The Moricciani family have created a very special environment that helped us experience southern Tuscany to the fullest. Starting with Isabella "Red Book" full of day trips, eating recommendations, wine tasting and hot springs to "Pici Night where she teaches everyone to make pasta the Tuscan way. Her husband, Carlo runs the farm and occasionlly brings treats, such as homemade riccotta cheese to their guests and he is a professional olive oil taster and gives everyone a lesson in the finer points of EVOO. We stayed in Il Cielo, a spacious, well equipped, very clean two bedroom apartment in the quaint hill town of Castelmuzio. We made good friends with the Moricciani's and look forward to visiting them again soon.

Castelmuzio, with its population of about 250, is prched on a hilltop, and is the perfect center point for exploring Tuscan life -- food, wine, people and most remarkable of all, the incredible Tuscan sun. It's different there. Colors are more lush, edges are shaper, the air crisper. Several other small Tuscan villages and towns are within 45 minutes of driving along swooping, curving roadways with stunning vistas over grape vines, olive trees, cyprus and farmland, and each town offers its own episode to dine and explore.

In Castelmuzio, four of us in two families stayed in Il Cielo for a week in May 2012, a two-bedroom townhouse with a fully outfitted kitchen that soon became our central meeting place for breakfast, snacks and mapping our adventures. We kept our menus simple -- and costs down -- thanks to occasional trips to the local co-op, or visits to food and wine shops in larger near-by towns, or the delightful cafe in Castelmuzio.

The charismatic Isabella and the rest of the Moricciani family, our landlord, opened their home and farm to guests, who could participate in a wide variety of adventures, including hand-making Tuscan pasta, sampling extraordinary farm-grown wines, cheeses and meats; assistance in venturing further afield to Siena and Assisi; and generally making certain that everything is as we hoped it would be.

This is a family that has hospitality and friendliness in each member's DNA.

We had the incredible pleasure of staying at two of Isabella and Carlos properties, though that was not the plan when we boarded a plane to Italy. Due to the floods and landslides which happened in Montorosso, Cinque Terre, our intended destination, we were forced to make very last minute plans. Our trip, which was planned around a business meeting in Milan, would only allow 4 days of travel before boarding a plane back in Milan. A quick email to the Rick Steves website yielded an immediate personal response with a couple of ideas in Tuscany. Isabella Moricciani of Casa Moricciani, responded to our phone call in minutes (speaking perfect english), directed us on train departures for that afternoon, and had a rental car waiting for us at the station when we arrived. It was very late when we arrived in the little town of Castlemuzio. Isabella and her husband Carlos were waiting for us at the entrance to the town. They showed us to the villa, unloaded us, then asked the local restaurant to stay open so we could have a late dinner. It's the only restaurant in town, and the food and service are both fabulous.

Isabella was helping other tourists that were in the same predicament. For that reason she moved us around a little so all could be accommodated. The first night we stayed in Casa Moricciani which is exquisite in every detail. This villa mixes the old with the new, as you will find antique doors, woodwork, furniture, and artwork along with beautiful travertine bathrooms and an awesome kitchen complete with fully stocked wine cooler, fresh fruit and flowers, coffee, milk in the refrigerator and more. The master suite bathroom has a beautiful deep jacuzzi tub, which lead to a relaxing end to a very hectic day. The view of Tuscany from the back yard is breathtaking - complete with rolling hills, olive orchards, vineyards, castles, and churches, whose bells would chime in unison on the hour. If that weren't enough to keep you glued to the back yard, as you look around there is an herb garden, an outdoor shower covered in jasmine and a small stone fountain/wading pool.

The next three nights we stayed in II Nido also in Castelmuzio. It is a downstairs apartment in a charming old stone townhouse called La Casine de Castillo. It is cozy, quite lovely, very clean and well appointed, with an arching brick ceiling, modern bathroom and small kitchen with a table. It's decorated in antiques and artwork with the same flair as Casa Moricciani. The king bed was perfect, the kitchen was great for making a quick meal or coffee, and the private courtyard was a nice place to enjoy a glass of wine by candlelight. There are a couple of bikes parked in the entry for guests use. A sweet little hideaway for a couple to enjoy privacy as well as a great location to adventure from.

As guests, we were invited to the three generation family farm, San Gregorio in Pienza. There, we visited with family members and other guests while learning about (and tasting) the delicious wines, olive oils, prosciutto and cheeses. Guests are free to pick fresh vegetables from a large garden. In Isabella's "Big Book", which is provided at each property, she has listed all the best restaurants to try, car tours to take and towns not to miss. In addition, the family provides experiences and activities that you can participate in if you wish. Through an established network of locals, there are activity choices beyond the family farm as well. We chose a 3 hour walking tour through the vineyards and olive orchards of the Val d'Orcia which was a photographers dream.

It was a whirlwind trip, and we are still awestruck at the speed with which Rick Steves redirected us to this fabulous destination. And we are forever grateful to Isabella and Carlos for their grace and warmth in taking us in and making our short unplanned stay into a dream vacation we will always remember. We hope to come back and bring the family one day - soon!

Lynn and Bill

Texas, USA

My wife, Lynn, and I just returned from our 2+ week visit to Tuscany. Our 1st week was spent at Le Casine di Castello in apartment Il Nido. Isa's skills as a host, decorator, and "travel guide" (her "red book" is wonderful & full of detailed day trips) are outstanding. As SueBeth commented, Isa has thought of everything - if you forgot something, chances are Isa already has it in the apartment. There was enough coffee, tea, milk, snacks, not to mention their superb olive oil & rosso wine, to get you started for the first couple of days. I think our wine bottle had a hole in it because the wine disappeared much too quickly! The apartment is equipped with all the amenities you will need, including a washing machine. The outside courtyard was very secluded and was a perfect place to relax. When Isa found that our cell phone wasn't working, she let us borrow one of hers for emergency's. Le Casine di Castello is situated in the center of Castelmuzio and really gives you a sense of being more of a local than that of a tourist passing thru. We found staying in Il Nido/Castelmuzio both relaxing & invigorating; we were perfectly situated to explore all of the beautiful hill towns of the d'Orcia valley (we even managed to find San Quirico d'Orcia much to Carlo's surprise).

Based on amenities, hospitality, and location, I can't imagine staying anywhere else when visiting this area. Isa and her family made us feel like we belonged, and that is what separates Le Casine di Castello from the rest of the pack. You won't be disappointed.

Vic & Lynn, Cincinnati

My friend and I stayed at Il Nido, the lower level apartment which was perfect for two people. It was charmingly decorated, furnished and equipped with everything you would need for a lovely one week stay.

Located in the small village of Castelmuzio just outside the Val d'Orcia, it was an ideal location for taking day trips throughout the Siena area of Tuscany.

While there we also took advantage of the tours and activities offered by Agriturissmo Cretaiole. The Moricciani family provided a warm welcome and hospitable time!

I would love to bring my husband back to stay at Il Nido or Cretaiole sometime. It was a wonderful place - a magical place that will remain forever in my heart.

Have stayed in the Town Suite Il Nido and the Town House Il Cielo. Both are great! Il Nido has a nice private courtyard. Il Cielo is comfortable for 4 people. Bathroom, eating area and living area were all very spacious and clean. Il Cielo has a rooftop terrace with a table. We had many meals and glasses of the Moricciani Family's homemade wine overlooking the town.

There are some great restaurants and a grocery store all within walking distance. There is a parking lot so you don't have to worry about parking on the streets. Little things like these make the trip more pleasant.

Isabella has thought of everything for you. She has 2 notebooks in each place that are loaded with all the information about surrounding towns that is very helpful. This is a wonderful location and we were able to make day trips and see so much of Tuscany.

Isa also offers many enjoyable activities so you are never bored. Be sure to participate in her "pici" pasta making class! Afterwards she and Carlo have a delicious dinner for everyone that is so much fun! They serve you their homemade sausages, cheese and wine. A great evening learning to make local Italian pasta and meeting new friends on her beautiful property.

I can not say enough fabulous things about Isabella, her family and their properties! My advise to everyone is to stay at Le Casine Di Castello - I promise you won't be disappointed. Make your plans soon because my family is telling everyone how wonderful it is and you won't want to miss out!

don't miss this gem! Le Casine di Castello is a charming 2-bedroom apartment in Castelmuzio, near Pienza, Tuscany. Isabella Moricciani gives a wonderful, warm and genuine welcome to all visitors and is so enthusiastic about Tuscany that you just want to become a local! Visitors to the apartment are included in all activities at Cretaiole, the family's agritourismo close by so don't miss the pasta making class and dinner, olive oil tasting, wine tasting, art classes or any of the many options. The apartment comes fully equipped, from olive oil to laundry soap, is spacious, lovingly decorated and has magnificent views. Castelmuzio is a small, delightful village and is close enough to many of the Tuscan hill towns that they are within a comfortable day's drive.

Seven of us (husband, 4 children and mother-in-law) met my brother-in-law and his wife (who live in Europe) for a truly magical week. Our family (7 of us) stayed in the upstairs apartment. Even though we had a large group, the apartment provided plenty of room and was very comfortable. We loved having breakfast on the rooftop terrace! It felt like we had a little taste of what it would be like to live as locals.

Castelmuzio is a lovely, quaint town. Our children really enjoyed playing at the little park which is almost directly across the street from the apartment. They also loved riding the bicycles that were provided in the apartment, through the town and out onto a small road that went through an olive grove. There were lots of kid-friendly areas to explore but at the same time all the adults were equally as happy.

Isabella truly is a huge reason that our stay was so wonderful. Her knowledge and love for her culture, particularly the Val d'Orcia, is wonderful and inspiring! We learned so much from her and her family and my children are still talking about our time there. We loved every activity, from the amazing tour of the Hermitage, to the pici making class. It was all just so unique and I can't imagine having a more authentic experience anywhere else. Isabella is a very special hostess who seems to have boundless warmth and energy! She took very good care of us and we can't wait to return!