The restoration of Poggio Secco has taken its time (and toll!) but the outcome is definitely quality! A rare one for a country house making it come close to modern houses in daily comfort. Besides Sat-TV and Internet-connection it is even equipped with a central heating system for all rooms. And sports details you would not expect. The old well for example that the owners, englishmen, have reused in the restoration project—it now serves as skylight for a part of the kitchen zone. The house is set on three levels with the parterre being an independent apartment for two.

The living areas are concentrated on the ground floor and the terrace giving onto the valley. It connects the main house to the two external bedrooms with bathroom. Its stairs lead to the terrace in front of the first floor and the pool area. Of course there is also an internal stair to first floor where you will find two double bedrooms with bathrooms, one of them spacious with a freestanding bathtub. In the lobby’s corner there is the Internet access point but the pride and joy of this room is the antique stove in the former fireplace.

The other fireplace is in the living room and the adjoining dining room from where you have direct access to the outside via a large arched french window. It is a very inviting room thanks to plenty natural lighting. The kitchen is equipped with all the comfy appliances you wouldn’t want to miss in self-catering holidays: dish washer, fridge, oven and 4-ring stove.

Lingering in the pool you will enjoy both the quietness of the place and the panorama of the surrounding hills. Montisi lies across the valley, in the opposite direction there is the small village of Castelmuzio. Between them only rural landscape—there is not one modern building let alone industrial construction in sight. Amazing if you consider that a short distance away the Val di Chiana is offering all the things modern live could ask for with state-of-the-art transportation and shopping facilities. But the rurality and tranquility of the place will bring you back to the intent of your holidays: relax and nature.

And most important: pool and sitting place with barbecue are perfect for staying outside all day long! Relax beneath the shaded sitting place with a large table and chairs for everybody to have lunch. Afterwards the pool is waiting: swimmers and divers, sunbathing loafers—there is space enough for all in the huge pool.

Or you can explore the countryside and flora. We recommend on foot or by bike: a path along the hillside leads to Montisi away from traffic and noise of the road. Which is a 500 meters down the hill and you would take for doing the shopping.

There is a huge choice of local designations from exquisite ancient landscapes, to churches full of artistic treasures. Besides the small villages scattered around, each with artistic evidence of earlier times, you could also make a day trip to Perugia or Arezzo, both modern cities with a rich past. Or visit Siena, the capital of the province, or a little further, Florence. The Tuscan coast is also within a day-trip’s reach. Its beaches are among the most beautiful in Italy. You will find Castiglione della Pescaia to be an agreeable beach resort as well as a fascinating historic town. A little further south is the Maremma and its Parco Naturale dell’Uccellina, with kilometers of unspoilt white sand beaches.

For daily provisions visit either Montisi (5 minutes away by car) or Trequanda with a small but comprehensive group of shops (6 km). This includes one of the most epicurean of butchers in Italy specializing in Chianina organic beef (macelleria Ricci, Traversa Dei Monti). A little further at Sinalunga, a large shopping centre, I Gelsi, is waiting for you, including a super-co-op for that mass shop. The most recent one, Val di Chiana Village Outlet, a mall, is close to the motorway exit.

If it’s outdoor activity that interests you, take long hikes across the countryside or go horse riding at one of the nearby equestrian centers like the one at Casabianca 10 km away or near Castelmuzio half distance away.