The Residenza d'Arte was created to offer an unusual and fascinating visit. For this reason, the activities and excursions that we propose have been carefully designed to achieve one objective: to leave a wonderful memory of the vacation that you pass in this evocative residence. It’s not every day that you can take a hot-air balloon flight with landscapes so beautiful that they take your breath away, or learn how to cook typical tuscany plates, or watch craftsmen at work on glass using the ancient Italian techniques from Siena or pass an entire day discovering and savouring the places and the secrets of the best Tuscan wines, as you are comfortably transported by an expert guide from the area. Just think how great it would be, what an original gift it would be, to share each of these experiences with your loved ones or your better half!

One of the first dreams that Man has, even in infancy, is surely to be able to fly. At the Residenza d'Arte we can make this happen for you! Close by, only 4 km away, you can take part in an excursion by hot-air balloon. This will give you unrivalled views over the Val d'Orcia, the Crete Senesi and the beautiful medieval cities of Pienza, Montepulciano and Montalcino. The appointment is at dawn at the launch site, where you can take part in the inflation of the balloon, and shortly after rise gently into the sky. From this vantage point you can enjoy the magnificent panorama, and the forms and colours of this unique region. The whole trip takes about three and a half hours. The flights are for a minimum of two and a maximum of four people. It is even possible to organise private trips for honeymoon couples, or for couples who wish to enjoy the experience in romantic privacy. The flight is organised by a team of professionals with many years of experience in the field.

BRUNELLO di MONTALCINO

Montalcino owes its name to the holm-oaks (ilex in Latin) which surround this hilly area.The stronghold of Montalcino has always been of capital importance due to the town's strategic position on top of a hill. Wine characterised Montalcino's culture and history, which actually is the country of Brunello.The country exclusively produces this wine from Sangiovese Grosso vines 100% ).The average production, depending on the season, reaches almost 8.000.000 bottles yearly.A ruby color, a typical scent, a dry, lightly tannic taste stand as its major, succesful features.With an average strenght of 12.5% min., Brunello is put on the market after January 1st of the sixth year following the vintage as it spends at least two years in wooden casks and it gets refined in bottle for 4/6 months.The departure is at 9.30 a.m. from your hotel or villa in Siena and Province.We will take the south direction until we will stop at a little winery which produces Brunello di Montalcino wine.After a nice visit and private wine tasting, we will drive on between clay rolling hills and vineyards, we will pass the Monte Amiata, to stop then in Montenero.We will visit a very small extra virgin olive oil producer, where we will enjoy to see how to make and to learn how to taste extra virgin olive oil, grasping every single perfume and aroma, sitting on a terrace overlooking one of the widest view of the Val d'Orcia area. We will drive on among vineyards of those wineries where are produces the most famous wines....we will stop,instead, in Castelnuovo dell'Abate in a very small winery family owned, where the old man and his sun with passion produce since a long time the Rosso and Brunello di Montalcino.We will enjoy a nice lunch in the old cellar between barrels and barriques.We will enjoy bruschetta with extra virgin olive oil and fresh tomatoe, home made liver patè,Pecorino cheese,home made pasta...and of course we will taste both the wines produced,picking the differences and discovering why.During the harvest, end of September,a nice lunch is served in the vineyard with all the farmers who pick the grapes by hand...it is very funny! After lunch we will enjoy a nice walk around the village of Montalcino,admiring one of the most beautiful view of the area. The return to your hotel or villa is at around 5 p.m. 

The traditions of Tuscany are strongly linked to its flavours and cuisine. We offer our guests personalised cooking classes in the Tuscan style, to help them discover our roots and culture in a fun and original way.
Learn about the secrets of our cooking, the basic ingredients of our tradition, and the magical way in which we combine them. From bruschetta to homemade pici to the myriad of crostini, you will bring home a bit of “Tuscanness” to your dinner table. Fall in love with Tuscany through its food.

The class includes:
• Certified chef (multilingual)
• Professional cooking space
• Dinner based on what you have prepared

Details:
Days: Monday, tuesday or wednesday
Time of the lesson : 10 00 am.
Length of the class: 4 hours in just one day
Price per person: Euro 100,00
The restaurant for the lesson is far just 400 meters from the property.
Minimum participants: 2 people

For the most part, Tuscany’s hundreds of paths are unknown and hidden in the region’s uncontaminated green hills and valleys. They can only be crossed and appreciated by mountain bike. If you do do not want to miss the chance to see this natural beauty, you’re invited to participate in bike excursions as a couple or in a group, escorted in complete security by the expert Bicyle Tour Guides of the Residenza d’Arte. Our excursions are adapted to cyclists of any level, age, and degree of experience: We can propose calm and romantic tours for couples or families with children or more-active sporting tours for the most expert bikers.

Agriturismo Siena - Relais Siena