Agriturismo Cretaiole

My husband and I stayed at Cretaiole years ago, before it was discovered by Rick Steves. It was an extraordinary experience. I’d go back in a heartbeat.

Hi, we will be staying at Casa Morriciani the first week in October, and we're very much looking forward to it! May I ask if you joined the farm "orientation" tour (Sunday morning, if I recall), and if so. how was it? We will be driving up from Rome Sunday and debating whether to hit the road extra-early to join that event.

Thanks!

Hi dgshand,

I think the answer is "it depends". About a week or so before your stay you will get an agenda with the various activities. The Sunday orientation gives background to the farm and covers the agenda. As the agenda is reviewed you will be asked whether you want to join each activity. We had added the Dolce Vita package when we made our reservation. Several of the activities were already included in the package ..... so we were already counted "in". We only added 1 additional "a la carte" activity at the Sunday orientation .... a "cheese tasting" lunch (it was excellent). If you did not get the Dolce Vita package the Sunday orientation would be where you would sign up "a la carte" for any activity. I would guess that they could accommodate you signing up later that Sunday other than maybe any Sunday activity.

For me if you already have the Dolce Vita package I would not rush up from Rome. If you do not you may want to consider it after you get the agenda of activities.

BTW - if you don't already have it download the "What's App" app. It is a free text app that is used widely in Europe and with the Cretaiole folks

Ken

The orientation meeting isn't scheduled extra early--maybe 9:15 or 9:30. There are several advantages to going--it is a great time to ask questions about anything (where is x? how can we do Y? what is your recommendation for Z?) early in the week. Also it is nice to meet other people who are staying with the Moricciani family for the week. And sometimes are great activities that have a minimum or maximum number of people in order to run--and this is when everything is easily coordinated. You might find that you will miss an opportunity for something really fun if you aren't there to be included. It is a great way to start off the week--full of information, help, ideas, and connections with happy people.

Thank you very much for your comments regarding the orientation; I appreciate it! I think we'll attend, if only to have the opportunity to meet everyone at once. That seems like a good way to start our week.

Thanks again,

Donovan

I just returned from a one-week magical stay at Agriturismo Cretaiole. I got the Dolce Vita package and was glad I did because of the wonderful tour options, and also because of the bountiful food gifts that came with it: ½ doz fresh eggs, bread, olive oil and wine from the family farm, pastries, garden veggies, pasta, milk, and much more. I was traveling solo and enjoyed the opportunity to get to know others staying at the farm through the tours and optional group events. I thoroughly enjoyed Pienza which is just a 5-min drive from the farm. One of the things I enjoyed most was the self-guided walking tours to sights near the farm and the breathtaking views of the back county.

A stay at Agriturismo Cretaiole gives you complete flexibility to have as much quiet solitary time or group time as you want. I chose a fair amount of mindful solitary time and found the hammock under a tree on the property to be a “must” every day; even during a gentle Tuscan rainfall (but not a Tuscan downpour). Isabella’s family and team pour their hearts into making the stay special – it’s a real family/team effort and I felt honored to be welcomed into their family during the stay. Special shout-out to Carlotto who did an amazing job leading the tours and taking care of an endless variety of business.

Oh, another favorite - getting a sandwich in Pienza with fresh bread and local prosciutto - bringing it back to the farm and piling on vegetables freshly pulled from the garden including romaine lettuce, juicy tomatoes, herbs, onions, etc. – with Cretaiole olive oil and the house red wine – lunch on a rustic table under the Tuscan sun. What’s better than that? Oh, another favorite – learning how to make pici pasta with Isabella and the meal/cookout that followed. And too many other “favorites” to include in this limited space.