How do I contact you and where are you based?
Calcione lies in south-eastern Tuscany, Italy.
The nearest village is Lucignano (Val di Chiana): 7 km (4.3 miles)
The nearest towns are Siena and Arezzo: both 35 km (20 miles)
Take a look at the area courtesy of Google satellite photographs

Our address: Il Calcione – 52046 Lucignano – Arezzo – Italy
Phone/fax number: +39 0575 837153
email: calcione@calcione.com

What is the best time to visit Tuscany?
If you prefer to enjoy your vacation resting by a pool, spring and are summer months are obviously the best times for your trip, but often autumn is still warm, so that swimming in late September can also be delightful. For wine and food lovers, the best moment is fall: it is the time of new wine. You'll also find mushrooms, marroni and truffles in every good restaurant. If you come to Tuscany for culture and art, spring is a good period of the year. Museums and churches are not overcrowded and the temperature will let you enjoy your tours. Weather report.

Do you have further accommodations than those offered on your site?
No, all available accommodations are presented in our site.

How can I find out if the property is available during the time period in which I am interested?
Fill in the reservation form
We will so receive all the information you have sent us with regard to your inquiry. We will then shortly contact you via e-mail.

I've decided to book, what must I do?
Contact us through this link or send us an email at calcione@calcione.com
We will send you the booking form and all necessary information.

Is the price per accommodation or per person?
The prices are per week for the whole accommodation.

Do I have to book an entire week's accommodation?
Weeks usually run from Saturday to Saturday. Sometimes we can make exceptions to this rule in the low season but it isn't always possible. You are welcome to ask.

I'm interested in a house for 4, but there are 5 of us - is this OK?
No - unless the 5th person is a baby (sleeping in a cot, available upon request). All our houses are equipped to cater for the needs of the stated number of people.

What deposit is required?
We require a 30% initial deposit.

What is your cancellation policy?
For this and other booking details please refer to our Terms and Conditions page

When should I pay the balance?
Balance is due within 4 weeks before arrival

Which methods of payment do you accept?
We accept cheques and bank transfers. We regret we do not accept credit cards.

What's the Security Deposit?
As per Terms & Conditions, on receiving the keys to the accommodation you will be required to pay a security/damages deposit. The deposit should be paid cash in Euro. This cautionary deposit will be returned in full at the end of the vacation period less any deductions for damages caused to the house, its garden area, the internal and external furnishing, heating costs and any extra expenses (wine, olive oil, wood, mobile phone) incurred during the vacation period and still outstanding at the date of departure.

What does the rental fee include?
It includes VAT, taxes, water, electricity consumption, fresh linen and towels. There are no further costs or hidden costs to consider.

What does the rental fee NOT include?
It does not include heating. All the houses are, if needed, fully centrally heated. Heating is an extra charge on consumption, as metered.
It does not include extra purchases, like wine, olive oil, wood for fire place, mobile phone

Is heating expensive?
Resources are scarce in Italy, so the government ensures gas is expensive in an attempt to limit consumption. Every accommodation has an independent meter with a timer that can be set, according to your needs, to avoid consumption when not necessary and to keep cost under control. The cost of heating should be paid in euro (cash).

Will there be wood for the fire?
All the houses with an open fire have a supply of logs. Extra wood is available upon request during your stay (extra cost).

Do you arrange flights or car rental?
No, to organize your trip we advise that you contact your usual travel agency.

Will I need a car?
Our houses are in position that makes a car essential. The nearest village (Lucignano Val di Chiana) is at 7 km/4.3 miles. The layout of Lucignano is unique. Its original, elliptical architecture is surprising, a very rare example of medieval construction. This charming village has a small supermarket, several shops and 5 restaurants

Any tips for car hire?
Always choose a large, well known firm (Avis, Hertz) to ensure you'll get proper support in case of problems. Book a car via the airline you're flying with, or with a car hire company before you leave home. This way you'll get a cheaper deal. Booking a car after arrival puts you entirely at the mercy of the car firms.

Will you provide detailed directions to reach the accommodation?
Yes

Can I park my car close to the accommodation?
Yes

Do you provide transportation from/to the airports?
Yes, upon request.

Do you have English speaking staff?
Yes. From the day of your arrival, one of our English-speaking collaborators will be available to answer any questions and make you feel at home in the house of your choice. Whatever your requirements are, we will do our best to assist you.

When are swimming pools open?
Pools open from end of May until end of September, unless unusual weather prevails.

What about tennis rackets?
We have some tennis rackets we lend to guests. If you have particular requirements regarding size or racket grip, please bring your own.

What basic equipment can I expect? Iron, kettle, electrical coffee machine, fans, hairdryer?
All our houses have basics like kettles, irons & ironing boards, electrical coffee machines (fans & hairdryers upon request). Check the description for each house for washing machine, dishwasher, TV.

Will there be bed linen, towels and pool towels?
Bed, bath linen, pool towels are provided.

Phone/Internet access?
Not in the houses.
A cell phone with prepaid SIM card and rechargeable credit (that can receive and make international calls) is available upon request in every accommodation. Top up your credit by buying refill cards at newsstands, tobacco shops, supermarkets etc.
Cybercafes have become very popular in Italy, you can email without lugging around a laptop. You'll find connections in smaller towns around the estate: in Internet points, libraries, bookstores, copy shops, post offices, video stores and hotels. To save time once you're in Europe, set up your account and learn how it works before you leave home.
If you travel with a digital camera, you'll want to empty your smart media card or floppy disk from time to time. Many cybercafes will copy images to a CD-ROM or Zip disk for you.

What's in the house?
Clean bed and bath linen is provided once a week.
You will find toilet rolls and soap in bathrooms to start you off; but replacements for these are not provided during your stay. You'll also find a few very basic items in the kitchen (salt and pepper, basic breakfast items etc.). These items are offered in order to make your arrival more comfortable and to afford you a little time while you find your bearings and plan your shopping for these and other items as part of your self-catering. Past experience compels us, in order to avoid any misunderstandings, to remind you not to expect us to provide you with this or any other food stuff, laundry, house cleaning products or toiletry during your stay. You'll find information, shopping advice and restaurants suggestions in your house.
The supermarkets (in Lucignano or Sinalunga, the nearest villages) are open until 7:30/8:00 on the day of your arrival and will be closed on Sunday.

What is the first shopping?
Upon arrival we can provide our guests with some basic foods. The first shopping has to be confirmed in advance and a specific list should be sent by guest within one week before arrival. Being an extra service it is not included in the rental price.

What about bugs and stuff?
Flies, mosquitos, ants, wasps, hornets, millipedes – no, there aren't great hordes and swarms of them, and they won't all be in full march, bent on entering your house and disturbing you; but they are all part of country life, and, sometimes, some of them find their way indoors. Ants especially are attracted by even the smallest crumbs. It is a great help if you try not to leave scraps or crumbs around...

What about housework?
Properties are consigned clean and tidy for your arrival, and you are responsible for leaving them in such a condition that normal cleaning will prepare them for the guests following you. Even if some cleaning is included during your stay, you should remember that you will probably need to do a little housework yourself, even if only washing the dishes and sweeping up! When extra cleaning is included in your rent, please note that this does not usually include time for guests' personal laundry,and this ought to be arranged and paid for separately with the cleaner.

Are the cleaning costs upon departure included in the price?
Yes

Can you provide a cook/chef?
Yes, can provide a cook on request basis.

Can you take care of a wedding reception?
Our church in the castle is available for ceremonies, but we don't take care of legal assistance, paperwork, flowers, catering, music, hairdresser, photos & videos etc.

How can I find out about Italian trains?
Train timetables and information can be found at the Italian trains web site

How can I be sure that Calcione Castle & Country is not only a letterbox company? How can I get some references?
Contact the Italian Chamber of Industry & Commerce and search for TOSCANA P.L.D.S. DI PIANETTI LOTTERINGHI DELLA STUFA OLIVA (enter it in the "Impresa, Prodotto, Servizio" field. Now enter LUCIGNANO in the "Regione, Sigla Provincia, Comune o CAP" field. Click on INVIA. In this new page, click on "visualizza").
or contact our bank: Cassa di Risparmio di Parma e Piacenza
phone +39 055 4624128 fax +39 055 471239

Feel free to contact our previous guests: