Montelandi is a typical Tuscan villa set in 14 acres of gardens and woodland above the Via Cassia, the old pilgrim road from Siena to Rome.The semi circular front garden gives a panoramic view of the ValD’Arbia and from the terrace we look across the valley to Montalcino, the little town famous throughout the world for its ‘Brunello di Montalcino’. It is a family home, private, peaceful and little changed for generations.

The villa developed from a farmhouse or wine fattoria many hundreds of years old. It became the summer residence and hunting lodge of the Crocchi, the principal family of the region who lived in the Castello in Torrenieri. Montelandi is our own home in Italy when we have time to be there, and not like the usual holiday accommodation we have known. Sometimes in the Summer we let the house to visitors and we have tried to remember our own holiday experiences and needs.

The local market town is Buonconvento, a medieval walled town with good shops, and plenty of restaurants and cafes. It has a weekly market on Saturdays and an interesting art gallery in a Liberty style villa near the Town Hall. There are small reasonably priced local trattoria and a great variety of eating places from farmhouses to outstanding gourmet restaurants on the vineyards.

There are the famous hill towns, Siena Montalcino, Montepulciano and Pienza to visit, the great Abbey of Monte Olivetto Maggiore and the beautiful Abbey Church of St Antimo. From the station at Buonconvento you can take trains to Siena or Florence or to Grosetto on the coast and to Rome The Crete is famous walking country and from Montelandi you can, for example walk to Monte Olivetto or Montalcino. It is a good idea to have a lift back after enjoying lunch!