Follonico

A very special B&B with quirky rooms and delightful owners: a perfect base to explore southern Tuscany

As we drive along a narrow Tuscan road with the sun on our arms and the air heavy with the scent of spring flowers, we see Follonico in the distance: a beautiful stone farmhouse, hovering amongst neat lines of vineyard. And as we bump up the rough track to reach the house, owner Fabio, his father-in-law and 2 children spill out to greet us. Enthusiastic handshakes and chatter ensues, and as we’re led inside, we feel thoroughly welcomed and instantly at ease. Such is the charm of Follonico.

Fabio and his Dutch wife Suzanne run their B&B with genuine warmth, as an extension of their home. There’s no formality and you’re encouraged to just ‘be’, yet they're mindful of your privacy and service is quietly excellent. If you want to talk, they’ll tell you about the region, its history, the things to see. If you want to be quiet and soak up your surroundings, they’ll point you to a deckchair and bring you a cool glass of water. The spacious rooms and suites are a beguiling blend of rustic, modern and vintage. You’ll sleep deeply, and wake restored, ready to visit Montepulciano, Pienza and the Val d'Orcia, all on your doorstep. And when you’ve explored all day, it’s the loveliest place to return to: green lawns, a setting sun, and birds singing in the trees.

Highs

• It's great value for money for this part of Tuscany
• The surroundings - a valley of rolling green hills and swaying Cypress trees - are truly beautiful and utterly peaceful
• Fabio and Suzanne are exceptional hosts: how they find the time to make every guest feel special is a mystery, but they do
• Very eco-conscious
• The decorative blend is stylish and intriguing: heavy stone walls and rustic doors meet modern luxuries and vintage quirks

Lows

• You'll need to drive out for dinner but Montefollonico is only 4km away
• There's no pool, though this is a considered choice to encourage guests to spread out rather than congregate (and to help to keep room rates low)
• Sound carries from room to room
• The gardens are in their infancy; when the roses and vegetables grow, they will be stunning
• There's no bar, and no minibars in the rooms