Casale Cardini — Valdichiana, Foiano della Chiana
A Tuscan retreat with a family atmosphere and boutique hotel services, designed by Camisa Essential.
There is a place in the rolling hills of Valdichiana where the view stretches as far as Cortona and Montepulciano and the air smells of wild herbs and wood. This is where you will find Casale Cardini (Via della Selce 44, Foiano della Chiana – AR), an old farmhouse that has been transformed into a resort thanks to the Bartoli family's vision: philological restoration of the walls, bespoke interiors in contemporary Tuscan style and that all-Italian balance between discretion and warmth that makes the welcome genuine, not just superficial. The location is strategic: the A1 Valdichiana and Siena-Perugia motorway junctions are 4-5 km away; Cortona can be reached in about 25 minutes, Montepulciano in 30, Pienza and Arezzo in 35-40, and Siena in less than an hour. A few hundred metres away, the medieval village of Foiano della Chiana offers shops, trattorias and the friendliness of an authentic Tuscany.
The farmhouse is now a small “private village”: nine suites and independent apartments, a convivial master kitchen where breakfast is served every morning, and spacious outdoor areas designed to slow down the pace of life. The panoramic swimming pool overlooks the village and rows of vines, the hot tub warms the sunset, and the stone solarium invites you to read in peace. The private car park is convenient and sheltered, while the paths through the fields open up to postcard views. The Camisa Essential team acts as an invisible director: concierges, chefs, sommeliers, transfers and local artisans are at your service to ensure a tailor-made stay.
The daily experience
The continental breakfast is a ritual: homemade cakes, warm bread, local ricotta, honey and jams arrive at the table in the main kitchen; eggs à la minute, fresh juices and vegan/gluten-free alternatives are available on request. Those travelling with their families will find high chairs, children's tableware and other small compromises that make all the difference at 8 o'clock in the morning. In the afternoon, the same space becomes the “stube” of the house: tea and biscuits in winter, a bottle of red wine in spring, a plate of pecorino cheeses on returning from the cellar.
The exterior is designed as a series of outdoor rooms: the pergola for light lunches, the terrace for aperitifs, shaded corners for meditation; the infinity pool offers memorable “golden hours”, while the hot tub is the perfect treat after dinner, when the sky darkens and the crickets sing.
Essential services Camisa (on request)
Dedicated concierge (before arrival and on call): daily planning, reservations, 24-hour assistance.
Private chef and “enriched” breakfast: farmer's brunch, Tuscan dinners, vegetarian tasting, pizza night in the oven; children's menu.
Wineries and flavours: visits to Montepulciano, Cortona, Montalcino, vertical tastings, pairings with cured meats and aged cheeses.
Slow experiences: truffle hunting with a truffle hunter and a dog, e-bike tours through vineyards and cypress trees, cooking lessons with sfogline, new oil and oil mill, ceramics in the workshop.
Wellness and exercise: yoga at sunset on the lawn, relaxing massages or aromatherapy in your suite, personal trainer.
Children and family: certified babysitter, treasure hunt in the village, fresh pasta workshops, snacks on the educational farm.
Transport and transfers: chauffeur service from the airport, car hire with on-site delivery, minivan for small groups.
Small events (on request): micro-weddings, vow renewals, intimate birthdays. Floral arrangements, string quartet or manouche guitar at sunset.
The nine units: style, privacy, comfort
Each suite/apartment is different, but all feature natural materials, spacious beds (king size where possible), air conditioning, fast Wi-Fi, well-appointed bathrooms and equipped kitchenettes in the apartments (where indicated). Below is the bed distribution: 32 beds in total.
Il Granaio Suite — 4 beds 2 bedrooms (1 king + 2 singles), 1 bathroom. Living area with views of the fields; ideal for a family with two children.
La Loggia Suite — 4 beds 2 bedrooms (1 king + 1 king), 1 shared bathroom. Small sitting room; private outdoor veranda for quiet breakfasts.
Le Ginestre Suite — 4 beds 2 bedrooms (1 king + sofa bed), 1 bathroom. Boho-chic style, raw fabrics and antique wooden headboards.
La Vigna Apartment — 4 beds 2 bedrooms (1 double + 1 double/twin), 2 bathrooms; fully equipped kitchenette (hob, oven, refrigerator). Perfect for long stays.
Il Noce Apartment — sleeps 4 1 double bedroom with sofa bed (1 double bed + sofa bed), 2 bathrooms; living room (seasonal). View of the Valdichiana.
Le Rose Apartment — sleeps 4 2 bedrooms (1 double + 1 double/twin), 2 bathrooms; kitchen and table for 6 people. Terrace for evening aperitifs.
L'Ulivo Suite — sleeps 3 1 bedroom (1 double) + single sofa bed in the living room, 1 bathroom. Elegant nest for couples with a child.
Suite Il Fienile — sleeps 3 1 bedroom (1 double/single) + single sofa bed in the alcove, 1 bathroom. High ceilings, exposed beams, zenithal light.
Suite La Colombara — sleeps 2 1 bedroom (1 double), 1 bathroom. The most intimate; small balcony with side view of the village.
Total beds: 32. Cots and cot rails available on request. Some ‘twin’ rooms can be prepared as double rooms before arrival.
Services and amenities included
Breakfast in the main kitchen with fresh local produce; water and coffee always available.
Light daily cleaning (6/7) and linen change according to the accommodation policy; extras on request.
Swimming pool with view + heated hot tub (seasonal hours).
Independent air conditioning/heating; fast Wi-Fi; TV in the living area.
Private covered parking; on-site reception/welcome.
Digital guides with maps, trattorias, wineries and slow travel itineraries.
Around the farmhouse
Casale Cardini is the ideal starting point for exploring the Valdichiana: Foiano (on foot or by bike) with its square and cafés; Cortona and its Etruscan palaces; Montepulciano for its Vino Nobile;
Pienza for its Renaissance perfection; Arezzo for a day dedicated to Piero della Francesca. For those who love to get around: e-bikes along the river banks, golf (Valdichiana Golf Club), horse riding, tennis. In autumn, truffles become an excuse for walks in the woods; in winter, you can take refuge in shops and museums, with stops in wine bars in front of a roaring fire.
Style and sustainability
The renovation favoured local materials, double-glazed windows and careful management of consumption: LED lighting, efficient systems, separate waste collection and collaborations with local producers. On request, we can offer low environmental impact itineraries (shared transfers, walking/e-bike routes, zero-kilometre catering).
Why choose Casale Cardini with Camisa Essential
Because here, privacy is real, but you are never alone: if necessary, there is a concierge who will call a taxi under the portico, organise a chef among the beams or book the last table with a view of the valley. Because the 9 accommodations allow you to be together and apart, with a central point (breakfast, living room, swimming pool) that makes it easy to celebrate a family birthday, a reunion with friends or a long weekend of creative work. And because Tuscany, in this gentle expanse of hills, is not visited: it is lived, in small sips, slowly.
Notes on your stay (indicative)
The minimum stay varies depending on the season; refundable security deposit; some experiences must be booked in advance. The Camisa Essential team will contact you before your arrival for pre-planning: schedules, allergies, room arrangements, wish list.
Welcome to Casale Cardini. Where the Tuscan countryside is home and every day finds its rhythm, between a quiet breakfast, a dip in the pool and a glass of wine at sunset.
The following might be to be paid extra: Extra Cleaning, Pets, Refundable Security Deposit in cash, Tourist tax.
