Essential Italy

We know car choice is important for the enjoyment of your holiday, our supplier – Maggiore Car Rental – will guarantee the following:

• highly competitive prices
• no major tour operator is working with them, therefore we are quite sure that queuing will be kept to a minimum, even in high season
• all cars have air conditioning
• a full and comprehensive back-up system

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We do not book flights, we leave it to you to choose the best departure point and flight times to suit your party. We have compiled a list of airlines flying to those regions in which we offer accommodation.

Flights are from the UK, if you are travelling from elsewhere, please don’t hesitate to contact us, we will recommend an airline flying from your departure point. If you are unsure which airport in Italy is closest to your accommodation, please call us on 01223 460100 or email

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Podere Il Cogno Chianti

Located in the heart of Chianti Podere Il Cogno is just the place for those looking for peace and quiet and the perfect base from where to visit Siena, Florence and the marvellous villages of Chianti. Reached by a ‘white road’, Il Cogno is exactly how many imagine Tuscany – sweeping views, comfortable home-from-home accommodation, wonderful food and superb hospitality.

Fourteen years ago the Matteini family ‘upped sticks’ from Sardinia, where they ran a successful hotel, and planted roots in this corner of paradise. Their care and attention to detail can be seen at every turn. Their breakfasts, light lunches and dinner are real feasts, and the stylish country atmosphere is perfectly complimented by their family hospitality.

There are two apartments with limited self-catering facilities and three suites. Minimum stay 3 nights. Arrival day: any.

Il Cognino (sleeps 2-3)

Situated in the grounds above the main house this charming cottage offers complete privacy (it is about 200 metres from the main house and pool). Entry is from the private terrace into the living room. The small kitchen is a few steps below the living area.  For short stays the kitchen offers a fridge and kettle to enable limited self-catering). There are two bedrooms – one double and one with a French bed. There are two bathrooms with showers.

Mora (sleeps 2)

In the main house, Mora has a large private terrace and inside is beautifully furnished and has a wonderful bathroom. The living room leads into a small kitchen (for short stays the kitchens offer a fridge and kettle to enable limited self-catering) and these two rooms have direct access onto the terrace which overlooks the valley. A couple of steps lead you into the luxurious bedroom and beyond there is a large bathroom with bath and Jacuzzi shower.

Suites (minimum stay 3 nights)

For stays of 7 nights or more we are pleased to offer a free evening meal. Arrival day: any.

All suites are on the first floor and have a living room and double bedroom. All have air conditioning and have been decorated with style. The garden suite and the depenadance suite both have small dining areas and limited self-catering facilities.

In the main house there are several communal rooms – a library with a billiard room and a comfortable sitting room. Wifi connection is available in the library and in the east part of the gardens. The event of the day is generally considered to be dinner. The Matteinis are superb cooks and if you choose to dine-in we promise a delicious meal (at only €26.00, excluding drinks, per person we believe extraordinary value). In the summer months diner is served on the terraces outside. Even those staying in the self catering accommodation can choose to have breakfast. The restaurant is open only to guests, and you can choose to eat in or out once you have studied the menu in the morning.

Set in the lovely gardens the pool is an oasis of peace and tranquility. In addition there is a Jacuzzi pool and a fitness suite to work off those excess pounds in preparation for the evening meal.

With all this at your disposal it would be easy to forget that on your doorstep you have some of the wonders of Italy – Siena, Florence, Monteriggioni and many more are just a short drive. For an afternoon stroll, the village of Fonterutoli is 3kms away and offers some of the best views and wine in the region.

New in Puglia for 2012

Helen & Sarah have just returned from a very fruitful trip to Puglia...

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