Milton was much influenced by the mystical woods and meadows that surround Vallombrosa. Just over the ridge in front of La Doccia is the old convent where Galileo spent his early formative years under the tutelage of the monks of Vallombrosa. The Grounds and Seasons at La Doccia The surrounding woodlands around La Doccia have been an inspiration to poets and artists through the centuries. La Doccia is surrounded by Oak, Beech and Chestnut forests for miles around, and is over 2000 feet above sea level, a number of walks are available for you to enjoy this countryside. The year round beauty in Tuscany is always on show at La Doccia. The autumn colours in the Oak forests in November can be stunning, below, looking up towards the monastry of Vallmobrosa. October and November days enjoy autumnal mists rising up from the Arno and Sieve valleys that sometimes leave Ristonchi and La Doccia as islands in sunlight above a valley of drifting rolling mists below. Colourful autumn walks and the snowy winter landscape are a beautiful feature in Tuscany, and you can return home to a roaring log fire and roast some home grown chestnuts. Vallombrosa National Park The national park around the Monastery is some 15 minutes away and this protected area is full of walks and climbs to the top of Mount Secchieta from where, on a clear day, one can see both the Adriatic and the Tyrrhenian seas.   HOME EMAIL US La Doccia - High quality rental apartments and bed and breakfast accommodation in Tuscany near Florence