About il Nido
Italy is a country of magic and while it’s important to visit the myriad of art and architecture sites, the pace and savor of simple things are where the other Italian magic lies.
Il Nido (“the nest”) is a light, airy, restored townhouse apartment overlooking a lively piazza and a panoramic view of the Val di Chiana and the famous hill towns in the foothills. Piazza Garibaldi adjoins the ancient core of the 12th century original village of Asinalunga so you truly are in touch with the timeless history of Italy, just steps away. To keep in mind that this village began almost two centuries before the New World was discovered helps create perspective.
In a four story 17th century building, you occupy the top two floors, with a further rooftop terrace, too! It’s perfect for a romantic hide-away with candle lit dinners, or with 2 bedrooms with en suite baths, invite another couple or bring family. There’s a sofa bed in the living room, so Il Nido is equipped for 6.
It’s a place to hang up a few clothes, put away some fresh local delicacies and open some wine. On the private rooftop terrace you can sunbathe and watch the light over the valley. Watch Montepulciano glow pink as the sun sets over your shoulder. Or after dinner enjoy the stars. Il Nido is completely private, yet in the center of a hilltop town that is largely undiscovered by tourists. A fine pastry shop, a wine shop, flower shop and, the heartbeat of the piazza, a great Italian café – all are just outside your door!!! In the summer, grab a beach bag from the closet, walk 2 blocks to the large gated village swimming pool, pull up a chaise and just hang out for the day in true Italian village style!!
Spend the mornings in the piazza café, Bar l’Angolo enjoying your café and pastry. Fill a few bottles with the healthful spring water and then fill your other bottles with vino sfuso, across the piazza and pick up a loaf of fresh bread while you are there.
Tuesday mornings Italy comes, literally, to your doorstep. The largest farmers’ market in the area sets up to completely fill the piazza. Shop for anything you can imagine in an Italian village – all kinds of local foods, an espresso pot, a tablecloth, wooden spoons, a jacket or a scarf. And after lunch, the market is gone and life’s pace of savor returns.
There’s a shady park with children’s playground and a couple of easy restaurants to fill in on nights you want something simple just steps away.
Most importantly, hear Italian spoken all around you, slow down a bit and stroll instead of rushing. Enjoy cooking a meal with local ingredients that you bought at the market. Read a book. Enjoy the unobstructed view of the wide valley and the lively piazza, below, from the sunny, south-facing private roof terrace. Sit quietly on the covered north-facing dining terrace after lunch. This terrace is off the kitchen/dining area and looks into the treetops of the quiet village park.
Yet, you are in the heart of Tuscan wine country – with Montepulciano, famous for vino nobile, visible in the foothills. Forty-five minutes to Siena and Chianti and to Montalcino and its brunello wine. You are a little over an hour from Florence and just over 2 hours from Rome. Or try Venice for an overnight! Four hours from unlocking your car in Sinalunga to stepping onto the deck of a vaporetto water taxi on the Grand Canal.
Settle into a rooftop nest and live like an Italian!! Welcome home!
