The countryside has a unique character of exceptional beauty

by Stéphanie and Jean-François, Belgium

Originally published on Slow Travel

The house is located in Civitella Marittima in Maremma, a nature preserve area. The hills, with their wheat fields and olive groves, give the countryside a unique character of exceptional beauty. The towns, mostly perched on the hilltops, are very picturesque with their winding lanes.

###Nearby Amenities

The village offers a grocery, a bakery, a cafe, and a florist, as well as restaurants. Some supermarkets are located a few kilometers away.

###The House/Apartment

The house itself is quite an old structure typical of the area. The location is very peaceful. The house includes 4 rooms: the kitchen, which provides all the necessary equiptment and a fireplace; the bedroom, with a double bed, a wardrobe, a dresser, and towels; the living room, with two sofas and a stereo system; the bathroom, with sink, shower, bidet and toilet. The house also has a small laundry room with a washing machine, an iron, etc. Everything is in impeccable condition. At the entrance is a very nice little terrace equipped with garden chairs, a table and a barbecue. The two jasmine plants which adorn the door give the house a poetic character and an unforgettable fragrance.

###Garden

The house doesn’t include a garden, but do you need one when the region consists of a huge nature preserve?

###Furnishings/Cleanliness/Living Areas

The house provides all the conveniences. It is very clean and in very good condition.

###Bedrooms/Bathrooms

The bedroom is very pretty, with its large iron-framed bed, very comfortable, and its Tuscan style armoires. The bathroom is completely new, only the shower is a little cramped.

###Kitchen

The kitchen includes all necessary equipment (plates, placemats, glasses, casseroles, etc.), as well as essential supplies: sugar, coffee, salt, pepper, spices, oil, vinegar, …

In addition, a welcome basket filled with local products awaits your arrival on the first day.

###Problems or Bonuses

The olive oil was delicious. The basket of local products is a very good thing for those arriving late after a long trip.

###Agency and Representatives (and price)

Gloria and Marcel are great people: very likeable, they speak Italian, French and English. The web site they have created for the house represents it very accurately.

###Do you recommend this vacation rental to others?

We wholeheartedly recommend this house: we were extremely happy with it, we had some very nice times there, living in the rhythm of the local people. It is ideally located for excursions in the region.

###Things to do in this area

Places to visit: Siena, Florence, downtown Grossetto, Castiglione della Pescaia, Campagnatico, the ruins of Roselle, Massa Marittima, …

We liked the seaside at Castiglione della Pescaia better than at Follonica. A very good restaurant: il Poggio Caiano à Campagnatico.