Osteria Del Vicario — Restaurant in Certaldo

This is a lovely little restaurant / B&B that forms part of the old monastery at Certaldo. Views from the terrace are stunning and the overall location is really historic.|We did a fair bit of research when choosing this reading the various websites and reviews and still got a few things wrong. |We were contacted by the owners before arrival as, on Thursdays the restaurant is shut and the premises unattended. Keys in a safe box by the front door. We didn’t know the premises were not lived in and wrongly assumed that the owners would be there thoughout. Not a problems as we have done this before but it did mean that we were unable to use the restaurant for an evening meal as planned. Interestingly the premises are also unattended at night so just the B&B rooms occupied.|Parking|Now, parking caused us a lot of confusion. When you read the websites it appears that there is free parking on site – not so. Certaldo Alto has a system where if you have booked accommodation you are allowed to drive into the monastery area for the purpose of dropping off luggage etc for up to 30 minutes. You then have to take your vehicle and park it outside the controlled area. The controlled area is covered by cameras and your vehicle is notified to the local police by the B&B owners after arrival (within 48 hours) you can then drive in and out as often as you want without further notification – but still no parking on site.|Parking is in the car park that snakes down the side of the hill on which Certlado Alto sits. It’s a 5 minute walk from the B&B. The top part of the car park is marked out in Blue bays and this is ticket controlled – payment at the on site machines.|The next section down which is level and has no blue markings is for residents with parking permits. |Right at the bottom, actually outside the main car parking is a section that is free parking. This only holds about 10 vehicles and is opposite where the recycling banks are and is the beginning of the road out. You could of course park on the road out.|We assumed (wrongly) that once our vehicle was registered we could park free. Oh no. We parked in the blue bay area as it was the closest and then left the car for 2 days. During that we managed to pick up a parking ticket (30 Euros). Queried that with the B&B owner and then discovered the above. He contacted the police to see if anything could be done but no, its issued so pay up!.|Paying a parking fine is a nightmare. You should be able to do it online. You should be able to do it over the phone. You should be able to do it in a police station. Don’t bother. |Online didn’t work – the payment system would not recognize the ticket details and I couldn’t enter a proper phone ( it didn’t allow the +44 )|Phone was a void number that just went dead|Police station after queueing I got sent to the nearest Tabac to pay it there – but it was shut for 3 days (you’d of thought the police would have known)|If the online system does not work then the quickest option is to go to the local post office and pay it there. At least then you get a receipt and you see the payment get made. As it happens even the post office counter clerk had difficulties with this ticket and had to ask for help. Still I have a receipt and it was done and dusted before I returned the hire car / left the country.| |Air conditioning.|The B&B does not have Air conditioning. As it is in what was on old monastery that is understandable but was a surprise to us as one of the sites mentioned it. We had booked two nights here and, had we known might have looked elsewhere.|We also happened to go there when they had a mini heat wave and it was 30+ degrees at midnight so rather too warm for comfort. No aircon means having to open the windows to get a bit of breeze or air circulation. It would have been nice if the B&B had portable fans but they don’t. |Of course opening the windows also lets in mosquitos and noise. Certaldo is usually tranquil in the evenings but our visit managed to coincide on one night with a group of 20 somethings out on the street chatting till 2am. You then get the 7am delivery drivers and, as Certaldo is stone built with narrow streets the noise echo’s around. Four of the 5 rooms face onto the street so this may be a common factor. If you happen to be in your room when the restaurant is open then you will also get the muzac / background music from the restaurant lobby and bar area– not so good for an afternoon snooze.|Breakfast was very good with a wide choice and excellent coffee, served on the terrace and with...

This is a lovely little restaurant / B&B that forms part of the old monastery at Certaldo. Views from the terrace are stunning and the overall location is really historic.|We did a fair bit of research when choosing this reading the various websites and reviews and still got a few things wrong. |We were contacted by the owners before arrival as, on Thursdays the restaurant is shut and the premises unattended. Keys in a safe box by the front door. We didn’t know the premises were not lived in and wrongly assumed that the owners would be there thoughout. Not a problems as we have done this before but it did mean that we were unable to use the restaurant for an evening meal as planned. Interestingly the premises are also unattended at night so just the B&B rooms occupied.|Parking|Now, parking caused us a lot of confusion. When you read the websites it appears that there is free parking on site – not so. Certaldo Alto has a system where if you have booked accommodation you are allowed to drive into the monastery area for the purpose of dropping off luggage etc for up to 30 minutes. You then have to take your vehicle and park it outside the controlled area. The controlled area is covered by cameras and your vehicle is notified to the local police by the B&B owners after arrival (within 48 hours) you can then drive in and out as often as you want without further notification – but still no parking on site.|Parking is in the car park that snakes down the side of the hill on which Certlado Alto sits. It’s a 5 minute walk from the B&B. The top part of the car park is marked out in Blue bays and this is ticket controlled – payment at the on site machines.|The next section down which is level and has no blue markings is for residents with parking permits. |Right at the bottom, actually outside the main car parking is a section that is free parking. This only holds about 10 vehicles and is opposite where the recycling banks are and is the beginning of the road out. You could of course park on the road out.|We assumed (wrongly) that once our vehicle was registered we could park free. Oh no. We parked in the blue bay area as it was the closest and then left the car for 2 days. During that we managed to pick up a parking ticket (30 Euros). Queried that with the B&B owner and then discovered the above. He contacted the police to see if anything could be done but no, its issued so pay up!.|Paying a parking fine is a nightmare. You should be able to do it online. You should be able to do it over the phone. You should be able to do it in a police station. Don’t bother. |Online didn’t work – the payment system would not recognize the ticket details and I couldn’t enter a proper phone ( it didn’t allow the +44 )|Phone was a void number that just went dead|Police station after queueing I got sent to the nearest Tabac to pay it there – but it was shut for 3 days (you’d of thought the police would have known)|If the online system does not work then the quickest option is to go to the local post office and pay it there. At least then you get a receipt and you see the payment get made. As it happens even the post office counter clerk had difficulties with this ticket and had to ask for help. Still I have a receipt and it was done and dusted before I returned the hire car / left the country.| |Air conditioning.|The B&B does not have Air conditioning. As it is in what was on old monastery that is understandable but was a surprise to us as one of the sites mentioned it. We had booked two nights here and, had we known might have looked elsewhere.|We also happened to go there when they had a mini heat wave and it was 30+ degrees at midnight so rather too warm for comfort. No aircon means having to open the windows to get a bit of breeze or air circulation. It would have been nice if the B&B had portable fans but they don’t. |Of course opening the windows also lets in mosquitos and noise. Certaldo is usually tranquil in the evenings but our visit managed to coincide on one night with a group of 20 somethings out on the street chatting till 2am. You then get the 7am delivery drivers and, as Certaldo is stone built with narrow streets the noise echo’s around. Four of the 5 rooms face onto the street so this may be a common factor. If you happen to be in your room when the restaurant is open then you will also get the muzac / background music from the restaurant lobby and bar area– not so good for an afternoon snooze.|Breakfast was very good with a wide choice and excellent coffee, served on the terrace and with...

Osteria Del Vicario in Certaldo, Italy, stands as a testament to the epitome of warmth and welcoming service, and our hosts, Ele and Erik, deserve nothing short of a standing ovation for orchestrating an unforgettable wedding experience that surpassed our wildest dreams.

From the moment we crossed the threshold of this charming bed and breakfast, Ele and Erik enveloped us in genuine warmth, creating an atmosphere that felt like an extension of our own joy. Their dedication to ensuring an exceptional stay manifested in every detail, making our time there not just a visit but a truly immersive and heartfelt experience.

Ele, the culinary virtuoso behind the scenes, delighted our palates with an array of freshly made delights that left an indelible mark on our gastronomic memories. Breakfasts were a daily celebration featuring delicious cappuccinos, fresh fruit, a selection of meats and cheeses, yogurt, and hands down some of the best croissants we've ever had.

Our wedding dinner at Osteria Del Vicario was, without a doubt, the culinary highlight of our entire trip to Italy. Ele curated a gastronomic masterpiece—a gourmet salad that tantalized the taste buds, followed by a perfectly crafted pasta dish, and a succulent entrée that showcased the richness of Italian flavors. The pièce de résistance was the traditional Italian wedding cake personally crafted by Ele, a sweet masterpiece that embodied the essence of celebration and tradition.

The location of Osteria Del Vicario is nothing short of a fairytale setting. Perched atop a medieval hill in Certaldo, Tuscany, the bed and breakfast offers a panoramic view that seems to transcend time. Easily accessible from Florence by train, this hidden gem provides all the amenities of a charming town without succumbing to the crowds of tourists, allowing us to savor the authentic beauty of Tuscany in serenity.

In the intricate dance of planning our wedding, Ele and Erik proved to be the ultimate partners. Their responsiveness and unwavering support turned the sometimes daunting task of wedding planning into a joyous and collaborative endeavor. They went above and beyond, facilitating communication with local vendors such as the florist, ensuring that every aspect of our celebration was seamlessly woven into the fabric of our dreams.

The customization of our stay and wedding day showcased Ele and Erik's commitment to making our experience uniquely ours. Their attention to detail and genuine enthusiasm reflected not just a job but a passion for creating moments that linger in the heart long after the event has concluded.

Osteria Del Vicario is not merely a bed and breakfast; it is a sanctuary of warmth and hospitality, a culinary haven, and a picturesque backdrop for the celebration of love. Ele and Erik have not just curated a place to stay; they have crafted an experience that lingers in the soul, a symphony of flavors and moments that resonate with the magic of Tuscany. For those seeking an unparalleled blend of welcoming service, culinary artistry, and an idyllic setting, Osteria Del Vicario is the crown jewel in the heart...