Frequently-asked Questions
about Vacation Rentals at Le Miccine
1. Can we rent for less than one week?
From mid-April through mid-November, Le Miccine rents Saturday to Saturday; other times of the year, a shorter rental may be possible.
2. Can we rent for one week, but not Saturday to Saturday?
From mid-April through mid-November, Le Miccine rents Saturday to Saturday; other times of the year, a mid-week rental start date may be possible.
3. When is check-in time at Le Miccine?
Apartments are ready for guest check-in at 4:00 pm, and guests are requested to arrive between 4:00 and 6:30 pm. Earlier check-in and luggage storage prior to check-in is not possible.
4. What is the check-out time at Le Miccine?
Guests are expected to vacate their apartments and return the key between 8:00 am and 10:00 am on the date of departure.
5. What arrival airport is recommended?
The Florence Peretola Leonardo da Vinci airport, which is small, but nice, is also the closest to Le Miccine, with a driving time of just over an hour. There are no direct flights from the U.S. to Florence; however, good connections are available through Paris, Brussels, Frankfurt, and Munich, and Rome.
The Rome airport is approximately 3 hours from Le Miccine. The drive is scenic, with good attractions (e.g., the pretty town of Orvieto) along the way.
The Milan Malpensa airport is approximately 4 1/2 to 5 hours from Le Miccine. In addition to being the longest, the drive is the least scenic.
The Pisa airport is about two hours from Le Miccine, with regular flights from London Gatwick. and, starting in 2007, direct flights from the U. S. on Delta. Travelers from the United States should be aware that most U. S. flights to London go to London Heathrow, and carriers no longer transfer luggage between London Heathrow and London Gatwick; passengers must transfer their own luggage.
6. What is the nearest train station? Do we need to rent a car?
The nearest train station is at Montevarchi, approximately 30 minutes by car from Le Miccine. Taxi service is available at Montevarchi; however, a car is essential for enjoying the many sights and restaurants that stud the Chianti hills. Beginning in 2006, legislation has required an international driver's license; rental car agencies don't always ask for them, but drivers who are stopped without international licenses are subject to large fines. International licenses are available for approximately $10 at AAA locations.
7. How far is the nearest town?
Gaiole-in-Chianti, the nearest town, is approximately 3 miles by car. Radda-in-Chianti is approximately 5 miles by car in the other direction.
8. What is the electric current?
All outlets at Le Miccine are 220 volts. Dual-voltage appliances from the United States will require a plug adapter (2 round prongs). Appliances that are not dual-voltage will require a plug adapter and a voltage adapter. Electricity in Italy is highly regulated. Italy has no natural resource which can generate electricity and must import all sources. Because Le Miccine is primarily an "Azienda Agricola," Le Miccine is entitled to purchase more electricity than individual homes are allowed--guests at Le Miccine will find that they can use multiple appliances and lamps at the same time, a rarity in Chianti.
9. Are there hair dryers at Le Miccine?
Guests should bring their own hair dryers.
10. What is the water situation at Le Miccine?
Le Miccine's water is pumped from two underground wells through an ultraviolet light, which destroys any bacteria in the water, to a large storage tank high up on the hill above the vineyards. On demand, the water is gravity-fed to the residence. Guests at Le Miccine will appreciate that, during the occasional power outages that occur in Chianti, Le Miccine's gravity-fed system assures that plumbing fixtures continue to provide essential water.
Each apartment at Le Miccine has its own hot water heater, so guests don't have to be concerned that there will be sufficient hot water for showers.
11. Are there laundry facilities at Le Miccine?
Guests are welcome to use the washer and dryer in the "lavanderia" adjacent to the ground floor Guest Apartment. Liquid laundry detergent and softener are provided. The fee for usage is comparable to that charged by the laundromat in Siena. The use of the clothesline, iron, and ironing board is free of charge to Le Miccine guests.
12. Is there a housekeeper or cook available?
There is no housekeeper or cook on staff at Le Miccine. Apartments are cleaned, and linens changed, on Saturdays; however, Le Miccine's estate manager may be able to arrange additional cleaning services for a nominal charge. Several guests have made use of a local cook to prepare and serve meals at Le Miccine. We can provide you with e-mail addresses for local cooks so that you can communicate directly with them.
13. Where is the nearest access to the internet?
There is an internet point at one of the bars in Radda-in-Chianti, approximately 5 miles away. Guests who bring their own laptops can use the WI-FI capabilities for a very nominal fee at the internet point in Radda; guests who prefer not to bring their laptops can use one of the bar's computers for a bit more. Because of anti-terrorism laws in Italy, facilities are required to make a photocopy of the internet user's passport and to record the time of use.
There are also internet sites in Siena and Florence.
14. Do guests at Le Miccine enjoy any special benefits from local businesses?
Le Miccine has made arrangements with several local businesses to provide opportunities unique to guests of Le Miccine--discounts and access to programs and activities not open to the general public. Le Miccine's estate manager can provide information about opportunities that are currently available when guests arrive.
15. Do we need a guide for Florence or Chianti?
There are many guidebooks that offer a great deal of information about Florence and Chianti and many guests will choose to take advantage of these books to tailor an area tour suited to their needs. Others may prefer to hire a local guide; Le Miccine can provide information to confirmed guests.
16. Are there bicycle or scooter rentals nearby?
Le Miccine's estate manager can assist confirmed guests with reservations for bicycle or scooter rental.
17. Is there dry cleaning nearby?
Dry cleaning is available in Radda, a 5-mile drive from Le Miccine, or at the Ipercoop in Montevarchi.
18. What is the weather like?
Generally, weather in Tuscany is moderate, and Le Miccine, which is bordered by two small rivers, has a wonderful breeze. For average temperatures in nearby Siena, click on the following link: Siena weather
19. What is your deposit and cancellation policy?
We require a 50% nonrefundable, nontransferable deposit to hold a reservation, with the balance due 60 days in advance of arrival. We strongly recommend that our guests consider vacation cancellation insurance. Guests can compare rates and programs on the following websites:
20. What is your policy regarding the security deposit?
We care a great deal about welcoming incoming guests with everything in place and everything looking good at the advertised check-in time. As a corollary, we must ask outgoing guests to respect the property, the advertised "house rules," and the advertised check-out time.
Le Miccine requires a $300 security deposit, per apartment, payable with the final payment. The security deposit is fully refundable, and will be sent to the "primary renter" within 14 days of departure, provided the following provisions are met:
 | Guests depart by 10 a.m., or before a pre-arranged late departure time of 12 noon. |
| A pre-arranged late departure requested no later than 2 days before departure will be approved by the property manager whenever it can be done without preventing preparation of the apartment for the next guest; a fee of $50 will be deducted from the security deposit to cover the cost of bringing in extra cleaning help. |
| Unapproved late departures will be assessed a fee of $100 for departures between 10 a.m. and 12 noon plus an additional $100 for each hour or portion of an hour after noon. |
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| In accordance with the custom of Tuscan agriturism, the kitchen is cleaned (all cookware and dishes washed and put away) and all trash and discards removed from the apartment to the trash bin on the road next to the driveway. Failure to clean the kitchen or to remove trash will be assessed $75. |
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| No damage is done to the apartment or its contents. |
| Damage to furniture, fixtures, and appliances will be assessed at the cost of repair, refinishing, cleaning, or reupholstering. |
| Breakage of glassware, dinnerware, cookware, and accessories will be assessed at the cost of replacement. |
| Damage to bathroom towels caused by use at the pool or use as cleaning cloths will be assessed at the cost of replacement. |
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| No damage is done to the pool, pool terrace, or outdoor furniture due to negligence or inappropriate use. |
Le Miccine's Rental Confirmation Package includes additional information about Le Miccine, as well as driving directions from the Florence, Rome, and Milan airports. Each apartment at Le Miccine has ring-binders with further information about the area, the Owners' suggestions for outings, and their personal recommendations for local restaurants.
The residence at Le Miccine is ideally situated for making driving trips to well-known sites as shown below.
| City or Town | Direction from Le Miccine | Approximate driving time (using motorway where possible) |
| Florence | NW | 1 hour |
| Siena | SW | 35 minutes |
| Arezzo | E | 1.5 hours |
| Assisi | SE | 2.5 hours |
| Bologna | N | 2 hours |
| Castellina-in-Chianti | W | 25 minutes |
| Cortona | SE | 3 hours |
| Gaiole-in-Chianti | E | 5 minutes |
| Greve-in-Chianti | NW | 30 minutes |
| Impruneta | NW | 50 minutes |
| La Spezia (train station for the Cinqueterre) | NW | 2.5 hours |
| Lucca | NW | 2 hours |
| Montalcino | S | 2 hours |
| Montepulciano | SE | 2 hours |
| Monteriggioni | SW | 40 minutes |
| Naples (Campania) | SE | 4.5 hours |
| Orvieto | SE | 2.25 hours |
| Perugia (Umbria) | SE | 2 hours |
| Piombino (ferry to Elba) | SW | 2.5 hours |
| Pisa | NW | 2 hours |
| Punta Ala (beach) | SW | 2.25 hours |
| Radda-in-Chianti | W | 8 minutes |
| Roma (Lazio) | SE | 3 hours |
| San Gimignano | SW | 1 hour |
| Volpaia | NW | 35 minutes |
| Volterra | SW | 1.25 hours |
20. What if we need assistance while we are at Le Miccine?
Guests at Le Miccine should be comfortable knowing that there is English-speaking staff on site daily. Staff can help with restaurant reservations, museum reservations, train tickets, suggestions for daily outings, and other needs of guests.
21. How far is the residence from access to a paved road or a town?
Unlike many rental properties in Chianti, where guests spend half an hour on a dirt road getting to a paved road to get them into town, Le Miccine's driveway intersects the paved road that connects Gaiole-in-Chianti (3 miles away) and Radda-in-Chianti (5 miles away).