A part of my family has travelled there for about 16 years by now, just to spend one week at Castiglionchio each year.
FLASHBACK
Though, some members of my family and also myself are missing some staff from the "old crew". So, not all of us come there anymore. We stay somewhere else. For instance, there was a wonderful middle-aged woman, who was an angel: Signora Monica was her name.
Signora Monica spoke perfect German and perfect Italian - better than anyone else there now, and she had social knowhow about how to treat customers in a way, nobody else shows there now. She was human and friendly, had great humor and a nice way of customer relationship care.
If you think the place is good now, believe me: it was even better back then. :)
LOCATION
OUTSIDE
- incredibly green, full of olive plants and lemon trees;
- very rural;
- animals to be observed by the younger guests;
- horse riding- and Vespa driving hours;
- swimming pool (if prepared and water-filled).
INSIDE
- traditional, oldschool tuscany style - wooden table and chairs, old beds (though quite comfortable), some spiders here and there ://
depending on the appartment, that you booked:
- binolis are small and cosy (for 2 guests);
- appartments for 6-14 people
- sometimes the heating system needs time to work (cold inside in spring, autumn, winter);
- to little heaters; there should be installed more to heat the huge appartments;
- gas only as oven-source (electricity would be saver);
- kitchens are nice: there is everything you need EXCEPT A REFRIDGERATING SUPPLY and a MICROWAVE;
- dishes sometimes are not cleaned properly.
TIPP
you should buy all dish washing stuff and bring it with you; you will also need towels, hygiene products and food and drinks. the reception has some drinks and ice cream to purchase.
ARRIVAL
- u have to come by car or motorbike to get up there, otherwise you will have a loooooong healthy walk through nature ;-)
- there is a stony, kind of challenging very small street up to Castiglionchio, so be aware of other drivers coming from the opposite direction! especially at night watch out for animals on the streets! pay attention to the stop sign at the end of the street (in direction to the city, coming from Castiglionchio)!
AROUND:
go to Rosano!
Bar Rosano: It sells wonderful dolci (sweets, cakes, pies etc) and bread with prosciutto. you can also have lunch and dinner in their restaurant or gardenterrace. The owners are a family and are lovely!!! Try their chocolate cake, Pane del Pescatore, the little vanilla pudding-pie-thing and the lasagne!!
There is a great Pizzeria / Trattoria between Rosano and Pontassieve: La Torre. Stop by and make sure you have booked by having called or stopped by before.
From 8 p.m. on, La Torre is full with Italians. :D The "patrone" is Dino, a very old, wonderful man, whose family cooks in the kitchen and serves the pizze, gnocchetti, pasta and meat dishes.
GOING TO FLORENCE
good news: you can go there by public transport, motorbike or car
Finding a car park, especially one for free, is very difficult in Florence.
TIPP
go to Pontassieve, find a parking space for free, go to Coop (a biiiig supermarket) and by something to drink and from
there, walk to the train station (3 minutes walk) and take the train to Florence.
When you return, make sure to get yourself something to eat at Coop and enjoy the evening at Castiglionchio.