From our base at Casa Colonica we were able to visit conveniently a number of marvelous Tuscan villages and towns, make road trips through the magical Tuscan countryside, drive out to al fresco restaurants overlooking vineyards, and enjoy a roomy, comfortable and cool (boy was it hot in Italy during our stay) place to stay. Enthusiastic Sara was very helpful in recommending in person and through her highlighted books and maps many possible pleasing destinations for our daily trips. We visited several of her favorites, and agreed with her evaluations for Arrezo, Lucignano, Gelateria Carabe', and others. While the closest towns, Levane and Bucine, lack charm they do have all the amenities a traveler requires, and we made use of the pasticceria in Bucine every day. Getting free still and sparkling water in Levane was fun and economical, so thanks for the tip, and the bottles, Sara. With the heat we found the need for rest cropped up more frequently than it did in our younger days, and Casa Colonica gave us the respite we longed for in a peaceful, bucolic setting on a hill with lovely views of the Tuscan countryside.