Reading comments and reviews of guests that have stayed in a Tuscan villa or apartment is a great way to start planning your trip to Tuscany, Italy. After their trip, each guest is asked to evaluate different aspects the accomodation and to leave a general comment to publish. To view the ratings for each category, click the link called 'Villa Review Rating Details'. If you're considering Tuscany for your next vacation, please take a few minutes to browse these reviews - you'll be glad you did.
Better than my own house - this place was better than advertised!! My family had 4 dif rentals in cortona this week and everyone wanted mine next time !- it is close to everything you want to do ( well cortona is small ) but easy to find - mini- Mart is close by and the finishes and decorations were awesome - better than a 4 star hotel. The host thought of everything- there was a blow dryer, laundry detergent, AC ( but we didn’t need it as these old building retain the night cooling ) we could have prepared our own food but preferred to eat out at all the wonderful local places. Host Derna was great and daughter Lara helped translate - booking agency very helpful. I wish I could have stayed longer but would stay there again. My biggest comment to other visitors to cortona is to pack less clothes and bring sturdy walking shoes as it is truly a hill town ! Loved every minute of it
Would you recommend this property to a friend? Yes
To begin, there isn’t much I can add to the previous commenters. The house was great. A beautiful 200 year old, solid, well built stone house with a unique three level floor plan. And despite its age, I had no problems with any of it mechanical/electrical systems. The grounds were beautiful. Lovely olives, pines, cypresses and wild flowers everywhere and a pleasure to view. The views from the property were incredible. Lucca, Pisa, the Tyrrhenian Sea, Il Castello di Zozzano and a few charming villages can be seen from the property. And the pool was especially enjoyable. I’ve always found infinity pools to be particularly beautiful when built in an area with a good view. And this is certainly the case here. Whether doing laps and enjoying the views of the valley and hills or sitting and relaxing with a beer enjoying the forest and the watching the birds, the pool was my favorite place to be during my stay.
The owner is a great guy and easy to deal with. The house cleaner was very friendly and helpful and did a great job keeping the villa clean.
Now there are a few things, that although not negative, should be considered by a potential renter. First, the road to the house is a little intense. Not so bad when you get used to it but still a somewhat intense drive. I had six people and a somewhat large vehicle so had to go very slow for most of the road. However, it is a beautiful drive with impressive views that were enjoyable. I found that going to the Coop Super store on the western edge of Lucca to be a minimum 1.5 to 2.0 hour commitment. So plan accordingly and come well stocked with food and beverages.
This house is near many places worth visiting. The problem I had was wanting to leave the house. It truly is a private resort, a great place to unwind and get away from it all. Very quiet and peaceful. A few, but not many other people in the area. Was not bothered by anyone at all. Unfortunately can’t say that about touristy areas. I made it to Lucca and Pisa but had no desire to go anywhere else. One week at this villa is really not enough time. Just be careful if you go hiking at night in the dark. I think there might be wild boars in the area.
One last thing. When driving to the house for the first time, follow the instructions from the owner. Ultimately, be sure to to join the via di Compignano from the SS439. Joining the via di Compignano from the east on the SS439 is an awkward left hander that is easy to miss. Once on the road be sure to keep a look out for the landmarks that the owner mentions, such as the church and the walled cemetery. It is possible to join the via di Compignano from the other side of the mountain through the village of Balbano and my navigation took me this route. Unfortunately the via di Compignano is not continuous and it is impossible to get to the villa from this way. In my case I had to turn around and go around the mountain to join the via di Compignano off of the SS439. A nice waste of thirty minutes.
Anyway, I hope this was review is helpful. I certainly recommend and will someday return. It is especially great with families with children. Besides the pool and forest, my kids enjoyed the swing and the ping pong table.
Dan, Arizona USA.
Would you recommend this property to a friend? Yes
We had a lovely stay at Uva. Very comfortabe and spacious house, recently built so everything is new! It is tastefully decorated and well equiped. The outside area is nice with a beautiful view on the hills to the south. There is a large pool, and on the whole lots of space.
I will definitely return!
Would you recommend this property to a friend? Yes
We enjoyed our stay at Casa Santa Lucia.. We particularly enjoyed the outdoor spaces including a delightful place to eat breakfast and places to relax.
Would you recommend this property to a friend? Yes
Eine Woche lang Villa le Balze: wir kommen gerne wieder. Das Haus sowie die Gartenanlage mit Pool sind großartig. Das Haus ist mit drei Toilette und drei Duschen (eine davon außen am Pool) ausreichend ausgestattet, wie auch die Küche.
Die Betten waren allesamt in Ordnung, das Haus war Anfang Juni angenehm Kühl. Da es in Italien noch nicht viele Sonnenstunden dieses Jahr gab, war der Pool sehr kalt.
Die Besitzerin ist super - auch wenn Sie nur Italienisch spricht kommt man gut mit ihr klar. Wir hatten das Problem, dass der Warmwasser-Boiler im Haus defekt war, jedoch wurde dies umgehen durch Easyreserve und die Besitzerin geregelt, das war top.
Was wir störend fanden war die ständige Huperei der Autos auf den engen Bergstraßen von morgens bis Abends.
Verbesserung: wir haben im EG kenne zweiten Kühlschrank vermisst, da mit 6 bi 8 Personen ein einziger Kühlschrank nicht wirklich ausreicht und man zu einem größeren Supermarkt gute 18 Kilometer fährt.
Alles in allem ein super Haus das wir nur weiterempfehlen könnenan Gruppen, die es nicht stört, direkte Nachbarn zu haben.
Ach ja: Anfahrt mit SUVs oder größeren Autos nicht möglich.
[English translation courtesy of Easy Reserve] Villa le Balze for a week: we'll be back. The house as well as the garden with pool were great. The house is equipped with three toilets and three showers (one outside the pool), as well as the kitchen.
The beds were all ok, the house was cool in early June. As there were not many sunny hours in Italy this year, the pool was very cold.
The owner is great - even if you speak only Italian you get along well with her. We had the problem that the hot water boiler in the house was broken, but this was handled by Easy Reserve and the owner, that was great.
What we found disturbing was the constant honking of the cars on the narrow mountain roads from morning to evening.
Improvement: on the ground we missed a second fridge, since with 6 to 8 people a single fridge is not really enough and the drive to a larger supermarket is a good 18 km.
All in all, a great house that we can only recommend to groups that do not mind having direct neighbors.
Oh yes: Access with SUVs or larger cars is not possible.
Would you recommend this property to a friend? Yes
Better than it is pictured. so Spacious and the Pool is beautiful. My family and I Could not believe how beautiful the view and the grounds are. We are going to make this a yearly Vacation spot.
Would you recommend this property to a friend? Yes
If you want calm, space, friendlines, helpfullness. this is the place.
When you drive up the alley it is something. The house is big and the appartment is realy big. The funiture inside is maching the outside and the garden is relaxing. The helpfullness is amazing, and thry try to help if thay can. I can only recommend this wonderfull place - and their ollive-oil is good! Thank you for a very good time.
Would you recommend this property to a friend? Yes
À beutifull place to stay, and practical house were you can find and use everything you need. We had 30 C and very nice to swim in your own garden !