The Offer
Stay in the magnificent Castello di Magona, a 16th century residence of the Dukes of Tuscany, for the week of September 21 to 28, 2024 at the bargain rate of $2,500 per room for seven nights.
The castle is located just outside the beautiful, unspoiled hill town of Campiglia Marittima in the Maremma region of Tuscany. You can read about the castle on our Castle Page. The Maremma was covered in this New York Times article last year.
You'll spend your days exploring Etruscan and Roman history, visiting outstanding natural history, and immersing yourself in the food and wine of the region. There is more than enough in the immediate area to keep you busy every day, but you may also find yourself drawn to locations within an hour or so drive from the castle, including Siena, Pisa, and Lucca. Fortunately, Larry from Code in a Castle will be there to advise you on local activities, hiking, and eateries.
This is the perfect week for visiting the Maremma. The crowds (never bad in this corner of Tuscany) have quieted down. The weather is still warm enough to visit the nearby beaches, some of the best in Italy. Restaurants are open, but reservations, which are customary in Italy even for local places, are easy to get. Depending on the weather, this may be the last week of the vendiamo (grape harvest) at the local vineyards.
Included
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Seven nights accommodation
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Breakfast at the castle every day
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One group dinner at the castle
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"Concierge" service to plan your activities
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Castle staff tips
Not Included
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Transportation to and from Tuscany
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Car rental in Tuscany
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Meals (other than breakfasts and one dinner)
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Admissions and other activities
Cost
The cost is $2,500 per room. regardless of whether you bring 1, 2, or 3 people.
Rooms
The rooms in the castle are all sumptuously decorated with brocade bedspreads and antiques. They range in size from enormous to merely large, and all have private bathrooms (a few with only a shower, most with baths and showers). Rooms will be chosen individually in the order in which payment is received.
All rooms feature double beds. Some rooms can be made up as two single beds. There are roll-away beds that can accommodate a child in the some of the rooms. The rooms are air conditioned, but to a European standard, not American (meaning it doesn't get very cold). Expect high temperatures of 75 Fahrenheit and overnight lows of about 60.
All rooms require climbing at least one flight of stairs.
Activities
Spend your days as you see fit, on your own or with other people you meet at the castle. Larry will be there to advise you on local activities. Things to do include:
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Visit the beautiful hill towns of Campiglia, Suverto, Bolgheri and many others
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Explore medieval and renaissance history in Massa Marittima, Siena, Pisa, and Lucca
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Take a day (or overnight) trip to nearby Elba, where Napoleon was exiled
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Head up to Florence for a day of museums
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Visit the vineyards near Bolgheri (producing "super Tuscans"), Montepulciano, and others around the castle growing local varieties that are rarely exported.
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Learn about the pre-Roman Etruscan civilization that flourished here, at the excavations of Populonia and the Etruscan museum in Piombino
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Visit the Roman era indoor/outdoor mineral baths a mile from the castle
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Hike the famed Via Francigena, the lesser known Via degli Estruschi (the coastal sections can also be bicycled), or the almost unknown geothermal landscape around Sasso Pisano
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Ride the restored mine train to a ruined village at the Parco Archeominerario di San Silvestro
Frequently Asked Questions
Why so cheap?
If you are familiar with Code in a Castle you'll know that the cost for this week is less than 25% of the cost of a room for two during one of our seminars. The cost difference is because (1) we will not be paying an instructor or staff, (2) we will not be providing food, drinks, or activities (other than breakfast and one communal dinner), and (3) we're seeking only to cover our non-refundable castle rental costs.
Can I pick different dates?
No. We have the castle rented from the evening of September 21st to the morning of September 28th. You don't have to stay all seven nights, but there's no discount if you stay fewer nights. If you want to split a week between you and another party, that should be possible; please inquire.
Is the Castello di Magona a hotel?
No, the castle is a privately owned residence available only for exclusive weekly rental. The castle is not accessible to the public.
Who will be there?
This is an exclusive castle rental; the only guests will be our group. In addition, the castle owner lives with his partner (who is also the chef for the on-site dinner) in a separate wing, and there is one staff member who lives in the castle as well.
Is this a tour?
No, this is not a tour. It's an opportunity to access a unique and spectacular rental property that is available only to groups. The inclusions are limited to accommodations and breakfast, and no activities are provided, although Larry will be there to advise you (and you're welcome to accompany him on his explorations as well).
How can I pay?
We accept credit cards as well as bank wires.
