Just south of Siena there is the surreal area of Crete, an amazing semi desert that breaks through the bewitching green of this area of Tuscany. The Siena Crete is a part of the Val d'Orcia, a worldwide patrimony which is recognized by UNESCO and much prized by the councils of Montalcino, Castiglione d'Orcia, Pienza, San Quirico d'Orcia and Radicofani.

The Siena Crete: a lunar landscape dominated by tones of grey which blend and change depending on the time of day or the season.Hills, where every now and then there are fields of sunflowers, which in summer glow, fields of grain which in spring hug the bright green ground is the most beautiful part of Montalcino which gives us a flowing green landscape of vigorous vineyards, the leaves of which change to red in Autumn and Winter offer us their bare sleeping shoots. In this lunar landscape, castles and strongholds timidly rise, but the most noticeable walls are the solid walls of the farm, proof of a deep farming tradition.

Between the winding slopes of these hills, the 3 farm cottages are constructed in 400 hectares of land, fenced farm to preserve the fauna and the flora that are part of the Val D'Orcia, crossed by the ancient medieval road Francigena. This road contributed the growth of the small centres of the farming community that today, as the past times, welcome the travellers with genuine hospitality.

These strong and sober stone houses, originating in the XII century and belonging to the Senesi di Santa Maria della Scala hospital which from the XV century have belonged to a noble family and to this day still do.

The country houses have recently been restored, respecting their architectural values and adding what we expect nowadays. They are a precious corner to spend your holiday in.

The apartments are large and spacious with antique floors and large fire places. The furniture is simple and elegant, in keeping with the old structures.

The houses:

Sorbella Nuova Apartment  for 8 guests, 140mq. 2 double rooms, 2 bedrooms with single beds,2  bathrooms( one with shower and one with tub), sitting room and dining room with fireplace, and kitchen with 4 fires, oven and grill. Pool area.

Sorbella Alta Apartment for 4 guests , 100mq., 1  double room, 1 bedroom with 2 single beds, 1 bathroom with shower, sitting room and dining room with fireplace, and kitchen with 4 fires, oven and grill. Pool area.

Sorbella Bassa Apartment for 4 guests , 100mq., 1  double room, 1 bedroom with 2 single beds, 2 bathrooms with shower, sitting room and dining room with fireplace, and kitchen with 4 fires, oven and grill. Pool area

Every apartment has it's own entrance, a private outdoor area with garden furniture and barbecue, TV, stereo, wood burning stove, fireplace, and heating and linen are provided.

At our guest's disposal there is a laundry room with washing-machine and iron with at no additional cost.

Main House for 6 people 150mq., with private  pool, 8mtx8mt, provided with covered patio by the pool with wood table and chairs, sunchairs, sununmbrella, table tennis, internal with sitting room TV and radio, ,  dining room, , studio room with sofabed, 1 room with double bed, 2 double rooms with singles beds, 1 bathroom with tub, i bathroom with shower, kitchen well equipped with oven, grill, fridge and freezer, fireplace.

Reservation conditions: At reservation it is required an account of 45% on the total cost of the stay to forward by bank transfer. Settlement on place.

Credit card service is not available

Fotogallery internal  fotogallery external

Activities in the area

There are signed routes for cycling. Information is available at the tourist information offices. There are various routes, including the Brunello route which takes you through the vineyards of Montalcino to San Quirico d'Orcia and Pienza.

Bicycles can be rented at l'officina di Auto Valrnti at Pienza. Tel. 0578/748645

Tennis court in San Quirico d'Orcia
Horse Riding School in Pienza
Spa Baths at Bagno Vignoni - open whole  year round

Among the hills and cypress trees is the medieval town of Montalcino which dominates the valley, there is the ancient Etruscan town of San Quirico d'Orcia, the medieval abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, the abbey of Saint Antimo where each sunday around  11 a.m. you can impressed the beautiful experience listening the sacred music by the Gregorian Chant.  Then not forget to visit Pienza a rare example of renaissance style and finally Bagno Vignoni where the village square is a big bath of thermal water which reaches a temperature of 52°.

Food and wine Extra virgin olive oil with an intense taste, produced in the Farm
White truffles, the traditional Picci, hand made spaghetti, precious wines such as Brunello di Montalcino, the Orcia D.o.c. wine, the Nobile Montepulciano and the Chianti from the Siena hills.

Restaurants

San Quirico d'Orcia le Contrade - closed Monday
Tel: 0577/898 098
La Compagnia restaurant and pizzeria - 4km from the farmhouse.
Closed Wednesday
Tel: 0577/834 265

Distances from.

San Quirico d'Orcia 9km
Pienza 9km
Montalcino 15km
Bagno Vignoni 11km
Perugia 80km
Siena 40km
Firenze 100km