My husband and I had a wonderful bicycle and wine tasting trip in southern tuscany. We stayed at the Le Macianaie, and it was great. It's a family run lodge that provides incredible service in an area not overrun with tourists. Every morning Francesco would meet with us to plan our bicycle route for the day. The route was personalized to our abilities and interests, with maps provided. There was always a phone number provided in case we wanted an early "pick up", or decided to laze away an afternoon in a hill town. Our 4 course meals (part of our package) were fantastic. We had chestnut gnocchi with wild boar, fresh pastas, desserts, wines....all wonderful.
Our room was spacious, as was our private bath. The staff could not have been more gracious, warm and helpful. They made you feel like part of their family. It's a wonderful location if you enjoy the outdoors; or enjoy tuscany, but would like a less "touristy" location.

Le Macinaie, which means the chestnut mill, is a hidden jewel in Tuscany. It is situated fairly high on Mt. Amiata--a region that merits exploring and It is close to so many great spots--Montalcino, the beaches, Pienza and the Maremma and Massa Marittima.
The staff at Le Macinaie makes the stay like being with beloved family members. And the food is second to none. Using only regional ingredients, their meals are favuloso. Their zuppa di fungi, or mushroom soup, justifies a trip to Le Macinaie if for no other reason. The setting is that of a peaceful, quiet retreat in the mountain's forests and staying there is restful and restoring, yet activities such as hiking and biking abound.

Our Tuscan vacation was centered at Le Macinaie, on the slopes of Monte Amiata. Wonderful staff, food and accommodations. The meals and wine were perfectly matched as was the attentive staff, who could not have been more friendly.

By basing our Tuscany day trips from Le Macinaie Lodge, we visited the wines country of Montepulicano and Montacino, plus a wonderful day trip to Siena and Cortona. Highly recommend this Lodge and his staff. A special treat was a terrificcycling guide for a day into the wine country.

This location will surprise you in many ways. The area is truly beautiful and the family atmosphere will make you want to return again and again.
The forest location is best described as the doorstep of Enid Blyton's enchanted forest. The area is unspoiled by tourists but rich in culture and history back to the Etruscan era. Visitors are amazed that they have nearby villages to themselves instead of being caught up with tourist throngs further North in Tuscany. The countryside exhibits a huge variation from vineyards to olive groves, fruit trees, chestnut woods and beech forests and the classic rolling hills of Tuscany. The hospitality of the Lodge is akin to staying with a wonderful Italian family (English is also spoken) and the chef's have all been trained by a master holding an "oscar" for Tuscan food. Evening meals are a banquet with beautifully set tables served with a medley of local speciality dishes and wines from the area including the famous Brunello di Montalcino brand. The Lodge can arrange all kinds of visits within the local area and also offer, cycle tours, motorcycle trips, walking, hiking, horse riding and many other activities. The quality of the overall experience is best explained by the emotion of sadness at leaving a wonderful home and family at the end of your stay. Returning is like coming home to loving family.