An Interview with Podere Le Cave

A Family Run B&B just outside of Impruneta

My visit to Podere Le Cave, included a warm sunny afternoon with just a bit of cloud cover in the distance - nothing of which would disturb what seemed to be an endless visual of the valley between me and the Renaissance City of Florence. Surrounded by the family olive groves, vineyards and horses, time seemed to slow down and let me indulge in a bit of "tempo spensierato"... idle time with no rhyme or reason - just pure appreciation.  The rustic decor, wide open spaces, silence and total immersion on an genuine Tuscan farm will appeal to those who savor the tranquilty of Mother Nature yet, prefer to still be close to the city, its wide array of restaurants and the many small hamlets that dot the Chianti countryside.

I had parked the car in the free parking lot close to the main farmhouse, and was immediately greeted by a gentle breeze carrying the fragrance of cut grass and a hint of rosemary. I could hear the horses grazing below, and the tinkle of the bells on the goats. It was easy to see why so many guests fall in love with Podere Le Cave: the Tuscan silence, the crisp colors, and Mariella's warm welcome mingled together for that perfect first impression.

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As you park your car in the shadow of the 13th century farmhouse and stroll towards the huge sunny terrace, the Florence skyline stretches from left to right where you can make out the dome by Brunelleschi, the neighboring bell tower by Giotto and the impressive sogama of the Palazzo Vecchio.

The only difference? Instead of being surrounded by masses of tourist, you are standing on the quiet patio of B&B Podere Le Cave.

Stop the Clock at Podere Le Cave

There are approximately 3000 olive trees which greet you as you turn down typical Tuscan “white road."  They surround the antique farmhouse which dates as far back as 1427 (and most assuredly even further).  These always green trees are definitely just one of the distinguishing features of the family wine producing estate and one of the highlights of a stay with the Pelacani family at their mini suite apartments, both equipped with a kitchenette, is the wine tasting from their cantina which dates back to the 1800’s.

The owner, Dante, is certainly a Jack-of-all-Trades. If you catch him on just the right night, you will be enjoying the perfume of fresh baked Tuscan style bread and a bubbling pizza from his wood burning oven. In the field, just below the farmhouse, are rows and rows of an authentic Tuscan vegetable garden.

These fresh edibles are always welcome when on vacation: good old fashion & natural “bontà” as the Italians would say. Can anything truly beat making a fresh salad with plump red tomatoes & green basil from the garden with a drizzle of the family extra virgin olive oil, carrying it out to the terrace area or even the gazebo down by the pool and opening a bottle of Poggio Solatio red or white wine.

It just feels so right.

An Explosion of Colors & Flavors

This is the kind of B&B that leaves you lots of time to organize your own day - no specific times to get up and out of bed for your breakfast. Instead, they have opted to leave a full breakfast basket in each apartment with all the necessary goodies for you to make your own breakfast - when you want, how you want...and as often as you want! Afterall, isn’t that what being on vacation is about? Taking your time to relax at your own speed.

“In the past we received some mixed reviews on our choice of breakfast,” Mariella explained about their breakfast basket idea, ”we found that most times everyone wants a bit of privacy...and no one likes feeling rushed while on vacation. This way they can eat breakfast anywhere they want on the property: right outside their apartment, down by the pool, or at one of the picnic tables overlooking the valley between Podere Le Cave and Florence."

Touch a Piece of Tuscan History

While restructuring the farmhouse, they were able to ascertain part of its history, which was already fairly well known to them. Pelacani family has documented the various owners of the estate since the 1400’s - even discovering a few artists and important local figures along the way. And they managed to unearth a few unexpected prizes, like the massive wooden door that takes up one of the walls in the mini suite with a double bed and a single room sharing a private bathroom. The historians have studied the wood and manufacture, dating it to the 1600’s! The farm itself has grown over the years; the original nucleus dates from prior to the 1400’s and it is now the family residence while the vacation suites with double beds are located in the (slightly) newer parts. The modern pool, which is filtered naturally, is furnished with lounge chairs, tables, umbrellas and commands a prime position for dreamy Tuscan views on the family estate.

A Tuscan Adventure

The 14 hectares provides ample space for those who are looking for an opportunity to do a bit of exploration by foot or other means. Upon request, and for a minimal fee, Dante will take small groups out to explore, via horseback, the borders of the property explaining the sights, animals and vegetation in the area.

The position is actually what makes B&B Podere Le Cave such a treasure. Located less than 10 km from Porta Romana and economical parking for the city center of Florence, guests can easily navigate the country roads in minutes to the city gates. In the opposite direction, it is possible to plan an adventure among the small hamlets of Chianti starting with the nearby town of Impruneta, the home of antique kilns from the 1300’s for the massive terracotta production in the area before heading towards San Donato or Greve in Chianti. The first time "Tuscany" tourist-driver can relax when they are confronted with finding the Autostrada and the main road that connects Florence and Siena, both of which are located less than 15 mins from the main gate of Podere Le Cave.

The family run bed and breakfast, vineyard and olive groves with its stunning panoramic view and comfortable self catering suites provides both a versatile environment for the Tuscan traveller while being located conveniently between the museums, monuments and churches of Florence and the multi faceted landscape of Tuscany.  Mariella and Dante will be the first to tell you:  the luxury of staying at Podere Le Cave is the wonderful scenery and the views of Florence...and they invite you to come and see that for yourself.

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