Podere Sasso Serre Di Rapolano Siena

We stayed at Podere Sasso in September 2005.

Faults are too numerous to mention but perhaps the biggest failing is that the apartment (Cassa Torre) was very dirty. We had to launder all of our bedding and towels shortly after our arrival and during our stay, because they were stained and smelt (no suitable replacements were offered).

The standard of the accommodation is far from adequate being poorly designed and in terms of building work poorly put together. Consider coming home to find "new kitchen" doors badly welded into place. Yes welded!

The apartment is also poorly equipped. On arrival there where only two glasses in the kitchen (more were supplied on request). Most of the utensils and cooking equipment was very dirty showing dried on food waste and had clearly not been cleaned in some time.

Sanitary facilities also left much to be desired, requiring the liberal application of bleach to clean. I found a salad bowl in the toilet which I soon realised was used to flush the toilet, which at times would not clear despite repeated conventional flushing.

Heating is not available to residents, contrary to the advertisements. We were offered an empty paraffin heater and told to buy our own fuel! I was also offered a "calor" gas heater and you guessed it, told to buy a can of gas when I went out!

The attitude of the owner and her son is very bohemian and it very soon became clear that there would be no improvement during our stay.

Outside the Podere was also disappointing as road noise hampers relaxation and nobody wants to sit in what amounts to a rubbish tip. If you can find something that you can sit on (not dirty or broken). I counted at least half a dozen old mattresses and quantities of domestic waste around the property. They made great photo's.

Finally, we ran away and spent the last two nights somewhere much nicer.

I'm annoyed because I spent a months salary and used half of my annual leave to endure the worst of the six holidays that we have spent in Italy.

In talking to other residents I know that my opinions are by no means unique and I only hope that this review will stop other visitors to Tuscany from being so sorely disappointed.

We stayed at Podere Sasso Serre Di Rapolano Siena in a cottage called Casa Araba. It had original beamed ceilings and massive old wooden doors. The bathroom was unique. The bath was romantically set into the travertine rock face (inside!). You step over smoothed stone to reach the loo which includes a rather fun version of a bidet. The bathroom floor might be a bit uneven for someone with difficulty walking but a great experience.

Large bed in the bedroom - wake up to the Tuscan sun through the French windows at the base of the bed-lovely. Do remember to shut all the windows before you switch on lights in the evening to keep out insects (open windows for the night after switching off lights).

Excellent butcher and baker in Serre di Rapolano which is a 20 minute walk through the woods.