Tancredi

How to describe this remote restaurant in the Tuscan countryside, Murlo is one of the many hamlets that you can find off from the ancient Cassia road that leads from Siena to Rome …? SURREAL? This is probably the appropriate term to describe this place.

Perhaps because you’ll see and hear colors, sounds and smells that you thought no longer existed, immersed in a place unchanged by time and make you feel so far away from your world, but more than ever with our feet on the ground; or maybe because the place has always been managed by the legendary Brunello, with his beautiful Nigerian wife Stella.

It’s a mix between a bar, a typical Tuscan inn and a country house, where you’ll probably have lunch in the veranda among the spices planted in the garden and washed table cloths spread out in the sun to dry which Stella will collect while singing songs from her homeland ; or maybe because here you can still savor the delicious traditional homemade food served in large bowls and without too many choices (you eat what they cook for you), among which dominates the wild boar: in the ragù, roasted and in sauce – hunted and cooked by the man Brunello himself.

This is the philosophy that I’ve seen here: the concepts of “kindness, service, family atmosphere” are not contemplated, Brunello and Stella come as they are, as God made ​them. The place is, as mentioned, very special and not everyone will like it but if you’re in the area and want to feel the “Tuscan soul” you shouldn’t miss this experience.
I have to take my kids there soon.

The cosy town of Murlo in Tuscany is conveniently situated less than twenty kilometres south of Siena and would make for an excellent day trip! Close to the tourist towns of Montalcino and Buonconvento, Murlo is a tiny Orange Flag town, tucked into a forested countryside.

Surrounded by lots of lovely rivers and streams, Murlo is a natural haven brimming with wildlife and colourful vegetation. Tourists would thoroughly love walking along peaceful trails here and capturing the views of the area on their cameras.

Stay in a peaceful villa in Lupompesi, only four kilometres away from Murlo where you can easily explore this beautiful part of Tuscany.

If you enjoy learning about exciting stories passed down through history then you’d thoroughly enjoy visiting Crevole castle in the province of Siena to hear about the terrifying legend of the Howling bishop! There is a wealth of tuscan vacation rentals available in this picturesque area to stay in and tour around the castle where this story was born.

Donosdeo Malavolti was a well known bishop in the dioceses of Siena in the 14th century. His religious territory included Crevole castle that was often the scene of many battles between Florence and Siena. His interests leaned more towards fighting on the battlefields to defend his people rather than acting as their religious preacher. He was highly respected and many loyally followed his military plans. He ordered for the castle’s defences to be strengthened and used all his power in the church to build his forces against Florence. Anyone who disputed his tactics were threatened and silenced very quickly.

Near the unusual geological formation of Crete Senesi in Siena is the quaint little town of Monteroni d’Arbia. Only thirteen kilometres south-east of Siena, this town took its name from a tributary river of the River Ombrone called the Arbia torrent.

Stay in a pretty villa in Siena with a swimming pool to experience the very best of what this province has to offer you!

This would be an excellent stop off on a tour of the towns in the Crete Senesi area such as Asciano and San Giovanni d’Asso.

While you’re here, take a look at the ancient Pieve of St. John the Baptist, dating as far back as 1031. It’s a classic example of Roman architecture and houses some elaborate artworks inside such as several canvases by Alessandro Casolari.

Italy is home to lots and lots of pretty little historic villages and those that are set amongst the rolling hills, lines of cypresses, and vineyards of the Tuscan countryside are especially charming. In fact, the most beautiful villages in the country are officially awarded with this title and can be readily found listed online. However, if you were thinking about booking a luxury villa in Siena and spending time exploring the wider area of the province, then we have a suggestion of one such town to pencil into your plans: the impossibly lovely medieval walled town of Buonconvento.