Poggio al Casone is a very special place: perfect for a 3 night winter break or a week or two in summer. It's an organic wine estate, twinned with the wineries of America's New York State. They are in collaboration to re-discover the lost grape varieties of yesteryear, aiming to create sublime "new" vintages for the discerning wine lover. Dr. Castellani exports his wines worldwide. He's a seasoned traveler himself and has insisted that Le Vigne must offer elegant comfort to the very highest standard -and he's succeeded! Taking a holiday on the 100 acre vineyard of Poggio al Casone is to step into a very special environment, a genuine oasis of peace. You'll find yourself luxuriously lapped in authentic Tuscan hospitality and discreet security on this private, gated estate less than 30 minutes drive from Pisa airport.

Poggio al Casone is about Tuscan charm and the opportunity to experience the emotion that is the Tuscany most tourists will never see. Michaela looks after reception and she's your five star holiday helper. Breakfast in bed, opera tickets, horse riding, having the estate's bicycles waiting at your front door for a happy ramble or organising a visit to admire the skills of the last basket weaver in the area (off the beaten tourist track of course!) or merely pointing out the best places to eat and the best sights to see - she'll do it all. She's an invaluable aid to ensuring you have a truly perfect holiday!

Poggio al Casone is a haven of peace and exclusivity, with quiet walks through its immaculate vineyards. The hamlet of Quattro Strade is just 1 km away. For such a small place it's got an amazing number of amenities - a bank, a news agent for your favourite paper, two bars, two excellent cake shops, plus a supermarket and the choice of two restaurants! If you are intent on serious sightseeing, you'll find yourself wonderfully located. Naturally, you'll want to visit the Field of Miracles to gaze at the famous leaning tower of Pisa, admire the duomo and marvel at the baptistery - and it's only 24 km away. San Gimignano, Lucca, Florence, Prato, Viareggio, Pistoia, Volterra and Siena are all within an hour's drive of Poggio al Casone. The village of Montelupo specialises in fabulous terracotta, while Empoli turns out interesting glassware, San Miniato boasts a rich summer calendar of cultural events and the antiques market on the first Sunday of every month is unmissable, or head for Castellina in Chianti and snap up some fine crystal (and some wine of course!) then stop off at Vinci on the way back to visit the Museo Leonardiano which celebrates the town's most famous citizen, Leonardo da Vinci. The season of opera at Torre di Lago Puccini and the alabaster of Volterra are temptatious too - and none of these destinations requires more than an hour at the wheel!

If you want to chill, and be thoroughly pampered in deliciously peaceful surroundings, you'd be hard pressed to find a more perfect spot. Or if you simply want an elegant base from which to explore the art, the wines and the culture of glorious Tuscany, then stop searching - you've just found what you are looking for!