where we are

The barn at Le Bagnaie is 15 minutes off the ‘Raccordo’ – the motorway which runs between Florence and Siena and onto Grosseto. This makes for easy access to most of Tuscany and beyond.

We are in the heart of Chianti country on a ‘white’ (unsurfaced) road that winds through the vineyards.

Our local town is called Castellina in Chianti, which is about 15 minutes away by car. Here you will find shops selling local produce, a small but well stocked Coop supermarket, bars for coffee and drinks, and a great food market every Saturday morning. There is a traditional Tuscan trattoria, a wood-fired pizzeria, and the best gelateria for miles around. It makes homemade classics as well as more unusual seasonal ice creams to eat straight away or take home for later.

Beyond Castellina the road winds through the hills onto the hill towns of Radda, Gaiole or Panzano. The walled town of Monteriggioni lies 15 minutes in the opposite direction. San Gimignano can be seen from the barn when the sun shines onto its towers and is 25 minutes beyond the market town of Colle di Val d’Elsa.

Siena can be reached in 20 minutes and Florence is an hour away heading north. Both offer endless reasons for return visits. Arezzo is also well visiting, and its famous antiques market transforms the streets and squares once a month.

 

 

wifi

There is now wifi available at the barn, the password is bagnaie2014

supermarkets

If you want to do a shop in a large supermarket there are two nearby. The Coop in Poggibonsi is just off the Poggibonsi Sud turning from the Racordo, about 25 mins away. It’s convenient if you’re arriving from Pisa airport and want to stop to pick up provisions on your way to the barn. http://www.coopfirenze.it/punti-vendita/poggibonsi-via-salceto

Siena also has a large Coop supermarket. To get there, take the Siena Nord exit off the Racordo, then head towards the train station. Once you get to the train station the supermarket is located on the far side over the bridge and on the right-hand side.

edison the petit ‘fatboy’ lights

We have two of these lights, which are perfect to take outside at night, as they are cordless. Please don’t leave them outside as they are not water proof.

To turn them on, pull the red ‘fatboy’ tag gently. There are different light modes, pull again to get a brighter light, keep pulling to turn off.

If they have stopped working then they probably need recharging. Take the recharging cord and plug into the base. Charge for 1-2 hrs. When the red light is flashing the battery is charging. Once it stops flashing the battery is fully charged.

You will find the instruction booklet and the charger in the drawer of the trolley which sits under the TV, with the DVD and satellite box sitting on it.