An Ideal Large, Affordable Villa for Families in Tuscany

Upon arrival to the sprawling countryside setting of Villa Scopetello, the sense of being whisked away is instant.The proprietors, Sonja and Michael, warmly greet their guests — it feels like visiting family. In fact, our stay at Villa Scopetello was one of the most memorable of our summer in Italy.

Surrounded by the panoramic view of the beautiful olive grove and vineyard filled Tuscan landscape, Scopetello is situated in central Tuscany. This 6,000 square foot, 700-year-old villa is in one of the most ideal locations for day trips exploring the region. First owned by the father of Pope Pio II in the 14th century, the villa’s history is as rich as its tradition.

Villa Scopetello Family-Friendly Review

Family-Friendly Amenities

Villa Scopetello is made for families! Summer high-season is reserved for large families who can rent the entire villa. Sonja and Michael are on hand to supply everything families need; they have cribs, a high chair, a basket with toys, and even kid-friendly dishes in the kitchen.

Upstairs is a pool table and a library filled with books and games. Outside, guests can find the garden house filled with all the supplies a family would need to play in the pool, on the tennis courts, or out in one of the villa’s open fields. There is even a playground with a zipline for the kids.

The Villa

Inside the villa, the natural rustic beauty and charm of a traditional Tuscan home is paired with all the needed features for a comfortable stay. Preserving traditional terracotta floors and the original wood beamed ceilings, the owners of Scopetello maintain the historic feeling of the villa.

The kitchen is stocked with basic groceries necessities. The bedrooms and bathrooms are spacious and comfortable with air-conditioning available. A large dining area upstairs seats over 20 people, with a small terrace for the possibility of dining outside. The back outside patio is also suitable for dining.

The entire Villa can be rented for up to 22 people, and consists of 11 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, 2 kitchens, a large, open living room with a fireplace, and several other sitting rooms to relax or play; including a television with international channels and a DVD library.

Rental Rates

The rates to rent the entire villa are from €3,500- €6,990 per week. Pricing varies by the season.

During the off-season Sonja and Michael rent individual rooms and run the villa like a B&B. The pricing is €1,000 to €2,230 per week and €145-€550 per night with a three-night minimum.

The Farm

The two horses on the property are friendly and love the occasional treat given to them by the children. They are not for riding, but are quite social.

The scene of the horses grazing in the early morning hours serves as a wonderful backdrop to the Tuscan landscape. The ducks and chickens occasionally roam free around the property with little more worry than pecking their way through the fields. A special treat for the children comes in checking for eggs in the morning when it’s time for breakfast. The real keeper of the property is Mulder, a sweet and lovable little dog.

Dining

Meals can be specially prepared for your family, with as little or as much service as you would like. Sonja is a wonderful cook and the costs of the meals are no more than what you would pay in a local restaurant. The meals include water and wine and are €25 for each adult and half that for children.

We enjoyed a wonderful meal prepared by Sonja out on the terrace while enjoying the sun setting over the scenic landscape. It is also possible to have a special meal of wild boar or fresh fish for a slightly higher charge. A breakfast buffet is offered at €8 per person.

Pizza Party!

A wonderful offering at the villa is the pizza party night. At just €12 per person with water and wine included, an entire pizza-making buffet is prepared on the back patio of the villa. Pizza dough is waiting with a table filled with a variety of toppings for everyone to prepare their own pizza. The pizzas are then cooked in the wood-burning brick stove outside.

Other Onsite activities

Villa Scopetello offers wine tasting with six different types of wine from throughout the region. There is a cooking class that is offered during the day, followed by a lunch, in addition to a traditional Napoli pizza making class. They can even arrange for a medieval flag display troupe to perform right on the villa grounds followed by a “brindisi” song and drink time with the performers afterwards. The performance is €350 for one hour. Massages, babysitting, and daily maid service can be arranged for additional charges.

Excursions

A special offering to Villa Scopetello is its menu of excursions.

Organized activities include, but are not limited to:

> Wine Tasting in all areas of Tuscany with private transfer- with or without lunch

> Truffle hunting

> Guided city tours

> Hot air balloon flights with Ballooning in Tuscany, departing directly from the villa’s front lawn

> History tour with transportation

> River swimming tour with or without transportation

> Bike tours

> Horse riding

> Hunting

> Fishing

Transportation from and to airports, shuttle services, as well as private drivers can be arranged.

Need Help Booking a Room at Villa Scopetello or Planning a Family Vacation in Italy?

We can help! Our Family Vacation Consultants can do everything from booking accommodations, to developing full itineraries including kid-friendly activities. For full planning services, request assistance on our Connect with a Travel Advisor page.

Relevant Links

Top things to do in Tuscany with Kids

Kid-friendly Tour Guides in Italy

Italy Travel Tips

Italy Family Travel: Things to do in Siena

Editor’s Note: Laurel received a media rate at Villa Scopetello. As always, our opinions are our own on Ciao Bambino. Photos by Laurel Perry.