A small country estate nestled between olive groves and vineyards, run by a young family with two small children, eight completely renovated apartments, and a huge pool with toys for the kids – Little Oliveto in Montaione, Tuscany, jumped straight onto our wishlist the first time we heard about it.

A family project with heart

Behind Little Oliveto is a Dutch family: Remco, Maritte, and their two small children, Fede and Giulio. They discovered the property in Tuscany in May 2024, emigrated from Rotterdam to Montaione in March 2025, and lovingly renovated the entire estate in just 13 months. The official opening took place in May 2026.

This background is precisely what makes Little Oliveto so special: It's not an anonymous hotel, but a place built by a family for families. You notice it in the details, from the naming (Oliveto means olive grove in Italian, "Little" because of its manageable size with only eight apartments) to the personal, warm hospitality.

The apartments: Rustic charm meets modern comfort

All eight apartments were completely renovated and lovingly furnished in 2026, preserving the typical Tuscan character with the charm of old vaulted ceilings, open fireplaces, and natural stone walls, while also offering all the comfort families with children need. The apartments bear names like Il Camino (with an antique fireplace), La Mangiatoia, Il Frantoio, La Stalla, Il Granaio, L'Aia, L'Oliveto, and Il Fienile, and vary in size from cozy two-person apartments to spacious accommodations for up to 8 people with three bedrooms.

Especially practical for families:

• Fully equipped kitchens (including dishwasher and espresso machine) for relaxed meals at your own pace
• Washing machine in the house: a must with small children
• Cots available upon request in several apartments
• Private terraces with views of olive groves and vineyards
• Air conditioning and heating, depending on the apartment
• Shared barbecue area for cozy evenings with other families

The pool: The heart of the family experience

The real highlight for children is the large, quiet pool with variable depth from 0.70 to 2.40 meters – ideal for both toddlers to safely splash around and older children and adults to swim properly. In line with the child-friendly concept, there are toys for children right by the pool, guaranteeing hours of water fun while parents relax in the Tuscan sun.

Location and surroundings

Little Oliveto is nestled between olive groves and vineyards in Montaione, a quiet village in the heart of Tuscany. And although you are surrounded by greenery, you are not far from restaurants and amenities:

• Just 100 meters away: a bar/restaurant, a playground, and a small market
• Within 1 km: supermarket, bakery, butcher, fruit and vegetable seller, gelateria, restaurants, and even a padel court
• Adventure park in Montaione, offering rope bridges, zip lines, and tree-top trails (for kids aged 4 and up)

This means that even without a car, you are well-provided for daily needs – a big plus, especially with children, when an ice cream or fresh bread is spontaneously needed.

For day trips to the hotspots of Tuscany, the location is ideal:

• San Gimignano (18 km) – the famous medieval tower town
• Volterra (28 km) – a historic, tranquil town
• Florence (48 km) – art, culture, and the cathedral
• Pisa (60 km) – greetings from the Leaning Tower

Anyone traveling with children knows: short travel times to attractions make the difference between a relaxed family outing and a nerve-wracking car journey. Here, the Tuscan highlights can be explored in well-dosed portions, without the children having to sit in the car for hours.

Arrival

The nearest international airports are Pisa (Aeroporto Galileo Galilei) and Florence (Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola), both about an hour's drive from the estate. From there, a rental car is recommended, as Little Oliveto is located in the countryside and you will want flexibility for excursions in the surrounding area anyway.

Convenient for those arriving with an electric car: There are charging stations for electric vehicles on site, as well as free parking directly on the premises. Those who prefer to travel without their own car can also rent a car or bicycle on site. This service is offered by Little Oliveto itself.

Experiences for the whole family

Little Oliveto also offers optional experiences that are perfect for an active family vacation:

• Truffle hunting with local experts 
• Wine and winery tours in the surrounding area
• Cycling tours through the quiet Tuscan landscape
• Guided village walks through the surrounding towns

This way, you can tailor your vacation to your own preferences – from relaxed pool days to small adventures in the area.

Our Conclusion

Little Oliveto combines exactly what we at kidswelltraveled love about accommodation: an authentic, family-run concept, thoughtful comfort for families with small children, and a location that offers both tranquility and exciting excursion destinations. The large pool with toys, the child-friendly amenities of the apartments, and the fact that a young family with two small children lives and works here themselves, make Little Oliveto a very special place for families in Italy.

Frequently asked questions about Little Oliveto

Is Little Oliveto suitable for toddlers and babies? Yes. Thanks to the host family's own small children, the entire concept is designed for families with small children. Several apartments offer additional cots on request, and the pool has a shallow entry depth of 0.70 m, which is also suitable for smaller children. 

How far is it to the nearest supermarket or restaurant? Very close: A bar/restaurant, a playground, and a small market are only 100 meters away. Within 1 km, there is also a supermarket, a bakery, a butcher, a fruit and vegetable seller, and a gelateria.

Do you need a car on site? Not necessarily for daily needs, as the bar, playground, and mini-market are within walking distance. However, for excursions to San Gimignano, Volterra, Florence, or Pisa, a rental car is recommended, as Little Oliveto is located in the countryside. Those who arrive without their own car can also rent a car or bicycle on site.

Are there charging stations for electric cars? Yes, EV charging stations and free parking are available on site.

How far is Little Oliveto from the most famous cities in Tuscany? San Gimignano is about 18 km away, Volterra about 28 km, Florence about 48 km, and Pisa about 60 km. This means several Tuscan highlights can be easily reached as a day trip with children.

Are pets allowed? One apartment (L'Oliveto) is explicitly pet-friendly. For other apartments, it is recommended to inquire before booking.

Is there a washing machine in the apartments? Yes, washing machines or laundry facilities are standard – practical for families with small children who often have laundry to do.

To Little Oliveto