Just outside the medieval town walls and the ancient Porta Tufi, the
agritourism farm Il Lucherino overlooks the City of the Palio from a
hilltop. Its borders are the rough Chianti woodlands and the lunar
atmosphere of the chalky Sienese landscape(the “crete senesi”),
outlined by stark cypresses and colored in the warm, tawny tones of
burnt Siena. Il Lucherino is in the very heart of the classic Tuscan
countryside and yet just a stone’s throw away from the historical
town center.

Once the hunting lodge of a noble Sienese family, it dates from the
beginning of the twelve hundreds. The relentless flow of time has
left fascinating, indelible traces, now visible through careful
restoration. The estate is completely surrounded by a garden graced
with an impressive view of Siena and its surroundings. The sight
opens our visitors’ senses to the ancient flavor of this region and
to its typical products, truffles from San Giovani d’Asso, saffron
from the Chianti area, pork from the local race of pig known
as “maiale di Cinta”, the Brunello of Montalcino and the Nobile of
Montepulciano, as well as olive oil, sheep’s milk cheese, honey,
panforte and the other Sienese sweets.

Suspended on the one hand in the silence of nature and yet closely
in touch with the swarming town life, Il Lucherino’s guests live in
harmony: the ancient and the modern, the fields with the peasants’
hard labor and the hunting preserve with the revelry of the nobles,
the simplicity of uncontaminated nature and the comforts of the most
modern technology. In the wild countryside of the Etruscans and of
Guidoriccio, in the midst of those same parched, fragrant fields,
today lurks the hidden surprise of a refreshing swimming pool, and
in the recesses of the villa’s century-old walls you’ll find a
spacious covered parking lot.
The apartments, simple in their design but refined in character, are
equipped with television, a kitchen, and a laundry area.

Ideal for horseback riding and mountain bike outings along the
ancient Francigena route, Il Lucherino offers its guests the
advantages of its modern stables, which are the fruit of years of
experience with horses and of the owners’ passion for the Palio and
for the Contrade of Siena. Here, with know-how handed down for
generations, thoroughbred and half-breed horses are raised and
prepared for racing. This love for animals not only makes it
possible to bring pets to Il Lucherino, but means they’re truly
welcome!

The strategic position of the ancient estate, close to the
important roads connecting Siena to Florence,Arezzo and Grosseto,
guarantees an unlimited choice of outings: Volterra, San Gimignano
and Colle di Val d’Elsa to the north and Montalcino, Pienza, San
Quirico d’Orcia to the south. And there are all the real jewels of
the area, treasures that made Siena an absolute must to visit on the
Grand Tour between the seventeen and eighteen hundreds: the huge
open nave of San Galgano, the majestic, gleaming structure of
Sant’Antimo, the echoes of Sodoma and Signorelli at Monte Oliveto
Maggiore and the sulphurous waters of Bagno Vignoni, where Saint
Catherine found strengthening.

Only a few kilometers from Il Lucherino the thermal spas of Rapolano
and Petriolo, famed as far back as Roman times, offer their visitors
a range of beauty and relaxation treatments.
And to finish it all off, the entrance into the city, the return to
Siena:
Siena the beautiful, capital of art and folklore, of precious wines
and of simple Tuscan cuisine;
daring Siena, where contemporary art convinces without clashing with
Duccio and Simone Martini;
mad Siena, where drums and banners let you breathe the air of the
Palio all year round...