We stayed at Fornaio at Pretaccione for 1 week and the only problem was that we wish we had stayed much longer. The villa was amazing and the pool was beautifully maintained. The hamlet is very much off the beaten track, but so many good things are in Tuscany!! The facilities available at the villa (including full kitchen and laundry) were very useful and the information provided about places to visit nearby was also very useful.

We are already planning a return visit..... :)

La Pretaccione is perfect for a family holiday or to share with friends. It is in the heart of beautiful countryside but within easy reach of Siena and many little villages. There is an excellent trattoria just down the road. The house is spacious , well-equipped and easy to keep clean. We had a great time painting in the area, no shortage of subjects. Tennis court and swimming pool provide extra entertainment. Go to experience the heart of Italy.

My husband and I spent a glorious 2 weeks in the La Porcilaia section of the Pretaccione farmhouse in August 2007. We'd return in a heartbeat.
The seperate unit (it was the former farm's pigsty!) is surrounded by lavendar, and other lovely plants, has a rose-covered covered patio - perfect for outdoor eating and resting - and lies a few steps from the pool which was much appreciated in the hot weather.
The apartment itself is beautifully and comfortably furnished, has a knock out bathroom and a fully equipped kitchen overlooking vineyards. Everything we needed for a comfortable stay seemed to have been provided, including lots of local travel information and personal recommendations from the owners for restaurants in the area (which all turned out to be true!).
Pretaccione is secluded without feeling distant, a short drive to the local village which has an excellent restaurant and about a 15 minute drive to Gaiole where all necessary provisions for that lazy meal on the patio can be purchased. In addition, it is about an hour from Siena and a couple of hours from Florence.
One could not ask for more. We recommend Pretaccione without reservation.

We stayed at Annabel and Christopher Henfrey's house in the early days of Pretaccione and it was just what we wanted. It was modern living in an old building where everything worked and it was comfortable without being fussy.
As it was easy to use the kitchen and keep it clean, maintenance time was minimal and time for exploring the countryside and the towns, holiday time, was maximized.