accommodations
Castello di Badia
Località Badia, 1
53036 Poggibonsi
Siena, Italy
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
• Dates back to the early Middle Ages
• 11th century origins Vallombrosa Abbey
• 12th century transformed to a fortified complex
• scene of conflicts between Florence & Siena
Relais Della Rovere
Via Piemonte, 10
53034 Colle di Val d’Elsa
Siena, Italy
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
• 325 AD bits of structure date to
• 1000 AD Benedictine Abbey
• 1470 Cardinal Rovere residence
• 1502 Cardinal becomes Pope Giulio II
• 1513 Pope Guilio II dies
• Various nobles including Medeci own
• 1760 parts of the abbey dismantled
welcome dinner
6:00pm on October 5, 2025
Attire: cocktail / semi-casual
Relais Della Rovere
Via Piemonte, 10
53034 Colle di Val d’Elsa, Siena
patio
weather permitting
if there is rain, dinner will be in the cellar
shared family style menu
APERITIF
• Ca' del Bosco Dosage Zero Millesimato Franciacorta Saten DOCG
STARTERS
• bruschette with cherry tomatoes and basil
• beef carpaccio rose with truffle
• local cockerel with San Gimignano saffron on burnt tomato cream
• wine: di San Gimignano Fontaleoni Vernaccia Casanova Cru
FIRST COURSE
• Maremma ravioli with sage cream and egg mimosa
• fusilloni with Chianina and Chianti ragout
• homemade tagliolini carbonara and fresh truffle
• wine: di San Gimignano Fontaleoni Vernaccia Casanova Cru
MAIN
• porchetta with rosemary and sage
• chicken cacciatore
• wine: Marchesi Mazzei Siepi 2019
DESSERT
• traditional pistachio cannoli
BEVERAGES
• still or sparkling water
• beer
• coffee
wedding day
October 6, 2025
attire: formal
1:55pm shuttle vans from the Relais to the Castello
• please be on board by 1:55pm as vans must leave before 2pm to be on time
• driving to the Castello is not an option
• there is no Uber and no taxi service that can be relied on
12:45am return shuttle van service to the Relais
ceremony
3:00pm on the terrace
please take your seats early
aperitifs
immediately following the ceremony by the pool
dinner
5:30pm in the courtyard
transition to the courtyard
starting around 5pm
cake
7:30pm on the terrace
celebration
8:00pm until 12:45am
in the great hall
gelato
9pm to 11pm
just outside the great hall
flavors: coffee, dark chocolate, lemon, pistachio, & salted caramel
pizza!
9pm to 11pm
just outside the great hall
Chef Tony will work the oven,
at least for a little bit!
venue
tour
for the tour, we will split into two groups
the tour will consist of:
• visit to the Il Poggio vineyard
• tour of the winery
while one group visits the vineyard, the other will tour the winery and then vice versa
once everyone is finished with both segments of the tour, we will all meet back up as a combined group at the Limonaia for lunch
cellar
history
vintages
lunch
in the Limonaia
APERITIF BUFFET
• bruschettas with seasonal ingredients
• polenta toast with seasonal topping
• Prosciutto Toscano DOP and Finocchiona Toscana DOP
• Tuscan pecorino cheese selection with homemade preserves
FIRST COURSE
• spaghetti alla Chitarra with wild squash and guanciale
MAIN COURSE
• roast pork rib
SIDE DISH
• seasonal vegetables*
DESSERT
• apple pie served with rosemary scented caramel
WINE
• Sangioveto Rosato
• Chianti Classico Riserva
• Il Poggio Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2020
• Vinsanto La Chimera 2007 will be served with dessert
(sorry Dustin, no beer)
*Chef Anthony's choice was boiled Tuscan chickpeas dressed with Castello di Monsanto extra virgin olive oil. If you don't like the seasonal vegetables choice, please blame Rachel.
Fattoria Poggio Alloro
• we will take a brief tour of the farm
• then enjoy lunch there
farm history
The three Fioroni brothers Umberto, Amico, and Bernardo were born and raised in the Marche region, where they worked as sharecroppers until the 1950s. Sharecropping at this time in Italy resembled a form of slavery. The terrible conditions led the four brothers to migrate to Tuscany. In 1955 they arrived in San Gimignano.
Through their hard work, great sacrifices, and dedication to the land they eventually managed to purchase the first 25 hectares of Fattoria Poggio Alloro. At this time they started growing grapevines, olive trees, various kinds of fruits and vegetables, and cereal crops. Later, they built barns and started raising Chianina cattle and other animals including pigs, chickens and rabbits. The farm also produces saffron.
documentary about Fattoria Poggio Alloro
lunch at Fattoria Poggio Alloro
• mixed Tuscan farm cold cuts, bruschetta with organic extra virgin olive oil, and two types of crostini
• organic durum wheat pasta with saffron and seasonal vegetables
• fresh egg tagliatelle with Chianina IGP meat ragù
• grilled Chianina IGP steak raised on the Poggio Alloro farm
• mixed salad and seasonal side dish
• dessert: cantuccini and Vin Santo
• drinks: coffee, water, and wine options below:
- Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG
- Chianti DOCG
- San Gimignano Rosso DOC "Convivio"
visit San Gimignano
A small walled village about halfway between Florence and Siena that is famous for its fascinating medieval architecture and towers that rise above of all the other structures offering an impressive view of the city from the surrounding valley.
At the height of its glory, San Gimignano's patrician families had built around 72 tower-houses as symbols of their wealth and power. Although only 14 have survived, San Gimignano still retains its feudal atmosphere and appearance.
• Rach & Tony will be climbing all 13 towers!
• Susan & Michael will be eating gelato
visit Monteriggioni
One of the most important walled hamlets in Tuscany. It is an incredibly preserved, intact structure as if time had never passed on the hill from which it elegantly dominates the surrounding landscape.
It is nestled in the province of Siena, between this beautiful city and Colle Val d’Elsa. Its circular perimeter makes one suppose it to be an artificial construction while in actuality it was created by just following the curves in the natural ground.
The castle was built by the Sienese between 1213 and 1219 for defensive purposes. Its strategic location atop a hill overlooking the Cassia Road allowed the castle to control the cities of the Val d’Elsa, Staggia, and to be strategic lookout for any armies approaching Siena.
questions & answers
what is the dress code?
wedding day (ceremony, aperitifs, dinner, & celebration): formal
welcome dinner: cocktail / semi-casual
winery tour & lunch: casual
Vespa tour & lunch: casual
can I use my phone during the ceremony?
Michael says "NO!"
Rach & Tony kindly ask that you please turn off your phones and cameras during all of the ceremony. please -- no photos, videos, or use of phones. don't worry, we have hired a photographer and a videographer. we will have a lot of photos and video to share with you after the wedding.
what is the easiest way to get to and from the wedding?
shuttle vans!
please use the shuttle vans that will be provided for guests staying at the Relais Della Rovere to get to and from the castello. it is highly recommended that you leave your car at the Relais and just take advantage of the shuttles. The road to the castello is not easy to follow, not paved, not short, and there is no lighting. there is no option in the area for Uber or taxi that can be relied on either.
outside or inside?
weather permitting the ceremony, apertifs, and dinner will all be outside. the celebration will be inside in the great hall of the castello.
what is the weather likely to be?
we hope sunny and pleasant! it will be cooler as the afternoon progresses and into the evening, so we highly recommend having an extra layer option for warmth.
when is check in and check out?
check in at the Relais Della Rovere
• 3pm on October 5
check out at the Relais della Rovere
• 11am on October 9
what's the plan for the 5-9 october?
5th October
• check in 3pm
• welcome dinner 6pm
6th October
• wedding day
• shuttle vans leave the relais at 1:55pm (please board early)
• shuttle vans return to the relais at 12:45am
7th October
• winery tour and lunch 11am to 3:30pm
• shuttles leave at 11am
• rest of the day free
8th October
• Vespa tour and lunch 9am to 5:30pm
• meet at Gippo bike (short drive from the relais)
• rest of the day free
9th October
• check out 11am
what if I am late?
you will be left, we will start without you, we will eat all the food and drink all the wine before you arrive ... and you will be publicly shamed by Michael
while in Tuscany -- ideas & tips
Siena
SEE
• Duomo di Siena
• St. Catharine of Siena sites
• Piazza del Campo
• Explore the historic center
EAT & DRINK
• Torrefazione Fiorella (coffee)
• Du' Cose da Berna
• La Taverna di San Giuseppe
SHOP
• Antique jewelry shop --
Platinum Gioielli d’Epoca
Via dei Pellegrini 14
53100 Siena
Italy
Florence
SEE
• Duomo di Firenze
• Piazza della Signoria
• Palazzo Vecchio
• Uffizi Gallery
• Accademia Gallery (David)
EAT & DRINK
• Mercato Centrale
• 4 Leoni
SHOP
• Scuola del Cuoio
(leather school)
San Gimignano
SEE
• Medieval towers
• Explore historic center
• Piazza Duomo
• Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta
EAT & DRINK
• Gelateria Dondoli
• Ristorante Bel Soggiorno
• Déjà Vu Piadineria Hamburgeria
• Le Vecchie Mura
Monteriggioni
SEE
• Tiny, beautiful walled hamlet
• Wander the historic center
• Go up on the walls if open
• Walk the outside wall towards the olive grove
Montepulciano
SEE
• Piazza Grande
• Wander the historic center
• Tempio di San Biagio
• Chiesa del Gesù
EAT & DRINK
• De' Ricci Cantine Storiche
• Contucci
• Caffè Poliziano
• Osteria Acquacheta
SHOP
• Wine
Montalcino
SEE
• Piazza del Popolo
• Wander the historic center
• Montalcino Fortress
• Duomo di Montalcino
• Abbey of Sant'Antimo
EAT & DRINK
• Brunello, Brunello, Brunello
SHOP
• Wine
while in Italy -- itinerary ideas
Venice
considerations
• Is there a more magical city anywhere?
• Lots of flight options
• Flights can be inexpensive
• Vaporetto (water-bus) are great
• Water taxis are amazing but $$
• High-speed trains to Florence
• Car rental pickup or return is easy
see
• Saint Mark's Basilica & Square
• Doge's Palace
• Wander, wander, wander
• Rialto bridge
• Ponte dell'Accademia bridge
• Vaporetto to Burano and Murano
• Jewish Ghetto & Cannareggio
• Calle Varisco (narrowest street)
eat & drink
• Birraria La Corte
• Nevodi
• Al Covo
• Suso Gelateria
• Caffè Florian
• All'Arco
• Antico Forno
• Ai Do Leoni (bar)
Rome
considerations
• Iconic Italian city
• Lots of flight options
• Flights can be inexpensive
• Big city, but walkable
• Uber is easy here
• Car rental pickup is easy
• Car return, follow the company directions carefully
see
• Trevi Fountain
• Pantheon
• Colosseum & Roman Forum
• Vatican & Saint Peter's Basilica
• Castel Sant'Angelo
• Borghese Gardens
• Borghese Gallery (Bernini!)
• Campo de Fiori market
• Spanish Steps
eat & drink
• La Piccola Cuccagna
(potato encrusted sea bass!)
• Pizzarium Bonci (arancini!)
• Barnum Roma (breakfast)
• Pizzeria Emma
• Antico Forno Roscioli
• Forno Campo de 'Fiori
Florence
considerations
• Closest airport to the wedding
• More limited flights
• Flights can be more expensive
• Spectacular city
• Highly walkable
• ZTL (no car zones!)
• Rental car pickup, return
see
• Duomo di Firenze
• Piazza della Signoria & Palazzo Vecchio
• Ponte Vecchio bridge
• Galleria dell'Accademia (David)
• Uffizi Gallery
• Piazza della Repubblica
• Pitti Palace
eat & drink
• Mercato Centrale
• 4 Leoni (pear pasta!)
• Trattoria Dall'Oste
• Berberè Santa Croce
• All'Antico Vinaio
• I Fratellini
Orvieto
considerations
• Wonderful stop on drive to/from Rome
• Historic hilltop town in Umbria
• High speed train from/to Rome
• Limited rental car options
• Highly walkable
see
• Duomo di Orvieto
• Pozzo di San Patrizio
• Wander the historic center
• Labirinto Di Adriano
• Other Etruscan caves
eat & drink
• Caffè Capitano del Popolo
• Trattoria del Moro Aronne
• Osteria da Mamma Angela
• Trattoria la Palomba
• Caffetteria San Domenico
Radicofani
considerations
• On the scenic drive from Rome to Tuscany
• Take the route thru San Casciano dei Bagni
• Historic hilltop fortress
• Beautiful stop for a visit & lunch
see
• Fortezza di Radicofani
• Climb the fortress tower
• Some of the best views of Val D'Orcia
• Read the history at the link below
eat & drink
• Il mondo del Rossi
Tiny little chef run spot with fantastic food
