One of the most glorious places for a holiday is a
17th-century farmhouse
Behind the house
Many fine medieval towns are situated nearby.
It is about an hour's drive to Siena, with its fabulous
striped
cathedral
Pisa is the nearest airport, about 21/2
hours away by car (there is no
adequate public transport, unfortunately). Florence is
about 3 hours away
by car. The wonderful beach and nature reserve of La
Maremma is about
11/2 hours
away, as are several beautiful lakes. Not far away is the hot
spring at Saturnia
There are two types of accommodation at Cenno
(the name of the
farmhouse). The top floor (which has the best views) is a
flat,
with its own entrance at the back, with two large double
bedrooms,
a lounge, small kitchen, and bathroom, and will easily
sleep four.
The garden has the most wonderful view - every evening we
used to sit
there with glasses of sparkling wine watching the sun go
down over the
nearby hills (some excellent sunsets), waiting for the
bats and owls to
emerge.
Downstairs, the house has three bedrooms, living room,
kitchen, and
bathroom, and will sleep six. There is a terrace where
most people eat
in the evening, and a small swimming pool.
In addition to either the house or the flat, there is a
lovely studio
which will sleep one extra, though there is no bathroom
or toilet there.
One of the owners, Hilary Jenkins, sadly died in 2006.
We will miss his friendship and erudition.
Rosemary Jenkins and her family have lived
at
Cenno for many years, so the place is not just a "holiday
cottage" but a
true family home, with ornaments, books, central heating,
etc.
To contact her,
email me at john@rabancourt.co.uk
[I have no connection with either the Jenkins family or
with Cenno, except for friendship and
wonderful holidays there. For pictures from our Italian
holidays, see
http://people.pwf.cam.ac.uk/jld1/holidays/]
,
1000 feet (300m) up on the slopes of Monte Amiata in
Tuscany. Set in a tranquil
valley, all that can be seen from the house are three
medieval hill
towns, yet the house is only 10 minutes walk away from
the lovely small
medieval town of Castel del Piano
,
which has shops, supermarkets,
cafés, and fascinating views at every turn.
,
and owned by it, is a hill where
nightingales sing now that hunting is no longer allowed
on that land.
Red kites fly and squabble above the valley.
and high tower (an excellent viewpoint)
,
and a little further to San Giminiano, with its amazing
12th-century towers
.
,
free and open to everyone.