Corniano Vacanze

The setting is lovely if you want a quiet place in the Tuscan countryside, and as a self-catering house it does the basic job. There’s clearly potential here. The garden, terrace and grounds are pleasant, though bits look neglected, with rubbish and broken or dirty pipes and grates left around. The communal kitchen was the bigger problem for us. The cutlery drawers were dusty and grimy enough that we washed the knives and utensils as soon as we arrived. Even at a low price, I expect basic hygiene and a chair that lets you sit at a normal height, not almost level with the table. It didn’t need luxury furnishings, but the upkeep fell short.

We had our wedding reception here and loved the setting, with its breathtaking view and beautiful atmosphere. We didn’t stay overnight, but we did eat there. Silvia, the owner, was so kind and welcoming, and the food was excellent, simple Tuscan cooking with a lovely rustic, home-style feel.

We came for dinner twice and were the only guests both evenings, which was a shame. The place is a little out of the way, but very idyllic, and the view more than makes up for the simple decor. There’s no printed menu, the owner recites what’s available. Both times, the pasta of the day was excellent and the Bistecca Fiorentina was sensational. With two bottles of wine, two starters, steak, salad and potatoes, plus two grappas and two espressos, the bill still came to under €50.

San Miniato is gorgeous, and the area around it is beautiful. The pool was the best part for us. Getting to the house means driving along a typical Italian country road, so some experience behind the wheel helps ;)