Location, location, location. Simply put, a beautiful place in a beautiful setting. This 500 year old villa is handsomely appointed, providing stunning vistas and ideally located. Combine all of this with caring owners and you have found your vacation getaway residence.
Siena is just a 10 minute drive from this hilltop villa. The driveway to the residence is pleasantly secluded. You pass the Certano family homestead on the way in. Visiting the Villa Certano Agriturismo is a must, where they sell wine and olive oil produced onsite.
Endless rows of grape vines surrounded by olive tree orchards provide an amazing view. The scenery is so magnificent, no photo or artist could do it justice.
The home itself is immaculately maintained. The woodwork is deep, beautiful and old. The windows,engineering marvels, are not only beautiful, but critical in maintaining comfortable temperatures.
The villa easily accommodates 8 guests. The main dining area is reminiscent of King Arthur. There is a small porch where you can sit and admire the scenery. The kitchen has modern appliances. We enjoyed the scenery and ambiance so much, that we prepared dinner at home each night of our 2 week stay. Outside there is a stone patio with an outdoor eating table and awesome views. There is also a large stone pizza oven. We made use of it and cooked several pizzas. The experience was memorable.
Belvedere is perfectly situated for day trips to Montepulciano, San Gimignano and the amazingly scenic Montalcino, each about an hour drive by car. However, driving in Italy can be confusing and frustrating. We strongly recommend a GPS or data plan for your smart phone. You will not regret it.
The last true asset of Belvedere is Gianna the caretaker. She is extremely helpful and a truly lovely lady. Purchase the welcome dinner. This is a must! My wife and I have tasted many different variations of lasagna. Gianna's was the absolute best.
There are a few drawbacks. The WiFi can be iffy at times, however, Gianna was able to keep us connected most of the time. Belvedere does not have a pool so you will need to occupy yourself eating savory Italian food, drinking excellent local wines and admiring artwork by mankind's greatest masters. Also, there is no clothes dryer. However, there is a washer and plenty of Tuscan breezes to dry your laundry. All in all, a beautiful place in a beautiful setting. Kick back, relax and enjoy it!