The location is ideal: the house and grounds offer privacy, peace and quiet, yet easy distance to the most charming and lovely Tuscan towns and sights. This is truly classic Tuscan 'postcard' country: hills and valleys; centuries old cypress trees; winding roads between fields of sunflowers, wheat, olives, and grapevines, leading to medieval and Renaissance villages and spectacular views. It is unspoiled and not flooded with tourists - it is still a place where Italians live and work the land.
It is also the perfect place for developing an idyllic routine of breakfast in the garden, then a drive to explore a nearby town of interest, see the historic and artistic sights and do a bit of shopping, ending just in time to enjoy a leisurely lunch at a terrific trattoria or more elaborate restaurant. Come home for a late afternoon swim, doze by the pool or in the shade, read the book you have wanted to get to, or practice your bocce ball game. Then, over a glass of local wine and some handcrafted cheeses, think about whether to cook dinner with the produce from the garden and what you purchased at the market, maybe make your own pizzas in the outdoor oven, grill some steaks, or to go out for another memorable meal. After dinner, relax some more, maybe with your book, a game of cards, or watching a dvd - or the fireflies - as you sip vin santo and plan your next day.
There is always somewhere new to find and explore: last summer we checked out Umbria and Lake Trasimeno. Our guests are always making great recommendations from their stays - guest have gone fishing, hiking, truffle hunting, biking, horseback riding, to the spas, the outlets, archaeology sites, and discovered restaurants and festivals.