Reaching Villa Ellerone is easy. Arriving from Florence, Rome or Pisa, find your way to the A1 highway (this is probably the most important road in Italy, connecting the Milan to Naples and passing by Bologna, Florence and Rome). Then, take the exit "Impruneta" just a few km south from Florence and jump on the Firenze-Siena highway (RA3). In less than 30 minutes, this 2-lanes road leads to the exit "Poggibonsi Nord", which is 2 km away from Villa Ellerone. Then, follow the MAP!
The closest town to the Villa is Poggibonsi, 5 minutes by car (3 km). It is a modern town with two supermarkets, stores and banks, marking the highway entrance. Several restaurants, pizzeria and cafes are in San Gimignano, 15 minutes by car, or in Barberino Val d’Elsa, 12 minutes by car.
Poggibonsi's train station is 5 km away from the Villa. It runs on a secondary line with frequent service to and from Florence and Siena in about an hour. Service to Florence starts at 6 am, and the last train returns from Florence at 11 pm. After 8 pm, the service returning from Florence requires a change in Empoli or bus service. Next to the train station in Poggibonsi there are many parking areas.
Siena's "Palio" takes place every July 2 and August 16. Every July in Certaldo, a street theatre festival called "Mercantia" takes place. The first weekend in July marks Monteriggioni's "Medieval Festival" - locals dress in costume with music, crafts and food stands filling the streets.
Morning farmer markets are held in Poggibonsi on Tuesday, Siena or Certaldo on Wednesday, Monteriggioni on Thursday, San Gimignano on Thursday and Saturday and Castellina in Chianti.