We loved the cooking lessons with Giovanna and took home a real taste and passion for Italy from this.
Best memories were of sunny mornings spent playing with farm cats and messing around on the swing with the children.
The views from the pool were impressive.
Radicondolli was gorgeous place to close by to and really accessible to Florence and Sienna.

Paugnano is absolutely fantastic and I would strongly recommend it for anyone looking for a Tuscan farm stay.

We stayed at Paugnano in May for 8 nights and the farm was exactly what we were hoping to find in Tuscany. We stayed in the free standing villa called Capanna. It is a renovated barn and has a fantastic rustic feel whilst being spotlessly clean and very comfortable. We are a family of 6 (three young children and a baby) and we could easily fit into the villas two spacious bedrooms. The covered pergola area at the entrance is great and a nice place for watching the sun set over the hills with some local red. There is also a lovely pool above the main farm house, complete with deck chairs, which is great for keeping the kids entertained.

The owners of Paugnano, Giovanni and Giovanna are fantastic and along with their daughters Tamara and Natalie made us feel really welcome and at home. In the end it’s the really the people that you meet on your travels that make them what they are what we loved most about Paugnano was meeting the family. We really enjoyed having dinner on the veranda of the main farm house (which is optional). Giovanna has a big wood fired oven and cooks up some great feasts.

Paugnano is still a genuine farm and the sheep were walked past Capanna twice each day for milking which the kids loved. Giovanni showed them how the sheep are milked – which the kids found fascinating– and they also liked seeing the pet pigs, wild boar and donkey – although the pool was still favourite! You can also buy the pecorino cheese made from the sheeps milk on the property.

The family does speak some English so if you don’t speak Italian (like us) you can get by though a phrase book is helpful and is also useful around the whole Radicondoli area. .

The Radicondoli area is beautiful and less touristy than the more well know parts of Tuscany such as Chianti. You are still within easy reach of everywhere though. The farm it’s self is very large and there is a beautiful though rugged walk to the medieval town of Radicondoli which lies across the valley. Paugnano is also close to Belforte and although a little too far to walk on a regular basis to either town this really doesn’t matter as access by car is quick and easy. Make sure you also ask about the forest swimming pool which a friend of Giovanna’s directed us to

In summary we loved it!

Our holiday at Monna had everything we were looking for - friendly hosts, a beautiful apartment traditionally furnished in a wonderful old Tuscan house, lovely peaceful rural location, nice garden and pool. We alternated lazy days with other days when we visited Monday Volterra, Wednesday Siena, Friday Massa Maritima. Now in England in grey November we fondly remember those hot days of June in Val de Cecina and hope to return someday.

La Chiusa was one of the highlights of our european trip. Francesca and her son were gorgeous friendly people who went above and beyond our expectations to give us as much information about the area as we needed. The pool was cleaned every morning and night and Francessca was only a phone call away if we needed anything. La Chiusa was immaculate inside and out. Attention to detail was excellent. Thank you Francesca for recommending a visit to Lake Garda it really was beautiful. We hope to come back one day with our children. If you are looking for a little slice of paradise a quiet tranquil setting. I recommend La Chiusa

Our booking through the website was easy and without pain. Our time in Tuscany was as usual (3rd time in July 2009) unforgettable.

We were a family of five (parents and three teenagers aged 17, 18 & 19). Time constraints did not offer us enough time spent at the house and pool as we had so many things to see and do. We enjoyed unforgettable fresco dinners.

The property which is situated in a valley is immaculate. The beds were comfortable, the property clean and the owners very helpful and friendly all though only the daughter spoke English. The swimming is huge and beautiful and a holiday in itself.

Washing and drying facilities was more than adequate.

Only small little draw back was the location as it was quite a drive to Siena, Florence and the other small towns on the winding roads. The scenery however is breathtaking. It is not possible to stay at this location if you do not have a car.

The price was totally acceptable even for our weak South African Rand.

All in all, we loved every minute of it.

We 'd had a fabulous evening meal at Monna, sitting under the oak tree looking out across the valley and counting shooting stars. All we could hear were the odd grunts and snuffles of wild boar - or cingali - down in the woods. We struck up a conversation in wonderful "Englitalian" with Marcello as he was locking up his shed. The children were fascinated by the wild boar and Marcello offered to try spotting them, having explained about the hunting and local meats. He got his torch and we all walked down the path as he shone the beam around the bushes and woods and across the fields trying to pick them out. The Englitalian conversation , complete with many hand gestures and expressions, moved on to thermal springs and agricutural as we crept around the grounds. Well, we didnt see any cingali ! But it was a great evening that we will all always remember - simple, homely, with new friends and in a beautiful setting.
Oh, and in the morning, the pool was surrounded by cingali hoof marks - so it wasn't a dream!

My husband and I stayed at Borgo La Chuisa in Siena with his parents and our 9-month old son in October 2009. The villa was charming and exceeded our expectations on every account! It is spacious (allowing each of us our own room), beautifully decorated--modern, with a Tuscan flair--and updated with all of the comforts of home. It is the perfect place for families to stay. The property is very peaceful and is surrounded by gorgeous Tuscan landscapes which can be enjoyed on the outdoor patio. Finally, it is supremely located in the heart of Tuscany, allowing for convenient day trips to many of the nearby villages. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and hope to return again soon!

We had an authentic Italian rustic week at Capanna; the house was simple, but immaculate and full of country charm. The two large bedrooms have comfortable beds and having two tastefully decorated shower rooms was wonderful. The kitchen was well equipped and we spent our evenings watching the sun go down whilst sitting on the veranda, which is just outside the living room door. From here, there is a wonderful view over the valley, towards Radicondoli.

Our hosts, Erica and Giovanna were extremely hospitable, and looked after us very well. If you go, you must try some of their farm produce, particularly the pecorino cheese, which was divine. Our two boys, aged 13 and 10 were very happy to spend time in the clean and beautifully situated swimming pool as me and my husband relaxed on the many comfy loungers. Radicondoli was just a short drive away and has a range of small local shops, including a fantastic baker, who supplied us with most of our needs. There's also a great pizza restaurant in Belforte.

We love sight seeing, and found the drive to Siena took between 30 and 40 minutes. Florence was a bit further. However, nearer at hand are the wonderful towns of San Gimignano, Montalcino (home of the Brunello wine) and Montepulciano. We also visited the hot springs at Bagno Vignoni.

Altogether, Capanna is a wonderful place, peaceful and quite and the perfect place to relax and enjoy the view, food and wine.

The house is fully equipped.
I loved my 2-weeks stay at Borgo La Chiusa this summer, I just have not been able to find a fault.