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Hotel Posta Marcucci
Bagno Vignone (Tuscany)
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Excuse me, but I have a real weakness for the Hotel Posta Marcucci. It may not be everybody's cup of tea (if you're looking for ACTION! for example) but if chilling out surrounded by beautiful nature and being able to float in an outdoor pool and count the stars at midnight even if it's snowing is your idea of a REAL TREAT then you may share my love for the place.
 I've been coming here for more than ten years. It's a family-run hotel, by the two Marcucci sisters, Licia and Ione, and their two nephews Leonardo and Riccardo Marcucci. Bagno Vignone is located on kilometer 172 of the Via Cassia, one of the consular roads radiating from Rome, which passes through the beautiful Val d'Orcia (Valley of Orcia) near Mount Amiata. The views are breathtaking, especially from the hill on which Bagno Vignone, which consists of two hotels and some twenty buildings, is perched. The Hotel Posta Marcucci and it's divine swimming pool overlooks the Val d'Orcia, from the viewpoint next to the hotel you can see for over 100 miles. Another attraction is that Montelcino, where Brunello di Montalcino which is one of the finest red wines in the world, is produced 15 minutes away. Riccardo (I call him "Ricky") is the wine expert and guests often seek his advice and load their cars with wine to take home.
 The pool, about 25 meters by 25 meters, is heated by hot water which comes from underground at 57 degrees, and in the winter is 33 degrees C in the large part, and 37 degrees C in the small adjoining pool with its waterfall for soothing aching backs. You can swim from 8am to 7:30pm with a small interval from 1pm to 2:30pm. In the summer the pool is also open from 9pm to midnight. The castle ruin you see in the photo is the Castiglione d'Orcia, on the other side of the ravine through which the (not very wide) Orcia river runs. Besides the birds chirping in the morning, and chatter from people in the pool, the only other sound you will hear is an occasional fighter jet from the base at Grosseto flying overhead.
Signora Licia Marcucci loves plants and they are abundant throughout the hotel as well as in the surrounding gardens and terraces. There are 28 rooms (my favorite overlooks the pool and the castle) which are comfortable but not luxurious. A few have bathtubs, all have showers. Breakfast is served buffet-style (also in your room if you wish). The food is mostly Tuscan, and the famous Val di Chiana beef is to die for. There is a small salad bar where you can make your own. I especially like Signora Licia's minestrone which is featured in my Gazpacho Diet. Desserts are delicious.
 There are two bars in the village where you can have snacks, as well as the hotel's own "Barrino" just outside the hotel, as well as several shops selling ceramics, linens, jewelry, and antiques. There's also a newsstand/general store. Towns that are 15-30 minutes by car include Montepulciano, Pienza, Montalcino, Montichiello, and San Quirico d'Orcia with its beautiful classic garden. In the summer concerts are organized by the heirs of the Marchesa Iris Origo, an American who with her husband helped to develop the area around La Foce. The hotel also has a disco that is only open in the summer months. Actually I much prefer the fall and winter, especially during the week when there are less guests in the hotel. In fact, if you want to spend a weekend it's best to book well in advance or hope for a last-minute cancellation as it's a favorite weekend spot for Italians.
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Hotel Posta Marcucci
53027 Bagno Vignoni (Siena)
Tel: 39-0577-887112, Fax: 887119
Web Address: http://www.hotelpostamarcucci.it
E-Mail: info@HotelPostaMarcucci.it
Oh, and before I forget - tell them that Made*In*Italy*On*Line sent you. It won't get you a discount, but it WILL get you an even bigger welcoming smile.
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