Castello di Montalto - San Giovanni Ovest

Staying at the Montalto Castle was truly a fairy tale ... everything about it was amazing. Driving down the forested road and seeing the castle come into view was breathtaking. Everyone was so warm and welcoming and helped to make our stay a magical one. The estate was gorgeous and lush and extremely well maintained. Our suite was amazing, and everything was provided to help make our stay at the castle perfect. I have been recommending the castle since the day we arrived and will continue to do so for a long time to come. We can not wait to visit again.

What a beautiful and comfortable castle. Pool tennis court and hikes are highlights. The apartment had great beds, nice living room, nice kitchen- perfect for 3 or 4. Centrally located for short trips throughout region.

Stayed here with another couple in La Fattoria - two bedrooms, one bath, kitchen & sitting room - & it was ideal, plenty of room for 4 adults. The whole property is stunning but at the same time very homelike, & the pool especially welcome during a long hot summer week! Very close to Siena & the hill towns of Tuscany if you want to sightsee, & a beautiful place to relax if you need a break from the tourist round. Chiara, the manager, is very helpful & happy to book tours, excursions & reservations at local restaurants. We look forward to returning!

Stayed here with my two adult siblings and our father on a recent trip to Italy. Everything about the property exceeded our expectations and we could not have asked for a better base location for our first trip to Tuscany. Explored Siena, Florence, Chianti, Pienza, Montalcino and endless miles of the countryside during our stay here. Our hosts were of great help in suggesting itineraries and practical tips for our day trips. Pictures and description are accurate but don't do justice to the beauty and unique character of this property. Hope to return soon.

Occasionally you find an idylic vacation setting. Occassionally you find real value. This propery has both. The castle is magical and beautifully maintained. The owners are on-site and accessible. The atmosphere is casual and authentic. The Fattoria has two lovely bedrooms, a fierplace that works as well as it looks and plenty of room for four, a bath and a kitchen. If you add the annex (same entrance) six have room to ramble and eight can fit comfortably. Montalto is an easy drive from Siena, Firenza, Montepulciana and Pienza, among many other beutiful spots. The nearby town of Castlenuevo De Berardenga has several terrific restaurants serving authentic Tuscan and Northern Italian cuisine. Don't miss the very resonably priced wine offered by the owners which is some of the best Chianti at any price. The self serve Breakfast is a very casual affair in either the dining room or on the terrace overlooking the beautiful valley betwen Montalto and the neighboring castle on the hill, Montebenici. One can swim, Play bocce ( a must) Horseback ride or just enjoy the Tuscan beauty. A very real and soul soothing experience.

Staying in this castle was the highlight of our families' recent trip to the Tuscany region of Italy. We arrived on our daughters 18th birthday and discovered Diana had a birthday cake for her. We used the castle as our home-base while we toured the surrounding countryside and small towns. Recommendations provided by Alexander in regard to sights to see, dining and especially navigation were spot on. We chose to take advantage of the optional breakfast and it was a great way to start the day. When the day came for us to leave, all we could think about is when are planning on coming back? Warm and gracious hosts along with the beauty of the Tuscany region - you couldn't ask for anything better! We are counting the days until we can return.

Four of us (Australians) stayed for two wonderful weeks at Montalto castle in the Tower (Torre Del Vescovo). The accomodation was exactly as described on the website. We could find no fault at all. The choice of furniture and decorations was like stepping back in time but with all the modern conveniences of today; fully functional and clean bathrooms, and a very well equipped kitchen. We spent many an hour walking the gardens and grounds of the castle and were delighted with fresh produce available from the vegetable garden. Our hosts Giovanni and Diana and their Jack of all Trades lessandro were extremely amenable, nothing was too much trouble for them and we delighted in hearing of the long history of Montalto. The castle is only 20 minutes drive from Bucine train station, which meant we could catch the train for our trips to Florence, Venice and Rome. The nearest town for groceries is only about 15 minutes away and a wonderful restaurant very reasonably priced, and very popular with both locals and tourists is but a 5 minute drive away. We had a wonderful stay and continue to recommend Montalto Castle to our friends. Hopefully one day we will return; many thanks to Giovanni and Diana for allwoing us to share their home.

Our family of four stayed at Castello Montalto this Spring. It was everything they described at their website and more. The location was perfect and close to everywhere we wanted to go.The accomodations were clean and extremely tuscan rustic. It really felt like we were staying in a castle (which it is). More importantly it was child friendly. Our children had lots of places to run and explore. They would have preferred staying at the castle over visiting the sights of Tuscany!! They wanted to take Leo, the German Shepard, home with them! The owners were extemely charming and invited us all into their home for tea. Seeing the original living quarters of the castle was a treat all in itself. The manager, Alex, was extemely helpful and always ready with directions, maps and restaurant recommendation.