Uncover Tuscany's Hidden Gem: Podere Dell'Anselmo Awaits!
Uncover Tuscany's Hidden Gem: Podere Dell'Anselmo Awaits!
Uncover Tuscany's Hidden Gem: Podere Dell'Anselmo Awaits! - A Review (and a Little Bit of a Rant…)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to launch myself headfirst into a review of Podere Dell'Anselmo. Forget those sterile, perfectly-polished hotel reviews – this is the real deal. This is me, post-Tuscan sun-drenching, wine-guzzling, and generally being a right royal pain in the… well, you get the picture.
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Let's Start with the Good (and the Bloody Amazing!):
First off, that view. Oh. My. God. The pictures? They don't even begin to capture it. Rolling hills, vineyards stretching to infinity, cypress trees standing at attention like green soldiers guarding paradise. Honestly, I nearly choked on my cappuccino the first morning. (More on the cappuccino later, because, well, Italy.)
Pool with a View? More Like a Portal to Heaven:
The pool area? Chef's kiss. Absolutely divine. Loungers galore (no early morning towel wars here!), perfectly crisp towels, and a pool that seems to melt into the landscape. I spent a solid three days just… existing. Floating. Staring. Thinking about absolutely nothing. And the poolside bar? Okay, confession time. I may have sampled the Negroni, the Aperol Spritz, and maybe… just maybe… a sneaky glass of Prosecco, all before midday. Don't judge. You will be tempted.
Spa Blissss… or, the Time I Almost Fell Asleep During a Body Wrap:
Right, the spa. This place has ALL the bells and whistles. Steamroom, sauna, massage (oh sweet, sweet massage… I almost, almost fell asleep during that body wrap. The therapist, bless her heart, kept me afloat. It was a serious struggle. I swear I could feel the Tuscan sun just soaking in my pores afterwards. Pure bliss. They've got a gym too (tried it. Once. Mostly to feel guilty about all the pasta I'd been devouring).
Accessibility – A HUGE Win! (and a Minor Grumble):
Now, this is a big one for me. Podere Dell'Anselmo is seriously committed to accessibility. Wheelchair accessible rooms are plentiful and actually well-designed. Elevators throughout, ramps where needed, and generally a super-thoughtful layout. This is a big win for them. They’ve even got a car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site] with spaces near the buildings for easier access. My only minor grumble? I'd love to see them add specific information on their website regarding the accessible features, maybe even a virtual tour, to give guests a better understanding beforehand. But overall? Bravo! Really, it's something other establishments could learn from.
Food, Glorious Food (and a Few Hiccups):
Okay, let's be honest. I went to Italy expecting to gain a few kilograms. I’m pretty sure I’ve gained a small child. The food here is amazing. The restaurants are phenomenal. The breakfast [buffet] is a feast (seriously, the pastries alone are worth the trip). They have A la carte in restaurant. They have Vegetarian restaurant too. Even a Asian cuisine in restaurant ! The Coffee/tea in restaurant is perfect (I'm still dreaming about those cappuccinos). And the staff? Delightful. They're all super-friendly and helpful. I'm talking genuine smiles and service with a capital "S." The Room service [24-hour] comes in handy if you’ve had a long day, well, doing absolutely nothing…
BUT… (and there's almost always a "but," isn't there?)… I did experience a tiny, tiny blip. One evening, during a busy service, my order was a bit… lost in translation. I got the wrong pasta dish (tragic, I know). The restaurant team were apologetic and sorted it out immediately. These things happen, right? It's a minor blip in an otherwise flawless culinary experience. It didn't ruin my night (the wine certainly helped with that!).
Cleanliness and Safety (Because We're Living in a Weird World):
Okay, let's address the elephant in the room: COVID. Podere Dell'Anselmo has taken this seriously. Hand sanitizer everywhere, staff trained in safety protocol, Daily disinfection in common areas … you get the picture. They had Individual-wrapped food options at the buffet (a bit sad, but necessary). Rooms sanitized between stays. Felt safe. Felt clean. Felt like they were taking the situation seriously. They have even a doctor/nurse on call. That makes me feel happy!
Rooms – Cozy, Comfortable, and Tempting to Never Leave:
The rooms are just lovely. Air conditioning? Check. Free Wi-Fi? DOUBLE check. Private bathroom, Bathrobes, and slippers? Luxurious touches. Honestly, Daily housekeeping means you don't have to lift a finger. I think I spent half my stay in the bathrobes. The Bed! The bed was a double bed, and it was super comfy. The blackout curtains were great, and the safe box helped me be secure. They have Internet access – wireless too, and a refrigerator to keep my water cool. I always love towels.
Services and Conveniences (The Little Things That Make a Difference):
The little things MATTER. Air conditioning in public area? Yes, please. Concierge? Always helpful. Luggage storage? Essential for a shopaholic like me. They have a gift/souvenir shop. Laundry service. Dry cleaning. It's all there. I will say, getting the invoice, made me feel like I was in a real hotel. I wasn't expecting that in Italy.
Things to Do (Beyond Just Existing and Eating):
Look around! CCTV in common areas! Fire extinguisher and Smoke alarms! Podere Dell'Anselmo also offers a range of activities. Meetings and Seminars are available. They have a terrace where I could enjoy the sun. They also offer a family/child friendly environment, including Babysitting service, Kids facilities, and a Kids meal. Not into any of that? Then just embrace the sloth. Bicycle parking, car park (free of charge), car power charging station are available for those getting around.
The "Meh" Bits (Because Nothing's Ever Perfect):
Okay, some minor, minor gripes. The Wi-Fi, while free (hooray!), can be a little patchy in some corners of the property. They have Internet access – wireless, but it’s important to note this. The bar, while lovely, closes a little early for my taste. But hey, a minor quibble in the grand scheme of Tuscan perfection!
The Verdict (Drumroll Please…):
Overall? Podere Dell'Anselmo is an absolute winner. It's a beautiful, accessible, well-run hotel with stunning views, fantastic food, and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere. Yes, there are a few minor imperfections, but honestly, they're just a small part of what makes this place so special. It’s the kind of place you arrive at stressed and leave feeling like you’ve been reborn. 10/10. Go. Book it. Now. You won't regret it. And tell them I sent you… although, they probably won’t know who I am. But still. Go. Go!
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving head-first into the glorious, chaotic mess that is my Podere Dell'Anselmo, Montespertoli, Italy adventure. This isn't your meticulously crafted brochure itinerary. This is the raw, unfiltered truth of what went down. Prepare for wine stains, questionable decisions, and a whole lotta "holy crap, did that actually happen?"
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Olive Oil Debacle (aka, Welcome to Paradise…ish)
- 10:00 AM (give or take an hour, thanks Alitalia): Landed in Florence. Smelled the leather, immediately regressed into a stressed Italian grandmother trying to herd pigeons. Seriously, the city's energy is intense. Found my luggage (miracle!), and the rental car (Fiat 500, because, Italy). Driving to Podere Dell'Anselmo? Let's just say my GPS and I had a very passionate argument. I think I took every backroad in Tuscany. Eventually, finally, arrived.
- 1:00 PM: Unveiling the Podere. Oh. My. God. Photos do not do it justice. Rolling hills, olive groves, the house itself…perfect Tuscan farmhouse straight out of a movie. Except…the front door was locked. And the keys? Nowhere to be seen. Cue frantic phone calls and several panicked bites of my emergency biscotti stash.
- 2:30 PM: Finally got in! (Thanks, the friendly neighbor with the surprisingly good English, who happened to be a retired opera singer. No, I'm not kidding). The place was even more magical inside. Rustic charm overload. Settle in, unpack, and breathe.
- 4:00 PM: The Olive Oil Situation. Okay, here's where things got…interesting. I'd heard about the olive oil, the local produce, the incredible food. Armed with my "I'm going to become a culinary goddess" attitude (and a slightly rusty Italian from Duolingo), I ventured to the local store. Bought a bottle of what I thought was olive oil. Turns out, it was… something. I won't say what, but it tasted like motor oil mixed with regret. (Side note: Never trust a label you can't fully understand. This is a life lesson, people).
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. Grilled some random vegetables from the market (thankfully, they were gorgeous) and had a pasta with tomato sauce that tasted like heaven. And, well, I started to understand why they say to bring water in a big big bottle!
Day 2: Wine Tasting? More Like Wine Experiencing. And Possibly Regretting.
- 9:00 AM: Woke up feeling…optimistic. And slightly dehydrated. Decided today was the day I'd conquer the Chianti Classico region.
- 10:00 AM: First winery. The wine! The views! The charming Italians! Oh, and the free samples. The wine itself was amazing. The people were even better! The first winery I visited, I tasted the same amazing wine, a Chianti Classico from the region.
- 12:00 PM: Second winery. This is where things went sideways…deliciously so. More wine, more laughter, and suddenly I was enthusiastically agreeing to learn how to make pasta from a very patient nonna. (Spoiler alert: my pasta looked more like abstract art than actual food). One more glass of the amazing wine, and the driver had to take us back to the Podere.
- 3:00 PM: Naptime. Needed this. Woke up slightly fuzzy, but good.
- 5:00 PM: Attempted to make dinner (pasta-shaped art). Failed hilariously. Ordered pizza. No shame.
- 7:00 PM: Stargazing on the terrace. Absolutely breathtaking. Realized I'd left my phone outside, so I went to get it. When I look back, I couldn't find it! Ahhh the perfect end of the day!
Day 3: Florence and the Great Lost Camera (and other Tales of Disaster)
- 8:00 AM: Headed for Florence. Yes, I took a taxi.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Uffizi Gallery. I had a near-religious experience staring at Botticelli's "Birth of Venus". Seriously, I teared up. The sheer beauty, the scale…it stopped me in my tracks. Also, crowds. Lots of crowds. But worth it.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch in Florence. Found a tiny trattoria tucked away on a side street. The pappardelle al ragu was the best thing I've ever eaten. The most satisfying meal that I had in Italy!
- 2:00 PM: This is where things went south. I went to go take a picture, and it was gone! The camera! Seriously? Yes, the camera! All the pictures I took over the last few days, all the memories…vanished. Insert dramatic sigh here.
- 4:00 PM: Raged, mourned, then bought a new camera. Because, stubbornness.
- 5:00 PM: Gelato therapy. Double scoop. Chocolate and pistachio. Needed.
- 9:00 PM: Back at the Podere, I just decided to sit down and enjoy the silence. It was a peaceful end.
Day 4: The Slow Life, and The Great Reset
- 9:00 AM: So, okay, after all the chaos, I had decided it was time for a full reset.
- 10:00 AM: Walked out into the olive groves. The sun was warm and the the air was crisp. I spent the better part of the morning wandering around, just being. I watched the clouds, took pictures of flowers and listened to the birds.
- 1:00 PM: Packed myself a picnic and ate it outside. I brought cheese, bread, and one more glass of the amazing wine.
- 3:00 PM: Read a book under an olive tree. Pure bliss.
- 6:00 PM: Made a simple dinner of roasted chicken and vegetables.
- 8:00 PM: Sat on the terrace, watched the sunset, and decided that the world was, in fact, a pretty amazing place.
Day 5: Departure (With a Heavy Heart and a Bag Full of Olive Oil…the GOOD kind)
- 9:00 AM: Packing. The most bittersweet task. I don't want to leave this place.
- 10:00 AM: Last-minute souvenir shopping in the local market. Bought a bottle of actual olive oil, some hand made ceramics, and a ridiculously oversized Tuscan hat.
- 11:00 AM: One last walk through the gardens. Said goodbye to the olive trees.
- 12:00 PM: Forced myself to leave. Driving back to the airport, looking back in the rearview and seeing how much I'm going to miss this place!
Final Thoughts:
Podere Dell'Anselmo was everything and nothing I expected. It was messy, hilarious, incredibly beautiful, and, at times, utterly bonkers. I made mistakes, I got lost, I ate questionable things, and I had my heart broken (by a missing camera). But I also experienced something truly special. A place where time slows down, where the food tastes like heaven, and where you can lose yourself and find yourself all at once. I will go back. Eventually. As soon as I can stop having nightmares about that olive oil. Ciao, Tuscany. You were magnificent.
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Podere Dell'Anselmo: Unveiling Tuscany's Hidden Charm (and My Own Emotional Rollercoaster!) - FAQs That Actually *Answer* Things!
Okay, So WHERE IS THIS PODERE DELL'ANSELMO? And is it even REMOTE ENOUGH to escape my screaming inbox?
What's the actual place like? Is it all just super-stylized Instagram shots or is it... you know... *livable*?
**A little anecdote**: Remember that luggage I *thought* I packed (and didn't)? Well, I spent the first night rummaging through my, not great, travel bag, and the next morning I was running late for breakfast. I sprinted down the stairs and… tripped. Face-planted. Gloriously. Tuscan terracotta floor, one, me, zero. Mortified. But the family was so kind. They just laughed and offered me a huge stack of freshly made pancakes. Worth it.
Food. Wine. TELL ME EVERYTHING! Do they cater to my insatiable appetite?
**Rambling rant**: I'm a HUGE pasta fan. Obsessed. One night we had this handmade pasta with wild boar ragu. It was… *chef's kiss*. I actually had an out-of-body experience while eating it. I wanted to live in that moment forever. Then I wanted another plate, and then I realized I might actually explode if I ate one more bite. So I didn't, but I was seriously tempted. The wine, by the way, flows freely. Be warned. You *will* overeat. You *will* drink too much. And you *will* wake up the next morning feeling absolutely fantastic.
Okay, so you're not just eating and napping all day, right? (Please tell me you're not.) What else is there to do?
What's the atmosphere like? Is it all perfectly coiffed people sipping espresso, or is it… chill?
Okay, spill the tea. What's not so amazing? Because *nothing* is perfect. Except maybe that pasta.
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