Location
Conveniently located in central Tuscany, on a small hill in the Valley of the Arno, the Casa Colonica at il Poggiolo Tuscany is just short drive from both major and minor sites of interest. Florence, Pisa, Siena, Arezzo, Lucca and Cortona are ALL worth day trips. Four towns are nearby: the historic feudal town of Montevarchi is the largest, Levane, Mercatale, and Bucine are smaller but have all the basic shops, and just 15 minutes away is the 13th-century ‘new town’ of San Giovanni Valdarno with a beautiful medieval center. Every town and village has a weekly market, and the larger towns have lovely little museums (from locally found dinosaurs to Renaissance art treasures). Make sure to visit the delightful villages scattered throughout the Valdarno and take the secondary roads that wind through the enchanting landscapes of Tuscany!
Download Driving Directions at the bottom of the page…..
The Upper Valdarno
This is a wine-producing region known as the “Chianti Putto” (with many celebrated “Super-Tuscan” vineyards). It is also known for its olive oil, “Slow Food” specialties, neighbourhood pizzerie and gourmet restaurants.
Designer outlets (Prada, Barbarino Village, Valdichiana Outlet Village etc.) in the area.
Prize-winning Gelaterie – such as the internationaly renowned “Carabè” which seems to be in the middle of nowhere, but it is worth a special trip!
Weekly Markets for local produce, cheese, fish and meat, clothing, handbags, kitchenware and so on:
- Montevarchi – Thursday AM
- San Giovanni Valdarno – Saturday AM
Supermarkets – almost every town has its “Coop” supermarket which is a real cooperative. You will get friendly service there, and a personal touch missing in bigger stores. Most Coops carry a selection of local wines …. at local prices!
…And don’t miss the marvellous Antique market – Mercato dell’Antiquariato – in Arezzo first weekend of every month.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS – The CASA COLONICA at il Poggiolo Tuscany is 3 km from Bucine on dirt roads so BEST REACHED BY ANOTHER ROUTE:
• Exit the A-1 at Valdarno, put “via di Caposelvi” (at intersection with via Aretina) in your navigator/map
• Take ‘via di Caposelvi’. After circa 2 km turn left over the little Campitello/il Poggio bridge (there are lots of little bridges, look for the signs)
• Drive up and curve left under the hamlet in front of you (= Mulin di Dino, no sign but it is on Google Maps) and continue on the paved road up through the woods ca. 500 mt to il Poggiolo Tuscany (several curves – use your horn!).
• Almost immediately upon coming out of the woods you will see cypress trees and the big triangular landmark stone on your LEFT. Turn onto the driveway and take the middle branch (see photo below) – you have arrived!!!
Be aware that there can be traffic jams both around Florence and in the Valdarno in rush hours, and calculate ample travel time. Please plan to arrive the first time in FULL DAYLIGHT as country landmarks are extremely difficult to see at dusk (and practically impossible at night).
Check-in can happen anytime between 14:00-20:00 but PLEASE LET ME KNOW THE DAY BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL your estimated arrival time so that someone will be available to greet you !!
(cellphone text message, WhatsApp or email all OK):
Tel: +39-348.605.7338 Email: poggiolotuscany@gmail.com
Please allow a few minutes immediately upon arrival (all members of your party please) for a quick introduction to the quirks of the house!!!
• At check-in all members of your group (even babies) must provide the original of their Passport or EU identity card for registration.
• Bucine municipal ‘Imposta di Soggiorno’ (€6 tourist tax per guest over age 11) due in cash at check-in (if not already paid via reservation portal)
• WiFi access code provided upon completion of check-in.
There will be some snacks and a bottle of wine in the welcome basket. Il Poggiolo Tuscany strongly recommends that you arrive and check-in before going to a local, user friendly cooperative supermarket in Levane (easy 8 min. drive, look up Coop Levane on your navigator, very nice staff) – good basic selection of produce, meats, dry goods and wines. https://www.cooplevane.it/
I warmly suggest you download and print this page. Il Poggiolo Tuscany is on Google Maps (look for “il Poggiolo Tuscany, Bucine) and on Google Earth (as “Il Poggiolo Holidays in Tuscany.” Coordinates : 43°29’36″N 11°35’37”E. Google Maps will take you over 3 km of country roads so better to follow these directions!!
If you message me on WhatsApp I can send you a Live location map. (+39 348 605 7338)
Loc. Il Poggiolo 79 (Fraz Torre), Bucine (AR) 52021, ITALY
