Only four Kilometres far from San Gimignano, along the provincial road leading to Volterra, there
is an ancient village called San Donato.
Surrounded by vineyards and olive groves extending as far as the eye can see, San Donato is the ideal place for special travellers who want to taste the charm of the Tuscan countryside and breathe the atmosphere of other times.
The first reference to the village, in fact, dates back to 22nd June 971: it refers to a village or villa and church. And just around the little Romanesque church there is a group of medieval buildings and a residence of ancient origins.
"Antica Dimora", notified by the National Trust of Siena as "historical and monumental property", is the result of a restoration made with the utmost care over the original characteristics, using materials mainly recovered on the place. The ancient traces are widely visible both outside and inside the structure. The outside, completely made of stones, is adorned with a characteristic arcade loggia opening on the surrounding countryside. The house has got two floors. The ground floor, the ancient cawshed, has been changed in three apartments of different size, each of them with independent entrance and heating. The entrance to the first floor is by an outside semicircle staircase made of stone and terracotta. Here are four-double rooms jopening on aJarge lounge dominated by an ancient fireplace made of carved stone. The bedrooms, provided with satellite TV and private bathrooms, are all different and furnished with antique objects and art and craft works; the rooms are also enriched with precious details such as a canvas reproducing Botticelli's Venere, a wrought-iron bed with canopy, curtains and soft fabric, hand-painted wardrobes, armchairs and small toilet-tables. The architectural details of both the bedrooms and the common rooms are also charming: big beams on sight, walls and arches made of stones and floors of handmade terracotta.
The service at "Antica Dimora" includes beds, and breakfast on request.
Guests can also use the kitchen and the table in the lounge, which are particularly useful for groups that occupy all the rooms and want to prepare lunch or dinner. "Antica Dimora" is the ideal point of departure for trips by car of walking tours.
A few kilometres faraway, in fact, it is possible to visit the most important towns of art in Tuscany such as Siena, Florence, Pisa, Volterra, Monteriggioni.
The seaside, moreover, with its well-known places, such as Follonica, Punta Ala, Castiglion della Pescaia, Cecina, Castiglioncello, is only one or two hours' drive. Then, people who are fond of nature can plunge in the absolute quietness of the surrounding countryside, and walk along the footpaths to discover lakes and amazing landscapes.