I really wanted to visit Anghiari. I have passed near there three times in the past, without having the chance to stop. So this time I made it. I included beautiful Anghiari in #mycorneroftuscany tour. Matteo and I stayed for that night at the beautiful Agriturismo Il Sasso, meaning “the stone”.
Agriturismo Il Sasso
Il Sasso is a restored farmhouse dating back to the XIX century, located on the top of a small hill in the middle of Arezzo’s countryside. It was once a tobacco factory. In fact, the field in front of the agriturismo is still cultivated with tobacco.
The owner, Ezio, welcomed us and told us their story. His father-in-law was born in Anghiari. He left his town for professional reasons but he never forgot it. Together with his wife, their daughter, Ezio’s wife, and Ezio himself, of course, they decided to restore the factory and open Agriturismo Il Sasso. Sadly I had not the chance to meet Silvia and the two daughters, cause they were on a short vacation before the school year beginning. How lucky the girls are to have grown up in such a place!
The rooms
All the rooms and the apartments are provided with Tuscan chestnut furniture, wrought iron bed and private bathroom. Our room was simple and sober, but comfortable. As the owner said, a true agriturismo. Exactly the kind of place I was expecting when I knew I would have stayed in a Tuscan countryside farmhouse.
There was no air conditioning but the temperature was nice. We slept with the open window to take advantage of the night breeze. So the only flaw for me was the noise of the cars passing by along the street nearby. You know I am very sensitive to noise, so I always carry with me my ear plugs. Therefore I slept very well anyway, while my husband had no problem whatsoever.
Garden and pool
If you stay there in Summer and you feel the need to cool down during the day, you can rest at the shadow of a tree in the garden, that includes a pic-nic zone, a playground, vineyard, olive grove, orchard (600 different plants) and vegetable garden (we spotted a squirrel running up a tree). Or you can splash around in the pool.
Breakfast time
Breakfast included yoghurt, muesli, cereals, an home made bread, cake and jams. Plus tomatoes and fruit from their own garden. And a frittata (omelette) that was so tasty I still remember it. I know, there are more elaborate recipes in the world, but prepare a frittata that is tasty and soft at the right point is not so easy. I have to ask the lady to reveal her tricks to me!
Day-trips
The Agriturismo Il Sasso can also be the starting point of some trekking excursions or bike rides. Ezio will devote much time for you to discover every possible day-trips. You can tell he was a manager back in Milan, cause he takes real pleasure in illustrating the different itineraries and promote the beauty of this area.
For example, other than the close (10 minutes) and beautiful burg of Anghiari, you can reach (by car) in about 1 hour
- Sansepolcro and Monterchi (where to see the masterpieces of the great painter Piero della Francesca)
- Caprese Michelangelo (birthplace of… Leonardo! No, I’m just kidding, it is obviously the town where Michelangelo was born)
- Arezzo and its Piazza Grande (you may have seen it in the film “La vita è bella” by Roberto Benigni)
- Siena (no need of introduction, right?).
Farm holiday with an Italian family
I would have loved to stay at least a couple of days more! This is a less known area of Tuscany, less touched by tourism. Therefore it can be a perfect place to enjoy this marvellous land and its beauty without the disadvantages of other zones. Nature, art, cuisine, everything is at hand.
Since Ezio told us they also organize tours all together with their guests during their free time, I think Agriturismo Il Sasso can be the perfect place for those who want to experience a true agriturismo in close contact with an Italian family.
Agriturismo Il Sasso
www.agriturismoilsasso.it
Loc. San Lorenzo 38, 52031 Anghiari AR
