Archive for 'Villa Reviews'

Rental Date: Saturday 11th of July 2009.

Renter: Margherita F. (Bend, OR, United States).

Renter Rating: 5/5.

Welcome to paradise !!
The property has stunning views, the house is magnificent, the pool area is beautifully done, all the people involved from easy reserve, Bruna the cook, maid service and the owners themselves have been of great help in making our stay at Villa Casanuova a memorable one.
Beside the beauty of the property, you'll be only few minutes drive from Montalcino (charming to say the least and best pizza EVER!), wineries where you'll taste the BEST Brunello di Montalcino and run by people who truly have pride in what they do and will be happy to share with you the secrets of wine making.
Do not hesitate : you MUST have it for your vacation!

Please visit Villa Casanuova for more details about this accommodation. Visit this page for other villas in Castelnuovo Dell'abate, Tuscany, Italy.

Rental Date: Monday 6th of July 2009.

Renter: David W. (St Albans, Herts, United Kingdom).

Renter Rating: 5/5.

Fabulous, secluded and idyllic place. Our villa, Mimosa, was ideal for family of 5, smallish living room area but, hey, we were outside on the terrace all the time so didn't actually use it. Fantastic swimming pool, but the best part of this property is the terrace that goes around all the properties. with nicely dilapidated deck chairs and a view to die for. Sitting there, glass of local chianti in hand, looking at the vineyards hanging with grapes, you could have stayed for ever. Looks a bit like a road but cars are not able to get around to it. Which means you have to lug your bags round. Top bedroom in Mimosa was great fun for our 7 and 11 year old girls, accessed via a spiral staircase, but quite exposed and not suitable for young children, as the website points out. Do I have any criticisms, not really: no local shops, not quite enough cutlery, but small points. Overall five stars. Within easy driving distance of great Tuscan sites, 40 mins to Florence, close to Sienna, San Gimignano, and Monteriggioni (definitely worth a visit). I haven't posted any photos, you will just have to go yourself to find out how chilled this place is.

Please visit La Valle A Polvereto: Mimosa for more details about this accommodation. Visit this page for other villas in Montespertoli, Tuscany, Italy.

Rental Date: Saturday 4th of July 2009.

Renter: Lucian C. (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada).

Renter Rating: 4/5.

Very nice, secure property on the outskirts of Florence (in Scandicci), within 15 minutes driving to parking close to Florence attractions, 10 minutes to highways, and 10 minutes to a supermarket (COOP).
I found the instructions in finding the vila helpful if you also use Googgle Maps. The owners are nice and are very accomodating; their son has a good command of English that was a great help as our Italian comprises of only two words: gelato and vino. The property is a small, 1 bedroom house located in an olive orchard; it has a kitchen that has everything you need if you want to cook. There is a nice private patio where you can enjoy your evening (or morning) glass of Chianti. There is a satelite TV with a DVD. We did not use the Internet connection so I cannot comment. I am not sure what the expectations are for these type of accomodations in Europe but the following North American expectations where not met: no soap and toilet paper in the bathroom, no salt, sugar, coffee or tea bags in the kitchen - which can be quite an inconvenience if you arrive late in the evening. Don't rent a big car, the road to the house is very narrow - as almost all roads inside the old cities in Italy. Summers are very hot and humid in Tuscany and if you like air conditioning then this rustic acommodation is not for you. There was a fan that we used during the night to cool off, however for us, Canadians it was way too hot. But that was part of the adventure and we did not let it spoil our stay. Mosquitos were omnipresent and you cannot really keep them out of the house as you have to keep the windows open to have the air circulate to cool the rooms. Not sure why the windows are not equipped with insect screens as any home in North America is. We stayed in 3 hotels in Italy and none of them had them either - found that very strange as the screens could be an easy fix for the mosquito problem. There was a mold like smell when we arrived which we tracked down to a bed cover and the carpet which we removed and sealed in a plastic bag. With the high humidity during summer and no ventilation there is no wonder that things start to exhibit their smelly personality. Overall was a good experience and I would stay there again next summer if there would be an air conditioning unit. Good luck!

Please visit Florence 798 for more details about this accommodation. Visit this page for other villas in Florence, Tuscany, Italy.

Rental Date: Saturday 4th of July 2009.

Renter: David G. (Wexford, PA, United States).

Renter Rating: 5/5.

Rented both units (La Mura #1 & #2) for two weeks and was very satisfied with the accommodations and the hospitality of the owners. Very convenient to the village of San Gimignano (walking or driving) and yet very quiet and peaceful. Roberta speaks good English to help with your questions and Mama & Papa are quite dedicated to you enjoying yourself , even if though they do't speak English. Both units were clean and comfortable. Would recommend to any one who doesn't need a 5 Star hotel and enjoys the people as part of enjoying the culture.

Dave G.-Pennsylvania

Please visit Le Mura: Le Mura 1 for more details about this accommodation. Visit this page for other villas in San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy.

Rental Date: Saturday 4th of July 2009.

Renter: Wayne B. (Redmond, WA, United States).

Renter Rating: 5/5.

Villa Il Nido is a lovely villa that you and your family will enjoy. It is a very modern, clean 3-bed/3-bath unit that can easily accommodate 6-8 people comfortably. There is a fully contained kitchen to cook a few meals on those days when relaxing between trips to our towns/regions. The villa is in the Alpinnes Mountain and is within walking distance to the town of Castel Garafagnana. There is a lovely swimming fountain, green grass to walk/lay and enjoy, and the hosts are very warm and friendlyly. Pablo and his wife are very sweet and add to the appeal of Villa Il Nido. They have a very nice garden and may bring over fresh vegtables for one of those "home" cook meal days.
My family and I truly enjoyed the villa.

Please visit Villa Il Nido for more details about this accommodation. Visit this page for other villas in Castelnuovo Di Garfagnana, Tuscany, Italy.