The true Tuscany - food, wine, oil, views, pool, hospitality, sports and relaxation

Il Pozzo is a wonderfully cosy holiday retreat for those of you looking for an authentic place for the whole family. Here you stay in peaceful, scenic countryside surroundings – yet only 2–3 km from the small town of Subbiano in the tranquil Casentino Valley. Il Pozzo sits high on the hillside, about 350 metres above sea level, with the River Arno flowing below. The lush landscape is inviting and beautiful, and you are right on the doorstep of a large nature park. In Subbiano you’ll find supermarkets and restaurants, and there is also a train station.

Both extravergin olive oil, wine, jams and saffron are produced here at Il Pozzo – a source of great pride for the family – and of course you’ll have the chance to taste and buy them to take home.

If you holiday here, you’ll experience a very welcoming host family, with Carla very much setting the tone. The excellent food quickly becomes a central part of your stay, as a few times a week they serve a delicious spread of Tuscan dishes based on great local ingredients. Remember to sign up for these evenings, as it’s not something offered to just anyone – it’s a service for you as guests.

The restaurant at Il Pozzo

The restaurant is charmingly rustic, with stone floors and stone walls, and an open fireplace that is lit during the colder months. It is open about three times a week during mid and high season, with the family cooking for you and your family. As mentioned, the restaurant and meals are only for the “Il Pozzo family” – meaning the guests staying at the property. You’ll be served traditional Tuscan food made with care, following the seasons and whatever produce is at its best. In the summer months, meals are enjoyed outside at the long communal table. During reception opening hours, you can also pop in for a lovely hot espresso or a creamy cappuccino, the true Italian way.

Of course, you can also choose to cook in your own kitchen and perhaps use the outdoor grill for dinner under the open sky. When you cook for yourselves, you can make use of the opportunity to pick supplies from the vegetable garden, which provides sun-ripened tomatoes and herbs – and whatever else happens to be in season.

Description of the holiday apartments

Il Pozzo has a long history and consists of four buildings, housing nine comfortable holiday apartments, the restaurant and the olive mill. Il Pozzo is a family project, and you’ll get close to the owners and their everyday life in a relaxed way.

Each apartment is thoughtfully furnished, and many of the pieces have real character, having been in Carla’s family for generations. The colours throughout also create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The nine apartments are all quite different, but they all have air conditioning and an open fireplace. One thing I know you appreciate is good outdoor space – and you’ll have that here too, as each apartment has its own area with a table and chairs. Surrounding Il Pozzo are woods, meadows and terraces with olive groves and fruit trees, and some apartments are close to the forest with their own terrace beneath the trees. It’s genuinely cosy.

Behind the apartments you’ll find a large swimming pool (9 x 16 m, depth 60–250 cm), plus a small children’s area (4 x 4 m, 60 cm deep). If you feel like being active, there are plenty of options: a playground, table tennis, a boccia court and many trails inviting you to cycle, run and hike.

The surrounding area

If you’d like to explore the area with the help of a guide, Carla is happy to arrange guided tours on foot, by bike – and even on horseback.

Arezzo is only about 12 km from Il Pozzo, and if you haven’t visited yet, it’s time. The town has a lovely centre with shops and restaurants, and Piazza Grande in the heart of the city is steeped in history. Once a month, the famous antiques market spreads through Arezzo’s streets around this square every 1st Sunday of the month and the Saturday before.

When you stay in the eastern part of Tuscany, it’s also ideal to visit Umbria – for example the jazz festival in Perugia or a trip to Assisi. You can take exciting drives up through the Casentino Valley towards Poppi and the Casentino Nature Park, with its high mountains and stunning scenery. You’re also not far from Cortona, which is my personal favourite town, with narrow lanes, interesting shops and a wonderful atmosphere.