On the edge of the wonderful nature reserve in the Val d'Orcia, close to the border separating Tuscany from Umbria and Lazio, on the summit of a hill, stands the little medieval hamlet of Celle sul Rigo. The first thing you notice about this area is the panorama, with an infinite procession of rolling hills covered in woods and agricultural fields with all their subtle colour variations, different in each season, and extending from the imposing fort called Rocca di Radicofani, to Monte Amiata and as far as San Casciano dei Bagni, a well-known thermal spring resort 5 kms away, whose warm, healing waters have been famous since etruscan times. This area is rich in history and culture, and is fortunately far from the beaten track of mass tourism, and should be explored without hurry, along the ancient Via Francigena, which followed the traces of the roman Via Cassia, the path which through forts and castles led the pilgrims to Rome. Almost looking onto the piazza of the little village of Celle stands this old palazzo, built around 1500, once the home of an aristocratic family and which has preserved throughout the centuries the characteristics of a private home. As soon as you enter you breathe in the wonderful atmosphere of times gone by: the rooms have remained almost unaltered, and many still have their antique furniture, yet put all together the impression is both pleasant and efficient. At the rear is a small garden, shaded by the walls and the tower of the palazzo, with barbecue and a large table for dining outside and this leads, over a small untarred road, to the large and quiet private garden with swimming-pool (6x12m), which offers a wonderful panoramic view. The village around the palazzo is small and delightful, with narrow streets, where you can still come across old people sitting around chatting and children playing. There are a couple of excellent restaurants, where you can try the local specialities (especially the 'pici', a pasta homemade by the local women), along with small shops and bars. Staying in the village is like diving into the past, to an Italy which is getting more and more difficult to find. Palazzo nel Borgo can also be rented to just 12 people, without one of the kitchens and 3 bedrooms on the second floor. Cars, after dropping off the luggage, must be left in a car park 70 metres from the house.
