We would like to offer any guests
staying a week or more the following free services:
1) Visit to the Romitorio di Pienza
(not normally open to the pubic):
In 1993 we proudly became the owners
of a fascinating archaeological pre Christian site.
We have restored it only where necessary to prevent
deterioration and allow better access. It is an extraordinarily
beautiful and spiritual place. Although it is not open
to the public, we invite our guests to explore it with
us during a guided tour.
Il Romitorio is composed of sacred
chapels and rooms dug out of the Arenaria stone underneath
the church of Santa Caterina. They are decorated with
ancient pre Christian cave paintings and frieze sculptures.
The tour is on foot and takes about an hour and a half.
2) 100% extra virgin olive oil
tasting:
Carlo is a professional olive oil
taster and judge on the grand panel of experts for Siena
province. He will guide you in tasting olive oil from
four different parts of Italy and teach you to recognise
different flavours and levels of quality. It will be
a lesson and competition where you will pit your self
against your fellow tasters and your self. The winner
will be presented with a prize.
The proceedings take about an hour
and a half.
3) Home made pasta lessons:
Every one is invited to a lesson in
the art of making “pici”, which is the typical
home made pasta of the region.
You will learn to prepare the dough
and work it into simple finely rolled sausages of delicious
soft spaghetti like pasta. It cooks very rapidly and
is very delicious.
You will be given a little recipe
to take home so that you can try it again when you get
home. The lesson takes about 2 hours.
4) Visit to the farm to see the
animals:
Often city children don’t have
a chance to be in contact with farm animals. Many have
never seen a rooster or a pig “live”. Our
family seat is called podere di San Gregorio (or Saint
Gregorios farm) and is the center of our agricultural
activities. Here we have geese, pheasants, chickens,
roosters, turcheys, pigs, rabbits, pigiones, and hamsters…
If your child would like to see how
these animals live and come into direct contact with
them, we welcome him or her to our little farm. They
always love it ! Just let us know if you want a visit.
5) Guided visit to Siena:
Ogni martedì pomeriggio da
Pasqua a fine ottobre avete la possibilità di
fare un tour guidato con una guida professionale della
città di Siena. Il tour dura circa tre ore e
chi c’è stato torna entusiasta. E’
davvero un’occasione unica per scoprire le bellezze
e i tesori di una città così complessa
come Siena.
La visita va prenotata entro lunedì
e ci pensiamo noi. Voi dovete solo avvisarci per tempo.
Ogni ospite raggiungerà Siena
con mezzo proprio e vi daremo tutte le indicazioni precise
(punto d’incontro, nome e telefono della vostra
guida, ecc.) entro martedì mattina.
Orari: ogni martedì dalle 15.00
alle 18.00
6) wine harvest (seasonal –
end September):
To take part in the wine harvest you
have to be lucky enough to come on holidays just at
the right moment, in act, it only lasts a few days and
you can’t know exactly when that might be as it
depends on the temperatures through the year, quantity
of sunlight….etc.
Taking part in the wine harvest can
be a lot of fun, whilst harvesting we gossip, make jokes
and generally enjoy our selves. We do it with in our
family with only a few other helpers.
7) White truffle hunting (from
October to December):
Our property contains a small private
reserve where the famous white truffles grow.
When the season opens we go on foot
from Cretaiole to find these delightful delicacies.
We have three truffle finding dogs who get very excited
when they find one. Finding a truffle is never a sure
thing but the whole experience is very exciting and
emotional.
8) Olive harvest (from October
to December):
Just let us know if you want to help
harvest olives with us. The olives are always too many
and the helpers not enough. Harvesters are not paid
money but instead olive oil ! 6 kilos of oil for every
100 kilos of olives. If you join in with us you are
sure to make a good haul and also enjoy your self.
mentioned there are sure to be three
or four available according to the season, our own needs
and your requests.
The services are also available:
-mountain bikes ( 2 per apartment)
- wood for the fire place.
- We will lend you a cell phone with
a pay as you go card for a 50,00 euro safety deposit
- For Children: We have folding cots
and camp beds, strollers, baby bath, bottle sterilizer
and warmer as well as various toys.
-We can also provide self guided walking
tours, driving tours or bicycle tours, a list of things
to visit and restaurant recommendations.
-A calendar of concerts, events and
festivals in the area as well as fixed weekly events
such as markets.
- English language assistance with
problems or reservations.
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