My name is Giada Poggini and I’m the owner of Le Ceregne Organic Farmhouse in Tuscany. What I do every day is make the dreams of my family happen, by giving new life to the old Tuscan traditions, through the style and cooperative nature of our business. What this means it that, with my family at Le Ceregne, I open my door to you and your clients every day, sharing our lifestyle and culture: I aim to teach you what we know, and hope to receive from you so much in return.
Dipped in the green of the Tiberina valley in Tuscany, with an exclusive view of Lake Montedoglio, Le Ceregne Organic Farmhouse was born as one of the first eco-holiday realities in Italy, with zero negative impact on the environment.
Our farmhouse has been rewarded for our ability to: “combine attention for ecology; the farmers’ tradition (or tradition of countryside); the culture of short supply chain, km zero and recycle of objects from the past; with the adoption of cutting-edge tools and ways of promoting inspired by the 2.0 web.” (More information is available here)
You can find more about Le Ceregne, and communicate with us on our website and social media networks:
Facebook: facebook.com/LeCeregne
Twitter: twitter.com/LeCeregne
Google+: GooglePlus/LeCeregne
All the prices listed below are provided for our clients, but we’re more than happy to discuss them with you. Please arrange a meeting with us, and we’ll be glad to have you as guests to show you exactly how we work.
Giada Poggini
Le Ceregne Organic Farmhouse in Tuscany
Loc. Le Ceregne, 74
52036 Pieve Santo Stefano (AR)
TUSCANY Italy
+39.0575.791088
+39.347.8439063
As an example of sustainability in tourism, we’re offering experiential tours where the guests learn farming and making pasta and bread, pick olives and grapes, mushrooms and truffle hunting, enjoy tailor-made green tours and craftmanship tours. We only employ locals and try to give a real sense of local lifestyle to tourists. Also through storytelling and working with local memories… so that they return home having had an amazing experience, without feeling like they have had to spend a fortune to do it! What are you waiting for? CONTACT US! Try our experiential tours in Italy… join our Tuscan tribe!
Arezzo, the homeland of Piero della Francesca
Our itinerary starts in Sansepolcro where Piero della Francesca was born in 1412. The Civic Museum displays four of his works, among which is the marvellous fresco “La Resurrezione” painted on the central wall of the Hearing Hall. Driving through the Valtiberina’s hills we reach Monterchi, a nice village near the border of Umbria, where we find the wonderful “Madonna del Parto”. The day ends in Arezzo which boasts a beautiful representation of Magdalene and, in the Basilica of San Francesco, the unrivalled masterpiece of Piero: the cycle of frescos named “The Legend of the True Cross” which, after a long period of restoration, was returned to its original splendour. This tour is a good opportunity to discover the beautiful city centre which is extremely rich in interesting palaces and art masterpieces such as those of Giorgio Vasari, the glazed terracotta of Della Robbia family and the shining stained-glass windows by the French Master Guillaume de Marcillat.
Prices: 2 people: €210, 4 people: €130, 6-8 people: €105
Prices include transportation with private vehicle and English/Spanish speaking driver, museums entrance tickets and Half-Day Tour Guide in Arezzo.
In case guests use their own car and want only Tour Guide services, prices are: Half-Day €120 (€100 for 2 people) or Full-Day €240 (€200 for 2 people)
Siena & San Gimignano
Imagine a medieval atmosphere and ancient enchanting mansions: this itinerary is a trip back in time through the history of Tuscany. Siena is one of the most beautiful cities in Tuscany: its historical and cultural heritage is even on the UNESCO list! The centre preserves the medieval structure and you will breathe the atmosphere just walking along its tangled streets or sitting on the main square, Piazza del Campo, an extensive open space in the shape of a sea shell, surrounded by majestic old buildings. An official Tour Guide accompanies you to discover the treasures of town, including the Cathedral, and reveals the secrets of the main event in town: the famous horse race called Palio. At the end of the guided walking tour, you may enjoy a nice lunch in a local “trattoria” that we may recommend. After lunch we move to San Gimignano, the town world famous for its towers, to admire the intact beauty of its historical centre. It will be an occasion to walk through the handicraft shops and to taste Vernaccia, the white wine of San Gimignano
Prices: 2 people: €240, 4 people: €160, 6-8 people: €130
Prices include transportation with private vehicle and English/Spanish speaking driver, guided visit of Siena, entrance ticket to the Cathedral.
Italy’s “green heart”: Umbria Region
On the southern border of Tuscany, the region of Umbrian boasts breath-taking landscape and picturesque towns rich in history and art. You may choose among several interesting destinations. Here are the highlights: Perugia, whose ancient centre looks like an open-air museum, showing the architectural traces of different past epochs; Assisi, world- renowned to be the home town of Saint Francis (Patron of Italy), and the cradle of the rebirth of Art thanks to the cycle of frescoes made by Giotto. The tour may include stops in small hamlets in the countryside or by the shores of Trasimeno Lake where you may also enjoy a boat trip to the main island and a nice lunch with local fish.
Prices: 2 people: €190, 4 people: €120, 6-8 people: €95
Prices include transportation with private vehicle and English/Spanish speaking driver, guided visit of the Basilica in Assisi. We may also provide guide services in Perugia (€ 100).
Cortona and the mysteries of the Etruscans
This tour takes you to discover Valdichiana, the widest valley in central Italy, dotted with lovely hamlets such as Castiglion Fiorentino, Monte San Savino, Lucignano and especially the delightful little town of Cortona: its position on the top of a hill offers a breath-taking view over the whole valley. This lovely hamlet, now world-famous as the setting of the film “Under the Tuscan sun”, is the perfect place for a leisurely stop and also boasts a glorious past: founded by the Etruscans in the 7th century B.C., Cortona gives you the chance of making a journey through the mysteries of the ancient civilization which constitutes the roots of Tuscan culture. The tour continues at the Trasimeno Lake, on the border between Tuscany and Umbria, where you can enjoy a relaxing walk along its shore or even an amusing boat trip to the main island. A day spent among artistic and naturalistic beauties, in one of the most peaceful areas of Tuscany.
Prices: 2 people: €210, 4 people: €130, 6-8 people: €105
Prices include transportation with private vehicle and English/Spanish speaking driver, Half-Day Tour Guide in Cortona, boat ticket.
In case guests use their own car and want only Tour Guide services in Cortona, price is €120 (€100 for 2 people).
Florence and surroundings
Visiting this Italian Renaissance jewel is like taking a leap into a past rich with history and tradition. Florence has a fabulous legacy of artistic and architectural treasures and it was the birthplace of illustrious personage like Dante, Giotto, and Cimabue (only to name a few). We may book entrance tickets to the Museums and offer you a Tour Guide service for a guided walking visit of the town; otherwise we may just suggest you the nicest itineraries to explore the beauties of the town. We also point out characteristic spots where to enjoy exquisite dishes of traditional Tuscan cuisine. Florence is also a great place for shopping, not only the famous labels of fashion but also markets where one can buy the most peculiar object. Besides, there are many wonderful “botteghe” (handicraft shops) and we are happy to organize itineraries that include a visit of local workshops where you may discover the traditional production techniques in creating leather objects, decorated paper and jewels. The perfect ending of the day is the most scenic view over the town: we take you to Piazzale Michelangelo for the best aerial photo of Florence and some time to enjoy a glass of good wine.
Prices: 2 people: €180, 4 people: €120, 6-8 people: €90
Prices include transportation with private vehicle and English/Spanish speaking driver. We may also provide guide services in Florence (€ 120 up to 3 hours).
Wellness & Relaxation
What do you think about a day of relaxation in the middle of Tuscan country? A tour along Siennese Crete, driving along one of the most suggestive roads of our land. We visit the ancient Monte Oliveto Abbey and then have lunch in a cosy “trattoria”. The afternoon is dedicated to your relaxation: we reach the Rapolano hot springs whose location gives an enchanting view of the surrounding hills. The perfect itinerary for a wellness experience.
Prices: 2 people: €190, 4 people: €150, 6-8 people: €130
Prices include transportation with private vehicle and English/Spanish speaking driver, visit at Monte Oliveto Abbey, lunch, entrance ticket to the Spa at Rapolano hot springs.
For “Foodies”
Tours dedicated to all the gourmets who love genuine food and good wine. We have personally selected excellent producers to make you discover the best traditional Tuscan products. You have the chance to learn the production processes and secrets to obtain the best quality from our lands…and then, of course, to taste them! Every region is known for one or more local culinary products: you just need to choose your favourites!
Prices: 2 people: €190, 4 people: €140, 6/8 people: €120
Prices include transportation in a private vehicle and English/Spanish speaking driver, guided visit to the farms, tastings and lunch.
Valtiberina: pork meat, cheese and extra-virgin olive oil
A tour through the woody valley crossed by the Tiber River, one of the unexplored areas of the most authentic Tuscany. Our first stop is one of the most appreciated pork producer of our region: the small family- run business produces extremely tasty “salumi” (cold cuts), especially the local Prosciutto. Here you taste their best selection of products: simply delicious! We drive along the scenic road that stretches along the shores of Lake Montedoglio until we reach Leda’s country house. Here you discover the secrets of the Tuscan “green gold”: the extra-virgin olive oil. After being explained how it is produced and how to taste it, you are offered a typical Tuscan lunch which includes also the excellent Leda’s baked products. After lunch we visit a small dairy farm where you are explained the production process and you are offered a tasting of their amazing cheeses! Our tour ends with the visit of the delightful town of Anghiari, where you have time to explore its picturesque ancient centre dotted with terrific handicraft shops. At Leda’s it is possible to include a cooking class (extra € 30 per person).
Prices: 2 people: €170, 4 people: €140, 6/8 people: €120
Prices include transportation in a private vehicle and English/Spanish speaking driver, guided visit to the farms, tastings and lunch.
Valdarno: cheese, wine and gelato!
We will follow the path Leonardo da Vinci took during the Renaissance, a trip to study the River Arno. He was so deeply fascinated by the incredible shapes of this landscape, the rocky area named Balze that he reproduced in his works. Driving along Setteponti Road (ancient Roman route Cassia Vetus), we cross Ponte Buriano, a XIII century roman bridge represented in the famous Leonardo masterpiece “La Monnalisa”; then we stop for a coffee break in the lovely hamlet of Il Borro, owned by the fashion designer Ferragamo. Proceeding along the Setteponti Road we reach an organic farm where they produce a delicious sheep cheese, extra virgin olive oil and great wines. You are explained the production process and then you are offered a tasting. After lunch (it can be either at a farm or at a local “trattoria”), we visit Loro Ciuffena, a place set back in time whose picturesque centre is perched upon a river which flows past the most ancient mill in Tuscany. Nearby you have the chance to get one of the top 5 best gelatos in the whole country (and there are more than 37,000 gelaterias in Italy!) In the afternoon we may include the visit of Arezzo where a professional tour guide helps you to discover the highlights of this amazing medieval town (extra cost € 100).
Valdorcia: cheese, extra-virgin olive oil and wine
Our first stop is Pienza which is considered the “queen” of this beautiful valley because of its artistic and architectural beauties. The area is also renowned for the production of an excellent Pecorino Cheese. We visit a small dairy farm where they reveal all the secrets of the traditional production process. Then we have lunch at the farm, tasting genuine dishes facing the amazing rolling hills of Valdorcia. In the afternoon you may choose whether to visit an extra-virgin olive oil mill and then drive along the scenic road of the Siennese Crete, or to visit the town of Montepulciano and taste the famous Nobile Wine at a historic winery built underground over an ancient Etruscan tomb.
Among the rolling hills of Chianti
This itinerary is perfect for wine lovers who will discover Chianti directly from the vineyards where is produced. A day totally dedicated to the allure of wine tasting and beauty of Tuscan landscapes. We will drive through suggestive grapevine fields along the winding road of Chianti Shire. This area is dotted with many historical mansions known for their wine production: ancient abbeys and imposing castles like Brolio. We personally select the “cantine” (wine producers) where you are explained the secrets of production of Chianti Wine, and then you are offered a taste of their excellent products. The tour is also the chance to taste our genuine Tuscan cuisine and to visit one of the picturesque medieval hamlets of the region of the “Black Rooster”, such as Radda, Castellina, Greve or Panzano.
Prices: 2 people: €180, 4 people: €130, 6/8 people: €110
Prices include transportation with private vehicle and English/Spanish speaking driver, guided visit of the wineries (usually 2) and wine tastings, lunch.
Montepulciano and its “Nobile”
The historical city Montepulciano is known for its celebrated Nobile wine. We visit two wineries in order to explain you every aspect of the production of Nobile Wine: the first “cantina” is in the countryside, while the other is in the old city centre, built underground over an ancient Etruscan Tomb (still visible!). After a guided visit of the cellar, you are offered a tasting of this fantastic wine so to allow you to appreciate the characteristics of the local Sangiovese grape. Walking in the medieval centre will astonish you because it’s one of the greatest examples of Tuscan hamlet, dotted with terrific handicraft shops. After lunch you may choose to spend the afternoon either in Valdorcia or Valdichiana: • One option is to visit Pienza, whose position offers an amazing view of Valdorcia: a landscape that has been used as a backdrop of important movies (English Patient, The Gladiator, et cetera). The town is a real gem of our Renaissance, a symbol of the 15th century, according to the will of Pope Pius II. You have time to visit the Pope palace, discover nice handicraft productions and walk along rocky alleys amongst a symphony of colours and scents, especially that of the local “pecorino” cheese. • another option visiting the delightful little town of Cortona, on the top of a hill with a breath-taking view of the widest valley of the Apennine Mountains, Valdichiana. This lovely village, now world-famous as the setting of the best-seller “Under the Tuscan sun”, is the perfect place for a leisure stop: there are lovely handicraft shops and art galleries. Here you may choose to join a professional Tour Guide (extra cost € 100) who will take you around and reveal the secrets of the ancient Etruscan civilization (7th century B.C.), the local traditions and the great works of art of Friar Angelico and Luca Signorelli.
Prices: 2 people: €180, 4 people: €130, 6/8 people: €110
Prices include transportation with private vehicle and English/Spanish speaking driver, guided visit of the wineries (usually 2) and wine tastings, lunch.
Brunello of Montalcino, the Super Tuscan
When we mention Brunello, we think of the king of Tuscan wines, but this is the opportunity to see where it’s produced. On this tour, besides the much anticipated tasting, we visit Montalcino with its lovely historic centre, and ancient abbeys surrounded by grapevines and cypresses, such as S.Antimo Abbey or Monte Oliveto Maggiore. We drive through the amazing “moon landscape” of Siennese Crete to reach wineries that you would hardly get to know by yourself: you discover small producers which are carefully selected for the excellent quality of their wines and the personal attention to the guests. Because of their exclusive productions you will have the chance to taste wines that are difficult to find in the main market. The visit of two wineries includes guided tours of the cellars and plenty of time to taste the excellent quality of Brunello with some tips given by the producers themselves. A day totally dedicated to the allure of one of the greatest Italian wines.
Prices: 2 people: €180, 4 people: €130 6/8 people: €110
Prices include transportation with private vehicle and English/Spanish speaking driver, guided visit of the wineries (usually 2) and wine tastings, lunch.
An exciting new entry: Arezzo
The Province of Arezzo represents quite a new area to discover lesser-known producers who have reached amazing quality! Our passion for wine, combined with our knowledge of the region, is the guarantee for a great selection of wineries that are becoming more and more popular at a national level. We visit two or three producers where you are explained the production process and you are offered a tasting of the wines so to have an idea of their value: we are sure you will be enthusiastic! The tour is also the chance of visiting the lovely town of Arezzo, one of the most authentic treasures of Tuscany!
Other options to combine with the wineries of the area: Piero della Francesca (cf. Tour Arezzo) – Cortona
Green Tours
Below are some of our Green Tours, which are amazing, “tailor made” and with an expert local guide. In fact, Giacomo can create a customised tour for each visitor based on their age, expertise and fitness level. The cost of each tour is 200 euro. Please verify the cost per person by asking our staff to arrange with the tour guide.
Into the Wild of Tuscany: The Alpe della Luna (Alp of The Moon) Tour
L ‘Alpe della Luna’s landmark mountain valley, and now natural reserve, is the most suitable place for anyone who wants to enjoy an excursion into the wilderness of the Valtiberina. Various paths, modeled according to your needs, allow everyone to get to know the Apennine mountains, far from the intrusive trails of modernity, to discover the wonders of nature, its fruits and its discrete animal inhabitants. This tour includes packed lunches.
Casentino & The hermitage and monastery of Camaldoli
The hermitage and monastery of Camaldoli arise in the middle of the ancient forests of the Casentino. In the middle of this idyllic scene, we have developed a tour which dives into the past where a world of colours, smells and sensations has since become dormant. The visit consists of both the hermitage and a trip to the monastery.
Mystic Tour: La Verna, the mountain where St. Francis of Assisi received the stigmata
La Verna, the mountain where St. Francis of Assisi received the stigmata, is the setting for an experience where spirituality and peace can be felt at every step. During the hike, the forests of beech with their shady foliage amaze you with their beauty, opening from time to time on unique scenarios that span the valleys and mountains of the Apennines. The visit to the sanctuary, the ideal goal of the excursion, is a deep experience in itself.
Cooking Classes
Our aim is to share our Tuscan lifestyle with you: Pasta expert Leda has organised for us a few special family cooking classes, where you can join your kids or leave them while you take a break (and come back with your dinner ready!) Leda joins us on our organic path, by only using our wheat flour, our extra virgin olive oil, and our own yeast. We’ll explain the usage and properties of each organic ingredient and you’ll have a yummy food tasting at the end! Here are three different kinds of family cooking classes, but feel free to contact us to ask for custom made cooking classes or kids’ holidays. Leda has a Fattoria Didattica (teaching farm), which means she’s officially allowed to teach our Tuscan traditional food via special cooking games.
Kids cooking class
This is a particular cooking class ONLY FOR KIDS, to leave you some time for a romantic walk in one of the borghi (medieval towns) nearby, art tours and museum visits. We start at 3:30 pm and finish at 6:30 pm. Your kids are going to spend the whole time with us making pasta, bread, cookies or pizza. You choose the food, and we’ll make it with them! In the kids cooking class, a special home-made snack is included for them and after, they’ll bring back whatever food they made during the course.
Kids cook dinner for their parents As above, this is a kids cooking class. They’ll cook your dinner with us: all you have to do is sit down and enjoy eating it in the countryside of Tuscany. We’ll be using our organic and kilometre zero products, as well as water and wine. As we believe in eno-gastronomy values, there’s no pleasure like teaching simple and traditional food in Tuscany. We find this a good educational option, and every time we do, families from all over the world say they feel like they’re part of our Tuscan community.
Family cooking classes: make your own Tuscan dinner
Kids and parents cook a traditional home-made Tuscan dinner together. We usually make bread, pizza, focaccia, or pasta, using our organic ingredients. Afterwards, you can sit and enjoy your own home-made Italian dinner together with your kids. It’s a great way to spend time for families, with even the most difficult kids. The power of making things together is incredible, and it’s a part of our Tuscan roots. All prices depend on the number of participants. Please don’t hesitate to ask us for a special group price. After all, we are in the most economic area of Tuscany, Valtiberina, out of the mass market tourism.
