We stayed in the Villa Banditello this past July, and it was the perfect base from which to explore the neighbouring hill towns of Montepulciano, Montefollonico, Pienza, Siena, etc. The villa is 5 minutes outside of Montefollonico (great restaurant here called 13 Gobbi, where the owner/chef makes home made fettuccini in a hollowed out peccorino cheese rind, scraping the melted cheese down into the pasta .. yum!). It is situated in its own vineyards and olive groves, and is beautifully appointed, right down to a wood oven (in addition to the regular one). The kitchen was very well equipped, the washing machine worked perfectly, bedrooms and bathrooms were spacious, bright and clean, and the views . . . well they were pretty much "storybook"! Michele personally spoke to us on the phone as we arrived, to be sure that we had all we needed. The housekeeper was there to greet us, and showed us everthing we needed to know. There is lots of room for parking. Furnishings, books and art are plentiful and tasteful. It really is a home away from home. There was even a bottle of the vineyard's own red wine waiting for us on arrival. Thank you Michele and Cristina! We would like to return this summer again in July! We will contact you!