Rates include kitchenware, sheets and towels (exchanged weekly), water, gas and electricity, heating, firewood, use of the comunal sport activities, normal final cleaning and all taxes.
For those interested in outdoor activities, as well as a large swimming pool, we have a tennis court, bocce ball, ping pong, bicycles, a small children’s playground, and maps of the many trails through fields and woods around the castle.
A common room, the Scrittoio, has parlour games and a multi-lingual library.
In our office you will find sight-seeing brochures and magazines offering information on the area. We try to keep updated on the many things to do in the surroundings such as concerts, special events, etc (you may check the To do in the area page for an overview), and we will be happy to provide the assistance you may need in obtaining tickets and often discounts. In the office you can also purchase postcards and stamps, local handcrafts, or our extra virgin olive oil to bring back home with you. And there is a computer with Internet access for you to check your email (although the connection is not extremely fast).
The following services are also available:
Breakfast: All houses have fully equipped independent kitchens, but for those who wish to take advantage of it we offer a generous buffet breakfast (at a small extra charge), served informally from 8:30 to 11 every morning.
Cooked meals: For people who occasionally want to eat at home without cooking we can have simple meals prepared and brought to your house by a local cook. The price will vary according to the menu.
Farm products: Montalto has its own organic vegetable garden. In season its products are available at nominal cost, along with farm-produced extra-virgin olive oil, eggs, honey, and wine from the region.
Bread: The baker from a nearby village brings fresh bread every morning at 10 a.m., and can leave one or more loaves for your house if you request it.
Wine: Red and white table wine from a family-owned vineyard is available for purchase.
Restaurants: an informative guide to the many local restaurants has been compiled for you, and it is kept up to date by the experience of our guests.
Guided tours: in your house or apartment you will find a booklet with some
suggestions about the most interesting art towns and monuments in the area.
There is a good selection of guide books for you to borrow in the Scrittoio room.
Every Tuesday afternoon we offer a free guided walking tour of Siena.
We can also organize private guided day tours for small groups, with an emphasis on art,
history, nature or the wines of the Chianti and Brunello regions, following your
personal interests and taste.
Transportation: If you need transportation to or from the airport at Florence, Pisa or Rome, we can organize the service for you - probably at a lower rate than you would be charged if you did it yourself.
Italian lessons: A short practical lesson in basic Italian can be arranged for English-speaking foreigners.
Cooking class: Hands-on cooking classes can be organized at Montalto for 2 to 12 participants, preparing a typical Tuscan meal and enjoying it together at the end of the lesson. The price will vary according to the number of participants.
Horse-back riding: On the border of our property there is an excellent riding school and equestrian center where you can take lessons and guided horseback tours (they also have a summer camp for children in June).
SPA: For those interested in hot springs, at 12 km from Montalto there are thermal pools and spa services, particularly nice in the cooler season and at night, for which we have discounted tickets available.
The Polo Club, less than 10 minutes' drive from Montalto, has regular matches.
Golf can be practiced at a half hour's drive, and there is a particularly beautiful course about an hour away.