Podere Il Fornacino is the original name of the farmhouse and land situated in the beautiful Parish of Santa Luce a small medival hilltop village, gem of the Pisan Hills, which for generations has been the home of Tuscan farmers. The house has been lovingly renovated with a perfect balance of both Tuscan tradition and modern architecture, by the Pizzoccheri family who also wished to preserve, as far as possibile, the relationship with the nature surrounding the property, with the land, with it’s produce and with animals in a small working farm which is lovingly tended to in a modern and ecologically friendly manner.

The business is run by Marco Pizzoccheri and his English partner Lora. Marco, a graduate in law, decided to break away from family tradition (his father and two brothers are all successful lawyers) and following a gap year travelling around the world with Lora, they decided to dedicate themselves body and soul to working on the land, raising animals, planting crops and flowers and running an agriturismo, fuelled by a love of nature, the countryside, wildlife and Italian cuisine.
Marco and Lora are proud and happy to be able to offer you a relaxing holiday, in a refined yet friendly atmosphere, away from the chaotic city life. As a guest you can get a taste of the tranquil Tuscan way of life and the culinary specialities which both the location and Marco and Lora’s diligence, including in the kitchen, are able to offer you.

The agriturismo offers three suites, all tastefully furnished, well presented and intimate with their own independent entrances and terrace/balcony or patio from which there are superb views of the sun setting over the Tuscan hills. The house is surrounded by a large garden with lawns and many varieties of plants and trees. There is also an attractive swimming pool with stunning rural views.

There are two suites for 2+2 people. Both suites have a large double bedded room with delightful views of the village, a sitting room with two further beds and bathroom. Flatscreen TV, DVD player and tea making facilities are provided and each suite has its own independent heating system.
There is one suite for two people with a large bedroom and bathroom with Jacuzzi bath.

For those who are interested the agriturismo can give its visitors contact on a small scale with a working farm/smallholding an an educational experience, as well as a holiday. Sheep and goats graze on the pastures, producing milk and meat. The chickens, of many different varieties, are free range and live in harmony with ducks, geese, turkeys, quails and doves, in addition to rabbits. An interesting extra are the horses and 3 friendly donkeys who may be able to offer donkey rides. Other animals include Australian shepherds and border collies, skilfully trained by sheepdog champion, Moreno Simonelli, who apart from tending the sheep, offers lessons in sheepdog training.

The surrounding area offers visitors many possibilities for walking and bird spotting. Nature lovers will appreciate the beautiful scenery and walks in the Mediterranean woods which grow on the hills above the village. Here it is possible to spot wild boar, deer and wild mountain sheep as well as many different varieties of bird. The whole area is a nature reserve and birds and animals are fully protected. Mushrooms, including porcini grow in the woods. Towards the coast the Parco Provinciale delle Colline Livornese is a natural wilderness, overlooking the sea and has numerous trails for mountain bikers and walkers whilst the Santa Luce lake in a hollow surrounded by hills is a nature reserve for rare migratory birds and has many footpaths along its shores.

Just inland from the coastal town of Castiglioncello and just twenty minutes by car from the rugged coastline of the Costa degli Etruschi with its many small coves. A short distance further south along the coast is Cecina with its long sandy beaches.
The location is excellent for visiting the many historic towns and cities of Tuscany – Terme di Casciana 15 minutes, Florence and Lucca 45 minutes, Pisa and Livorno 30 minutes and it is within easy reach of San Gimignano, Volterra and Siena. The many islands of the Tuscan archipelago can be reached from Piombino and Livorno and the islands of Elba and Capraia are possible as a day trip. Other places of interest are the Buddhist monastery of Lama Tzong Khapa (one of the most famous in the world and visited on many occasions by the Dalai Lama).