Villa instructions
TOWELS, BREAKFAST, CLEANING
Each Wednesday you get a full towel-set change although this does not include the pool towels. For extra towels or bed linens change (35€/p.p.) please ask our staff. Extra cleaning hours (20€/hr) can be arranged according to our staff availability and we suggest to organize it prior to your arrival. It can be washing and ironing or a full house cleaning service. The pool is cleaned daily with a complete water test.
DRINKING WATER
Water from the tap is drinkable. Nonetheless we provide 12 bottles (6 sparkling, 6 natural) of mineral water. Empty glass bottles must be placed back in the crate and not in the garbage. In Fiano and Marcialla (in both squares) there is a treated mineral water dispenser. You are free to reuse the glass bottles from the crates and fill them up. Natural water is free, sparkling is 10 cents/liter.
ELECTRICITY
There is a limit to home electricity supply in Italy. We provide 6 Kw (which is the max allowed for private use). Although very rarely, using too many appliances at the same time, may result in a tripped breaker. To switch it back on please inspect the breaker panel located in the kitchen next to the fridge. All the breakers have to be set to on (pulled upwards) except for one covered with a black tape which should not be touched.
WATER/HOT WATER
Water is a precious resource, please use it wisely. To give enough pressure to the higher floor a pump is installed outside just next to the parking. In case you notice a pressure drop, please let us know, the pump jumper might have tripped. Hot water is always available, however, the higher the floor, the longer you might have to wait before it makes it to the tap.
STOVE AND GAS DETECTOR
The stove has a safety push button. Smaller then the fires' knob, it is located just beside them. push and twist to lift it up (on position). The kitchen is provided with a safety gas detector. It stops the gas when the sensor detects a high concentration of gas. To restart the gas you have to pull the black safety valve placed outside next to the BBQ behind a gray metal panel.
HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING
Although central summer months can be fairly hot in Tuscany, the house, with its small windows and thick walls (up to 1,5m) can preserve temperature pretty well if used wisely. We suggest keeping the windows and shutters closed during daytime and opening them in the evening to adjust to the house's own inverse temperature process. Heating is centralized and the temperature can be set by adjusting the C° dial on the thermostat close to the small wooden library in the living room.
DISHWASHER
The dishwasher comes sanitized, maintained with salt and shiner and provided with soap tablets. Place the soap tablet in its dedicated compartment inside the dishwasher, set the dial to the desired program (65° for heavy/dirty loads, 50° for normal/light loads, 35° for a quick “glass rinse”) and press the power button.
WASHING MACHINE
The washing machine incorporates a dryer too. These can be used separately or in conjunction depending on the program selected. Please refer to the quick manual linked here below to identify the different functions/settings.
OVEN
The To start the oven you have to set the function (F) dial to the desired program (clockwise: light, normal, vented, grill, vented grill, defrost) and the temperature and the temperature (C°) dial. A quick F° to C° conversion: 122F°=50C°; 167F°=75C°; 212F°=100C°; 257F°=125C°; 302F°=150C°; 347F°=175C°; 392F°=200C; 437F°=225C°;482F°=250C°;527F°=275C°;572F°=300C°.
INTERNET
We try to provide you with the most reliable and fast connection available but being a rural location we are far from what you might be used to in the city. In case of no connection please do not touch/restart the router but report to the key holder/owner instead. Wi-fi is provided but being a 1000+ years old house the walls are very thick (1,5 meters + in some cases!) and the signal does not extend throughout the entire house although
SAT TV / MUSIC SYSTEM
The TV comes with two remote controls. Please refer to the printed guide next to the TV to operate it. Please note that, apart from Italian TV, only basic international channels are provided, namely: CNN, BBC, Bloomberg, Eurosport etc. A small hi-fi system is provided and it comes with an aux input to connect your own music device. Please set the mode to MD and connect the cable/jack to your device input
MICE, LIZARDS, SPIDERS...
In this area the environment has preserved its natural status and it is free of pollution. Moreover La Novellina is an organic farm and no pesticides or chemicals whatsoever are used. Insects, reptiles or birds are certainly not a sign of lack of cleanliness but the visible proof of a healthy natural environment. Country houses do attract mice, spiders, lizards, stray cats etc. Please do not keep the doors open, especially in the kitchen or leave food outside.
SHOP OPENING TIMES
In Italy everything is closed on Sunday. The only exceptions are the supermarkets: (Coop) in Tavarnelle (until 12:30) or PAM in Poggibonsi (until 7.30). Other national holidays include: Easter (Sunday and Monday), April 25th (liberation day), May 1st (labor day), August 15th (Ferragosto). Please note that restaurants normally have their closing day on Monday or Tuesday..
OPEN MARKETS (FOOD)
In Monday - San Casciano, Tuesday - Montespertoli and Poggibonsi, Wednesday - Certaldo, Thursday - Tavarnelle - Friday - Colle Val d’Elsa, Saturday - Castelfiorentino
TIPS/GRATUITIES
Our staff is happy to offer you the best service. Gratuities are welcome!
Villa instructions
TOWELS, BREAKFAST, CLEANING
Each Wednesday you get a full towel-set change although this does not include the pool towels. For extra towels or bed linens change (35€/p.p.) please ask our staff. Extra cleaning hours (20€/hr) can be arranged according to our staff availability and we suggest to organize it prior to your arrival. It can be washing and ironing or a full house cleaning service. The pool is cleaned daily with a complete water test.
DRINKING WATER
Water from the tap is drinkable. Nonetheless we provide 12 bottles (6 sparkling, 6 natural) of mineral water. Empty glass bottles must be placed back in the crate and not in the garbage. In Fiano and Marcialla (in both squares) there is a treated mineral water dispenser. You are free to reuse the glass bottles from the crates and fill them up. Natural water is free, sparkling is 10 cents/liter.
ELECTRICITY
There is a limit to home electricity supply in Italy. We provide 6 Kw (which is the max allowed for private use). Although very rarely, using too many appliances at the same time, may result in a tripped breaker. To switch it back on please inspect the breaker panel located in the kitchen next to the fridge. All the breakers have to be set to on (pulled upwards) except for one covered with a black tape which should not be touched.
WATER/HOT WATER
Water is a precious resource, please use it wisely. To give enough pressure to the higher floor a pump is installed outside just next to the parking. In case you notice a pressure drop, please let us know, the pump jumper might have tripped. Hot water is always available, however, the higher the floor, the longer you might have to wait before it makes it to the tap.
STOVE AND GAS DETECTOR
The stove has a safety push button. Smaller then the fires' knob, it is located just beside them. push and twist to lift it up (on position). The kitchen is provided with a safety gas detector. It stops the gas when the sensor detects a high concentration of gas. To restart the gas you have to pull the black safety valve placed outside next to the BBQ behind a gray metal panel.
HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING
Although central summer months can be fairly hot in Tuscany, the house, with its small windows and thick walls (up to 1,5m) can preserve temperature pretty well if used wisely. We suggest keeping the windows and shutters closed during daytime and opening them in the evening to adjust to the house's own inverse temperature process. Heating is centralized and the temperature can be set by adjusting the C° dial on the thermostat close to the small wooden library in the living room.
DISHWASHER
The dishwasher comes sanitized, maintained with salt and shiner and provided with soap tablets. Place the soap tablet in its dedicated compartment inside the dishwasher, set the dial to the desired program (65° for heavy/dirty loads, 50° for normal/light loads, 35° for a quick “glass rinse”) and press the power button.
WASHING MACHINE
The washing machine incorporates a dryer too. These can be used separately or in conjunction depending on the program selected. Please refer to the quick manual linked here below to identify the different functions/settings.
OVEN
The To start the oven you have to set the function (F) dial to the desired program (clockwise: light, normal, vented, grill, vented grill, defrost) and the temperature and the temperature (C°) dial. A quick F° to C° conversion: 122F°=50C°; 167F°=75C°; 212F°=100C°; 257F°=125C°; 302F°=150C°; 347F°=175C°; 392F°=200C; 437F°=225C°;482F°=250C°;527F°=275C°;572F°=300C°.
INTERNET
We try to provide you with the most reliable and fast connection available but being a rural location we are far from what you might be used to in the city. In case of no connection please do not touch/restart the router but report to the key holder/owner instead. Wi-fi is provided but being a 1000+ years old house the walls are very thick (1,5 meters + in some cases!) and the signal does not extend throughout the entire house although
SAT TV / MUSIC SYSTEM
The TV comes with two remote controls. Please refer to the printed guide next to the TV to operate it. Please note that, apart from Italian TV, only basic international channels are provided, namely: CNN, BBC, Bloomberg, Eurosport etc. A small hi-fi system is provided and it comes with an aux input to connect your own music device. Please set the mode to MD and connect the cable/jack to your device input
MICE, LIZARDS, SPIDERS...
In this area the environment has preserved its natural status and it is free of pollution. Moreover La Novellina is an organic farm and no pesticides or chemicals whatsoever are used. Insects, reptiles or birds are certainly not a sign of lack of cleanliness but the visible proof of a healthy natural environment. Country houses do attract mice, spiders, lizards, stray cats etc. Please do not keep the doors open, especially in the kitchen or leave food outside.
SHOP OPENING TIMES
In Italy everything is closed on Sunday. The only exceptions are the supermarkets: (Coop) in Tavarnelle (until 12:30) or PAM in Poggibonsi (until 7.30). Other national holidays include: Easter (Sunday and Monday), April 25th (liberation day), May 1st (labor day), August 15th (Ferragosto). Please note that restaurants normally have their closing day on Monday or Tuesday..
OPEN MARKETS (FOOD)
In Monday - San Casciano, Tuesday - Montespertoli and Poggibonsi, Wednesday - Certaldo, Thursday - Tavarnelle - Friday - Colle Val d’Elsa, Saturday - Castelfiorentino
TIPS/GRATUITIES
Our staff is happy to offer you the best service. Gratuities are welcome!
