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Review 1754: Calcione, San Giuseppe

www.calcione.com

Recommended.  Review by dsk from PA

apartments on an estate near Monte San Savino, Tuscany East

When

March 2004, 7 days

Location

Calcione is in a quite rural location, several miles from the closest village. The scenery is stunning in every direction. When I was there in March the ground was covered with small poppy like flowers. If you are looking for beauty and solitude this is it ... if you would like to be closer to a town or activities maybe this is not the place for you.

Nearby Amenities

From Calcione you need to drive for all of your food and necessities. The closest store is about 5 miles on country roads.

The House/Apartment

The Calcione property is made up of several houses for rent, all surrounding the 1000 year old castle. Each of the houses can be rented separatedly or in combinations for very large groups. All of the buildings are historic and old but have been modernized. Bedrooms have beautiful furniture and the bedding looked relatively new. Each of the buildings has it's own kitchen and several baths, as well as common rooms for guests to gather in.

Garden

Each building has it's own private or semi-private garden and beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. Three of the four buildings have their own swimming pools. It was March when I stayed there but the swimming pool appeared to be in good condition.

Furnishings/Cleanliness/Living Areas

There were beautiful antique pieces in the living and dining areas, as well as antique chests and armoires in the bedrooms. The mattresses and bedding however, are new. There was enough chairs, room, closet space, and kitchen items for the 8 people in the full house that I stayed in. The house was kept very clean and had obviously been maintained very well.

Bedrooms/Bathrooms

Bathrooms were modernized but decorated to still retain their historic charm. The showers and other plumbing were all in perfect working order and there was always enough hot water for all. Each house had several bathrooms and enough showers. Enough towels were supplied and when we did ask for more they were promptly brought.

Kitchen

We did not cook full meals in the kitchen because we hired a cook that the Calcione owners had on staff to prepare our dinners. We did assist her, and the kitchen appears more than adequately stocked. The kitchen in the building I stayed in, San Giuseppe, is large and warm and comfortable, with a large farm table in the center for preparing and a fireplace along one wall.

Problems or Bonuses

Having our own cook was a wonderful idea as she surprised us daily with Tuscan dishes we would not have known to prepare. She also, unnecessarily, surprised us several mornings with warm pastries from the town. Getting to see a little bit of the castle with the owners was also a lovely surprise. I don't know if this is done for all guests, we were a large group, but I would ask. The castle is fascinating. If you do get to go inside ask to see the archive room and the chapel.

Agency and Representatives (and price)

The owners speak English and were very hospitable. But after our visit into their castle home they left us to do our thing while they did theirs. Calcione appears in reality even prettier than on the website.

Do you recommend this vacation rental to others?

Calcione is beautiful, clean, spacious, and the owners are gracious. Just realize how isolated it is from any towns or cities. If you want solitude I would highly recommend Calcione. If you need to be around more people and things I would say that although charming, Calcione may not be for you.

Things to do in this area

Lucignano is a medieval hill town not far from Calcione. There is a lovely restaurant there called La Rocca.

This review is the opinion of a Slow Travel member and not of slowtrav.com.

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