For anyone wanting to stay in a beautiful location with outstanding views in every direction, you couldn’t ask for more. The outdoor seating is thoughtfully arranged to include a large table placed under a pergola with views over the vineyards and olive groves below.
We were expecting the rental to be for the house, which has four bedrooms, but the price we were given is for double occupancy, so there was a small additional charge for single occupancy as we each wanted our own room.
Our visit was planned to enjoy the warm May sunshine – and we had packed accordingly. Unfortunately, we encountered the coldest May (we were told) since1958. The house is not set up for comfort in cold weather. The indoor temperature did not get above 15 degrees C (59 degrees F) – and was for a number of days even colder. There is a pellet heater in the hall, which takes some of the chill out of the air in the early morning or evening, but the heat does not reach the bedrooms (as noted on the confirmation email you pay for the pellets you use). We used the fireplace in the kitchen a couple of times, but on a windy evening smoke was driven by the wind into the kitchen, so we had to open doors and windows to clear the room (removing any possible heat added to the room by the fire). We bought hot water bottles from the local Coop to warm up the beds on cold nights.
Cristina and Andrea were very responsive to our communication and after having trouble locating the property (a problem with GPS), we met Cristina at the train station.
The the kitchen is well supplied with pots, pans, cutlery and dishes, however there are no basic supplies, so plan to bring your own salt, pepper, olive oil, etc. Also, no oven or gas/electric grill.
A caution for anyone with mobility concerns – the stairs down to the bathroom have no railing and are uneven (as one might expect in an old farmhouse).
We had a wonderful, relaxing stay and enjoyed exploring the many beautiful villages and towns nearby. Walks on the dirt roads leading from the property were an enjoyable pastime and the views in every direction spectacular! Local markets and shops provided outstanding vegetables, fruits, cheeses, olive oil, Chianti… we already miss the beautiful fresh flavours of Tuscany.
Thank you Andrea and Cristine for your welcome and for sharing your family’s farmhouse.
