Welcome Dear Casali di Casole Family, On behalf of the entire team at Timbers Resorts, I would like to welcome you to Casali di Casole. The team at Casali di Casole strives to provide you with all of the comforts of a truly world-class private retreat, yet maintain the graciousness and character of Tuscany. In keeping with this, we have created an “Insider’s Guide” for your home to detail all of the wonderful things Tuscany has to offer. If there is anything we can do to further help you unwind and truly enjoy the carefree Tuscan lifestyle, please do not hesitate to contact us. Your input is not only welcomed, but of great value to us. We know unforgettable experiences await you and your family here for many years to come. Welcome to Casali di Casole. Best regards, David A. Burden Founder and Executive Chairman Timbers Resorts www.timbersresorts.com Table of Contents Contact Information . 3 Essentials/Tuscany Overview. 4 Essentials/Guest Services . 6 Castello di Casole Restaurants. 9 Local Restaurants . 10 Activity Guide. 15 Timbers Resorts. 50 Essentials CONTACT INFO Casali di Casole s.r.l Località Querceto 53031 Casole d’Elsa, Siena, Italy www.casalidicasole.com Concierge Team Villa Concierge Office Phone: +39.0577.1697801 Italy Mobile: +39.328.2147236 Fax: +39.0577 1697716 [email protected] Villa Operations Manager Phone: +39.0577.967514 [email protected] 3 Essentials TUSCANY OVERVIEW About Tuscany From the ruling Etruscans prior to 800 B.C., to flourishing commerce, industry and the arts under the renowned Medici Family through the 15th and 16th centuries – think Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Piero della Francesca, Donatello, Alberti, Ghiberti, Brunelleschi, Masaccio, and Michelangelo – the Region of Tuscany finally joined a united Italy in 1861. Did you know — Tuscany is certainly an expansive region with undulating hills and mountains Tuscany briefly got its and an abundance of fertile soil. Castello di Casole is located some 25 miles own constitution under Leopold II, before inland in the “Hill Town” area of west central Tuscany, just outside the joining a united Italy village of Mensano. The property is 20 minutes west of Siena, 45 minutes in 1861. Florence was the Italian capital from south of Florence and 3 hours northwest of Rome. 1865 to 1870. Castello di Casole The history of the Castello di Casole estate is deeply rooted in the Tuscan agricultural system of centuries past. At the time the castle was built, around 1700, dramatic changes in the social and agrarian landscape were underway. The rural houses throughout Tuscany began shifting to the sharecropping agreements, helping to dispel the centuries-old oppressive tradition of feudal serfdom. Here, for the first time in history, peasants became a party in a legal agreement – at the same level as the owner. Typically – as was the case with Querceto Manor, as the original Castello was named – the farms of the Tuscan countryside were occupied primarily with the cultivations of cereals and legumes. Plantations of fruit-bearing trees, olive groves and vineyards were also of great importance. And of course, any self-sustaining agriculture would have a healthy vegetable garden. Lastly, the livestock largely consisted of draft oxen, pigs and poultry, with cows and horses a little less frequent. 4 Essentials TUSCANY OVERVIEW Local Customs In Italy, your check is not presented until asked for; your waiter is not ignoring you, but merely respecting your right to linger after your meal. In rural areasg around Tuscany, livestock still Most of the shops and offices take a short lunch break between 12:30 graze on the sides of and 3:30 p.m. The stores normally open around 9:30 a.m. and they close the main highway; keep an eye out for at 7:30 or 8 p.m. Most stores are closed on Sunday. deer when driving. As in the U.S., traffic takes to the right-hand side of the road. When driving, use caution and respect the speed limits. Electronic speed traps are frequent. In rural areas around Tuscany, livestock still graze on the sides of the main highway; keep an eye out for deer. Italians are socially very polite. When doing business, it is a customary courtesy to make small talk with the individual you are dealing with prior to getting down to business. Gratuities are not mandatory in Italy, but appreciated, however they cannot be added to the bill and can only be given in cash. 5 Essentials GUEST SERVICES Babysitting, catering, courier services, dry cleaning, everything you need to make your stay as hassle-free as possible is available upon request. Please contact the Concierge Team for details. COURIER SERVICE BANKS AND ATM’S The only international courier services available Italian banks in Tuscany have 24-hour for overnight deliveries are DHL International ATM’s. They usually have bilingual screens and Fedex. You can ship wine throughout that work like those found in the U.S. and Europe and to the U.S. or Canada through Canada. ATM bancomats are also located MBE. Shipping to the property may imply throughout the towns. Cash is given out in custom fees and documents. Please refer to the euros. Few bank employees speak English Concierge Team for assistance. and there are no U.S.-affiliate banks in Tuscany. Banks are open weekdays, from 9 RELIGIOUS SERVICES a.m. to 1 p.m. They are closed on Saturdays Services are held in Casole d’Elsa and in all and Sundays, and during Italian national of the towns around the area. Please ask holidays. If you need to change money, or the Concierge Team for schedules. exchange travelers checks, you can go to any bank during their operating hours. In most TRANSPORTATION big cities, you can find a money exchange Car rental is highly recommended, since kiosk that will do it. Commission and exchange Castello di Casole is located in the serene rates may vary. Unfortunately, we are not able remote Tuscan hills, and the property is quite to exchange money at Castello di Casole. spread out. A car and driver can be arranged by contacting the Concierge Team. For taxi MEDICAL SERVICES / EMERGENCIES service, please contact the Concierge Team. Should you require medical assistance or services, contact the Concierge Team. LAUNDRY Each Villa has a washer and dryer for your ELECTRICITY convenience. You are welcome to use them Our electric current is 220 volts. If you need a yourself, or your Governantes will be happy converter, please contact the Concierge Team. to tend to your laundry needs. If you have any specific requests, please refer to the Concierge POSTAGE STAMPS Team. Your Governantes are also available to The Concierge Team has stamps, should you sew and mend apparel if necessary. require them. 6 Essentials GUEST SERVICES CREDIT CARDS EXTENDED SERVICES VISA, MasterCard and American Express We extend our services for your special events are accepted at all major restaurants and and important occasions that require careful hotels throughout Tuscany. If you don’t planning and organization – anniversaries, see the familiar logos, especially in smaller family reunions, birthday celebrations, gala establishments, ask before ordering. dinners, garden parties, renaissance banquets, corporate functions or exhibitions, dinner CURRENCY in a private palazzo, music entertainment The euro is the official currency in Italy. of any kind, flower displays and decoration, The U.S. dollar is not accepted in many photographers, video production, and more! places, but where it is accepted change is Whatever the occasion, our Hotel Events team given in euros. will organize and conduct it with precision and style. Locations, logistics, catering, DO NOT DISTURB entertainment… you name it, we’ll handle it! If you would like privacy, with no interruptions, We bring forward imaginative solutions and please let the Concierge Team know. We will work closely with you, step by step, to ensure announce when the maids, gardeners, or pool that nothing is spared or overlooked for your maintenance will be arriving each day. special occasion. CHECK-OUT TELEVISION AND SATELLITE Check-out time is 10 a.m. To turn on the TV, press any number between LOST OR FORGOTTEN ITEMS 1 and 9. To turn off the TV, press the green Contact the Concierge Team as soon button at the very top of the remote on the as possible if you have lost or forgotten right side. To turn SKY Satellite on or off, personal items. press POWER. Please remember to turn off the SKY Satellite when you wish to use the WIRELESS INTERNET AND EMAIL DVD player. Internet and email access is available in your villa. Please find the instructions DVD PLAYER located in your Villa or contact your Concierge To turn on the DVD player, press STANDBY/ Team. ON. Press OPEN/CLOSE to insert or remove a DVD/CD. LITERATURE AND DVDS We have a selection of reading material and DVD’s available in the Concierge Offices. 7 Essentials GUEST SERVICES HEATING position, that means the gas is turned off. There is a thermostat in almost every room. To operate, simply turn the switch to the WASHING MACHINE desired temperature. When the light is green, Push the blinking light to turn on the it means it is on. When the green light turns machine. Put some soap (half a cup) in the on and the orange light is on, it means the left-most receptacle, you do not need to temperature is increasing. We suggest that add any softener, since our soap is already you keep the temperature between 18 and 20 a combination of soap and softener. To wash degrees Celsius (64-68 Fahrenheit) unless it cotton items, choose COTONE and the right is extremely cold outside.