Wine Tasting & Cookery Courses:
We highly reccommend Avignonesi winery - 5 minutes away.
It is one of the most highly rated wineries in the famous Vino Nobile di Montepulciano region. Excellent whites and reds and their top rated Vin Santo.
In 2008 they have opened a fabulous boutique restaurant, with set menus for lunch and dinner. http://www.avignonesi.it/eng-tav-com.htm
Avignonesi has also a small cookery school on site.
Another cookery school is run by renowned cook book author Pamela Sheldon. Based in Montepulciano- 20 minutes drive. http://www.foodartisans.com/
Sightseeing trips:
The immediate area has many wonderful towns and villages to visit.
Cortona - Base for the popular book and movie 'Under a Tuscan Sun' is approx. 20 mins http://www.cortonaweb.net/eng/
Montepulciano - Internationally renowned for its wine and beauty. http://www.montepulciano.net/
4 UNESCO World Heritage sites -
1. Pienza; also famous for its pecorino cheese. http://www.sitiunesco.it/index.phtml?id=589
2. Assisi; spiritual home of St. Francis. http://www.assisionline.com/
3. Siena - home of the 'Palio' and reputedly the place where perfect Italian is spoken http://www.aboutsiena.com/
4. Val d'Orcia & Montalcino - area of exceptional beauty and home to Italy's greatest wine, Brunello di Montalcino
Castiglione del Lago, Paciano and Panicale - designated amongst the most beautiful villages in Italy http://www.borghitalia.it/index_en.php
Florence & Rome (we suggest by train- station 20 minutes from house).
Also shoppping at Val di Chiana Outlet Village.
Visitor feedback from 2008:
'We enjoyed our stay in your wonderful house and countryside..................we hope to come back soon.' Visitors from Germany '08 'We have had a wonderful relaxing week, enjoying the gorgeous scenery, house & pool. Our first taste of Italy and I'm sure not our last.' Visitors from UK '08 'Abbiamo passato della ottimo vacanze qui.............................la 'cassetta', la piscina, e tutta le regione sono bellissime.........................' Visitors from Belgium '08 'Lovely house, brilliant pool. Beautiful views of the sunrise and Lake Trasimeno. We would love to have stayed longer - maybe next time.' Visitors from UK '08
Other Activities:
wine tasting, olive oil tasting, historic sight seeing, museums, cooking courses