PIEVE DI CAMININO
Characterful art-filled former monastery in rural Tuscany
THIS FORMER ROMANESQUE MONASTERY in the Maremma region sprawls across 500 hectares of Tuscan hillside, with far-reaching views out to sea. Walking into the reception of Pieve di Caminino is rather like entering a forgotten cathedral, with its soaring arches and lofty windows.
Inside, you're greeted with a slightly chaotic wealth of family heirlooms, paintings, musical instruments, religious artefacts, old chests, and hunting trophies scattered on walls, tables and alcoves with seeming abandon. It's worth taking time to stroll around.
Accompanied by the family dogs, who had bounded out to greet us, we set off for our quarters. Suites and apartments at Pieve di Caminino are scattered through the estate's collection of old farm buildings. They too retain all the atmosphere of times past, and are filled with antiques and paintings, raftered ceilings, high stone fireplaces (hence the name Caminino) and original tiled floors. Ours had its own farmhouse kitchen, a wood-burning stove and cosy dining area.
Hit the Spot
Just inland from the southern Tuscan coast.
Bedtime
Lace curtains and bedspreads lend a rustic charm – and with no TV you'll slumber like babes.
Be Savvy
Come here for friendly, farmhouse-style living.
Be Smitten
Characterful, cosy and quirky.
Sundowners at the pool
Owner Emiliano Marucchi Locatelli and his parents (Signor Marucchi senior is a Leonardo da Vinci lookalike) happily mingle with their guests. The dogs will give you a tour of the estate, filled with over 3,000 olive trees, carp ponds (listen to the frogs croaking) and woodlands.
Be sure to soak up the views at sunset from the pool terrace with a glass of local vino as you gaze at Montemassi in the distance. You can also book an Ayurvedic massage and other blissful unwinding treatments here.
Breakfast at Pieve di Caminino is generally served in the chandeliered dining room, though it was nice to have ours in our cosy kitchen on a nippy spring morning. Guests often stay here for weeks at a time, cooking in their suite and treating the place very much as a home from home. We happily stocked up with some of the estate's wine and olive oil to take back to ours.
Pieve di Caminino was reviewed for Room for Romance by Tess Dalton
Inside, you're greeted with a slightly chaotic wealth of family heirlooms, paintings, musical instruments, religious artefacts, old chests, and hunting trophies scattered on walls, tables and alcoves with seeming abandon. It's worth taking time to stroll around.
Accompanied by the family dogs, who had bounded out to greet us, we set off for our quarters. Suites and apartments at Pieve di Caminino are scattered through the estate's collection of old farm buildings. They too retain all the atmosphere of times past, and are filled with antiques and paintings, raftered ceilings, high stone fireplaces (hence the name Caminino) and original tiled floors. Ours had its own farmhouse kitchen, a wood-burning stove and cosy dining area.
Hit the Spot
Just inland from the southern Tuscan coast.
Bedtime
Lace curtains and bedspreads lend a rustic charm – and with no TV you'll slumber like babes.
Be Savvy
Come here for friendly, farmhouse-style living.
Be Smitten
Characterful, cosy and quirky.
Sundowners at the pool
Owner Emiliano Marucchi Locatelli and his parents (Signor Marucchi senior is a Leonardo da Vinci lookalike) happily mingle with their guests. The dogs will give you a tour of the estate, filled with over 3,000 olive trees, carp ponds (listen to the frogs croaking) and woodlands.
Be sure to soak up the views at sunset from the pool terrace with a glass of local vino as you gaze at Montemassi in the distance. You can also book an Ayurvedic massage and other blissful unwinding treatments here.
Breakfast at Pieve di Caminino is generally served in the chandeliered dining room, though it was nice to have ours in our cosy kitchen on a nippy spring morning. Guests often stay here for weeks at a time, cooking in their suite and treating the place very much as a home from home. We happily stocked up with some of the estate's wine and olive oil to take back to ours.
Pieve di Caminino was reviewed for Room for Romance by Tess Dalton
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Dining in
Only breakfast is served here: enjoy it in your room or in the larger dining room. You'll be able to cook dinner yourselves in your fully fitted kitchen.
Dining out
Nearby Massa Marittima boasts plenty a great eateries, particularly Il Cassero and Il Brillo Parlante. Il Corso, in the medieval hilltop village of Roccatederighi, is also well worth a visit. We loved our meal out at this authentic family-run restaurant, where Mama (in pink housecoat) presides over a no-nonsense kitchen dishing up more-ish antipasti, bruschetta and pasta.
Where?
Pieve di Caminimo
What’s cooking?
Whatever you like – suites have a kitchen where you can rustle up supper for two.
Dress the part
Up or down – it's your call.
Top table?
Your very own dining table or terrace.
See & Do
There is plenty to see and do here in the Maremma region. Tour the ancient fortresses of Montemassi, Sticciano and Roccatederighi or cross the valley to the beaches around Castiglione della Pescaia. If that doesn't tire you out, you can walk or mountain bike ride through the owners' private forest, or even fish for a carp in a lake on the estate.
Shop
Head into Massa Marittima to stock up on local olive oil, wines and pesto sauces.
Spa
Unwind with an Ayurvedic or Rebalancing massage and some reflexology at Pieve di Caminino's new Oasis Ayurveda, overlooking the olive groves. Bookable at reception, treatments use organic oils from Kerala as well as rosemary and lavender from Tuscany. Ask about the special packages when booking.
After dark
Sit on your terrace by candlelight with a bottle of local wine till the midnight hour, or curl up in front of the fireplace in your suite.
Dates
August
Join the jostling spectators at the stirring Palio horse races in Siena, about an hour away.
Only breakfast is served here: enjoy it in your room or in the larger dining room. You'll be able to cook dinner yourselves in your fully fitted kitchen.
Dining out
Nearby Massa Marittima boasts plenty a great eateries, particularly Il Cassero and Il Brillo Parlante. Il Corso, in the medieval hilltop village of Roccatederighi, is also well worth a visit. We loved our meal out at this authentic family-run restaurant, where Mama (in pink housecoat) presides over a no-nonsense kitchen dishing up more-ish antipasti, bruschetta and pasta.
Where?
Pieve di Caminimo
What’s cooking?
Whatever you like – suites have a kitchen where you can rustle up supper for two.
Dress the part
Up or down – it's your call.
Top table?
Your very own dining table or terrace.
See & Do
There is plenty to see and do here in the Maremma region. Tour the ancient fortresses of Montemassi, Sticciano and Roccatederighi or cross the valley to the beaches around Castiglione della Pescaia. If that doesn't tire you out, you can walk or mountain bike ride through the owners' private forest, or even fish for a carp in a lake on the estate.
Shop
Head into Massa Marittima to stock up on local olive oil, wines and pesto sauces.
Spa
Unwind with an Ayurvedic or Rebalancing massage and some reflexology at Pieve di Caminino's new Oasis Ayurveda, overlooking the olive groves. Bookable at reception, treatments use organic oils from Kerala as well as rosemary and lavender from Tuscany. Ask about the special packages when booking.
After dark
Sit on your terrace by candlelight with a bottle of local wine till the midnight hour, or curl up in front of the fireplace in your suite.
Dates
August
Join the jostling spectators at the stirring Palio horse races in Siena, about an hour away.
GETTING THERE
Location
Strada Provinciale, 58038 Roccastrada
Parking
There is free guest parking
Trains
Montepescali – 12km
Taxis
Around EUR 20 from the station
Airport
Pisa – 150km
Rooms and suites
Six apartment suites
Special features
Every suite has an open fireplace which can be lit prior to your arrival, furnished with antiques from the Marrucchi Locatelli family's collection.
Also…
There's a swimming pool with panoramic valley views and a private forest for hiking and mountain biking.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 130 - 750
Open/closed
Open all year
Check-in
3:30pm
Check-out
11am
Minimum night stay?
One week during July and August
Breakfast
Continental breakfast is served until 10:30am
Room service
Breakfast can be taken in bed.
Children
Welcome
Pets
No
Air conditioning
Yes
Languages
Italian, English and French
Wedding license?
Yes – based on exclusive hire of the property. Up to 30 guests can be catered for.
Your contact
Emiliano Marrucchi Locatelli – owner
Location
Strada Provinciale, 58038 Roccastrada
Parking
There is free guest parking
Trains
Montepescali – 12km
Taxis
Around EUR 20 from the station
Airport
Pisa – 150km
Rooms and suites
Six apartment suites
Special features
Every suite has an open fireplace which can be lit prior to your arrival, furnished with antiques from the Marrucchi Locatelli family's collection.
Also…
There's a swimming pool with panoramic valley views and a private forest for hiking and mountain biking.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 130 - 750
Open/closed
Open all year
Check-in
3:30pm
Check-out
11am
Minimum night stay?
One week during July and August
Breakfast
Continental breakfast is served until 10:30am
Room service
Breakfast can be taken in bed.
Children
Welcome
Pets
No
Air conditioning
Yes
Languages
Italian, English and French
Wedding license?
Yes – based on exclusive hire of the property. Up to 30 guests can be catered for.
Your contact
Emiliano Marrucchi Locatelli – owner
