Villa Leonard

Villa Leonard is a stunning detached villa spread over two floors and overlooking the vineyards, ideally nestled in Italy’s Piedmont countryside to allow for an idyllic retreat away from the crowds. Step inside to relax in the delightfully furnished interiors; on the ground floor, you can find an open-plan living room with velvet sofas inviting you to sink in and enjoy the company of your family or friends. The spacious kitchen boasts enough equipment for every aspiring chef, with a bar table, stools, and a dining table to allow big groups to gather for a home-cooked meal. All three suites – one on this level and two upstairs – exude elegance and taste, with king-size beds, walls adorned in art and wallpaper, plus en-suite bathrooms for extra privacy. The upstairs bedrooms also benefit from access to private terraces offering picturesque country views. There’s plenty of space outside to get a sense of honest pastoral living, with a neatly manicured lawn backed by a vineyard and stone steps leading to the large private swimming pool. Framed by a spacious terrace with sun beds, umbrellas and outdoor furniture, this is where you’ll spend most of the sunny days soaking up vitamin D and taking in the fresh air. Why not prepare your dinner al-fresco on balmy evenings using the large barbecue? The outdoor area is also the perfect spot to enjoy your morning coffee or sip a glass of wine while watching the sunset. Just a short walk away is Monforte d’Alba, one of Italy’s most beautiful historic villages. With restaurants and bars aplenty, it has a tiny uphill street that leads to a central square famous for its open amphitheatre overlooking the vineyards: a small yet marvellous borgo with a millenary history. Other fascinating places are also a stone’s throw away, including towns and cities such as Bra, Asti, Alba, Turin and Genoa. Asti is home to a 15th-century palace Palazzo Mazzetti - Pinacoteca Civica, and a pretty historic centre filled with bustling cafés. In and around Alba, you’ll discover Piedmont’s excellent gastronomy, with regional specialities such as white truffles, agnolotti pasta and regional cheeses on many menus. The city is also one of the main cities in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont and is fantastic to explore on foot. A bit further away, discover Turin, Piedmont’s capital that looks more like a romanticised ode to Paris with its moody streets, ancient ruins, grand boulevards, charismatic coffee shops adorned with chandeliers and world-class museums to discover. Features: Villa Interior (500m2) Ground Floor - Kitchen with a fridge, freezer, oven, induction hob, dishwasher, kettle, toaster, blender, microwave, Nespresso and American coffee machines, juicer, bar with bar stools and dining table with chairs - Living room with sofas and HDTV with streaming TV and satellite channel access - Suite with independent entrance, king-size bed and en-suite bathroom with a bath, shower and WC    - Guest WC First Floor - 2 x large suites with king-size beds, terraces and en-suite bathrooms with a shower and WC - Laundry room with washing machine and dryer Outside Grounds (1000m2)  - Heated swimming pool (12m x 3.6m, depth: 0.8-1.8m). Open approximately June to end-October - Pool terrace with garden furniture, sun beds and parasols - Veranda with garden furniture - Barbecue - Parking  Facilities - Wi-Fi - Air-conditioning - Central heating - Smart & satellite TV - Hairdryer - Washing machine - Dryer - Table tennis Location: Italy’s lesser-known Piedmont region is a true paradise for nature lovers, with a landscape full of undulating hills, sunny vineyards and charming towns surrounded by pristine countryside. Although surrounded by vineyards and fields, you’re never too far from amenities such as restaurants, bars and shops. In fact, you can enjoy a change of scenery plus a dish and glass of fine Italian wine in just 5 minutes by walking. The area has officially been named one of the finest Borghi d’Italia and is the new Piedmontese entry for 2020 awarded by the Spighe Verdi, a recognition assigned by Fee Italia to rural centres based on the relationship between environment, quality of life and agriculture. The closest village, Monforde d’Alba, is also just a 20-minute walk away, with more restaurants and wineries to discover and a small touristic centre, supermarkets and other amenities. Nestled in the hills of the Roero and the Langhe in southern Piedmont, Bra is another town close to home worth visiting. It hosts the biennial international cheese festival and is one of the most important centres of Piedmontese Baroque architecture, with plenty of sights to see – such as the St. Andrew’s Church and the Church of Santa Chiara, as well as the Town Hall, the Palazzo Garrone, and Palazzo Mathis. Asti is a lovely town located just a 45-minute drive away. It is great for a day spent strolling around its glided palazzos, cobbled squares and historical landmarks. Art lovers shouldn’t miss the 15th-century palace Palazzo Mazzetti - Pinacoteca Civica, with beautiful artwork and Renaissance paintings, too. In just one hour by car, you can discover Turin, a large city once Italy’s capital. Its streets are filled with Baroque architecture, exciting museums and restaurants which cement the region’s culinary heritage. Walk up the staircase of Mole Antonelliana, a grand landmark offering sweeping views of the city or visit the Automobile Museum devoted to Turin’s primary industry, where you can marvel at old-school and prestigious new cars. If you have time, why not take a scenic road trip and head to Genoa? The port city is well known for its 12th-century harbour, which, apart from large ships and yachts, also houses an expansive aquarium full of marine species. On a sunny day, walk around its historic centre to discover shops, restaurants, cafés and delis full of the best Italian cuisine, marvel at the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo and visit the Piazza De Ferrari, renowned for its grand fountain. Terms & Conditions: Security deposit? €1000 charged to client’s credit card as a pre-authorisation at least 2 weeks prior to arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. Arrival time? 4.00 p.m. Departure time? 11.00 p.m. End of stay cleaning included? Yes, and daily cleaning included. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. Linen & towels included? Yes. Pool towels included? Yes. Energy costs included? Yes. Heating costs included? Yes. Minimum stay? 4 nights. Changeover day? Flexible. Tax? Italian Visitors Tax is included. Internet access? Wi-Fi internet access included. Pool opening dates? The pool is open approximately June to end-October. Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming. Pool heating charge? Included. Please note that like all heated pools, pool heating and water temperature are reliant on weather and outside temperatures. Smoking Allowed? Outside only. Pets welcome? Outside only. Other Ts and Cs? Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are not allowed. Children must be at least 12 years old to stay at this villa. The main suite has independent access and can host an additional guest on a single bed (suitable for a teen) on request. There is an annexe next to the villa which the owner’s use from time to time, however they will not be present whilst guests are at the property. Property Licence Number? CIR: 00413200035 CIN: IT004132C26O4FMNGH Licence number: CIR: 00413200035 CIN: IT004132C26O4FMNGH