Experience Tuscany
Guided Tour
Claudia, Anna's daughter, holds a BA in Art History from the University of Siena, and since 2016 she is a licensed tour guide of Siena and its province. It's a pleasure for her to show people visiting Siena her hometown, and let them discover many hidden treasures.
She can lead you on a classic tour of the city, including not only the best-known spots (Piazza del Campo, Town Hall, and the Cathedral), but also places from which you can enjoy scenic views of the city.
If, on the other hand, you are already familiar with the basics and you are ready for something different, she offers thematic itineraries. You will walk down medieval alleys ending up in unexpected squares and hidden secondary streets that are neglected in most tours.
The area around Siena is arguably the most beautiful part of Tuscany, punctuated not only by well- preserved ancient towns but also by spectacular views across several valleys. Here we have a few itineraries to choose from: Chianti region, stretching from the castle of Monteriggioni all the way to the strongholds of Vertine and Castellina in Chianti (with its noteworthy archaeological site). An alternative option is the Val d’Elsa, whose highlights are Colle and its fortress, and San Gimignano, known across the world for its towers. Looking southward, we can visit the Val d’Orcia, including San Quirico and its fortified farm, Pienza and Montepulciano (both of which are Renaissance jewels), and Montalcino, home of Brunello wine, and many other treasures. All tours will be coupled with enogastronomic advice and additional information about the history, culture, arts and handicrafts of the area.
If you are interested in the PALIO, the ancient horserace that take place on July 2nd and August 16th in the main square Piazza del Campo, I can find tickets for you to watch the parade and the race from a balcony, a window, or a stall, as well as tickets for a very special event that takes place the night before the race, that is a dinner in “contrada”, one of the 17 neighbourhoods that compete in the race.
Have a look at the website www.claudiatuscanytours.com
The area around Siena is arguably the most beautiful part of Tuscany, punctuated not only by well- preserved ancient towns but also by spectacular views across several valleys. Here we have a few itineraries to choose from: Chianti region, stretching from the castle of Monteriggioni all the way to the strongholds of Vertine and Castellina in Chianti (with its noteworthy archaeological site). An alternative option is the Val d’Elsa, whose highlights are Colle and its fortress, and San Gimignano, known across the world for its towers. Looking southward, we can visit the Val d’Orcia, including San Quirico and its fortified farm, Pienza and Montepulciano (both of which are Renaissance jewels), and Montalcino, home of Brunello wine, and many other treasures. All tours will be coupled with enogastronomic advice and additional information about the history, culture, arts and handicrafts of the area.
If you are interested in the PALIO, the ancient horserace that take place on July 2nd and August 16th in the main square Piazza del Campo, I can find tickets for you to watch the parade and the race from a balcony, a window, or a stall, as well as tickets for a very special event that takes place the night before the race, that is a dinner in “contrada”, one of the 17 neighbourhoods that compete in the race.
Have a look at the website www.claudiatuscanytours.com
Wine Tour
Anna's cousin Simonetta Valiani Biondi Santi is the owner of the
winery Le Chiuse in Montalcino. With her husband Niccolò, their
son Lorenzo and his wife Stella they take care of the beautiful
property.
"Le Chiuse" has very ancient origins. It was in fact part of the Biondi Santi family properties and was brought as a dowry by Maria Tamanti when she married Clemente Santi in the lasts 1700s their daughter Caterina married Jacopo Biondi. Their son Ferruccio (Simonetta and Anna's great grand father), joined the names into Biondi Santi. Ferruccio joined Garibaldi'a army and after the end the war he continued his grandfather work enhancing the value and selecting the vines to obtain that particular clone of San Giovese (Grosso) called Brunello.
Each year Le Chiuse produces approximately 30,000 bottles of wine, including its Rosso di Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva and a classic-method spumante called “Stellare”. The estate consists of 18 hectares, including vineyards, olive groves and forest situated on the north-northeast side of the Montalcino hill at 300 meters above sea level and on the south-east slope at 500 meters above sea level.
They produce one of the best Brunellos in the world! They will be glad to welcome you in the heart of the production of their different wines; You will learn how the wine is made from the vineyard to the cellar and you will taste it at the end of the tour.
Have a look at the website http://www.aziendaagricolalechiuse.it/
"Le Chiuse" has very ancient origins. It was in fact part of the Biondi Santi family properties and was brought as a dowry by Maria Tamanti when she married Clemente Santi in the lasts 1700s their daughter Caterina married Jacopo Biondi. Their son Ferruccio (Simonetta and Anna's great grand father), joined the names into Biondi Santi. Ferruccio joined Garibaldi'a army and after the end the war he continued his grandfather work enhancing the value and selecting the vines to obtain that particular clone of San Giovese (Grosso) called Brunello.
Each year Le Chiuse produces approximately 30,000 bottles of wine, including its Rosso di Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva and a classic-method spumante called “Stellare”. The estate consists of 18 hectares, including vineyards, olive groves and forest situated on the north-northeast side of the Montalcino hill at 300 meters above sea level and on the south-east slope at 500 meters above sea level.
They produce one of the best Brunellos in the world! They will be glad to welcome you in the heart of the production of their different wines; You will learn how the wine is made from the vineyard to the cellar and you will taste it at the end of the tour.
Have a look at the website http://www.aziendaagricolalechiuse.it/
Cooking Class
Maria, Anna's cousin, is a professional chef and an expert sommelier who also works for "Desinare" cooking school in Florence.
Together with her you will spend a whole afternoon preparing a special Tuscan dinner, right in your apartment. From scratch you will prepare fresh pasta, roasted pork loin, panna cotta or tiramisù, or anything you prefer.
She will bring all fresh ingredients and flavours beside her knowledge, professionality, creativity and passion.
Together with her you will spend a whole afternoon preparing a special Tuscan dinner, right in your apartment. From scratch you will prepare fresh pasta, roasted pork loin, panna cotta or tiramisù, or anything you prefer.
She will bring all fresh ingredients and flavours beside her knowledge, professionality, creativity and passion.
Massage
In order to make your experience in Santa Chiara even more enjoyable, we
are happy to offer you very special massages. They are listed below.
Learn more about them and feel free to ask us for details and for
booking in advance.
Hawaiian Massage:
Massage performed almost exclusively with forearms, it allows to wrap the body with a continuous rocking that simulates the waves of the ocean. It benefits tissues for increasing oxygenation, stimulates the lymphatic system to eliminate liquids and toxins and brings tonicity and elasticity to the skin. It also acts at the articular level, mobilizing joints.
50 minutes sessions.
Swedish basic massage:
A complete massage with relaxing, toning and relaxing effects. It brings benefits to blood and lymphatic circulation, improves digestion and intestinal peristalsis.
50 minutes sessions.
Californian massage:
Enveloping massage, considered emotional, suitable for all those who want a global well-being and who suffer from psychosomatic pathologies, such as depression, anxiety, bulimia, anorexia, insomnia, panic attacks, suitable for those who want to overcome anxieties and stress and seek a perfect sense of relaxation.
50 minutes sessions.
Thai oil massage:
Massage performed on a bed with oil following the energetic lines helps to restore harmony from the energetic and emotional point of view. Suitable for those who live in a state of tension and stress. It brings benefits to the muscular apparatus, lymphatic and circulatory system and improves inflammatory skin and deeper layers such as cellulite.
75 minutes sessions.
Traditional Thai massage:
Massage performed on the ground. It brings benefits to the muscles by eliminating contractures, increases muscle flexibility, joint mobility, improves lymphatic and blood circulation, rebalances energy levels in the sen.
75 minutes sessions.
Sports and myofascial massage:
They act directly on the muscles and on the fascia. They are profound treatments that increase muscle flexibility, joint mobilization, indicated for sports subjects or for those who present muscle stiffness, joint blockages, after traumas and bruises.
50 minutes sessions.
Lymphatic treatment, wodder method:
Treatment characterized by cutaneous movements that are perceived as brush strokes.
50 minutes sessions.
Hawaiian Massage:
Massage performed almost exclusively with forearms, it allows to wrap the body with a continuous rocking that simulates the waves of the ocean. It benefits tissues for increasing oxygenation, stimulates the lymphatic system to eliminate liquids and toxins and brings tonicity and elasticity to the skin. It also acts at the articular level, mobilizing joints.
50 minutes sessions.
Swedish basic massage:
A complete massage with relaxing, toning and relaxing effects. It brings benefits to blood and lymphatic circulation, improves digestion and intestinal peristalsis.
50 minutes sessions.
Californian massage:
Enveloping massage, considered emotional, suitable for all those who want a global well-being and who suffer from psychosomatic pathologies, such as depression, anxiety, bulimia, anorexia, insomnia, panic attacks, suitable for those who want to overcome anxieties and stress and seek a perfect sense of relaxation.
50 minutes sessions.
Thai oil massage:
Massage performed on a bed with oil following the energetic lines helps to restore harmony from the energetic and emotional point of view. Suitable for those who live in a state of tension and stress. It brings benefits to the muscular apparatus, lymphatic and circulatory system and improves inflammatory skin and deeper layers such as cellulite.
75 minutes sessions.
Traditional Thai massage:
Massage performed on the ground. It brings benefits to the muscles by eliminating contractures, increases muscle flexibility, joint mobility, improves lymphatic and blood circulation, rebalances energy levels in the sen.
75 minutes sessions.
Sports and myofascial massage:
They act directly on the muscles and on the fascia. They are profound treatments that increase muscle flexibility, joint mobilization, indicated for sports subjects or for those who present muscle stiffness, joint blockages, after traumas and bruises.
50 minutes sessions.
Lymphatic treatment, wodder method:
Treatment characterized by cutaneous movements that are perceived as brush strokes.
50 minutes sessions.
