Thinking about spending some time under the Tuscan sun?
People always ask me where to stay in Tuscany, especially if they are not seeking out an overly homogenized hotel experience.
Podere Cunina standing watch over the Crete Senesi |
Personally I love to rent an apartment, rent a car and drive around Tuscany, finding endless spectacular towns and villages that aren't in the guide books.
Podere Cunina, Buonconvento, Tuscany |
There's nothing quite like having a local vendor choose items for you, and tell you how to prepare them the way generations of their families have been doing for centuries, and then going home to your gorgeous Tuscan apartment, throwing it together and enjoying it, truly enjoying it with a local Sangiovese, or maybe a Brunello, living the luxe life.
I love filling my Italian apartment with freshly picked wildflowers and sprigs of fresh rosemary, the combined olfactory delight of which tells my brain I'm really, truly here.
My dear friend Silvana is living the life I dream of.
Together with her husband Piergiorgio she bought an old, run down farmhouse on a little hill overlooking the spectacular Crete Senesi. They rebuilt, refurbished and restored it using traditional materials, creating a home that at the same time is visually mesmerizing, maintains historical truth but is equipped with all the modern conveniences. Its called Podere Cunina.
Beautiful Podere Cunina in Buonconvento Tuscany |
Part of the restoration project involved creating 7 apartments to rent to vacationers.
One of the apartments at Podere Cunina, Tuscany |
Apartment at Podere Cunina, Tuscany |
Apartment at Podere Cunina, outside Buonconvento Tuscany |
Apartment at Podere Cunina |
There are 2 two bedroom apartments and 5 one bedroom apartments, each of which is just gorgeous.
Apartment at Podere Cunina, Tuscany |
After a long day of enjoying yourself it is just lovely to sit out on the patio area and have a prosecco as you watch the sun set over neighboring Montalcino(one of my favorite towns in all of Italy).
Wine lovers adore the region, as it is home to the Brunello, one of my all time favorite reds.
Prosecco time at Podere Cunina as the Tuscan Sun sets |
Lovers of Frances Mayes' Under The Tuscan Sun, and her subsequent tomes about her life in Tuscany will love driving to Cortona, which is not too far away, and spending the day walking through every moment in her delicious Tuscan world. (I think at this point I probably know her books by heart)
Summer is not the only time to enjoy Tuscany. Spring and autumn are beautiful, and this past year I was able to enjoy some pre-Christmas magic in Tuscany too.
If staying on a glamorous little farm is a bit to rural for you, Silvana also rents out an apartment in beautiful San Gimignano, which is my Italian home, and which I can never go a single day without thinking about.
Learn more about Podere Cunina or about vacation rental in Tuscany here: Agriturismo Podere Cunina
catching up with my dear friend Silvana on the steps of Podere Cunina as the sun sets over the beautiful Crete Senesi |