| | Facilities within the Estate |
Swimming Pool: The swimming pool (10 x 6 metres) is located in the garden of Casa del Fattore and is shared by both houses. Deckchairs and sunbeds are provided. The pool is open for our guests from the beginning of June until the end of September. |
 Dinners: further to the arrival dinner, a lady from the village who is a wonderful cook will upon request prepare Tuscan specialities for you during your stay.
Car Park: the car can be parked on private grounds, for guests of Casa del Fattore a garage is provided. |
| Property Facilities Summary: |  Child Friendly | First-Day Shopping | | Groups Allowed | Private Parking | | Swimming Pool | Towels for Swimming Pool | | |
| Facilities Outside the Estate |
 The village: Vivo D'Orcia is a 10 minute walk from the house. A quiet village which furnishes basic requirements - small supermarket, bank, pharmacy, post office, news agent and your bar for delicious cappuccinos. About 15 km in various directions you'll find other charming alternatives for daily shopping and stopovers at a bar, some also have foreign newspapers (list in the house).
Food & Wine: varying seasons bring varying menus. The quality of the produce is what one identifies with cuisine in Tuscany: fresh vegetables, crisp salads, aromatic tomatoes, porcini (wild mushrooms), tartufi (truffles), home-made pasta or polenta , tortelli filled with spinach and ricotta, wild boar stew, grilled meats and venison, wild strawberries, raspberries, chestnuts, and many delicate herbs which join together to produce the exquisite meals you will enjoy, enhanced by the superb red wines from nearby Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. We have compiled a list of restaurants we can recommend in the immediate neighbourhood (list in the house).
History: The castle boasts a long and fascinating history. In 1002 a hermitage was founded on this spot by camaldolese monks close to the source of the Vivo river - which means alive - a vital site as it also supplies the city of Siena with water. The monastery and the surrounding land were sold in 1534 to Cardinal Marcello Cervini, later Pope Marcello II, who adapted the Castello del Vivo with the help of the architect Antonio da Sangallo, renowned for the palazzi he built in Siena and Rome. Since then the property has been in the family. |
 Sightseeing in the vicinity: Pienza, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Sant'Antimo, Monte Oliveto Maggiore and San Quirico are precious stones set in Tuscany and rate top of the sight-seeing list. The seaside near Grosseto is an hour in the car. Florence and Rome are a comfortable two hours by car. Arezzo, Orvieto, Perugia and Assisi and so many others are day-trip distance. Famous private gardens are open to the public once a week and are well worth a visit (list in the house).
Nature: if you spend your holiday here you might also want to explore the unusual wealth of flora and fauna which is to be found here due to a combination of altitude and meditteranean climate. The woods around the Casa del Fattore with streams and dappled sunlight offer wonderful treks. In spring and summer an abundance of wild flowers and herbs can be found, and many wild animals including foxes, deer and wild boar make the Monte Amiata their home. |
 The hot springs: Tuscany is famous for its hot springs, the most spectacular beeing Saturnia at an hours drive. Close to Vivo are Bagno Vignoni (remember Nostalgia by Tarkowski?) and Bagno San Filippo where in the midle of the woods the warm water has carved natural pools into the rock.
Climate: The months between Easter and the end of October are considered the "best" months for Tuscan travel. Yet more and more people enjoy visiting Tuscany "out of season" to discover a more intimate aspect of the region. This house has central heating and is very comfortable all year round.
In general: Shopping, Grocery stores, Pharmacy and any other service are in Vivo D'Orcia. |
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