Tuscany Reality Check
 

Four of us booked a place "between Radda and Castellina..." Supposed to be a "cosy (sp), completely restored sheep shed." <BR> <BR>A lot of good info on this site but sifting through it all is a major time consumer. <BR> <BR>We booked through one Francesca Lombardi at [email protected]. Anyone have any experience with this site? <BR> <BR>We're generally cheap but love good food, wine and company. We'd rather find an out-of-the-way place where the natives eat and play than see another museum or "must see" tourist site. Any good stories to relate re exploring Tuscany? <BR> <BR>We can only go in late August--after Annunciation Day (I think that is the holiday?)when, so I've read, all Italians go on holiday. Where do they take their familes when they all take vacation? <BR> <BR>Thanks in advance for all your feedback.

We just returned from Lucignano. We spent a week at Residence Il Cassero which we found on tuscany.net. The owners, Luigi and Antonella, are wonderful people and our stay was the best in Italy. They greeted us like family and Luigi was very helpful about telling us how to get places and making suggestions for things to see. Lucignano is a walled medival village and not "touristy". We were the only Americans there at the time. The food was sensational and the prices good at La Rocca and Il Goccino. At La Rocca we the best chicken with truffles I've ever tasted. Il Goccino is also an enoteca with an incredible wine selection and very gracious and knowledgable staff. The cafe bars were the most lively places with lots of fun, chatty locals. We toured Siena, Cortona and Montepulciano and while we enjoyed those visits very much, the delights for us were driving through the Tuscan countryside, picnicking, drinking fabulous wine and water and hanging out in out-of-the-way places. <BR> <BR>I hope you enjoy your visit every bit as much as we did! We'll definetely be doing this trip again! <BR>Janna

Janna, we're considering staying at Il Cassero in October. What room would you recommend? Were there any views from the rooms? How long did you spend in Tuscany? We're considering a week, using Lucignano as our base to explore Tuscany and Umbria. Hope you reply here or email me directly. Thanks.

Janna: Where, exactly, is Lucignano? Can't seem to locate it on the map. Thanks.

Hi Eirik..I have been to the Pornanino farm for an olive oil tour and met the Lombardi's. I don't recall seing the sheep shed :) but the farm itself is very secluded and nice. They have an active olive oil making facility and ship a lot of oil to the US. It is fabulous by the way. They also come here to do olive oil seminars. They certainly are very credible people (Francesca's father and mother lives on the farm I believe). It's sure off the beaten track(it's quite a drive to their place down a dirt road) but my sense is it would be fine. It's right in the centre of the Chianti region. I say this with limited contact and don't know anything about their lodging but do know they have a very good reputation. Hope this helps!

Can't believe we're getting comments on this after all this time!<BR>Our trip was last August and we had a great time everywhere we went. The place we rented exceeded our wildest expectations. The Lombardi's are the real deal. We're still buying olive oil from them and are saving up for a return trip.

We stayed in Castellina and drove to Radda a couple of times. The road between them, where you will be, is a narrow curvy road, but safe. You'll find a few restaurants in Castellina as well as Radda. It's beautiful country, and not too far from Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra, Monterriggione, and to the east Arezzo.

Dear Erick<BR>My husband and I are thinking of staying at Pornanino in the fall of 2003 for our 40th anniversary trip. Did you see the 1 bedroom house? Was it nice? Is Pornanino too remote to allow for day trips to Florence? We want to see Florence of course but <BR>don't know about the feasibility of day trips. Any details you or anyone else could give us about Pornanino would be appreciated. Thank you!