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A mellow old farmhouse, set in beautiful countryside in the UNESCO-protected Val d’Orcia, lovingly restored by its owners who run it as a laid-back, intimate agriturismo, albeit with the style and feel of a boutique hotel.
The 200-year-old stone building is set in delightfully informal organic gardens brimming with lavender and climbing roses, where friendly family pets and chickens, geese and the odd sheep roam freely. Vineyards and olive groves provide the wraparound backdrop.
The retro interiors reflect the simple, Tuscan vernacular rural architecture, but not at the expense of comfort; beds are firm and made up with beautiful linens, the spacious bathrooms have rain showers. There’s a superb home-made breakfast that includes freshly-baked bread, homemade cakes and jams, free-range eggs and in-house honey.
A perfect choice for those who want an authentic Tuscan experience, this is an ideal launch pad for exploring the beautiful Val d’Orcia and its lovely hilltowns. Siena is an hour’s drive to the north.
The setting is utterly peaceful; the approach is via several kilometres of unpaved road and views are of olive groves and vineyards. The quiet, pretty medieval village of Montefollonico – with a couple of restaurants and a bar or two – is just up the road.
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Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Val d'Orcia, Tuscany, Italy[12.3 miles]
One of the most beautiful areas of Tuscany, the Val d’Orcia is a ravishing expanse of open, undulating farmland, dotted by atmospheric hill towns and dominated by Monte Amiata, an extinct volcano.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy[24.5 miles]
A beautiful 3-hour walk (just over 8 miles) that takes you through farmland and Brunello wine country, passing old farmhouses and tiny stone hamlets that have remained unchanged for centuries.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 3 hours
Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first
Cortona, Tuscany, Italy[23.9 miles]
Made famous by Frances Mayes’s Under the Tuscan Sun, Cortona is a delightful hill town perched above the Val di Chiana packed with sights (the Duomo, the Museo Diocesano, the Palazzo del Popolo) and excellent restaurants.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy[25 miles]
Known for its highly-prized (and often expensive) DOCG Brunello wine, Montalcino is one of the most famous wine-growing areas in Tuscany. Many of the local wine estates are open for tastings; among the best are Casato Primedonne, Casanova di Neri, Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo and Castello di Banfi. Visits must be booked in advance.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay
Tuscany, Italy
A heady mix of incomparable Renaissance art, gorgeous palazzos, Tuscan cuisine and home-grown haute couture.
Tuscany, Italy
The astonishingly beautiful region of Tuscany has it all: art cities and ancient hill towns, high mountains and long sandy beaches, alongside luxurious hotels and some of Italy’s best food and wine.
