Surroundings of "Villa di Meleto"

Fattoria's location is ideal for those visiting Tuscany; Siena, Pisa and Volterra are all 50 km away. There are also a number of small towns nearby with plenty of Tuscan charm: Vinci, Certaldo Alto, San Gimignano, San Miniato and Empoli. The beaches of the Mediterranean are less than an hour's drive away. Should you prefer to relax and enjoy Tuscany’s landscapes, then you may wish to walk, hike or mountain bike along the via Francigena which was once one of medieval Europe's most important pilgrimage routes. Via Francigena leads right past Fattoria di Meleto.

It goes without saying that one may simply relax in a deck chair or sit at a set table and enjoy the view of Tuscany's hills. A large supermarket in Castelfiorentino, two discount markets along with a number of local weekly markets will cover all of your shopping needs.

Other Activities in the surroundings: Fishing, Swimming, Golf, Running, Mountain biking (bicycle rentals in Castelfiorentino), Riding, Tennis, Walking (please inquiry for details)

Activities at Meleto: Outdoor Pool, foodball playing field, large game of chess in the park

Culinary pleasures and refreshments

If you would also like to try your hand at Tuscan culinary art, there are good possibilities for shopping in the local area. In Castelfiorentino (8 km away) you will find a very well-stocked supermarket with fresh vegetables, fruit, meat, seafood and many specialties of Tuscan cuisine. At Lido, a small grocery store located in a nearby village (approximately 3-4 km away), you can also go shopping on Sunday and until late in the evening. Smaller and larger farmers' markets are held almost daily in one of the surrounding towns. If you would like to barbecue, a barbecue grill – offering a splendid view of Tuscany – is available to you. If you don't feel up to cooking, we would be happy to reveal to you the right regional restaurant for your tastes. There is something for every palate and budget, ranging from the uncomplicated and low-priced pizzeria on the next hillside to the typical Tuscan trattoria in Corazzano, on to the first-class restaurant in Certaldo Alto.

Personal Atmosphere

The owners of Meleto have taken great care to preserve a typical mixture of an imposing aristocratic country manor and a Tuscan fattoria which is still used for agriculture. In this way, Meleto is more than a sterile vacation complex, run by some anonymous corporation. On the contrary, it is place in which the family has been living for centuries. Meleto's personal and individual character has been helped by the many regular guests who have been returning for years. They have become household friends and continue to pass the tip onto friends. Meleto offers both sociability and tranquility. Meet new people in the common areas or retreat into your own individual realm. The property is so spacious that every body will be able to find his or her own solitary space. Do you dream of a wedding in the land where the lemon trees blossom? We can make the villa, the park and our holiday flats available for your wedding . All you have say is "Yes, I do"! We take care of the rest, including: the formalities, accommodations for your guests, the wedding banquet, the photographer, the music, the flowers, the hairdresser...and, above all else: a heavenly atmosphere!

Running in Tuscany

Have you ever been running in Tuscany? The rolling hills and mild climate provide perfect training grounds throughout the year. Even during July and August, the mornings and evenings offer sufficient room to enjoy the Tuscan landscape in a very different way. A medieval pilgrimage route leads past Meleto: via Francigena. It is little travelled, a bit hilly, and unpaved. It takes you from the front door past pines and olives, vineyards, crops of sunflowers, fields and forests. Should you prefer a flat surface to run on, it is possible to traverse the Elsa Valley beneath the hill, from which you can admire Meleto from below. For conditioned runners, it is possible to combine both routes without having to spend much time on asphalt roads. Don't forget your running shoes!

Golf-Informationen

Golf: There are two golf clubs in the area around Meleto. The Fontevivo Golf Club (San Miniato) is located about 10 km away. It has a small, 9-hole, 62 par course. A bit further (about 30 km), you'll arrive at the Montelupo Golf Club (9-holes, 36 par). Additional information about facilities, location or e-mail addresses, can be found on the internet, under the names of the respective clubs. We are, of course, happy to help our guests with reservations, concrete inquiries, etc.

Horseback riding lessons and rides in the local area

In Castelnuovo d'Elsa, which is not far away from Meleto, Foresto – an experienced riding instructor – offers you the opportunity to experience Tuscany from the back of a horse. In his riding stable "La Quercia" he also offers riding instruction for beginners, either individually or in a group.

Tennis

We would be happy to reserve tennis court time for you at the tennis club of Castelfiorentino. As the tennis club closes for two weeks in summer, we would recommend that you inquire with us prior to you taking your holiday, so that you don't take along your tennis racquet for nothing.

Fishing

The Elsa river flows along the foot of our hill. Roughly 5 km away from Meleto there is a large fishing area where local fishermen meet and tournaments are held. You can unbureaucratically obtain a fishing licence by simply paying a fee at the local post office. In Santa Barbara (approximately 15 km away) you can also visit a private fishing lake.