Val d'Orcia, Tuscany
Property 3045
14 Guests
7 Bedrooms
6 Bathrooms
380 square meters indoor
8 Hectares outdoor
Podere La Vetrichina is more than anything a place of great warmth and sincere hospitality. An affectionate and personal atmosphere is one of the primary pleasures of a stay here. It binds guests to hosts in a way that endures, imprinting Tuscany and a special kind of relaxed, enriching way of life on all visitors. If you want to get to know Tuscans, enjoy preparing fresh, abundant meals with produce from the garden - with or without guidance from experienced hands - and immerse yourself in the local life of a small village, Podere La Vetrichina is ideal. This is a place with great heart, distinguished by the unmistakably generous and affectionate character of the owners. Podere La Vetrichina is best suited to those who would like to be able to say they have friends in Tuscany with a beautiful home in a lovely setting just outside a charming village and have it be true.
Podere La Vetrichina is a first-choice for anyone wanting to improve their understanding of Tuscan cuisine -- either studiously or in a relaxed fashion. The owner is a naturally gifted cook with a deep affection for good food and the pleasure of generously sharing it with like-minded enthusiasts. Anyone serious about food can find at Podere La Vetrichina hands-on instruction, companionship at the markets, friendly guidance and suggestions. Concentrated or casual instruction in Italian cuisine is one of the featured options for guests at Podere La Vetrichina.
Podere La Vetrichina is reached at the end of a long private road where an open hillside has been developed into an amiable compound with an emphasis on appreciating the natural setting and living with it harmoniously. The primary homestead was originally constructed in the 1700's and was no doubt of a humble nature, a hardworking home with people tending land and animals. The setting is on the lower foothills of Monte Amiata, and essentially sits in the saddle of the ridge line dividing the Val di Chiana and the Val d'Orcia. As a result, the area is blessed with woodland, whose trees provide cooling, green shade and a peaceful panorama. Beyond La Vetrichina the drive continues to one far-off neighbor and, at the top of the hill, joins a quiet road proceeding north and south and offering a singularly spectacular view east and west to both adjoining valleys. Enjoying a sunset or sunrise (or both) from this location is highly recommended. This lovely spot can be part of a running or walking route the circles around to the village for fresh Focaccia, a morning cappuccino or afternoon gelato.
The compound that comprises Podere La Vetrichina centers on the house surrounded by lawn, fragrant, flowering shrubs and potted flowers. From this rise, you are offered broad views of Monte Cetona, the hulking Monte Amiata and the picture-perfect hill town of San Casciano dei Bagni. The pool area is below, the Villino (available for extra guests) on a rise above and the well-tended, productive fruit orchard and vegetable garden behind. You are invited to wander the grounds, visit with the owners' horses who live in the woods, saying hello to the two young cats or using the exercise course set at the edge of the woods.
The house has been lived in and enjoyed by the owners for decades, first as a weekend home and then as a full-time residence. As such, they have continued to invest in keeping the amenities up to date, adding air conditioning, WiFi, ensuite bathrooms for each bedroom and window screens. This has been done while preserving the traditional charm that distinguishes this home. The white walls and whitened beamed ceilings create a wonderful setting for the personal collection of art and antiques. The botanical flower prints and pretty bed covers work with the antique Tuscan beds. At 650 meters, the evenings are cool enough to ensure a deep sleep although the air conditioning is available if you prefer.
This tranquil setting is only 2 kms from one of Tuscany's most charming villages, San Casciano dei Bagni, with a wide and appealing range of activities and services that belie its compact nature and homespun feel. Notably, San Casciano dei Bagni has a piazza with breathtaking views west of the Val d'Orcia, perfect for enjoying a gelato from the Bar Centrale which is supplied by the superbly talented local entrepreneur and chef, Daniela. Outside the village itself, San Casciano hosts Fonteverde, a comprehensive, modern luxury spa, several excellent restaurants, charming unusual boutiques and all the necessary stores. This is an unspoiled part of Italy, quickly being discovered by those who enjoy and appreciate both its quiet beauty and its central location midway between Rome and Florence, reached most conveniently by train from Chiusi. Easy day-trips to Montalcino, Pienza and Montepulciano - with or without stops at the famous spa town of Chianciano Terme and the even older and now simply picturesque Bagno Vignoni. Meander up to Siena or Citta della Pieve or just linger around the pool with a good book and cool drink.
The structure of the home and grounds are extremely well-suited to children of all ages, anyone who wants to nap in the shade after lunch on the rose-covered pergola or extend the season at the heated pool. Guests have an open invitation to long lingering meals over handmade pasta (yours perhaps? or your children's?) and plenty of good Italian wine. Living at Podere La Vetrichina, even for one week, is about living well and savoring the abundance and beauty of the land.
Price information available upon request.
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