Agriturismo Fattoria Giacomo Marengo

Housing

Palazzuolo Vecchio, in Arezzo province, was a castle destroyed in the 1100s by Sienese.
The destruction was more evident during the reconstruction, when walls showing traces of fire have been found. In 1100 this place was already called "Palatiolum Veteris" i.e. old Palace, which makes it clear to understand how ancient its origins are. Signs of a illustrious past for this little village can be the ancient stones, often machined, which make walls..

Montemaggiore, the other completely rebuild building is about 5 Km further.
The swimming pool (7x14 m), 150 meters away from the little village, faces on Amiata mount, which can be seen from faraway and that ca be accessed to through a pleasant path stone-paved. On the other side it is possible to see Siena with its ancient towers. Around the swimming pool there's a big lawn where guests can organise different activities or simply sunbathing.
In this farmhouse, there's the lounge used for breakfast and meals, and for wine, wine/oil and Tuscan traditional cuisine courses. Here it is also available an automatic washing-machine. At their own disposal, guests have also two Tuscan traditional ovens to try to cook bread or pizza.

Podere Cortinova (loc. Marrocco - SIENA)
The Cortinova resort is surrounded by an olive plant of about 20 hectares of surface, by woods and Mediterranean bushes. The resort looks the fascinating panorama of the Sienese clays and Siena, with its towers (20 km). In 1895, an Etruscan room thumb with wall paintings was discovered, during the plantation of a vineyard. Unfortunately, the location of the thumb is not known, but the historical books remark the importance of the finding.

About 50 mt away from the houses there is the large swimming pool (16x8 mt), in the middle of the olive plant, with a direct view on Siena and its "clays". The largest flats (Verone and Scalone) have "piece d'art" in the furniture and much care on comfort (washing machine, dishwasher, etc.). The other flats maintain anyway a high level of comfort, in fact all apartment have independent heater system, satellite TV, burglar alarm, etc. The furniture is in original Tuscan arte povera. Horse riding is available in the farmhouse centre (3 km away), while a wonderful synthetic tennis court is available in Palazzuolo Vecchio. In late spring and summer a garden is available for the guests who can harvest by themselves onions, tomatoes, salad, pepperoni, etc. .

Villa Le Tornaie
This old farmhouse is part of a large agricultural estate in the hills around Siena, and after a long period of renovation, which has beautifully restored the stone-facing, they have created a country home equipped with all modern comforts to satisfy even the most demanding clients. On the ground floor, with two entrances - both from the courtyard and from the side with the swimming-pool - you will find the sport/relaxation area with a gymnasium equipped with various sports equipment and areas for doing aerobics, a Jacuzzi large enough for six people sitting down, the sauna and turkish bath. The bedrooms, each of which has its own bath, are both on the ground floor with independent entrances, and on the first floor, where you will find the large living/dining-room with fireplace and piano and the very well-equipped and functional kitchen. 
The furnishings, too, have been very carefully thought-out in every detail, while maintaining intact all of the rural feeling of the villa. There is a cleaning-service five days a week to be paid at the end of your stay, and on arrangement with reception you can make use of the free food-buying service, of the visit to the wine-cellars on the farm, and of trips in a jeep in the beautiful countryside around the property.

Services

Swimming pool, Riding school/Horse riding, Pets allowed, Credit Cards accepted

Free Facilities
4 Swimming-pool - Tennis - Guided visit to our cellar with wine tasting - Excursion in 4WD - Satellite TV (in each flat) - A gift of our products - Harvest and use of our organic vegetables garden - Carve fishing in our lake - Horse Riding - Internet - Children and Baby garden - Sun deck - Historical sites - ping pong

Other facilities in the farmhouse
Daily Courses (wine tasting, olive oil tasting, Tuscan traditional cuisine, painting, art, Italian conversation) - Shopping (we buy for you what you order for your everyday needs) - Typical Tuscany dinners - Mountain Byke rental - Cellular phone rental 

Facilities in the near Terme (10-15 min. drive)
Termal baths - Mud baths - Various massages - Gymnasium - Skin Therapy - Aesthetic Therapy. 

Golf course (9-18 holes, 1 hour drive) Conventioned golf fields of Poppi (9 holes) and of Ugolino (18 holes, Florence). 

Conventioned Restaurants
Belvedere, Locanda del Templare

The "Locanda del Templare" offers traditional Tuscan cuisine with particular attention to the preparation (only home made pasta and desserts), and fresh ingredients (genuine and of the best possible quality), at advantageous prices.

Surroundings

The farm extends to the hills between Siena's and Arezzo's towns facing the Sienese cretes.
The landscape is very charming: secular oak, cerris and chestnut woods alternate with pinaster pineforest, the silver colour of the olive plants gives sometimes the way to the regular rows of vineyard.
In the watercourses, whose bottom can be reached on foot, by horse or by 4WD cars, sparkling streams flow (which are often destination of excursions).
The landscape is definitely wild and pleasant for the alternation of the so different colours.
The farm centre, where offices and cellars are, is in a place called Capraie, 4 km from Palazzuolo village which is still in Arezzo's province but 200 m. from the boundary with Siena.