Agriturismo Podere Assolatina

It’s clean, but a closer look shows obvious signs that upkeep has been neglected for a while. Breakfast is meager, with no savory choices. The place feels much less impressive than the website suggests, so don’t rely on those photos.

The views are enchanting, and the property itself is clean, with some rooms renovated and others not. Breakfast is adequate. Getting there, though, was a real struggle: the road is very steep and badly damaged in places, and our car skidded several times while climbing.

Claudio, the owner, made us feel very welcome and was so friendly. Having a voucher for free access to the Fonteverde thermal pools was a real plus. It’s a peaceful spot in the Tuscan hills, a lovely break from city chaos. I’ll definitely return!

The garden is lovely, and the bathroom is spacious. The rooms were clean too, but nobody mentioned that the place only sleeps two, not four. The bedroom is fine, but the sofa bed is worse than sleeping on the floor. My head, torso, and feet all ended up at different heights, like a woman being cut apart in a magic show. You’re lying straight on the wooden bed frame, anyone over 6'1" won’t fit, and the pillow is thinner than a sheet of Fabriano drawing paper. Finding the place is easy enough because there are signs. Reaching it is another story. The beautiful cypress-lined ramp has to be climbed in first gear, over potholes that you have to dodge to avoid getting stuck. If your car survives the ride bouncing like a rabbit, you’ve made it. An electrical problem left us with two packaged biscuits, an iced coffee, and lukewarm milk for breakfast. Starting the day tired and hungry with dark circles under your eyes isn’t great. I wish I could say otherwise, but I can’t.