Moggiano La Veranda

An introduction to Moggiano La Veranda

The beautiful landscape that spreads out below Moggiano is like a canvas on which every lovely shade of green is daubed, from the subtle tone of olives to the brighter hues of grass and vines. In high summer, chequer-board squares of dazzling yellow sunflowers appear as, in this rich, rolling farming country different crops and seasons bring an endless display of colour. Moggiano's location is peaceful as well as beautiful, as it is found a ten minute (approx 6km) drive along a 'white' road from Sarteano.

All around are splendid country walks, yet as the Florence-Rome autostrada can be reached equally quickly along another 'white' road, rural seclusion is combined with excellent access to almost every desirable destination in central and southern Tuscany and Umbria.

The mellow stone farm buildings have been converted into three charming two-bedroom apartments, L'Arco - a large four-bedroom apartment which sleeps up to six people, and an independent two-bedroom cottage - Il Capanno. Old features have been retained, from ceiling beams and terracotta tiles, to stone sinks and marvellous open fireplaces. Every detail has been carefully chosen, from the copper pans hanging on the walls, to the antique furniture, creating interiors of comfortable yet beautiful simplicity. Each apartment has its own terrace or garden and a handy shared barbecue - Il Capanno has its own private barbecue. Adjoining Moggiano's lawns are vineyards and cherry, plum and apple trees, on the edge of which is the swimming pool, occasionally used by owner Annamaria, her mother and other members of her family. Both accommodation and location have received lavish praise from our guests of the past eight years, many of whom return regularly.

One of the special joys of Tuscany is that the artistic glories of Florence, Siena, San Gimignano and other famous towns and villages keep the majority of visitors so enthralled, the lesser gems slip quietly through the tourist net. Sarteano and nearby Cetona are the epitome of such places, not only for the beauty of their hilltop sites, unheralded palaces, intact medieval walls hiding cobbled streets and medieval fortresses, but also for the genuine friendliness - and complete lack of humbug - of inhabitants. From a backstreet 'trat' or an unpretentious pizzeria to a grander restaurant, Sarteano and Cetona offer the opportunity to enjoy genuine country cooking.

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