Archive for 'Villa Reviews'

Rental Date: Saturday 14th of April 2012.

Renter: Mariana G. (Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil).

Renter Rating: 5/5.

Podere Lo Spadino was so much more than we expected. We rented the villa for 14 days, had our wedding for 40 guests there and remained for our honeymoon. The house is exactly as pictured, the views are breathtaking. The owner of the house, who I called Babo, which is italian for dad, during the entire trip is one of the most amazing people we have ever met. He explained to us, through his daughter Barbara's translation, everything about the land, how he built the house brick by brick over the course of his life, it was very moving. He spends his entire days taking care of the gardens and making sure everything is in perfect shape. Barbara, the daughter, and Antonella his wife are the sweetest people. They gave us complete privacy, if you choose not to interact, you won't even feel their presence. The entrance to the rental part of the house is completely separate and they move like ghosts around the property. You can sit in the garden and lay by the pool without ever being interrupted. However, we fell in love with this family and their beuatiful lifestyle so we ended up knocking on their door and inviting them for wine on many occasions. Oh, the wine!! Both the red and white wine from Lo Spadino are fantastic, we tasted many Brunellos which couldn't compare. Want some honey, fresh salami, delicious prosciutto, amazing olive oil? Just knock on their door and they'll send up whatever you like. Our stay at Lo Spadino, for all eight of us who rented and our wedding guests, felt like something out of a movie. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to experience the tuscan way of life. On our last day, I cried all morning and when we went to say goodbye to the family, all three sobbed and hugged us. I hope to go back many times and bring our children there.

Please visit Podere Lo Spadino for more details about this accommodation. Visit this page for other villas in San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy.

Rental Date: Saturday 21st of April 2012.

Renter: Kari K. (Toronto, Ontario, United States).

Renter Rating: 5/5.

We were absolutely blown away by the setting! The apartment completely suited our needs (two couples). We cooked several meals in the kitchen and ate outside on the private terrace. Perfect stay!

Please visit Il Sogno: Sogno 5 for more details about this accommodation. Visit this page for other villas in San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy.

Rental Date: Tuesday 27th of March 2012.

Renter: Leslie A. (Cedar Park, TX, United States).

Renter Rating: 5/5.

We stayed at Suite D'arista for our honeymoon and it could not have been more perfect! The staff was wonderful and made sure we had everything in the room we needed, plus helped us set up wine tasting in Montalcino and assisted in some additional tourist activities. The location was perfect, and allowed us to hike to the town center for the market and restaurants, while still feeling very private and remote. We will definitely come back and stay again! Leslie + Daniel Martin

Please visit Suite D'artista: Cannavacciuolo for more details about this accommodation. Visit this page for other villas in Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy.

Rental Date: Friday 13th of July 2012.

Renter: Joop M. (montagu, South Africa).

Renter Rating: 5/5.

Wij hebben een heerlijke 10 dagen gehad bij Podere Il Doccio. De olijfolie die geprodiceerd wordt is echter alleen voor eigen gebruik, niet voor de verkoop, en de wijn komt van een nabijgelegen wijngaard.

Please visit Podere Il Doccio: Casa Terra for more details about this accommodation. Visit this page for other villas in Terranuova Bracciolini, Tuscany, Italy.

Rental Date: Saturday 22nd of September 2012.

Renter: Michele H. (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia).

Renter Rating: 5/5.

Tuscany has been a dream for many years, and thanks to a beautiful family and a wonderful villa in a spectacular part of Italy that dream came to life. The minute we arrived it felt like home! From the warm welcome we received from Ivan and his lovely family to the special touches, of home baked goods, a platter of meats and cheese, eggs and fresh fruit was unexpected but so welcome and delicious.

The family is wonderful hosts, and we were made to feel part of their special family from the minute we arrived. The warm and friendly welcome we received from Ivan, the coffee with Nona and Maria was a highlight every day, and Maria makes a fantastic espresso (I am now a converted espresso drinker), Giovanni’s vino rosso is just as good as any bottle of wine we drank, and Ivan & Maria’s home made pizza an bruschetta were a taste sensation.

The villa looks just as it does in the pictures, actually even better. The pool and gardens are lovely and a great place to relax under the Tuscan sun!! My favorite spot was on the little terrace at the table, watching the world go by, and listening and watching the comings and goings from the piazza and restaurant across the road. Casa Ivan is in a great location to explore the sites of Tuscany and Umbria the signage and directions are easy to follow, and the views of the countryside are like postcards. Ivan arranged for a day of cooking and this was a highlight. We shopped at the markets for our produce, then spent the day at a villa cooking, chatting, laughing, and best of all eating and drinking. Would definitely recommend adding this to the list of must do’s.

Ivan speaks English very well, but Maria, Giovanni and Nona do not speak any, but the language barrier was not an issue. I knew very basic Italian, and we could converse and understand each other. I looked forward to coffee time and chats with the family.

I was sad to leave, and know that I will definitely be back. You could not go wrong staying at Casa Ivan. (Il Poggio del Sole)

Casa Ivan Bellissimo

Michele & Kylie Melbourne Australia

Please visit Casa Ivan for more details about this accommodation. Visit this page for other villas in Cortona, Tuscany, Italy.