Arriving at Il Rigo
1.What is the closest airport?
Florence is the closest, and also the smallest, airport, about 90km from Il Rigo. Pisa (Ryanair airport) and Rome are both about 140km from us.
2. Is it possible to reach il Rigo by foot, train or public transportation?
It is… if you are experienced hikers! We are 4 km away from the closest village, where only a few buses arrive per day. You will definitely need a car to stay in our area – otherwise it will be impossible for you to explore the towns and villages and the beautiful countryside around Il Rigo. We suggest you rent directly at the airport upon your arrival.There is also a scarcity of taxis. There are some private companies with drivers that have to be booked in advance.
3. What are the closest villages?
San Quirico, Pienza and Bagno Vignoni are the closest villages, about 6km from Il Rigo. In 25 minutes you can reach Montalcino and Montepulciano. Siena and Arezzo are 1h by car.
4. Is your location remote?
Yes, it is, and we consider it a good thing! Surrounded by the beautiful rolling hills of Val d’Orcia, we are the perfect place to visit this beautiful iconic area!
Accomodation
5. How many rooms do you have?
17 in total, 10 in the main house Casabianca and 7 in Poggio Bacoca.
6. What is the difference between Casabianca and Poggio Bacoca?
The main difference is that reception, the dining room and bar are all situated in the main building (Casabianca), which means that to have breakfast and dinner, you have to move 1 km (less than 2 min by car or 10 min walking) from Poggio Bacoca.
There are no differences in the rooms, in terms of size, furniture or services. All the rooms in Poggio Bacoca have an amazing view and are particularly calm and quiet.
Poggio Bacoca is the perfect accommodation if you want to be surrounded by the unique landscape of Val d’Orcia, feel the connection with nature and wake up and be ready for a picturesque photo opportunity or a hike!
7. Can we check-in/out earlier/later?
Unfortunately not. We need time to clean the rooms and prepare the house for your arrival, so check-in is not allowed before 3 pm. Please, do not come before this time, as our reception is going to be closed, and you will potentially be waiting for some time.
Late check out is not allowed, for the same reason; we need time to prepare for the new guests.
8. Are there accessible rooms/bathrooms for guests with disabilities?
No, we do not have accessible rooms or bathrooms for guests with a wheelchair.
9. Do you have air conditioning in the rooms?
No, we do not. The house is very old and was not constructed like a hotel. However, there are portable fans in every room for the hottest summer nights. The Val d’Orcia is quite dry and windy, which usually makes for pleasant sleeping weather at night. The dry conditions generally prevent the presence of mosquitoes, making it possible to sleep with open windows.
10. Do you have baby cribs?
Yes, we do have 2 baby cribs and high-chairs at your disposal. Please, let us know of this request at the moment of your reservation.
11. Are dogs and cats allowed?
No. Il Rigo is home to several cats, our dog Cruschello; the perimeter of your home is not fenced and the countryside populated with wildlife. These conditions make Il Rigo not the ideal place for a holiday with a dog.
11.b can we visit if we have cat/dog allergy?
Even though our cats are not allowed indoors, traces of fur or dust might be find in the dining room and you may expect to get in contact with them in the outdoor areas.
12. Do you offer special conditions for groups or agencies?
Yes, we do! Please send us an email and we can send you our conditions and group-discounts!
13. Do you accept reservations for 1 night?
No, we don’t, we require a minimum of a 2 night-stay. During bank holidays, we might request a 3- or more night-stay. We are a "slow" family farm and we think that one night is not enough to appreciate our hospitality. Our area is one of the most interesting in Tuscany for its landscape, history, wine and food, so there’s plenty to do if you can slow down and stay with us for a couple of nights!
Restaurant
14. Can you provide vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free alternatives for the dinner/breakfast?
Yes, we can provide alternatives in case of dietary restrictions or allergies. Please, always let us know in advance as we prepare our menus from scratch, so every change has to be planned.
15. Can we bring our own wine?
You can bring your own wine at dinner, paying a corkage fee of 10€. You can enjoy your wine for free in your room or around Il Rigo, using the wine glasses you will find in your room!
16. If we don’t want to eat a full 4-courses menu, can we skip a course? Or can we share dishes?
You can, and we can also serve half portions. However the price for the dinner doesn't change, as we charge for the whole service, not only for the single dishes. We make a big effort to offer you a freshly prepared 4-course meal every day, choosing from the best ingredients we can, while also respecting the budget. We hope you understand.
Services
17. Can we have dinner even if you’re not guests of your agriturismo?
Yes, you are welcome. A reservation is required before noon, as we go shopping daily and prepare all the menus from scratch. You can call us to find out the menu of the day and reserve a spot!
18. Do you have a swimming pool?
No, we don’t have one. We have always thought that a blue pool with a chemical filter did not fit our ecological and natural philosophy! We do have a natural pond, though, with frogs and water-lilies, where you can jump in to refresh yourself on hot summer days. A few minutes away by car, you can reach the many natural hot springs of the region as well!
19. Is there a kitchen at our disposal during the stay?
No, there is no kitchen at the guests’ disposal. The living rooms are equipped to prepare tea and coffee, and there are fridges in Poggio Bacoca, for water and drinks. The reception area will be available for caffe services and drinks from 8.30 am to 12 pm, and from 3 pm to 7 pm.
20. Can you prepare a birthday cake or something for special occasions?
Yes, we love to prepare cakes! You can also give a bunch of farm-grown flowers, from our cut flower garden! Write us an email and we will provide options to make your celebrations special!
21. Can you provide information for our trip and help us book the activities?
Yes! After many years working and living in Val d’Orcia, we have identified a number of itineraries, activities and locales for you to spend the best time in the area. In your room you will find a “Guest book”, a real travel guide with maps, contacts and blog posts to inspire you and help you discover the wonders of this region!
Tuscany is very touristy, and locals usually speak English, but we can always help you book your activities!
22. Do you have special activities for children?
We have plenty of lovely cats and a very sweet (big) dog! Apart from that and plenty of space to run around, we don’t really have special activities for children. Even if we love to host children, Val d’Orcia is probably not the most children-friendly destination. Hikes can be tough for the small ones (especially in summer). In wineries and thermal pools, children are often not allowed. However, if you plan your trip with the family, we will give you all our best recommendations for activities that are fun for grown ups and kids alike!