Podernovo Apartments: villa that sleeps 14 people in 6 bedrooms, located in Monticiano, Tuscany, Italy.

Accommodations	5
Sleeps	14
Bedrooms	6
Bathrooms	6

Visit Monticiano And San Galgano Abbey

Why not stretch your legs in the lively town of Monticiano?

This pretty part of Siena province is situated on the right bank of the Val di Merse and is included in the Metalliferous Hills nature area that is bordered by several regions.

Visit the local ‘Buca dei Falchi’, a huge cave full of stalactites and stalagmites for a few hours or stroll along the many guided walking, cycling or horse riding tours available around this picturesque town.

The ancient hamlet of Castello di Tocchi is only a few minutes’ walk away and would be the perfect setting to enjoy a picnic meal as you gaze around the peaceful environment of colourful flowers and trees. Sit back and relax in the healing thermal springs of Bagni di Petriolo, a frazioni of Monticiano which is very popular with tourists.

Another spotlight.... so do you really want to get away from it all, no noise, no traffic, no internet ? Just nature and beauty ?? We have it: Il Casale. This is just the typical Tuscan house and how you would imagine it, it's just that the pictures don't do it justice.

The owner Adriana takes such care of her house and the grounds, it's incredible. She's an old lady but still going strong, just leave her a note in the Guestbook ! So what you don't really see from the description and the pictures is that the interiors have been furnished with great taste and detail, and that the garden around the house is huge. There is no pool but who needs one if you can swim in the cristal clear water of the Farma river (walking distance from the house). Satisfaction Guaranteed !

A fantastic way to see a lot of Tuscany in a short time is to enjoy a few day trips of different scenic regions in the area. One such day trip that tourists would enjoy is a day trip of the Val di Merse area, namely the towns of Monticiano and Chiusdino. Two related articles describe the general tourist attractions of this area as well as another planned day trip of the main towns. There is a wide range of excellent holiday rentals in the Val di Merse area for visitors who’d like to stay here for a few days.

The large town of Chiusdino is a popular tourist spot, mainly because it’s the home place of St. Galgano when he was born in 1148.

His home, a simple grey stone building is now a shrine. In the simple Romanesque chapel of the Compagnia, there’s a decorative bas relief depicting St. Michael’s apparition to St. Galgano. The saint’s head is now conserved as a sacred relic in the nearby Propositura di San Michele! Tourists should visit the famous monastery he founded a short distance away, the Abbey of San Galgano. A small circular chapel on a hill beside it is where the popular legend of the Sword in the Stone is thought to have originated!

Galgano Guidotti was born in 1148 to a minor noble. At the age of 32, he had spent most of his life as a self-centred, violent knight. That year he was visited by the Archangel Michael in a vision and told to renounce his ways.

Guidotti then became a hermit and took up residence in a nearby cave. While on his horse one day, he was mystically led to Montesiepi, a hill near his home town, Chiusdino. There he saw a vision of the Apostles, Christ and Mary and was, once again, told to turn his back on his former ways. At this point of the tale, there are a couple versions of what happened next.

Set in a luscious valley around forty kilometres from Siena city, lies the breathtaking ruins of the San Galgano Abbey. This medieval Cistercense building attracts many visitors who gaze upon its beautifully designed Romanesque walls and columns. In the hills and valleys surrounding this magnificent building are some beautiful self catering farmhouses, villas and other holiday rentals available to enjoy a peaceful and inspirational stay. What makes this 13th century Abbey look so surreal is its missing roof and grass floor; it seems to have perfectly merged with nature and many have spoken of the peaceful feeling they get as they walk around its walls.

While it may be news to some that Tuscany is one of the best spa destinations in the world, we have written extensively about the different thermal springs, spa towns, and spa complexes located across the region in the past. In fact, there are plenty of different options to choose from and one could even go on a spa town tour, if they wanted to, while spending time in Tuscany. However, if you have found a luxury villa in Siena and are looking to go on a spa day while staying in the province, then we recommend a visit to Bagni di Petriolo.

Famous for its thermal springs since the time of the Ancient Romans and with awareness of the healing benefits of the waters dating back as far as 1200AD, Bagni di Petriolo has long since attracted visitors who come to imbibe and soak in her waters. Throughout the centuries, the town has even drawn some particularly famous and high-profile figures from all over – including popes, cardinals, the Medici, the Malatesta family of Pesaro, the family of the Duke of Urbino, and the Gonzaga family of Mantua – such was its reputation.

Guest Reviews for Podernovo Apartments

Michael D.
Rangiora (New Zealand)

  Mansarda

Excellent 5^/5   Villa Review Rating Details

We spent a lot of time reviewing villas in Tuscany to meet our holiday requirements. We wanted a place that was very handy to a local village (so as not to drive after sampling lovely Italian wine), had to have a lovely swimming pool, and that beautiful, old style rustic feel. Villa Podernovo met all of our requirements. The village is certainly not touristy but has a nice restaurant, supermarket and excellent wine shop with a very knowledgeable and friendly host/owner. Unfortunately we were there during the coldest May in 80 years and did not get to enjoy the swimming pool. We stayed in the Mansarda apartment in the attic which was very lovely with stone floors, a great bathroom and adequate cooking facilities. After travelling for 2 weeks we really enjoyed being able to cook our own food. Due to the unseasonal weather the apartment was a little cold initially, however when we asked to get the heating turned on, it was not a problem. From that experience it seemed that if you needed anything, you only needed to ask and it wasn't a problem. The setting is very romantic and we would love to return.

Would you recommend this property to a friend?  Yes

Submitted: 04 Sep 2013

Rental Week: 29 May 2013

Chris H.
Wassenaar (Netherlands)

  Camino

Excellent 5^/5   Villa Review Rating Details

Very relaxing location and atmosphere. The owners are very helpful and the apartment had a lot of style and a good atmoshere. The swimming pool ni the garden was refreshing and clean. We have great memories of the place!

Would you recommend this property to a friend?  Yes

Submitted: 10 Aug 2012

Rental Week: 22 Jul 2012

Oliver E.
Oestrich-Winkel (Germany)

  Blu

Excellent 5^/5   Villa Review Rating Details

Als wir in dieser Unterkunft ankamen war alles einfach nur traumhaft schön.
Super nette Betreuung durch den Chef und seine Frau und das ganze Anwesen war ein Traum, ein italienischer Traum!
Die Zimmer sind sehr geschmackvoll eingericht. Das Anwesen liegt ganz abseits von jedem Verkehrslärm o.ä. Man hört nur die Vögel zwitschern und sonst nichts.
Im nahen Ort 10 Min. zu Fuß kann man sehr gut essen. Für Unternehmungen muss man aber jeweils etwas Anreise einplanen.
Die Gegend ist ansonsten sehr abwechslungsreich (Felder, Wald etc.)
Wir würden sofort und ohne zu überlegen wieder buchen und können das auch jedem der sich für diese Unterkunft interessiert empfehlen.

[English translation courtesy of Easy Reserve] When we arrived at this apartment everything was simply terrific.
Very nice support by the owner and his wife and the whole place was a dream, an Italian dream!
The rooms are very tastefully decorated. The property is quite apart from any traffic noise, etc . You hear only the birds twittering and nothing else.
In the village nearby (10 minutes walk) you can eat very well. But for activities you have to schedule each time somewhat like a trip.
The area is very diversified though (fields, woods, etc.)
We would book it again immediately and without pondering too long and we can also recommend it to anyone who is interested in this property.

Would you recommend this property to a friend?  Yes

Submitted: 03 May 2011

Rental Week: 17 Apr 2011

Podernovo Apartments

Details

Amenities

5 accommodations at Podernovo Apartments

Focolare

Champagne

Camino

Blu

Mansarda

Property Description

Location Monticiano, Tuscany, Italy

Points of Interest

Places near the property(Distances as the crow flies)

Attractions

Local Transport

Parking

Tennis Court

Golf

Read More About The Monticiano Area

Visit Monticiano And San Galgano Abbey

Il Casale Near Iesa

Visit Monticiano And Chiusdino In The Val Di Merse

The Sword In The Stone At Montesiepi Chapel

San Galgano Abbey And The Sword In The Stone

Bagni Di Petriolo: Tuscany's Lesser-Known Spa Town

Guest Reviews for Podernovo Apartments

Mansarda

Camino

Blu

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