Independent Stays at Pieve a Castello

Stay independently in this unique Residenza d’Epoca, originally an 8th century Augustinian canonry complex now restored to an award-winning standard, located in idyllic countryside between Florence & Siena in central Italy.

• Enjoy ‘Tuscany’s best’

• Enjoy the serviced ‘home from home’ ambiance of this exclusive retreat

• Enjoy the area’s incomparably rich range of World Heritage offerings

• Relax, walk, swim or take the ‘shuttle to visit…’

• Easy walking with a wide choice of paths and options

• Stay full board and enjoy Tuscan cuisine and wines

Open: 27 Feb - 20 Dec 2027

Price: from £185 per person per night

Trip Type: Independent

Country: Italy

Airport: Pisa or Florence

Grade: Easy Walking

Your Stay at Pieve a Castello

With no set itinerary, you are completely free to plan your stay as you wish. The Pieve a Castello Client Services Co-ordinator will brief you on available activities and opportunities. So whether you would like to walk, rent an e-bike, take a wine tour, or enjoy world-renowned works of art, it is all there waiting for you!

Shuttle excursions to the local town are offered enabling you to take day trips further afield by bus or train.

We offer self-guided Discovering walks of local Colle di Val d’Elsa, San Gimignano and Siena as well as a collection of self-guided walks from Pieve a Castello to suit all, many short and easy, others of up to 7 hours.

Pieve a Castello is an ideal place to stay at any time of year, enjoy glorious summer mornings, idyllic evenings, the shaded terraces for relaxing, the travertine lined pool for swimming – and very effective air-con to ensure pleasantly cool nights… In Spring and Autumn enjoy warm weather ideal for walking or, as many Tuscans will tell you, ‘the best time is out of season!’ with clear, sunny winter days, crisp star-filled nights with frosts sparkling across the Tuscan landscape…. And discover the great medieval and Renaissance cities, now free of the ‘seasonal’ crowds.

About Pieve a Castello

Pieve a Castello is built around the courtyard of a subsequently demolished castle and is today flanked by a basilica-style proto-Romanesque church, an octagonal baptistery, a three storey casa colonica and some single-storey buildings. These were used in medieval times for accommodating travellers from the nearby Via Francigena (the medieval road to Rome), as accommodation for monks, and, later, as living quarters for farm workers.

Trip Planner

Bedrooms at Pieve a Castello

There are 10 bedrooms at Pieve a Castello, originally used for multiple-occupancy by medieval travellers. In a protected building of this antiquity, every room is different, each with unique features and all with views of the central courtyard and open countryside.

Classic Rooms: Rooms 4, 5, 9 & 10

Superior Rooms: Rooms 3, 7, 8 & 11

Junior Suites: Rooms 1 & 2

Guests will be allocated rooms based on their chosen room type. For guests staying 7 nights or more there is the option to choose a specific room should you wish to, which we will confirm subject to availability.

Room 1: Large, first-floor room with writing room, bath-shower (double/twin)

Room 3: Large, second-floor room with unique shower room (double/twin)

Room 5: Former dovecote on second floor with spacious shower (double)

Room 8: Courtyard room with bath-shower and side door to garden (double/twin)

Room 10: Cosy courtyard room with shower (single room with single bed with no single room supplement)

Room 2: Large, second-floor room with writing room, bath-shower (double/twin)

Room 4: ‘Cosy’ room on second floor with four-poster bed, bath-shower (double)

Room 7: Courtyard room with bath-shower and side door to garden (double/twin)

Room 9: Charming, corner courtyard room with shower (single room, French-sized double bed with no single room supplement)

Room 11: Courtyard room – with writing niche, shower and 8^th-century apse (!) (double)

Meals at Pieve a Castello

Stays at Pieve a Castello are booked on a full-board basis. All meals use the organic produce from the vegetable and herb gardens at Pieve a Castello.

Breakfast: We serve a buffet breakfast which includes local breads and pastries, cereals, yoghurts and a selection of cold meats and cheese.

Dinner: A choice of 2 menus are offered: ‘Traditional’ or ‘Gourmet’, depending on the time of year:

Traditional Menu (available 27 Feb – 29 March, 6 – 19 Apr, 27 Apr – 3 May, 15 – 26 Jun, 4 Jul – 13 Sep, 28 Sep – 6 Oct, 23 Nov – 20 Dec)

This, excellent value, Menu offers examples of Traditional Tuscan cooking – Sustainable, organic, nourishing and delicious! It offers dishes, distinguished by the quality of ingredients, now regarded as ‘Classics’ of Tuscan Cuisine – and typically includes – a pasta, risotto or robust (vegetable) soup, then a traditional meat or fish dish with organically grown vegetables from the gardens, a dessert and local wine (Pieve a Castello is in the Chianti region) in a carafe.

Gourmet Menu – dining in style (available 27 Feb – 20 Dec)

Each week the chef crafts over 50 traditional features of Tuscan Cuisine and matches them to fine wines of the region… to ‘show-case’ the intriguing, exotic, unique and consistently delicious qualities that have earned the cuisine its World-renowned reputation. The Gourmet Menu includes pre-dinner drinks with canapés, and a range of exciting dishes, followed by after-dinner coffee/teas, chocolates and liqueurs. This ‘Dining in style’ menu is included in all Pieve a Castello Escorted itineraries.

If you have opted for the ‘Traditional’ dinner menu, you can always up-grade to the ‘Gourmet’ menu when you are at Pieve a Castello. Just book a day in advance and pay the supplement. You can also up-grade wines at dinner, there is a wine list with a good selection of wines at different prices and you will be charged a supplement.

All wines stocked at Pieve a Castello are free of animal-based products.

Lunch: A light buffet lunch is available daily or if you are planning to go out for the day, you may select ingredients for your packed lunch from the buffet between 9-9.15am. Small individual insulated zipped containers with ice pack will be available for carrying your lunch.

Dietary Restrictions can be catered for, if specified in advance.

Regrettably, it is not possible for guests to ‘self-cater’ using the kitchens at Pieve a Castello. There are strict EU Health & Safety regulations restricting kitchen access, but there is a Guests’ kitchen which can be used on an occasional basis (and left clean and tidy!)

An early supper can be arranged for children.

No refunds are given if guests opt-out of meals or elements of meals.

Staying at Pieve a Castello

Check-in & Check-out: Check-in is after 3.00pm and check-out is by 11.00am. You may, however, arrive before Check-in time, for example for a swim, and stay on for a few hours after checking-out but, for practical and security reasons, only by prior arrangement.

Pool: The pool is open from late April to October inclusive. It is a medium-sized pool (15.7 x 8m / 51.5ft x 26ft) with an approximate depth, from wide curved entrance steps, of (1-1.75m / 3ft 3in – 5ft 9in). It is lined with (non-slip) local Travertine and is surrounded with a special sandstone from Tibet (unique durable non-slip). It has a salt filtration system – the reaction of sunlight on slightly salty water producing a natural chlorine – and water with a ‘silky-softness’. There is no lifeguard so children should be supervised at all times.

Library: Guests are welcome to borrow books from the library. If paperback fiction, you may exchange books with another from the paperback fiction shelves. Hardback and non-fiction publications are the property of Pieve a Castello – and are stocked for the enjoyment of all guests – so please return any hardback or non-fiction books borrowed before you leave.

Music: Guests can play the Bosendorfer Concert Grand Piano. It likes being played – with respect!

WIFI: Free wifi is available.

Heating: The heating at Pieve a Castello is subject to regulation, and is turned on between November and March approx, but there is also a Solar heating system…

Children: are welcome at times when there are no Escorted trips running.

Escorted Trip Activities: Independent guests can stay at Pieve a Castello at times when Escorted trips are running, however, it is not possible to join Escorted group activities. Please see ‘Add-ons’ for information about activities to enhance your independent stay.

Private Bookings: Pieve a Castello can be booked privately for holidays with family and friends and, subject to availability, it is possible to include features and services from Escorted trip itineraries.

Events: Pieve a Castello can be booked for events, such as concerts, conferences, weddings and other events, subject to availability. The church can seat 80+ and the library has a large TV / conference screen, sound system, excellent acoustics and can accommodate 20+ theatre-style.

To maximise your time and enjoyment there is a range of Add-on opportunities available.

Included in your Stay

Free shuttle service: Available to nearby Colle di Val d’Elsa - at 9.30, 12.30 and 6.00pm each day with optional (‘pick-up/drop off’) stops at the Roman Baths and Elsa Cascade (for Elsa River Walk). There are regular bus services from Colle to/from nearby cities such as San Gimignano, Volterra, Siena and Florence.

Self-guided walks: There is a range of short and easy as well as longer walks through wonderful Tuscan countryside – with vineyards, olive groves, riverside paths, and forest tracks, along ancient route connecting Pieve a Castello to nearby medieval villages - and eventually to Rome and the Alps!
The Pieve a Castello route book will be available on arrival with printed, easy-to-follow walking instructions and adjacent map. Alternatively, use our app to navigate using your phone.

Add-ons available at an additional cost

Garden Visit (half-day up to 6 people) £900
Wine tours (half-day up to 6 people) £1200
*Full Guided Itinerary with ATG Leader, Manager & transport: (per day up to 7 people) £2,400
*Full Guided Itinerary with ATG Leader, Manager & transport: (per day 8-16 people) £2,800
Concerts by professional musicians in the church (max 80 people!) c.£900
Bike, e-bike and 'Vespa' scooter hire with a range of options (delivered) £ price on request

*Guests are welcome to choose any published itinerary days within the Escorted Pieve a Castello programme.

All add-ons are subject to availability.

Walking & Terrain

A booklet detailing a range of self-guided walks from 1 -7 hours in length with ATG ‘Footloose’-style walking directions (complete with measurements, maps, GPS coordinates and a wealth of other information) is available for you to enjoy.

If you prefer to navigate using an app on your phone, this is available for you to download, pre-programmed with the same walks as detailed in the Route Book.

The walking is mainly along established paths across the Tuscan hills, dirt roads and woodland tracks. The walking is generally easy but if you opt to do some of the longer walks, a greater level of fitness would be required.

Explore

Places to visit

The towers of San Gimignano

San Gimignano

The city of the towers

Irresistibly charming and perfectly preserved.

Highlights

The Collegiata (former cathedral), with wonderful frescoes
Museo Civico, with a chance to climb the Torre Grossa, the city’s tallest tower
The Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Torture

This is the place to do your shopping; local wines, wild boar products, olivewood, pottery and leather goods at reasonable prices!

Piazza del Campo, Siena

Siena

One of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities

An abundance of outstanding 14th and 15th century art and architecture, from the famous Piazza del Campo to galleries filled with iconic medieval masterpieces, and the great cathedral.

Il Palio: the Piazza del Campo is the scene of this spectacular horse race, contested by the historic contrade into which the city is traditionally (and passionately!) divided.

Florence and the Duomo

Florence

The world’s foremost Art City

This magnificent city built on the banks of the Arno was the cradle of the Renaissance in Italy, under the aegis of the powerful ruling Medici family.

Today it has museums and art galleries galore, most notably the Uffizi. The Duomo (cathedral) and numerous churches across the city also house outstanding art and architecture, making it one of the most fascinating cities to visit in Europe.

The walls of Monteriggioni

Monteriggioni

A beautifully sited and perfectly preserved village encased within 13th century walls, complete with watchtowers. In the main square is a small Romanesque church with a pretty façade.

Colle Alta, Colle di Val d'Elsa

Colle di Val d’Elsa

‘Colle’ holds true to itself as a working town. The wool, paper and flour industries once thrived here; today it is crystal and fine glass. Colle Alta, the quaint upper part of the old town, perches on a narrow ridge.

Volterra

Without the hordes of other Tuscan hilltop towns. One of the largest and most important of the 12 Etruscan city states, it still has Etruscan walls, gateways and circular tombs from the 6th century BC, plus a well-preserved Roman theatre and baths.

Visit a workshop to see the alabastrai at work: this soft, white rock is perfect for carving.

Eat & drink

Food & Wine

Tuscan food is simple and uses good local ingredients which complement the excellent robust wines of the region. It is seasonal food, usually prepared with home grown ingredients.

Although the Tuscans are called ‘bean eaters’ (mangiafagioli), the main staple of their diet, apart from pasta, is bread: traditionally unsalted, to complement the salted prosciutto, salami and strong sheep’s cheeses. Whilst it is a traditional cuisine, it is not a poor one, and meat and game feature strongly, preferably cooked on an open fire.

The Tuscans also have a sweet tooth, producing a variety of rich spicy cakes full of candied fruit and nuts, and light biscuits.

The local cheese is predominantly pecorino (a sheep’s cheese: ‘pecora’ means ‘sheep’) enjoyed at varying stages of maturity.

A bottle of Chianti Classico and two glasses of red wine on a café table

In the glass

Pieve a Castello sits in the Chianti wine-making region, which occupies a large area of hills to the south (and east) of Florence. It lies within the designated zone of Colli Senesi (Sienese Hills), one of seven regions within Chianti.

Alongside the more ‘serious’ Chianti Riserva are other, less expensive ‘quaffing’ Chiantis, made to be drunk within a year or so of production: an excellent accompaniment to local dishes.

To the south of Siena, there are other superb local red wines, notably Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which, with their full-bodied character and strong tannins, complement Tuscan cuisine very well. The less aged red of Montalcino is also very good indeed. You may have the opportunity to try other excellent Tuscan wines including Vernaccia, the white wine for which nearby San Gimignano is famous, the delicious wines from Bolgheri in the coastal province of Livorno, as well as the delicious Tuscan ‘passito’ dessert wine, Vin Santo.

Background

History

The history of Tuscany has been one of invasion and conquest from earliest times. Yet interspersed within these periods of war and rivalry were times of great cultural, political and economic brilliance.

These were most notably during the Etruscan period from the 8th century BC – most of the towns and villages in this area are built on Etruscan foundations. Roman colonisation occurred from the 2nd century BC.

From the 12th century, many Tuscan cities prospered finding great wealth through new-found trades such as banking and wool. This led to the prominence of Siena, which became one of Europe’s greatest cities. During the 14th century, local family disputes and city rivalries resulted in the annexation of Sienese territories by Florence. Sienese towns and villages declined and have remained essentially preserved in their medieval state to the present day.

Travel arrangements

Travel arrangements, including flights, travel by train/bus or car hire should be made independently.

Travel by Train/Bus:
Poggibonsi is the closest train station to Pieve a Castello which can be easily reached from Pisa or Florence:

From Pisa airport, take the ‘People Mover’ shuttle train to Pisa Central station, and a train from there to Poggibonsi, changing trains at Empoli.
From Florence airport, take the tram line to the main train or bus station in central Florence. There are regular direct trains or express buses from here to Poggibonsi.

From Poggibonsi you can either take a 20 minute taxi ride to Pieve a Castello or there are buses to Colle di Val d’Elsa. Call us on arrival in Colle di Val d’Elsa and we’ll come and meet you.

Parking at Pieve a Castello:
If you plan to drive, there is free parking at Pieve a Castello and overnight charging for electric vehicles is available. Please note, there is a charge for electric vehicle charging and we recommend checking the availability of charging points in advance.

Travel by Taxi:
ATG offers a taxi booking service for transfers to and from the airport. The cost of a taxi from Florence/Pisa airport is in the region of £150/£220. Taxi costs are not included in the cost of your holiday and are paid locally.

Pricing

Promotional Offer 2027

We are delighted to extend the season at Pieve a Castello for Independent travellers from 2027. With no minimum stay, room prices based on the size of the room and the option of a Traditional or Gourmet Menu depending on the time of year, we are pleased to provide guests with more choice to suit a variety of budgets.

To launch this new programme at Pieve a Castello, we are offering a promotion for bookings of 3 nights or more, with prices reduced by £50 per person per night for the entire stay.

Prices quoted are per person per night and based on room type, length of stay and menu option.

The deposit required to secure a reservation is £200 per person

If you wish to book Pieve a Castello for a private group of family or friends, please contact the ATG office (using the link below or by calling +44 (0)1865 315613) to discuss your requirements and we will provide a bespoke quote.

Pieve a Castello looks forward to welcoming you!

Bookings for stays at Pieve a Castello can only be made direct with ATG and as such we are able to remain competitive on pricing as we do not involve or include any Agency, Branding or Sales fees, or commission for any on-line marketing companies (often a high proportion of what you are paying).

Full Board Rates - Traditional Menu

(available 27 Feb – 29 March, 6 – 19 Apr, 27 Apr – 3 May, 15 – 26 Jun, 4 Jul – 13 Sep, 28 Sep – 6 Oct, 23 Nov – 20 Dec)

Classic Room (rooms 4, 5, 9 & 10)

£235 Double room (per person per night)

£295 Single occupancy (double room)

£235 Single occupancy (single room)

Superior Room (rooms 3, 7, 8 & 11)

£250 Double room (per person per night)

£250 Twin room (per person per night)

£310 Single occupancy (double room)

Junior Suite (rooms 1 & 2)

£275 Double room (per person per night)

£275 Twin room (per person per night)

Promotional Rates for 3 or more nights

Classic Room (rooms 4, 5, 9 & 10)

£185 Double room (per person per night)

£245 Single occupancy (double room)

£185 Single occupancy (single room)

Superior Room (rooms 3, 7, 8 & 11)

£200 Double room (per person per night)

£200 Twin room (per person per night)

£260 Single occupancy (double room)

Junior Suite (rooms 1 & 2)

£325 Double room (per person per night)

£225 Twin room (per person per night)

Full Board Rates - Gourmet Menu

(available 27 Feb – 20 Dec)

Classic Room (rooms 4, 5, 9 & 10)

£335 Double room (per person per night)

£395 Single occupancy (double room)

£335 Single occupancy (single room)

Superior Room (rooms 3, 7, 8 & 11)

£350 Double room (per person per night)

£350 Twin room (per person per night)

£410 Single occupancy (double room)

Junior Suite (rooms 1 & 2)

£375 Double room (per person per night)

£375 Twin room (per person per night)

Promotional Rates for 3 or more nights

Classic Room (rooms 4, 5, 9 & 10)

£285 Double room (per person per night)

£345 Single occupancy (double room)

£285 Single occupancy (single room)

Superior Room (rooms 3, 7, 8 & 11)

£300 Double room (per person per night)

£300 Twin room (per person per night)

£360 Single occupancy (double room)

Junior Suite (rooms 1 & 2)

£325 Double room (per person per night)

£325 Twin room (per person per night)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Please let us know about any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance so that we can ensure that you are catered for during your holiday. Most dietary restrictions do not present a problem and our Client Services Co-ordinator can discuss your requirements in more detail with you at the start of your trip.

The walks are graded according to difficulty but you can walk as much or as little as you like.

Easy: walking along well-established paths and tracks with some short ascents/descents. These trips are suitable for most people who enjoy occasional exercise.

Easy to Moderate: walking along well-established paths and tracks. Occasional loose (gravel) surfaces. Ascents/descents up to 1 hour. These trips are suitable for most people who have a reasonable level of fitness.

Moderate: walking along a variety of paths and tracks. Occasional uneven areas. Ascents/descents 1-2 hours. These trips are suitable for those who have a reasonable to good level of fitness.

Moderate to Challenging: walking along varied paths and surfaces, occasionally challenging, with ascents/descents of 2-3 hours. These trips are suitable for more experienced walkers who have a good level of fitness.

Most rooms at Pieve a Castello are doubles which carry a single occupancy supplement when booked for one person. There are 2 smaller rooms at Pieve a Castello, used for single occupancy, which carry no supplement and which can be booked subject to availability.

Flights are not included in the price of your ATG holiday and should be booked independently.

In addition to your travel costs to reach Pieve a Castello, you should budget for travel costs for any day trips you may wish to organise. You would also need to factor in any entrance fees to museums, churches, galleries and other sightseeing costs, items of a personal nature and shopping expenditure. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is provided at Pieve a Castello but if you go out for the day without a packed lunch, you would need to consider the cost for lunch.

We are delighted to book extensions for you at either end of your trip. We only book hotels with which we have an established relationship and where we can ensure a high level of service and enjoyment. If you would like an extension hotel booking please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information.

ATG does not provide any form of insurance cover. However, it is a condition of booking that you have fully comprehensive insurance cover, including:

Cancellation/curtailment up to the cost of the holiday (preferably including flights)
Medical emergencies and repatriation
Travel delay / missed departure
Lost or stolen personal belongings
Personal liability
Legal expenses
Natural Disasters

Although most credit card companies offer travel insurance as something that is included when paying the balance with the card, it may be advisable to check that the cover offered is what you expect it to be. Very few companies include cancellation and curtailment or medical expenses. Whatever the insurance policy you have taken out, please read the documentation carefully. Please ensure also that you take it with you on your trip and refer to it in the case of any claim or emergency.

Yes, please click here for what to bring. A packing checklist is also included with your booking confirmation.

Sustainability

ATG was founded on principles of conservation and sustainable development. It was the first company to win the tourism industry’s two top awards: Tourism for Tomorrow (UK) and the World Legacy Award (National Geographic and Conservation International USA) and also the first to have an accredited Environmental Management System.

Everyone who walks with ATG contributes to the ATG Trust, which funds projects that benefit local communities in the regions visited. By supporting these initiatives, ATG promotes sustainable tourism. Past projects have included heritage restoration projects, environmental conservation and educational projects.

The ATG Trust has supported a project at Monteriggioni, a tiny medieval village near Pieve a Castello, involving the restoration of the Porta Romea. This restoration formed part of a much larger project to restore the walls around the village of Monteriggioni. The Porta Romea is the gateway facing Rome through which many ATG clients will have walked.

About Self-Guided Walking

Easy to Moderate Walking

Moderate Walking

Moderate to Challenging Walking

Travelling with Children