About
Our Experience of Podere La Fonte: We spent three weeks at Podere La Fonte in May 2007 as our honeymoon and loved it so much that we wanted to share our experience with anyone else considering a visit to Tuscany. Our holiday started on a high note from the moment we started to ascend into the hills which dominate this part of Tuscany. The scenery is breathtaking (it's hard to keep your eyes on the road!) And you soon realise that the views which unravel before you are going to live with you for ever. Then we arrived at Podere la Fonte and it became clear that the same stunning views which impressed so much were going to be the backdrop for our holiday. Radicondoli itself, in common with most of the local towns and villages, is right on the top of the hill. Podere la Fonte is about 100m outside Radicondoli with the same commanding view across unspoilt landscape. Aside from the view (once you have seen it you will know why we had to mention it first!) What is memorable about arriving at the Podere is the warmth of the welcome we received from our hosts, Marco and Emmanuela. Any concerns of a language barrier were immediately removed as it became clear that Marco and Emmanuela both speak excellent English. Our welcoming committee also included the two dogs and several cats on the farm which are all friendly but never intrusive and helped us to immediately feel at home. Podere La Fonte is a working farm as well as tourist residence ("Podere" is Italian for farm). The main products are olives and grapes which are grown organically and made into wine and olive oil on the farm. The wine and oil may be purchased from the farm shop and is both delicious and good value. Emmanuela also creates herbal tea infusions and a number of jams from the fruit trees on the farm. The Podere is a good location to tour Tuscany and Chianti. The cities of Siena, Florence and Pisa are easily accessible for a day trip as well as many other smaller towns and villages (a lot of these offer wine tasting). Personally, we recommend the towns of Montepulciano and San Gimignano as not to be missed. One can also reach the picturesque Tuscan coastline for day trips and it is even possible to take a ferry to the island of Elba. A real advantage of basing our holiday in Podere La Fonte is that after the natural liveliness of the main tourist centres we were able to return to a place of tranquillity to unwind. There are several tables and chairs outside where one can enjoy a meal and glass of wine watching the stunning view until darkness falls then watching the fireflies float around as you appreciate the calm serenity of life outside the rat race. The accommodation is very comfortable and well equipped, meaning that self catering is no problem at all, although meals can also be provided on the Podere, at extra cost, if you wish. Although the Podere is very peaceful, one never feels completely cut off either. Radicondoli is a small, picturesque town which also has everything needed to be a holiday base, in easy walking distance of the accommodation. There are three excellent restaurants, a small supermarket and other shops to purchase provisions (butchers, bakers etc). It is also noteworthy that Radicondoli is very much an unspoilt working town, with more locals than tourists, allowing you to really gain a sense of the Tuscan way of life, beyond the tourist centres. There is also a small tourist information in Radicondoli, although it soon became clear that our best source of local information was Marco and Emmanuela. Their knowledge and love of the area and willingness to share it added another dimension to our holiday which we would have not found if we only followed the tourist trail. We would recommend Podere La Fonte to anyone looking for the real Tuscan experience and as a base to tour the area. We loved our time there and will be sure to return. We know that you will too! Jon and Becky, Bristol, UK.