Montepulciano apartment review - "Annex" apartment (Politian apartments)
Jun 10th, 2015, 11:26 AM
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Montepulciano apartment review - "Annex" apartment (Politian apartments)
Accommodation review - Montepulciano
“Annex” apartment – Politian Apartments
http://www.politian.com/en/annex.html
also at http://www.apartmentsinmontepulciano.com/en/
Who: Family of 4. DH and I and our 2 boys, Alexander (4) and William (2)
When: Final 8 nights of May 2015
Cost: 700E for 8 nights, no additional fees for cleaning, etc.
Last year, we spent several nights in one of the four original Politian apartments. Loved Montepulciano, loved the apartment, loved the kind and helpful owners… and so on. This year, although I contacted Giacomo and Maria in August for a late May rental, the Politian apartments which would have met our needs were already booked. Giacomo suggested the Annex apartment next door, owned by his cousin Antonella (and managed by her along with him and his sister Maria).
The Annex apartment was absolutely lovely. It’s furnished in a more modern way (fewer antiques – not a bad thing for our crew!!). It had two nice sized double bedrooms with comfortable beds. One of the rooms has a large walk-in closet?! The first I’ve seen in Italy in eleven trips! It also had two nice bathrooms, a large and open dining/sitting/kitchenette area, and a small “studio” room down the hall with a foldout futon bed and TV (we used this room as a playroom for our two boys). Kitchen had oven, gas range, fridge, and freezer (no microwave or dishwasher – not a problem for us). Assorted coffee makers, toasters, etc. There is a washing machine just outside the unit.
The garden in the back is beautiful. Understatement of the century. From it, it is possible to access the main Politian apartments. This was perfect for us, as my parents were staying in one of those. The entrance to the main apartments from the street is a different door (and different key) than the entrance to the Annex. Not a problem to go between the two buildings easily though if you just go through the backyard garden terrace!
Parking is the only small hiccup, as there are limited permits for parking on the street just outside the apartment. There is however, a large city lot just a few minutes downhill from the apartment. White marked spots are free, blue marked spots are paid (around 12E/24 hours, I think). We never had a problem finding free (white) spots. It’s perhaps 3 minutes downhill to the lot, maybe 5-6 minutes going back uphill depending on how much the grade slows you slow down . I could only see this being a challenge for those with *very* limited mobility – our 4 yr old son has special needs (his gross motor skills are affected) and he did just fine. You can definitely park just outside the building temporarily to load/unload luggage.
Location is great. Inside the old town but at the periphery – i.e., quiet! Very walkable to all the cafes, restaurants, museums, churches, etc. Our favorite café for the morning is Café Antico Poliziano. Not too overrun by tourists if you get there before 9am. The barista memorized each boy’s favorite hot chocolate concoction and cookie/pastry within a couple days – she’s start prepping their orders as soon as we appeared at their doorstep. Our favorite lunch/dinner restaurant was Trattoria Cagnano yet again (same as in 2012 and 2014). Fabulous people, good and reasonably priced food. We really got to know the family as we dined later a couple evenings when my parents babysat the boys. The day following one of our long conversations, they pulled Alexander (our 4 year old) into the pizza kitchen and helped him make and cook his very own pizza. Highlight of the trip for him, a child who works harder than any person I’ve ever known with 40+ hours of therapy weekly.
Overall Thoughts – we will definitely, definitely return!
“Annex” apartment – Politian Apartments
http://www.politian.com/en/annex.html
also at http://www.apartmentsinmontepulciano.com/en/
Who: Family of 4. DH and I and our 2 boys, Alexander (4) and William (2)
When: Final 8 nights of May 2015
Cost: 700E for 8 nights, no additional fees for cleaning, etc.
Last year, we spent several nights in one of the four original Politian apartments. Loved Montepulciano, loved the apartment, loved the kind and helpful owners… and so on. This year, although I contacted Giacomo and Maria in August for a late May rental, the Politian apartments which would have met our needs were already booked. Giacomo suggested the Annex apartment next door, owned by his cousin Antonella (and managed by her along with him and his sister Maria).
The Annex apartment was absolutely lovely. It’s furnished in a more modern way (fewer antiques – not a bad thing for our crew!!). It had two nice sized double bedrooms with comfortable beds. One of the rooms has a large walk-in closet?! The first I’ve seen in Italy in eleven trips! It also had two nice bathrooms, a large and open dining/sitting/kitchenette area, and a small “studio” room down the hall with a foldout futon bed and TV (we used this room as a playroom for our two boys). Kitchen had oven, gas range, fridge, and freezer (no microwave or dishwasher – not a problem for us). Assorted coffee makers, toasters, etc. There is a washing machine just outside the unit.
The garden in the back is beautiful. Understatement of the century. From it, it is possible to access the main Politian apartments. This was perfect for us, as my parents were staying in one of those. The entrance to the main apartments from the street is a different door (and different key) than the entrance to the Annex. Not a problem to go between the two buildings easily though if you just go through the backyard garden terrace!
Parking is the only small hiccup, as there are limited permits for parking on the street just outside the apartment. There is however, a large city lot just a few minutes downhill from the apartment. White marked spots are free, blue marked spots are paid (around 12E/24 hours, I think). We never had a problem finding free (white) spots. It’s perhaps 3 minutes downhill to the lot, maybe 5-6 minutes going back uphill depending on how much the grade slows you slow down . I could only see this being a challenge for those with *very* limited mobility – our 4 yr old son has special needs (his gross motor skills are affected) and he did just fine. You can definitely park just outside the building temporarily to load/unload luggage.
Location is great. Inside the old town but at the periphery – i.e., quiet! Very walkable to all the cafes, restaurants, museums, churches, etc. Our favorite café for the morning is Café Antico Poliziano. Not too overrun by tourists if you get there before 9am. The barista memorized each boy’s favorite hot chocolate concoction and cookie/pastry within a couple days – she’s start prepping their orders as soon as we appeared at their doorstep. Our favorite lunch/dinner restaurant was Trattoria Cagnano yet again (same as in 2012 and 2014). Fabulous people, good and reasonably priced food. We really got to know the family as we dined later a couple evenings when my parents babysat the boys. The day following one of our long conversations, they pulled Alexander (our 4 year old) into the pizza kitchen and helped him make and cook his very own pizza. Highlight of the trip for him, a child who works harder than any person I’ve ever known with 40+ hours of therapy weekly.
Overall Thoughts – we will definitely, definitely return!
Jun 10th, 2015, 12:16 PM
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Another Montepulciano tip - Giacomo Stuart (the owner of the main Politian apartments) recommended gudie Andrea Renieri to us when I asked him for advice about the Etruscan tombs of Chiusi.
Mr. Renieri is an absolute jewel of a find! He made arrangements to get us into the Tomb of the Monkey, the other nearby tombs, and then he went to great length to get us access to the Catacomb of Saint Mustiola which is NOT easy to see.
He is patient, kind, informative and truly made our Chiusi sightseeing much more meaningful. I highly recommend him!
http://www.guidaturisticasiena.com/indexenglish.html
Mr. Renieri is an absolute jewel of a find! He made arrangements to get us into the Tomb of the Monkey, the other nearby tombs, and then he went to great length to get us access to the Catacomb of Saint Mustiola which is NOT easy to see.
He is patient, kind, informative and truly made our Chiusi sightseeing much more meaningful. I highly recommend him!
http://www.guidaturisticasiena.com/indexenglish.html
Jun 10th, 2015, 02:33 PM
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Wonderful review and even better, some great tips. It is nice to know how well your now larger family fit into the apartment, and how lovingly your children were embraced. We loved out stay outside Montepulciano last spring and hope very much to return either next year or the year after that.
Jun 12th, 2015, 04:26 AM
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Brings back great memories. We stayed in one of Giacomo's three apartments 10 years' ago. Great to know about the apts next door and the garden. Dh took a picture of my friend and me sitting on the Politician Cafe balcony. Later I found a large framed picture of the same balcony with the same table and chairs and that view at T.J. maxx. It has been on our entrance hall for years with the one dh took.
We shipped a case of wine from across the street to my daughter's in London and after Tuscany fllew over there to enjoy some of it.
We shipped a case of wine from across the street to my daughter's in London and after Tuscany fllew over there to enjoy some of it.
Jun 12th, 2015, 06:02 AM
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Texas Aggie,
So nice to read this review! I've stayed in 3 of the Politians apts, most recently in September 2014. I wasnt aware of Giacomos's connection to the "annex". You couldn't ask for better landlors than Giacomo and Maria. This past trip I spent a lot of time in the beautiful terrace/garden, sipping wine and doing my Italian homework ( I was attending Italian school at Il Sasso). Now I'm really nostalgic, would love to go back!
If you had a choice, would you prefer the "annex" over the other two bedrooms apts at Politian?
So nice to read this review! I've stayed in 3 of the Politians apts, most recently in September 2014. I wasnt aware of Giacomos's connection to the "annex". You couldn't ask for better landlors than Giacomo and Maria. This past trip I spent a lot of time in the beautiful terrace/garden, sipping wine and doing my Italian homework ( I was attending Italian school at Il Sasso). Now I'm really nostalgic, would love to go back!
If you had a choice, would you prefer the "annex" over the other two bedrooms apts at Politian?
Jun 12th, 2015, 06:35 AM
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We also stayed in the Annex Apartment. Last September for 4 nights. Loved it. Even the sheets were antique linen.
Oddly, we never saw another tenant, even tho the place was supposed to be fully booked! Spent several early evenings sipping wine in the garden, but never saw another person, including the famed Giacomo (the maid let us in the first day). We stole a few tomatoes and herbs from the veggie garden for our homemade pici pasta dinner
Around here, Florida, many of the local restaurants are featuring Montepulciano wine. One place, the waitress called it the "stick wine" because it has a little grape stem attached to the bottle with raffia. DH even found this wine in Sam's!
Micheline, that is a great story/find!
Oddly, we never saw another tenant, even tho the place was supposed to be fully booked! Spent several early evenings sipping wine in the garden, but never saw another person, including the famed Giacomo (the maid let us in the first day). We stole a few tomatoes and herbs from the veggie garden for our homemade pici pasta dinner
Around here, Florida, many of the local restaurants are featuring Montepulciano wine. One place, the waitress called it the "stick wine" because it has a little grape stem attached to the bottle with raffia. DH even found this wine in Sam's!
Micheline, that is a great story/find!
Jun 12th, 2015, 09:36 AM
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Joan,
I think Sam's Club carries Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo--which is from the Abruzzo region and not from Montepulciano (Tuscany). I think the grapes they use in Abruzzo are Montepulciano grapes. In the town of Montepulciano they use mostly Sangiovese grapes for the Vin Nobile and Rosso di Montepulciano.
The Vin Nobile and some of the Rosso di Montepulcianos are too expensive for my everyday wine enjoyment here in the states, but I do drink the Abruzzo wine. (Partly because my family comes from that region.)
We also have wonderful memories of our stay in the Politian apartments...looking out on the valley as the sun was setting, drinking wine and listening to Giacomo's excellent CD collection.
I think Sam's Club carries Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo--which is from the Abruzzo region and not from Montepulciano (Tuscany). I think the grapes they use in Abruzzo are Montepulciano grapes. In the town of Montepulciano they use mostly Sangiovese grapes for the Vin Nobile and Rosso di Montepulciano.
The Vin Nobile and some of the Rosso di Montepulcianos are too expensive for my everyday wine enjoyment here in the states, but I do drink the Abruzzo wine. (Partly because my family comes from that region.)
We also have wonderful memories of our stay in the Politian apartments...looking out on the valley as the sun was setting, drinking wine and listening to Giacomo's excellent CD collection.
Jun 12th, 2015, 07:31 PM
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Hi cruiseluv,
For our family (again, we have two young sons), I would absolutely opt for the Annex again if given the choice. The open dining/kitchen/living area was really quite large. The furnishings were less fragile (still quite nice, and many were antique, but I wasn't as worried every second about the kids breaking something!). The best part for us was that extra studio room. We were able to use it as a playroom which was fabulous.
We ran into both Giacomo and Maria during our stay. They both seem to be doing well! Lovely people, in every sense of the word. Cousin Antonella who owns the Annex apartment is just as kind.
We are confined to the first two weeks of April next year for our trip and so we are leaning toward Sicily. I'm admittedly pretty sad to be missing a visit to Montepulciano. We absolutely love this area of Tuscany.
For our family (again, we have two young sons), I would absolutely opt for the Annex again if given the choice. The open dining/kitchen/living area was really quite large. The furnishings were less fragile (still quite nice, and many were antique, but I wasn't as worried every second about the kids breaking something!). The best part for us was that extra studio room. We were able to use it as a playroom which was fabulous.
We ran into both Giacomo and Maria during our stay. They both seem to be doing well! Lovely people, in every sense of the word. Cousin Antonella who owns the Annex apartment is just as kind.
We are confined to the first two weeks of April next year for our trip and so we are leaning toward Sicily. I'm admittedly pretty sad to be missing a visit to Montepulciano. We absolutely love this area of Tuscany.
Jun 12th, 2015, 08:30 PM
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Thank you for the comments Texas Aggie.
As a lover of Montepulciano I understand, but sometimes we have to spread our wings and go somewhere else. However, I think some day I'll go back once again to Montepulciano. There're places like that,that pull you in (in Italian they say "mi attira"), for me Montepulciano is one of them.
As a lover of Montepulciano I understand, but sometimes we have to spread our wings and go somewhere else. However, I think some day I'll go back once again to Montepulciano. There're places like that,that pull you in (in Italian they say "mi attira"), for me Montepulciano is one of them.
Jun 24th, 2015, 07:57 AM
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Hello there,
it’s nice to read all these lovely compliments from past guests. I’m glad everyone had an excellent stay in Montepulciano and in our family apartments. Since I noticed some confusion about the organization etc I take the opportunity to explain how our small family resort works.
We are undertaking a slow (and never-ending) renovation of our family building since 2003 but mostly achieved in 2010-2012. At the present the Politian Apartment www.politian.com (named after the renaissance poet Politian born in the same street https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poliziano) are six in total. They are all named after teas because it’s my passion and also because we would like to open a Tea Room in one of our garage one day. The Black Tea, Red Tea, White Tea and Green Tea apartments are all accessible from the palazzo’s main entrance located at #34. The smaller apartment called Mint Tea and Jasmine Tea are located in the annexed building (partly belonging to my cousins) at #40. They were originally called “Annexes” but since 2014 are integral part of the “Politian” apartments. There is also another two bedroom apartment still called the Annex (where the Angie Texas stayed) as it actually belongs to Antonella. I sometimes suggest it as alternative to our guests when we have no other apartment available or need to extend their stay or in case of group reservation etc. She also occasionally rent her apartment under the name of Garden House. As said the renovation process is still ongoing so changes may possible in the future years especially in the layout and decoration of the apartments. I hope it’s all clear and to see you again . Ciao
Giacomo
it’s nice to read all these lovely compliments from past guests. I’m glad everyone had an excellent stay in Montepulciano and in our family apartments. Since I noticed some confusion about the organization etc I take the opportunity to explain how our small family resort works.
We are undertaking a slow (and never-ending) renovation of our family building since 2003 but mostly achieved in 2010-2012. At the present the Politian Apartment www.politian.com (named after the renaissance poet Politian born in the same street https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poliziano) are six in total. They are all named after teas because it’s my passion and also because we would like to open a Tea Room in one of our garage one day. The Black Tea, Red Tea, White Tea and Green Tea apartments are all accessible from the palazzo’s main entrance located at #34. The smaller apartment called Mint Tea and Jasmine Tea are located in the annexed building (partly belonging to my cousins) at #40. They were originally called “Annexes” but since 2014 are integral part of the “Politian” apartments. There is also another two bedroom apartment still called the Annex (where the Angie Texas stayed) as it actually belongs to Antonella. I sometimes suggest it as alternative to our guests when we have no other apartment available or need to extend their stay or in case of group reservation etc. She also occasionally rent her apartment under the name of Garden House. As said the renovation process is still ongoing so changes may possible in the future years especially in the layout and decoration of the apartments. I hope it’s all clear and to see you again . Ciao
Giacomo
