Renting in Siena, Tuscany and nearby Montalcino and Monticiano
Tenuta di Spannocchia, is a 1,200 acre Tuscan hilltop estate, just outside Siena
They offer accommodation to members of the Spannocchia Foundation who are visiting Spannocchia to participate in Foundation activities or to explore the Tuscan countryside and find peace and tranquility while on vacation. It’s easy to join the foundation to be able to take advantage of staying at this lovely traditional estate. Family membership is $60.
Rental information, including rates and descriptions of the different accommodations, can be found at: www.spannocchia.com
The farmhouses on the estate have been minimally renovated in order to preserve their historic and rural character. They are furnished and equipped simply but adequately, and include all linens and kitchen utensils and equipment sufficient for complete meal preparation and service. The houses all have hot water to both kitchen and bathroom(s), and all are equipped with a washing machine. They do not have such items as stereos, TV’s, microwave ovens, or other electrical appliances, and do not have telephones or heating systems unless otherwise noted in the individual house description.
Stays in the individual rooms of the Villa and Fattoria are available on a daily basis, and include breakfast and maid service. Rentals of the farmhouses are for a minimum of one week, from Friday to Friday. Visitors will enjoy one of the most beautiful, tranquil spots on earth, but should understand that Spannocchia is truly rural and not a vacation resort; rather it is an historic working Tuscan farm, a wildlife preserve, and an educational center.
Spannocchia was featured in an article on the front page of the L. A. Times travel section. May 16, 2004
Paradiso di Frassina, outside Montalcino
Paradiso di Frassina is a large stone Tuscan farmhouse on 24 acres. In all directions it enjoys splendid views of the unique and well-known Sienese landscape: on one side it looks towards the charming town of Montalcino (only three miles away) while on the other it looks towards gentle hills given to grazing, or to fields of corn and sunflowers.
Surrounded by acres of Italian vineyards, this classic Tuscan farmstead includes central farmhouse, wine cellars, storerooms, animal barns and other typical farm buildings.
It has all been carefully refurbished by Diana Grandi and Carlo Cignozzi, a well-known winemakers and a connoisseurs of this part of Tuscany.
Their ancient cellars are once more dedicated to the production and storage of fine Italian wines. (you can read all about their Brunellos on their lovely web site) A stay here offers their guests a chance to visit not only these cellars but many others in the area. Join the wine-tastings as well as sampling a variety of other local specialties.
This Tuscan farmhouse has 6 apartments of various sizes, a large seminar room (700 sq ft), a semi-professional kitchen and eating area. There is also a swimming-pool a old tiled thrashing ground and lots of outdoor space.
The area is surrounded by beautifully kept woods, clean rivers, abbeys such as the famous and roofless S. Galgano. Siena itself is only half an hour away.
Podernovo, outside Monticiano
Podernovo lies just outside the Tuscan hilltown of Monticiano. The town itself is only 500 meters from the property and offers all necessary services, including: 2 cafés, a restaurant, a pizzeria, a baker, a Tabacchi, a bank, a pharmacy, and bus service to Siena and Grosseto. A short distance away we find the Abbey of S.Galgano and the Chapel of Montesiepi with the original sword in the stone, the hot springs of Petriolo still in use since at least Roman times and, walking towards the woods, you soon come to the banks of the river Merse with its crystal clear water.
The renovations here have been done with careful attention not to destroy the charm that has been created with the passing of time. Inside this classic Italian villa the old chestnut beams have been well preserved along with the terra-cotta flooring and the traditional fireplaces. The rooms are decorated in delicate shades of lime and furnished with old rustic Italian furniture.
Podernovo consists of two native stone buildings: S. Maria is the original family villa that has several apartments, and a renovated barn with meeting rooms and offices. Nearby there are the traditional wood ovens and higher up, meadows with horse training rings where people from Siena train horses for their famous “Palio”.
The nearest airport, Ampugnano, is just up the road and has flights to Milan, Rome and some other European cities. By car, Florence’s airport is an hour and a half; Pisa the same; Rome, 2 and a half hours.