This villa in Chianti is run by two Italiens (one of which is a former restaurant owner) who also offer cooking classes. The villa is peaceful and quite remote - after arriving in the small city of San Polo, paved and then dirt winding mounting roads lead to the property. Its well placed to visit the area - From San Polo Florence is 20km, San Gimignano 40km, and Sienna 55km. The Gucci outlet store (which includes a multitude of other Italian luxury brands + YSL) is in proximity as well.

We were there in October so it was a bit baren. We stayed in the Colonica - spacious ajoining kitchen & living area and four bedrooms. I found the bedrooms nicely decorated (early 1900s furniture) and charming, with wooden-voleted windows offering views often visible from the bed (cottage feel). The communal area could have used a bit more effort as far as decorating (bland and poor lighting).

The food, the food! A restaurant is open on the weekends (plus one night pizzas... more