Guest book:
2004: We had wonderful days cycling the many hills. active on the slow ascents. This is a very special place. B. Beerle , Anchorage, Alaska *** July 2006: We had an absolute great time staying at your place. You achieved a perfect combination of comfort and fine style, a superb mix of old and new at your property. We certainly like to return to Pietraia one day again. N. Bendin, Ottawa, Canada. *** August 2006 We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at your wonderful place. Set in a beautiful area, within driving distance of some fabulous sites; we could not have asked more. At times, it felt as though we were a million miles from anything/everything; and that is the way we we wanted it! It was totally relaxing! The Smith family, Louisiana, USA
Cities of art – thermal baths:
According to the UNESCO, 60% of World's Heritage is concentrated in Italy, half of which is to be found in Florence alone! Florence is one hour from Montecastelli, Pisa 80 minutes, Volterra 40 minutes, Siena 40 minutes, San Gimignano 40 minutes, Colle Val d'Elsa 25 minutes, Lucca 1 hour 45 minutes, Castelnuovo Val di Cecina 15 minutes, Montecastelli 5 minutes, not forgetting the little discovered gem of Massa Marittima,45 minutes. But remember: the lesser known Medieval and Etruscan towns of Tuscany hold its real charm and beauty. Hundreds of churches, museums, art galleries, buildings, as well as street markets, shops and restaurants, hidden in narrow streets of little villages, are waiting for you to discover and explore them. Very old and beautiful thermal baths were you can relax yourself are 40 to 90 minutes far: Bagno Vignoni, Petriolo, Casciana Terme, Venturina.
Tuscan wines, Tuscan olive oil, chestnuts:
Around Montecastelli it is possible to find high quality wines at really reasonable prices, in Castelnuovo VC (15 minutes) there is a good Enoteca. Montalcino with its Brunello and Rosso is not far. It is possible to buy good olive oil in many villages. In Castelnuovo Val di Cecina there is in October a chestnut fair. In San Gimignano there is in November a Festival for finest olive oils (olio extra vergine). In Volterra you can find the local white truffles. During the early spring you can find wild asparagus along the paths. Three good local restaurants at very reasonable prices are 5 minutes from Le Pietraie, many others are in the nearby villages.
Golf:
You can reach several Golf Tuscan Clubs in 1/2-2 hours. They are near the principle Art cities of Tuscany, and the time you need to reach them is among the beautiful tuscan hills.
In Tuscany, thanks to a warm climate, and surrounded by the beautiful landscapes, it's possible to play all the year long. By the way, the best period to play golf in Tuscany, is in spring and autumn when the temperature not so high as in summer, let you play during the central hours of the day.The Golf Clubs around us are near FIRENZE:Golf Club Bellosguardo Vinci (Vinci); Golf Club Centanni, Bagno a Ripoli; Circolo dell’Ugolino, Impruneta; Golf & Country Club Poggio dei Medici, Scarperia; Castelfalfi Golf & Country Club, Castelfalfi; Contry Club Le Pavoniere, Prato; near SIENA:Circolo Golf L’Abbadia, Colle Val d’Elsa. Near PISA: Country Club Cosmopolitan, Tirrenia; Montecatini Golf, Monsummano Terme; Golf Club Fontevivo, San Miniato; Golf Club Vicopelago (Lucca); near AREZZO:Golf Club Casentino, Poppi, Golf Club Cortona, Cortona; near LIVORNO:Golf Club Hermitage,Portoferraio; near GROSSETO:Golf Club Maremma, San Martino; Golf Club Argentario, Porto Ercole.
