We had a wonderful five day stay at Raffaele‘s property. We were a group of parents, grandparents, teenagers and dogs. The layout of the house gave everyone enough space and privacy. The bed linens were very nice, and extra blankets were welcome on chilly mornings. There were plenty of bath towels, too. The kitchens - there are two! - are well equipped. We used the barbecue outside frequently and loved being able to grill with such a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside. The surrounding property is stunning, with olive groves, grape vines and fields as far as the eye can see. Morning coffee on the porch followed by walk through the olive groves was a real highlight for me. The property is about a 10 minute drive to the nearest town and grocery store, and a wonderful butcher. Be sure to ask Raffaele for a recommendation as the butcher is terrific. The train station is approx 20 minutes away. There are a few wineries within walking distance. Pienza is a 30 min drive, Siena and Arezzo are approximately an hour by car.
I cannot overstate the charm of the Podere. It is truly a countryside retreat, offering the opportunity to just sit on the porch and look at nature if that is what you like, but with plenty to do if you feel more active. I should know that there is a (completely fenced) pool, but we did not go in as it was a bit chilly. It looks beautiful and is certainly well-maintained.
* since I have teenagers, the staunchest critics of Wi-Fi, I will add this: the Wi-Fi is decent. It is exactly what I have found at most places in Italy. If you’re coming from the US you may find it slow. However, I think this is about as fast as it gets in Italy. It is certainly enough to do most things online.