Our home is a restored stone house in a walking-only community in the country. It has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms on two levels with a fully equipped kitchen and comfortable living spaces. The home has old-style terra-cotta tiles, stucco walls, chestnut wood beams making for a very charming Tuscan get-away. It is a simple, comfortable and tasteful space. The Sogna community shares a large outdoor pool just a minute walk from the house. The space The house is surrounded by lush greenery, including native oak forest and planted fruit trees, including figs, pear, apricot, almonds and olive. The entire community has been restored with stone and grass walking paths. All electrical lines are underground. Sogna is a quiet community, a great place to relax in the garden or at the pool, out in the country. There is great walking from this hilltop town, but if you want cafes, restaurants you need to drive at least 10 minutes. We are off paved roads so be prepared for several kilometers of gravel road, including an uphill climb (there is an alternative road if you're uncomfortable). Siena is 35 minutes and Florence is an hour and 10 minutes away. Guest access Guest have the full use of the house's first and second floors, and are welcome to walk throughout the community, enjoy the pool and tennis court. Note the pool is available mid-April through September 30 (perhaps later). There is a small apartment on the ground floor that has a separate entrance and mostly unoccupied. When guests are downstairs we share the garden and have separate sitting areas. Other things to note Things to Do While Staying in Sogna Walking — There are numerous walks directly from Sogna either along roads or trails, and pick up our copy of Walking in Tuscany and head off for the day. There is a 9-km walk from Sogna to two surrounding communities (link). If you’d like a guide, try Walking in Etruia or Walk About Italy. Biking — There are many bike and eBike rental shops in Tuscany, especially near the more popular tourist destinations. In addition, a number of shops will deliver bikes to you. We will soon have a bike rack and bikes to use at Sogna, but not yet. You might try either Tuscany eBike Rental in Gaiole in Chianti or Bike Riding Tuscany in Rapolano Terme. Cultural Tours — It is hard to know where to start, if it’s your first visit to Tuscany try starting in Siena, and then consider other destinations such as Arezzo, San Gimignano or Pienza. If you’re looking for a guide, take a look at this association of guides (....(dot) guidesiena (dot) it/en/. Restaurants — As you might expect there are lots of options for eating out in Ambra ( a 10 min. drive): For morning coffee in Ambra try Bar Della Piazza or dinner in Ambra at Alla Corte Di Bacio which is excellent and has a nice outdoor dining area, or after a long day there is take out pizza available at Cuor di Pizza di Foggi Alessandro. Siena has numerous restaurants and many other nearby communities have lunch or dinner spots worth trying. One place we loved is in Locanda nel Cassero in Civitella Marittima (a 60 min. drive). Wine Tasting & Cooking Lessons — There are lots of wineries to visit and you’ll find a full list at the house, a number of these wineries also feature restaurants and cooking lessons, one example is Badia a Coltibuono just a 50 minute drive from Sogna. Shopping — No shortage of places to shop whether you enjoy going full bore at the Mall Luxury Outlet with numerous designer brands 50 minutes by car, a bit closer are outlets in Montevarchi (25 minutes), or Siena has plentiful shopping including a nice shop featuring artisanal products: Antique Markets — The Fiera Antiquaria held in Arezzo every first Sunday of the month is one of Italy’s best antique fairs. The 500-plus vendors on site offer just about everything: violins, Roman coins, former church candelabras, vintage watches, Art Deco objects, nineteenth-century dining tables, and Murano glass vases. Arrive early to get first dibs. There are other markets throughout the region (see list at the house). Music and Cultural Festivals — During summer there are numerous music and cultural festivals in Tuscany, and given the changing calendar it is best to search and find events that coincide with your visit. Birding & Nature Walks — Aside from walking the roads and paths around Sogna, there are several nature reserves in Arezzo Province, including Valle dell’Inferno e Bandella along the Arno River (30 minutes) or Riserva Naturale Lago di Montepulciano (1 hour). The company Walking in Etruria has natural history and birding guides available for day trips. Registration Details IT051005C2ZD8AKOBJ