FAQ

Check-in: 4:00 PM
We’ll do our best to have the house ready earlier if possible — just check in with us on the day.
Check-out: 10:00 AM, please — this allows our team to prepare the villa for the next guests.

Check-in / Check-out

Getting around

A car is highly recommended — it makes shopping, day trips, and countryside exploring much easier.

That said, the local bus service from Osteria Nuova (the local stop) into Florence has improved and can now be tracked via app, making it a relaxed (if slower) alternative.

Taxis are available and usually cost €30–50 each way depending on time of day and number of passengers.
Please note: Uber does not operate in Florence.

We’ll happily share tips for parking in Florence and reliable local transport contacts once your booking is confirmed.

What About Uber and Food Apps

Uber does not operate in Florence, and delivery apps rarely reach our hill.
But you won’t miss them. The local butcher’s deli counter offers wonderful ready-made dishes (including a legendary lasagne to take away).
Once you’ve booked, we’ll share our list of trusted chefs and fine food suppliers who deliver directly to the villa.

Children

The Courtyard Wing (Casina) is ideal for families.
We provide two cots, two highchairs, and children’s cutlery, plates, and toys to make life easy for the little ones.

We generally don’t recommend children under six in the medieval Tower itself, as its stairways and layout suit older explorers best.

We grew up here in the 1970s and somehow survived without all the modern safety paraphernalia — the garden remains a place for discovery, laughter, and a bit of barefoot adventure.

Pets

We adore animals, but sadly cannot allow pets at Torre di Sopra.

That said, nature is never far away.
If you’re up early, the garden becomes a birdwatcher’s paradise — alive with songbirds and, if you’re lucky, the striking upupa (hoopoe) with its crested head and coral wings.

Deer are sometimes seen in the distance, grazing at dawn or dusk.

It’s a peaceful reminder that the Torre sits within its own small ecosystem — alive, quiet, and full of wonder.

The saltwater pool is open from April through October, taking full advantage of Tuscany’s long, golden seasons. It isn’t heated — but from late spring to early autumn, the water naturally reaches a perfect temperature for swimming.

The pool uses a gentle salt purification system, so there’s no chlorine smell and the water feels soft on the skin.

Surrounded by olive trees, rosemary, and views toward Florence, it’s the heart of the Torre in every season — whether for morning laps, long afternoons, or an impromptu #TorreOlympics match.

Pool Season

The A1 motorway (Milan–Rome) runs nearby in a cutting — it isn’t visible, and only faintly audible in the distance.

Most guests don’t notice it at all — the soundtrack here is birds chirping, a passing motorbike, the hum of a lawnmower, laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses in the garden. It’s all part of real Tuscan life.

The advantage is exceptional access: Florence, Chianti, and Siena are all an easy drive away, so you can slip into the city for lunch or dinner and be back at the pool by sunset.

The motorway

Food supplies

Torre di Sopra is a self-catering villa, but we do everything we can to make sure your first moments feel effortless.

We recommend that guests arrive with food already planned or pre-ordered — a car is essential for shopping and exploring the wonderful local markets.

We’ll remind you of this in our pre-arrival messages, and can suggest the best spots nearby for fresh produce, wine, and essentials.

As a welcome gesture, we stock the fridge with a few local treats and a bottle of Prosecco, so if the main host hasn’t arrived yet, the party can still begin.

If you’re arriving late or on unusual flights, we’re happy to help — from arranging first-night basics to picking up the famous vegetable lasagne from the Antella butcher’s deli, a proven favourite with our guests.

The kitchen is fully equipped and generously stocked with staples like olive oil, salt, pepper, herbs, and spices — part of the VIP experience that makes the villa feel like home from the moment you arrive.

Heating and fire features

As the evenings turn cooler, the house comes alive with firelight and conversation.

The villa’s central heating system is available during the cooler months.

Because energy costs in Italy vary, heating is charged separately based on actual consumption. We take a meter reading at check-in and again at departure — you’re only charged for what you use, with any balance refunded.

A deposit is collected in advance for simplicity.

The fireplace in the main sitting room is stocked with complimentary logs — perfect for long dinners, reading, and winter evenings.

Outside, the courtyard firepit invites guests to gather under the stars — a favourite ritual for those who enjoy a glass of wine, good company, and a bit of stargazing.

The villa’s stone architecture retains warmth beautifully, creating comfort without excess.

Air Con

Air conditioning isn’t possible throughout the villa — not because of the walls, but because the house is entirely interconnected. Cooling one room would mean cooling them all — the architectural equivalent of trying to refrigerate a cathedral. Even modern systems would struggle, and with guests naturally leaving doors open to the gardens, the result would simply double the energy use and the rental cost.

Instead, Torre di Sopra relies on natural cooling and good rhythm — what we call “medieval air-con”:

Open windows in the morning and evening to let the breeze flow.
Close the thermal windows during the hottest hours to keep interiors pleasantly cool.
Fans are provided in every room.
The Cubo Bedroom does have air conditioning for those who prefer it.

Our guests quickly adapt — by the second day, everyone’s a local.

Concierge

We’re happy to help set the stage for a memorable stay.

Once your booking is confirmed, we’ll put you in touch with our trusted network of local partners — chefs, guides, drivers, wellness practitioners, and more.

All arrangements are made directly between you and them; we simply make the introductions. It keeps things simple, transparent, and perfectly tailored to your plans.

Events & Weddings

Torre di Sopra lends itself beautifully to intimate gatherings and heartfelt celebrations.
It’s a private historic home, not a commercial event venue — and that’s precisely what makes it so special.

Couples who have celebrated here describe it as personal, cinematic, and deeply memorable — the kind of setting where every photograph feels timeless.

If your vision is simple, meaningful, and shared among close family and friends, we’ll be delighted to discuss how the house might host your occasion.

Game on — day or night.

Torre di Sopra has a proud tradition of friendly competition. Families arrive as guests and leave as champions.

We provide gold, silver, and bronze trophies for the winners (and the gracious runners-up). Inside, you’ll find ping-pong, table football, backgammon, chess, Othello, Monopoly, and more — a full cabinet of classics to keep every generation entertained.

Both ping-pong and table football are illuminated for all-night tournaments, so the fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down.

Outdoors, the games continue:
Badminton with LED shuttlecocks for evening rallies under the olive trees.
Volleyball in the pool — laughter guaranteed.

Rumor has it that a Torre di Sopra Cup may one day become official… for now, the bragging rights are eternal.

#TorreOlympics

That should answer most of your questions — and probably a few you didn’t know you had.

If not, just ask. There’s always a real human at the other end — likely holding a glass of wine and a ping-pong paddle.

The rest you’ll discover the 1970s way: by showing up, exploring, and seeing what happens.

Games & Leisure

I Really Want to Leave a Review

That’s very kind of you — thank you.

If you’d like to share your experience, you can leave a review on Google or TripAdvisor, especially if you already use those platforms.
Otherwise, the easiest way is simply to send us an email at review@torredisopra.com — we’d love to hear what you enjoyed.

We also welcome suggestions and recommendations from guests who notice the little things — your feedback helps us keep the Torre experience evolving in the right spirit.

If you’ve made it this far, congratulations — That should answer most of your questions — and probably a few you didn’t know you had. You now know almost everything about Torre di Sopra.