We collect reviews directly from our clients via email and publish them here. We hope you enjoy reading through them as much as we do, they are a paper trail of happy memories!
We also have reviews on UpFront and on our Google page
Reviews
Trebbiano
“ A Tuscan treat ”
The apartment was lovely, perfect for 2, although with the help of our hosts we managed to comfortably fit in our adult daughter. The location is idyllic, staff charming and the wine is superb. On arrival, tired and hot, we could have done with some help transferring luggage to the apartment ( not near the car park). We did point out but it wasn’t too much of an issue, that the fridge only kept thinks slightly cool not chilled. Overall it was a super break and we would most certainly return.
Mike from UK staying in Trebbiano. Jun 2022
Trebbiano
“ A gem of a place ”
This is a little gem of a place! Clean and comfortable in an excellent location with a fantastic pool. Excellent location in a small village.
There is a very good restaurant 2 minutes walk away and the shops are a short drive. We would recommend the wine tour and tasting as, apart from being fantastic wine, it is also very informative. We had a car for the duration of our holiday, collecting and returning at Pisa Airport.
After discussion with Invitation to Tuscany we went with EuroCar and were very pleased with the car and the service we received. We had purchased a European Garmin prior to our trip and this served us very well. The roads are easy to drive but having the Sat Nav just made things so much easier.
Mrs. K.R., UK staying in Trebbiano. May 2015
Ragnana
“ Vidunderlig ferie ”
Fantastisk ferie i charmerende Villa Ragnana. Smukkeste udsigt. Tæt på dejlige Radicondoli med aktivt lokalmiljø og et par fine spisesteder. Signor Claudio sørgede dagligt for at alt udendørs incl pool var rent og indbydende. Forærede os et par flasker af hans egen dejlige vin og olivenolie. Har et stort ønske om at vende tilbage til dette vidunderlige sted.
Henriette & family from Denmark staying in Ragnana. Jul 2023
Ragnana
“ Perfect location in Tuscany ”
We loved Ragana in Radicondoli. The villa is typical old style tuscany villa which adds to the charm was huge (4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms), clean and with all modern appliances. The grounds are large and maintained well by Claudio - the owner, who is a most helpful and pleasant host. The private pool was excellent and with many lounges and tables etc. The villa is situated on the outskirts of the village and adjacent to the owner's working olive farm.
Kevan B and family staying in Ragnana. Jun 2023
Ragnana
“ A wonderful place for a family ”
Me and my family including six adults, one child and one baby stayed at Villa Ragnana for five nights and we couldn't have found a better place! Radicondoli is a beatiful village with a handful of nice eateries, a small supermarket and amazing panoramas - wherever you are. The kind and caring owner of Villa Ragnana was a lovely host and the house covered all our needs. The outside areas including the swimmingpool are wonderful too. The booking agency was extremely helpful and made us feel much welcome and well-prepared. All in all a sublime experience!
E. Isaksson staying in Ragnana. Sep 2022
Ragnana
“ Stunning Scenery Great Villa ”
Claudio (owner) is a true gentleman. Location on the edge of Radicondoli is perfect. Villa is delightful along with the pool. Spacious and well equipped. We will be returning.
Justin K and family staying in Ragnana. Aug 2022
Ragnana
“ Perfect Week in Tuscany ”
Ragnana has the best views of the beautiful Tuscan hills. The clever aspect of the pool and terrace really gave us uninterrupted hills , fields and cypress trees. Claudio (the owner) welcomed us and proudly showed us around the property , leaving us some of his homemade wine and olive oil. He later dropped round some of his home grown tomatoes and cucumber... delicious. We had decided to opt for a villa within walking distance of a village so that we could pop in for an ice-cream and go to dinner without using the car. This worked really well and we sampled the food at all the three restaurants. Loved Pizza National and Agriteca in Piazza. We were also able to drive to Volterra, Siena and San Gimignano which were less than an hour away. The rooms were spacious and comfortable.
Liz staying in Ragnana. Jul 2022
Ragnana
“ Cosy old house with a great pool area ”
Cosy old house with a great pool area and a nice view to the Tuscan landscape. The children loved the huge pool. Only a short walking distance to the nearby village with great restaurants, bakery and coffee shops. Being a family of eight people, the kitchen area and the fridge is rather small but it worked out well with some simple cooking.
Charlotte staying in Ragnana. Jul 2022
Ragnana
“ House for a great vacation ”
Excellent house, nice pool and surrondings with lots of room for kids and families. Only a short walk to Radicondoli, which is a very small and cosy town. But with restaurants, café and bakeries. Cafe Il Nationale is super nice with great coffee, ice cream and pizzas. Claudio - the owner of the house - is very nice and super helpfull. We are definetely thinking about going back.
Mette Lykke staying in Ragnana. Jul 2022
Ragnana
“ The villa is absolutely perfect... ”
We stayed in Ragnana Radicondoli, we took Dan's great advice and were not disappointed. The villa is absolutely perfect well stocked , lovely outdoor dining area with a beautiful well maintained pool . The owner Claudio could not have been more welcoming and discreet as he tended the beautiful garden surrounding the villa early every morning. The restaurants in Radicondoli are fantastic esp Cafe National which was our absolute favourite. It is so well positioned to visit many beautiful towns and one hour from the coast . I have to mention the backup and support we got from Daniel as we had a unexpected medical issue with one of the family and he was exceptional with help on the phone and contacting someone local to help us as well as contacting a the Dr and acting as translator . I would have no hesitation in recommending this travel company and Ragnana Villa . Superb !
June and family - from Ireland staying in Ragnana. Dec 2018
Ragnana
“ ...we thoroughly enjoyed living there and experiencing Tuscany ”
Just wanted to say how much we enjoyed Ragnana and Radicondoli. The house was basic but lovely and our host was wonderful. Despite having problems with the hot water for the first 2 nights we thoroughly enjoyed living there and experiencing Tuscany. Claudio cleaned the pool every day and watered the plants but was very unintrusive and even cleaned the BBQ! It was such a great place for our party of eight. We would definitely like to return in 2020 and would like to stay somewhere nearer to Lucca and would not hesitate to use your company again. Thank you for your brilliant service that exceeded our expectations.
D.A. from NZ staying in Ragnana. Dec 2018
Ragnana
“ ...an excellent choice for us ”
Many thanks for your recommendation re Ragnana. Our group of six adults stayed there for a week and all thoroughly enjoyed it. Location was great: we loved the proximity to charming Radicondoli, and the view and access to countryside at the back easily made up for the initially off-putting approach through the modern housing development. The house was clean, well maintained, well equipped, and had comfortable beds. Claudio was friendly and helpful without being intrusive. All in all it was an excellent choice for us, and we’d certainly recommend it to others!
L.K. and friends staying in Ragnana. Jun 2017
Ragnana
“ Some great local tips! ”
Some great local tips!
We have been in correspondence with Dan, mainly about the pool – but I do want to stress again how impressed we have been with you all at ItoT: thank you!
Restaurants: Agriteca is lovely and our favourite, notwithstanding the limited menu: service form the sweet Romanian couple front-of-house, is professional and impeccable and the food is excellent (the pork especially: I had it at least three times!) La Pergola was nearly as good: bigger and buzzing and with locals (always a good sign for me). We went there several times Golfo di Napoli: bizarre! A vast but empty ‘fish and steak’ restaurant that one night had no fish (we went twice, only when the others were full or closed) Fattoria Tegoni (part owners of Agriteca as I am sure you know) was wonderful for the cooking lesson from Andrea (and the result for those of us who joined the cooks to eat the result!
Places: Casole d’Elsa was a late discovery: go before 13.00 and get to the top of the tower : lunch at Il Porrino was lovely (we had the bruschetta/crostini, having seen them; wish I had gone for the salsiccie e fagiole after I saw them!
- Panzano: beautiful little town (thanks Fodor for the recommendation). Lunch at Cantinetta Sassolini (only now do I see #1 Trip Advisior) was excellent, great welcome and service form the owner Massa Marittima: another wonderful surprise. Climb the Torre del Candeliere for stunning views. Lunch in a shelter from the heavy rain at Era Ora, again overseen by the owner, was again splendid Siena: do not miss the Pinacoteca – wonderful art and hardly any people.
Ragnana
“ ..a beautiful villa, lovingly cared for by the owner ”
La Ragnana was a beautiful villa, lovingly cared for by the owner. The villa, outside patios, and swimming pool was clean and well maintained. The owner generously supplied us with his homemade wine, and produce from his garden. The villa was close enough to Radicondoli to allow us to walk in whenever we needed anything. (There are many small stores, including two grocery stores, a butcher, a pharmacy, etc.) We highly recommend Ristorante Trattoria La Pergola (Although note that reservations are helpful), and also recommend Il Granaio. Our only negative was that Siena, Firenze, etc. could only be visited by car.
Anonymous staying in Ragnana. Nov 2011
Ragnana
“ Very tranquil, beautifully maintained ”
Just as advertsed on Invitation to Tuscany. Close, easy walking distance ot lovely small old hil top town, ideal for family members to wander into town to the cafe or bars. Very tranquil, beautifully maintained, lovely pool and set in large private grounds with olive and fig trees to wander in. House quite dark inside but fine as most of life was outdoors.
Anonymous staying in Ragnana. Oct 2011
Ragnana
“ ...a wonderful 2 weeks and very keen to go back ”
The house was well kitted out and the pool and views were lovely. The town of Radicondoli is exceptionally welcoming and only 5 minutes walk away with a friendly bar for coffee and a restaurant for some of the best pizza we've ever had and great sunset views. We had a wonderful 2 weeks and are very keen to go back.
Anonymous staying in Ragnana. Feb 2014
Ragnana
“ ...Romantic Tuscan villa set in a beautiful surroundings ”
I had an idea of a romantic Tuscan villa set in a beautiful surroundings and I wasn't disappointed. Everyone loved it! The pool is fantastic, it's private and has a great view of the surrounding countryside. The owner was very hospitable and brought over several bottles of home made vino and a stack of tomatoes, which we enjoyed. The village of Radicondoli is quaint, there are a few good restaurants to eat in, the villagers were friendly and helpful. There are also some great walks around the village. I would thoroughly recommend a visit.
Ms. K.W. and family, UK staying in Ragnana. Sep 2019
Ragnana
“ We can't wait to return to La Ragnana ”
The Villa was perfect for our family of eight including two children ages three and six. The owner was a wonderfull host working every day to clean the pool, work in the yard, and empty all the outside trash. He would arrive early and be gone by the time we were getting out of bed. This is truly the best family vacation we have ever experienced due largely to the quality of the Villa and the hosts hospitality. The town of Radicondoli is a delight, not too big, not too small with a couple of great restaurants and a few small shops to help stock the kitchen in the Villa. Anyone planning to tour Tuscany by car will find this location makes it easy to get to all the great locations in Tuscany and return home at the end of the day. We can't wait to return to La Ragnana.
Mr. B.I. and family, USA staying in Ragnana. Dec 2009
Ragnana
“ Would recommend for a large family ”
We shared this with another family and it was a fantastic base to experience tuscany at its best. The villa has a lot a charm and a few quirks (electrics and water) but the location and extensive grounds were a delight. The owner was exceptionally helpful. The town is great and is wonderful for simple local shops - great on foot.Easy reach of San Giminiano and Siena. The proprty has stacks of charater and charm. Would recommend for a large family- our children really enjoyed the freedom and the local restaurants. Brilliant.
Anonymous staying in Ragnana. Dec 2009
Ragnana
“ ....a worldclass location/view and wonderful owners ”
Folks, if you want a lovely home, steeped in Italian tradition with a worldclass location/view and wonderful owners, this is it! The property, surrounded by Olive trees and vineyards is wonderfully relaxing and soulful. An easy 1000 meter walk takes you into the village which features superb architecture, food, great cafe's and incredible views of the rolling hills and valleys below. We plan on returning in 2010 and can't wait.Enjoy!
Anon staying in Ragnana. Feb 2009
Ragnana
“ ...the best vacation we had ever had ”
We spent two weeks at La Ragnana with our son and his family and we all agreed that it was the best vacation we had ever had. A large part was due to the ambience of La Ragnana and to Gigi, our thoughtful landlord. Also, Radicondoli is a delightful small village with enough shops and restaurants to satisfy all our needs. The swimming pool at La Ragnana is perfect, with its view across the valley towards Belforte. The olive groves, spring house and vegetable gardens on the grounds were also very appealing. The house was surrounded by beautiful flowers blooming in large planters, tended by our landlord, Gigi. We also enjoyed the outdoor woodfire grill for several meals. Daytrips to Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra, San Golgano, Montepulciano were easy by car, and to Florence by train from Poggibonsi (where we did our major shopping).
Anonymous staying in Ragnana. Dec 2009
Ragnana
“ lived up to all expectations ”
House and location lived up to all expectations. Lovely pool. Close to village. The owner was attentive but not obtrusive and his gifts of his own produce were much appreciated.
Anonymous staying in Ragnana. Dec 2011
Ragnana
“ The cottage was excellent ”
We just returned from a week radicondoli. The cottage was excellent (especially the swimming pool) for 2 families with a very friendly Mr Lastrucci who managed the place. What makes Ragnana a perfect place to stay is the fact that it is very close to the radicondoli village, which is a village where you can live the tuscan live at its best. (no touristic but all the shops and services you need). To improve -> quality of the beds (matrasses)
Anonymous staying in Ragnana. Dec 2012
Ragnana
“ We would love to stay here again ”
Wonderful holiday enjoyed by 3 generations of our family. Lovely farmhouse - great mix of rustic original features, but with all the modern facilities that you would want. Beautiful pool and patio areas - very well looked after. Views to die for. Fantastic owner who left his own red wine and olive oil for us to sample. He also dropped off some tomatoes, courgettes, fresh herbs and peaches from his farm during the week. Radicondoli is a lovely village with 3 great restaurants - especially La Nazionale. Ideal for day trips to Volterra, San Gimiginano and Siena. We would love to stay here again.
Anonymous staying in Ragnano. Dec 2012
Ragnana
“ ...had the time of our lives ”
We (5 adults, 2 kids) stayed here for two weeks and had the time of our lives. The setting--house, grounds, pool, was exquisite and the owner could not have been more gracious and accommodating. Every day he left us gifts from his farm: wine, olive oil, lettuce, basil, etc. We based out of the house and did day trips all over Tuscany. It was a magical vacation and I cannot recommend it highly enough. The town of Radiccondoli (just a short walk up the hillside) boasts 3 excellent restaurants and a warm community.
Anonymous staying in Ragnana. Mar 2011
Ragnana
“ Our third stay at this farmhouse ”
Our third stay at this farmhouse,what can I say?, except it was fantastic, lovely house, patio areas, bbq and pool. Claudio, the owner,arrives every day, very early to sweep and tidy the area around the house and pool. Left us his superb home grown produce and wine, very much appreciated. Cannot wait to return again very soon.
Mrs. A.H. and friends, UK staying in Ragnana. Dec 2013
Ragnana
“ I can thoroughly recommend the villa ”
Ragnana was exactly as expected and described to me by Laura at Invitation to Tuscany. It is a lovely farmhhouse which is large enough for an extended family such as ours, comfortable and welcoming. The outside spaces are particularly lovely - the pool is very clean and surrounded by tables and chairs, and there are various other patios and tables where you can sit and enjoy the quite fabulous views. We particularly liked the quick walk into Radicondoli and ate in a couple of the village restaurants, strolling home afterwards which was a joy! Claudio was the perfect host, leaving us his own wine and olive oil which was delicious. I can thoroughly recommend the villa and we hope to return
Anonymous staying in Ragnana. Oct 2013
Ragnana
“ The perfect place for a family reunion ”
Lovely setting at Radicondoli - about 30 minutes drive to Siena, 90 minutes to Firenze and beautiful scenery all around. A lot of space in Ragnana, nice swimming pool and most everything one could ask for. 5 stars also to Claudio, the perfect host, who surprised us by providing us with a case of his good wine, olive oil, and even fresh vegetables from his own garden. The perfect place for a family reunion. The use of a GPS recommended for first arrival.
Anonymous staying in Ragnana. Dec 2014
Ragnana
“ accommodation and grounds fully lived up to expectations ”
Our family group thoroughly enjoyed our stay at La Ragnana. The accommodation and grounds fully lived up to expectations. The host was attemtive but not intrusive and made us feel at home with a generous gift of his own wine and olive oil.The village of Radicondoli is quiet but very picturesque and day trips to Florence, Sienna and San Gimigniano easiliy accessible treats..
Mr. P.P. and family, Ireland staying in Ragnana. Dec 2010
Ragnana
“ We had a lovely week at Ragnana ”
We had a lovely week at Ragnana. It was exactly as you described, and felt very much like home. The swimming pool, grounds and views were all wonderful and it was a pleasure to see Claudio every day - his wine and olive oil were greatly appreciated.
We loved the pizzas at the Nationale and had a nice meal at La Pergola on the stunning balcony. Siena was a lovely town to visit, and some of the family went over to Elba for the day which was very interesting, if a lot of driving.
A lovely holiday home and we hope to return.
Mrs C.H. and family, UK staying in Ragnana. Jul 2013
Ragnana
“ Ragnana had it all ”
My husband and I wanted a villa in Tuscany that was not too large, which was not part of a multi-tenanted property, that had great views, and which was close to a town. Ragnana had it all. It is a wonderful villa outside the fabulous small town of Radicondoli, which was a short (steep) walk for groceries and dining. The villa grounds are lovely and have expansive views of the valley below – great beds, lots of hot water (there were only two of us) and a relatively well equipped kitchen. The owner Claudio lives in town and is happy to help with questions etc. His home made wine was excellent. The restaurants in town were very good – La Pergola has terrific pizzas and a beautiful patio overlooking the other side of the valley (a must for sunset); La Nationale is run by three local women and has very good pastas; La Pizzeria Granaio also had excellent pizza and a wonderful chef who also sings beautifully (lots of fun k- not clear to me why La Pergola is crowded and this wonderful place is less so). In short, it was a perfect place and we would return if we can.
Mrs A.M. and family, Canada staying in Ragnana. Dec 2013
Ragnana
“ Consistently popular with all our clients ”
We've known Ragnana and rented it for the past 36 years; in all that time the house has been consistently popular with all our clients. It started out without a swimming pool and a number of other things, like the barbecue and pergola, but has always retained its simple charm. This is a house for living in and enjoying; the decor will win no interior design prizes but is eminently usable. Most of the living goes on outside anyway, on the large terrace area with a pergola, or around the pool. And with the lively village of Radicondoli within walking distance, many evenings will be spent in one of the local restaurants. A firm favourite, helped also by Claudio's charm. He often drops by with home produced wine, olive oil and vegetables for guests.
Dan staying in Ragnana. Jan 0017
Ragnana
“ ...the best appointed house we have had ”
I have arranged holidays for groups of friends for the last 10 years and I think La Ragnana has been the best appointed house we have had. They have all been good but the thought behind the arrangements and the quality of the equipment was superb. The various outside terraces and poolside were furnished with top quality loungers, umbrellas and even a shower by the pool. We have stayed in places where there has been a state of the art cooker that you needed a degree in practical engineering to use, here it was good basic turn on and go. The utensils looked new. The bottles of wine and the virgin olive oil left by Claudio the proprietor from his own fattoria was also welcoming and excellent. While a younger group would have found the terrain much easier and been able to do the short walk into town easily, we did eat at La Pergola, which outside has views to die for, and Agriteca which is in the town both busy in season and food cooked to order. My daughter and I both speak a bit of Italian and that went down quite well - everyone was very helpful.
Mrs. B.N. family and friends, UK staying in Ragnana. Dec 2015
Ragnana
“ ..had a lovely lovely time - Lovely villa ”
We had a lovely lovely time - Lovely villa. Fabulous pool and Radicondoli was excellent. Claudio provided a very discreet service and the wine and olive oil he gave us was delicious. What a lovely man
Lovely villa and Claudio kept the pool and garden areas immaculate and was very discrete. The inside of the villa is great and the bedrooms were lovely.
All in all, a lovely place and Radicondoli is perfect. The cafe nationale was great great value and served delicious meals. Agriteco in piazza was lovely too. We liked La Pergola too for the views.
Mrs W.D and Family staying in Ragnana. Dec 2013
Villa di Mezzo
“ Fantastic stay at Villa di Mezzo ”
We enjoyed two amazing weeks in this unique villa in Toscany
All rooms are tastefully and authentic furnished and especially the great pool area caused great excitement among the younger family members.
The villa is located very private but still close to Pisa Airport, restaurants, good shopping opportunities and of course good wine options.
Upon arrival the owners had provided us with a basket full of local specialties and wines, and our host Sonia was a great help throughout our stay.
Huge recommendations from Copenhagen - we will be back:)
Warm regards
Thomas & Familiy.
Thomas & Family from Denmark staying in Villa di Mezzo. Jul 2023
Villa di Mezzo
“ Would love to return ”
Had an amazing time at this lovely peaceful getaway.
The caretaker Sonia and her family where very helpful people from the get go, you could tell they had taken care of the place.
Beautiful surroundings and great value for money if your looking a peaceful getaway
Tom from UK and Australia staying in Villa di Mezzo. Sep 2022
Villa di Mezzo
“ Relaxing week at Villa di Mezzo ”
We found the villa spacious and well-appointed in a lovely garden area. The pool was ideal for our party from a 1 year old to adults. There are plenty of places to sit from full sun to shade and a good choice of outdoor furniture. It is so peaceful and private that we found it very relaxing; in fact we had most of our meals there on the covered terrace which is a great space.
We found the village shop handy and very friendly and the larger supermercato is a short drive away with everything we needed - we loved the spremuta machine!
The villa is convenient for Pisa Airport and Livorno is a nice day out, including an Aquarium which is great fun for children. We would definitely consider staying here again.
Mark and family staying in Villa di Mezzo. Jul 2022
Villa di Mezzo
“ Very nice house, in very quiet surroundings ”
Good location to reach lucca, Livorno, pisa, Florence.
Sand Beach 1/2 hour drive away. Special thanks to the house keepers Sonia and Mario who really took good care of all our needs and wishes.
Eric B staying in Villa di Mezzo. Aug 2021
Villa di Mezzo
“ Wunderbares Haus ”
Genau wie auf den Bildern. Sehr schönes gepflegtes Haus.
Christian C staying in Villa di Mezzo. Jul 2021
Villa di Mezzo
“ ...the best Villa I have ever stayed in ”
This is without doubt the best Villa I have ever stayed in in all my years travelling to Tuscany through Invitation to. From the size to the furnishings, layout, kitchen and ambience. Down a track surrounded by trees the seclusion is excellent. It is a little slice of heaven. The personal touches inside the Villa no doubt collected over the years by the owner gives the villa a homely touch with many interesting things to look at (Check out the downstairs bathroom to learn a bit about the owner!) even that piqued our interest 😊. The pool is an oasis in the garden with shaded areas to escape from the midday sun (parasols not necessary!) During our time there we didn’t once eat inside - the arched covered outdoor table will accommodate all your needs with a handy barbecue for alfresco dining adding to the delight.
We arrived to a welcome hamper from the owner with delights including the usual authentic Italian delights, local honey, Jam and of course a lovely local Red Wine with Prosecco chilling already in the fridge. Sonia - with limited English (better than my Italian) showed us around the place but we are experts on Tuscan Villas. Everywhere was of course safe (Covid) and immaculately clean. With fresh sheets after the first 5 days it was a home from home.
If you want somewhere close to the Airport at Pisa this is the perfect place. With the coast also near a day at the beach is highly recommended. There is good information in the Villa on local shopping, eating and touristic stuff with personal recommendations included.
All in all, considering the times we are in this is the perfect retreat to get away from it all. The Villa is so special you wouldn’t actually need to leave it as long as you had enough food and drink in stock! We certainly didn’t want to leave.
J.K. and family staying in Villa di Mezzo. Aug 2021
Villa di Mezzo
“ ...struck by the calm serenity of the place ”
I first visited this house in September 2019 and I was struck by the calm serenity of the place, surrounded by a Mediterranean forest, within its own fenced grounds. It feels like a real retreat from the world, yet Pisa, Livorno, Florence and Lucca are all close by - and the coast is at less than 20 minutes drive too. The house itself is elegantly decorated - the owners are diplomats and there are clues to their postings around the world in the decor. Since then we've had guests staying here for long "workcations" as well as shorter week-long stays for family get-togethers - it works well for either, with easy access to Pisa Airport, fast wifi and air-conditioning throughout. In May 2021 I pass by again mainly to check how long the walk is into the village, and whether the cafe/bar was still open. It's a beautiful house and I can highly recommend it.
D.W. staying in Villa di Mezzo. Feb 2021
Rustico
“ Beautiful Location ”
Rustico is in a stunning location and the views are incredible. Elvira, Katia and the rest of the family were so welcoming and helpful the whole time we were there. The pool is perfectly located and there are plenty of sunbeds to use.
We would definitely return again !!
Jane staying in Rustico. Aug 2022
Rustico
“ We stayed at Rustico the last week of May ...it was HEAVEN!!! ”
We stayed at Agriturismo Elvira - Rustico the last week of May in Casole d'Elsa. It was HEAVEN!!! Elvira was warm and welcoming and took care of us as if we were part of her own family. I stayed there with my husband, friend and toddler and it was a place never to be forgotten by any of us. The grounds are immaculately kept, the apartment (Rustico) was super clean and had everything we needed to enjoy our stay. It was cold but we even used the great swimming pool. My son loved running around the property and we loved sitting out in the sun and having a meal. This is a place that we will be going to for years to come! It is also a fairly short drive from Siena and an hour and a half drive from Florence. I recommend renting a car as it makes it a whole lot easier to see the beauty that surrounds this home. This home exceeded our expectations. Thank you Elvira!
Mrs. S-J and family, USA staying in Rustico. May 2015
Rustico
“ ...really enjoyed our recent stay at Rustico ”
We really enjoyed our recent stay at Rustico. We thought the property was in a beautiful setting with spectacular views. The owners were lovely and very helpful and certainly made us welcome. The pool was one of the highlights of the property and was perfect for our 8 yr old daughter.
The villa was as described on your website apart from the TV was missing and it took 3 days to get this setup to watch. We felt the villa was also missing a few basic supplies, like kitchen roll, oven glove, toilet rolls, soap, which we had to purchase. I think the most useful information that would have been nice to know at the beginning of our vacation was that there was a supermarket less than a mile down the street. There was no mention of this in the folder in the villa or in the information emailed to us. We only found out from the owners towards the end of our visit, after spending almost a whole day driving to the PAM supermarket several miles away. I appreciate this is a much larger supermarket but the local one had a good selection of basic supplies and groceries.
We enjoyed the peaceful location of the villa without being too far from restaurants and the village. We would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to stay in the Tuscan countryside and is interested in visiting the larger, more touristy towns like Siena and San Gimignano, which are only a short drive away.
We hope these comments are helpful to you and future visitors to Rustico.
Mrs. J.T. and family, USA staying in Rustico. Dec 2014
Rustico
“ Excellent location ”
Excellent location, really nice house, the owners are really helpful and nice.
Mr. C.H. and family, Sweden staying in Rustico. Dec 2011
Rustico
“ Clean property good facilities ”
Clean property, good facilities at both property and local town. Only thing we could pick up on is that the printed directions given from Pisa airport were incorrect for the last couple of miles or so (they erroneously jump to directions from south). Confusion added half hour to journey but figured out eventually. Didn't detract from a great week.
Mr. C.G. and family, UK staying in Rustico.
Pietrina
“ We spent a wonderful time at Pietrina... ”
We spent a wonderful time at Pietrina that is situated in a very panoramic position close to San Giustino Valdarno. Pietrina is a traditional tuscan farmhouse that has been enlarged over the times - this explains its somehow warped architecture with a new staircase added to get on the second floor otherwise only accessible by an outer staircase. Typical is also that the rooms on the first floor have a lower ceiling and that the rooms above are lighter, more generous than the ones downstairs. The lower rooms seemed a bit dark to us, it woudn't harm to illuminate them more.
There is a lovely terrace on the front side of the house with a generous BBQ station from which you can look at the ample olive grove and the Pratomagno with its heights and woods and another place where to eat and dine under magnificent old oaks looking to the other side, the hills and fields of the Arno valley. Not to forget the sumptuous pool area with enough space to be able to play crocket or KUP (our passion). All this is beautifully arranged with lots of flowerbeds gradually ascending versus the woods.
It must be a vast property also producing their own exquisite olive oil of which a sample was waiting for us together with other refreshments when we arrived on this hot Saturday afternoon - thank you for this! The kitchen is small but well thought of: there is everything you need to cook great meals of the delicious food you will find at the stores at San Giustino. We also liked the Pizza place there which you find very easily. The property manager Ali gives excellent advice on every question coming up; she was a great help and much fun to talk to.
The situation at the end of a little valley makes Pietrina a very peaceful retreat, sometimes you will see at dusk some boars coming down to the olive grove, a tame fox showed up asking for a goodie which we refused of course because it has to learn to survive in the wilderness. However, it was extremely sweet. A lasting impression is that this is a very natural and authentic neighbourhood (the next neighbours are not very far away). In fact, we got to love this region that seemed to us not at all as touristy as the Chianti or Crete Senesi and offering a great quality of life. Arezzo is stunning and Florence is not too far to visit for a day.
I.D.R and family from Germany staying in Pietrina. Jul 2021
Pietrina
“ Pietrina ”
Perfect except lacking AC for those hot nights. At least one fan was not functioning. Pool and umbrellas were divine.
James F from US staying in Pietrina. Jul 2022
Pietrina
“ ...the villa will be a special part of our memories ”
We just wanted to send a special thank you again for all you did to make our stay at Villa Pietrina so very special. From the thoughtful gluten-free entries/lactose-free entries of the welcome basket, the beautifully prepared premises, the fun local tour to the Etruscan chapel and to see local frescoes, and the chef-catered dinner, and of course—the CAKE!—so much thoughtful work by you was put into our week in Tuscany! Sean and Owen loved their bike ride! We voted the chef-prepared dinner Best of the Week! And that is saying a lot given the beautiful Tuscan food.
The moments we spent as a family at the villa will be a special part of our memories for a lifetime!
S.W. and family staying in Villa Pietrina. Jun 2019
Pietrina
“ ...everything I imagined and more! ”
Our stay at Pietrina was everything I imagined and more! The drive to the villa was done within the hour and the directions provided were easy to follow. The next thing we knew we were driving up the lavender-lined driveway up to the front of the villa. What a gorgeous location. And Alison was there to greet us with a huge smile. The view of the mountains and valley from the villa is stunning.
We were 10 including 4 grandchildren between the ages of 9 and 11. The villa was spacious so one could always find a quiet space to enjoy.There was a lovely basket of fruit, a bottle of olive oil made from the olive trees on the property and some essential groceries on hand to get us through the first few days. The villa was very well equipped and we found everything we needed. The grounds are beautifully and thoughtfully landscaped. It was very hot while there and we spent a lot of time in the pool.
We found the grocery store, Simply Punto, in San Guistino well supplied for our needs. They make their own sweet Italian sausages which were beautifully spiced. And the store is just 2.7kms from the villa. We also used the butcher in Loro Ciuffenna, recommended by Ali and bought beef, chicken and sausages. Delicious. The butcher doesn't speak English so we managed to make our selves understood with lots of pointing and facial expressions. What fun! Also in Loro, we ate at La Torre. The food was excellent so we went back second time. But the service was very slow, very disappointing. At the villa we ate al fresco 99% of the time. The barbq was well used.
I opted to have a meal catered at the villa. Chef's choice! Fantabulous!!!! The banquet was well worth the money. We had enough leftovers for our supper the next day. Marta, our chef, was a delight and I think she was pleasantly surprised when we gave her a well-deserved standing ovation at the end of the meal. And hugs and kisses were in order. The most memorable dish was the pear risotto with pecorino! We went to Marta's restaurant, Oca Satolla in Laterina which is 5 minutes south of San Giustino and dined outside in the garden. Food was excellent! Try the truffle pizza. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. My 4 granddaughters asked Marta if they could climb the trees in the garden. She graciously agreed as long as they promised not to get hurt. They provided entertainment for the other diners.
For anyone with children I would recommend going to Nora's Cashmere Goat Farm. About an hour's drive on some very winding roads up into the hills of Chianti. The farm is located just outside the village of Radda in Chianti. Nora made us a lovely lunch for 15 euros a person and did not charge for the children. She explained about her business; she called in the goats and the children got to feed "Jellybean" one of this spring's little ones. Nora also has a shop where she sells yarn, shawls, blankets made with the cashmere from the goats and soaps made from goats milk. It was a lovely visit.
Ali, the caretaker for the villa was very helpful and easily accessible by phone or email. Our Toronto contact, Neville Reid and Neil at head office were always prompt with answering any enquiries while in the planning stages of thisvacatipn.There were no negative surprises when we got to the villa!
We had a fabulous vacation thanks to invitationtotuscany.com and highly recommend the villa Pietrina.
Mrs. L.M. with family and friends, from Canada staying in Pietrina. Feb 2016
Pietrina
“ ...a luxurious Tuscan holiday ”
We had a wonderful time at Pietrina. Ally looked after us beautifully. We explored the area and the house is just in the most perfect spot to explore Tuscany from. And as it was so comfortable - we relaxed every day. We would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a luxurious Tuscan holiday
Ms. B.A. with friends and family, UAE staying in Pietrina. Dec 2015
Torrevista
“ Great value here! ”
Great value here! The hosts were fantastic and personable. The complimentary wine tasting is not to be missed - definitely a highlight of the trip. It's your own piece of heaven - very close to San Gimignano!I would definitely stay here again!
Mr. J.R. with family and friends, USA staying in Torrevista. Jun 2011
Torrevista
“ We really enjoyed our stay at Torrevista ”
We really enjoyed our stay at Torrevista. The weather was great and the property just what we expected. I have to also say how satisfied I was with our overall experience using Invitation to Tuscany for our booking. Lyn was a great help and the whole process from making the initial reservations, being able to make them in English, making payments, getting information on the property and area in advance. The Internet is an amazing tool for this. I really appreciated how Lyn tried contacting us before our arrive to make sure we knew how to get to Torrevista as the address does not show up on GPS navigation. We would like to go back sometime.
We will highly recommend Invitation to Tuscany to anyone we know interested in traveling to Tuscany. Thanks for helping us have such a great vacation/holiday.
Mr. R.M. and family, USA staying in Torrevista. Jul 2013
Sangiovese
“ ...excellent location in Tuscan countryside ”
Lovely, spacious and interesting accomodation for 4; excellent location in Tuscan countryside (although only good view from inside house from shower room); great access for Siena and Chianti towns; good local restaurant. Beautiful gardens for relaxing, and great pool. Kitchen equipment OK, but would have preferred electric kettle and toaster. Main drawback was patio area; access via very steep outside staircase proved tiring re need to carry food/drinks/glasses/crockery etc for every meal/snack for 2 weeks. Of particular concern, patio area did not, as described in brochure, feel very private. As directly in front of wine tasting room, lots of visitors milling around, and our "private" patio used regularly, mainly by guides/drivers I think, for smoking and telephone conversations. Unfortunately, my husband was unwell during most of our holiday, as a result of which we stayed around the property more than planned, hence more aware of patio issues. He did however enjoy and benefit from sitting reading in lovely garden under umbrella. Many thanks for your help.
Mrs. J.H. and family, UK staying in sangiovese. Dec 2014
Il Pozzo
“ Il Pozzo was the perfect location for our family’s Tuscan holiday ”
Il Pozzo was the perfect location for our family’s Tuscan holiday. Off the beaten path and away from the crowds, perfect for hikes and outdoors activities and a short drive to Siena, Montepulciano, Montalcino, Pienza and many other beautiful towns and villages.
We were welcomed by Sarah and Camillo who orientated us in the area and gave some great ideas for walks and places to visit.
The house itself was ideal for our 10 day stay with 2 teenage sons. The kitchen had everything we needed for preparing food and coffee in the morning and there was a bottle of local wine and olive oil waiting on our arrival. The lounge was spacious and filled with books and brochures on the area. The patio had stunning views of the surrounding countryside and was perfect for sitting out and reading or having a meal. There are two excellent restaurants in walking distance, one in Murlo and one in Vescovado
Camillo showed us around the Etruscan archaeology museum one morning and Sarah arranged for a tour of the Poggio Civitate excavation site with the professor running it as we were lucky enough to be there during the couple of months a year that the dig is active. Sarah and Camillo invited us around one evening for apertivo and we had a lovely evening discussing the town history and the surrounding areas. We would love to visit again
Rachel, Ed & family staying in Il Pozzo. Jul 2023
Il Pozzo
“ ...can highly recommend this villa ”
We stayed at Il Pozzo in May and can highly recommend this villa. We were warmly greeted by Sarah who toured us through the villa, made suggestions on places to visit and then quickly made us reservations for the local restaurant before it filled up. The villa is beautifully decorated and very comfortable with all of the amenities of home.
We found a bottle of Tuscan wine, some honey and olive oil as welcome gifts in the kitchen. Later in the week Sarah and her husband Camillo invited us for drinks and appetizers and it was a wonderful way to learn more about life in this part of Italy.
We loved the views - the Tuscan countryside for miles out the kitchen and bedroom windows and the coutryard of the walled village from the living room. There is an excellent restaurant and Etruscan Museum steps from the front door. Murlo provides an excellent base for driving the Tuscan countryside and touring the towns nearby - we enjoyed Montepulciano, Pienza, Montacino, Buonconvento; San Quirico D'Orcia; Monte Oliveto Maggiore, Siena and Bagno Vignoni. After all that touring, it was so nice to return to Il Pozzo and relax on the patio and enjoy the views and garden.
Kate and Rick staying in Il Pozzo.
Il Pozzo
“ Ideal location, beautiful setting, lovely village, excellent accomodation ”
Il Pozzo is set in Murlo, a small historical village in Tuscany, a relatively short drive from Siena. The accomodation is roomy and instantly feels like home. A warm welcome from our hosts and the local information they provided added to the pleasure of our 10 night stay. The kitchen has more than adequate supplies of kitchenware, oven, dishwasher and washing machine. The sitting area is very roomy with a beautiful large fireplace. The outside patio has stunning views over the nearby area. An evening meal watching the changing light on the Tuscan countryside is living the dream. The village, although small, has a wonderful restaurant, an Etruscan museum, and the occasional special event. Location is perfect for exploring nearby villages, without the throngs of tourist groups. If your an independent traveller, and want a period of your life to enjoy the Tuscan life style, in a wonderful setting then we can totally recommend Il Pozzo. We thank Sarah and Camilo for providing that opportunity in their lovely home.
TR from Australia staying in Il Pozzo.
Scaparzi
“ A wonderful Tuscan fortnight! - again! ”
With 14 people staying at this property ( taking all 8 double rooms) we have had a fabulous time with plenty of room for all. Extremely relaxing and convenient location ( our second time renting this property). We had a dinner party for 16 people which worked so well in the huge dining room. We have enjoyed wonderful breakfasts prepared by extremely hard working , cheerful ladies who also cleaned the rooms on a daily basis. We certainly have no complaints about anything . Wonderful holiday - molto grazie!
Claudine & John from UK staying in Scaparzi. Aug 2022
Scaparzi
“ The property was amazing ”
Hello Dan, I have been meaning to drop you a line to thank you so much for donating this to Battersea. I had the most wonderful time. We all thought the property was amazing (the views were spectacular) and loved the impressive driveway. Everything was well appointed (particularly the bathrooms). We loved the outdoor living, and used the pizza oven twice (and were very pleased with the results!)
A.B from UK staying in Scaparzi. Sep 2019
Villa Colombaia
“ A beautiful family vacation for all ages ”
We were 11 adults from 30 to 68 years of age and 2 boys aged 2 years. we had a fantastic stay and experience. Villa Colombaia is a paradise, beautiful view from all rooms and outside to the soft green hils of Toscana. Despite only 1,5 km from the village Rignano Sull'arno, we felt very private and in the countryside. The house is big but very functional. A very good swimming pool were we stayed much of the time if not in the green shadows at the table by the entrance.
Only 1 km to the bakery were we bought bread and croissant every morning, similar to the tennis court which we also used. Very practical with the train station only 1.5 km away, used the train to visit Florence which is very practical and to and from the airports in Florence, Pisa and Bologna. Only 4 of us came by car from Denmark.
And last and not least a very helpfull and engaged owner Ilaria. She among others things arranged locals Olga and Paulo to come to the house and made dinner for us - the best Pizzas ever tasted.
Henning from DK staying in Villa Colombaia. Jul 2023
Villa Colombaia
“ Lovely villa, warm and welcoming host ”
It was a charming glimpse into what it's like to live in a villa that's full of history. Much of the villa has been left the way it's been for generations so there was no heating and our first night was quite cold, but the owner thoughtfully provided plenty of blankets. While the villa's vintage feel took some getting used to, the children in our group of 13 ended up loving it and were sad to leave. We were very appreciative of the owner's warm welcome and constant responsiveness and would only suggest the addition of a clothes dryer so that laundry could be done with more ease.
Just need to note that when we got in touch with Invitation to Tuscany we specifically asked for a villa that would not require a car and we were told Villa Colombaia fit the bill. It does not. There is a long driveway (over 400 meters) with a very steep uphill climb — we had elderly adults in our group (which we also mentioned to Invitation to Tuscany at the planning stage) and they found it difficult to navigate. The villa itself is lovely, but you will definitely need a car if you plan to stay here.
Dear Joanna, while we did tell you previous guests had stayed here with no car, we still always advise clients to hire one, even if you don't intend to use it much; Tuscany is a land of hills and unmade tracks so walking can be onerous. Dan
Joanna & family staying in Villa Colombaia. May 2023
Casina Moresca
“ Breathtaking ”
The view is absolutely stunning and our time at casina moresca was truly magical. There is a sense of peace there. The house was charming and the beds were comfy. Lots of room, quite spacious for the four of us. The road is an adventure in itself but, by the time our stay was over, we were pros at navigating it. Gina and Tony are lovely and were more than accommodating. They had lots of good tips for us and we took them up on a lot of their suggestions. Renting a boat in San Stefano to visit the bays was one of the highlights. We hope that we can return one day.
Kim staying in Casina Moresca. Aug 2022
Casina Moresca
“ We really enjoyed the peace and nature ”
Wir haben die Ruhe und die Natur sehr genossen.
Carsten & family from Germany staying in Casina Moresca. Aug 2022
Casina Moresca
“ Soggiorno in Paradiso ”
La vista che si gode da questo luogo è assolutamente unica. La casa è comodissima e accogliente. I servizi ottimi. Il giardino è incantevole. I proprietari sono stati gentilissimi e premurosi. Speriamo di tornare ancora.
R.B. and family, Italy staying in Casina Moresca. Jul 2021
Casa Guelfi
“ A perfect Oasis ”
We arrived earlier than expected, and in the midst of a heatwave, we called Wendy and she welcomed us and said of course we could come earlier as the property was ready. We were greeted by Wendy and her grandson and shown the property after a long stressful day travelling we were so pleased to see it.
The property is perfect for two people and well equipped. It has a gorgeous kitchen, large bathroom and beautiful bedroom with plenty of storage. There is a cosy lounge with sky tv - have no idea if it worked … as well once you see where you are who needs TV. We ate at both Wendy and Mario’s restaurants and would urge anyone to do the same.
It’s so convenient for Pisa, the Cinque Terre and many other places. As it was so hot we spent a lot of our time relaxing in the pool. The house was easy to find, but you have to negotiate a steep hill - they have a parking space in front of the house. We have so much we still need need to see In Liguria and Tuscany and I’m sure we’ll be back. We really cannot recommend this house enough and the lovely hosts Wendy and Mario.
Douglas N from UK staying in Casa Guelfi. Jul 2023
Casa Guelfi
“ Private luxury getaway ”
We had a wonderful week. We enjoyed casa Guelfi very much, and stayed at the house more than planned because of the beauty, swimming pool and charming little house. The host couple were very nice and helpful, and we are planning to come back. 😊
Charlotte from DK staying in Casa Guelfi. Jul 2023
Casa Guelfi
“ Relaxing trip ”
We arrived at Casa Guelfi having spent the previous ten days visiting various cities - London, Paris, Turin, Genoa, La Spezia - so we wanted to end our vacation with a calm and relaxing time at Casa Guelfi. We were not disappointed. We travelled by public transport (and finally a short taxi ride from Sarzana), thus we did not have a car. Nevertheless, Casa Guelfi is in a great location. A short walk uphill to the old town, where there is a nice little cafe and some small shops, and downhill to the newer part of Ameglia, where there is a very good supermarket and some cafes. We also took slightly longer walks to Bocca di Magra - some excellent restaurants.
The villa is very good for two people, comfortable and sufficiently well-equipped, and the pool is excellent. A very good range of outdoor furniture and sun loungers.
The owners, Mario and Wendy, were extremely welcoming and helpful. Also the booking process and follow-up with the agent, 'Invitation to Tuscany' was excellent.
David from UK staying in Casa Guelfi. Jun 2023
Casa Guelfi
“ Wonderful week at Casa Guelfi ”
There can be very few people who think that transatlantic air travel is relaxing! Casa Guelfi proved to be the perfect antidote. Inside it is very comfortable and equipped with everything you need. Outside is also wonderful, and gives you many choices of where to place yourself, whether you want sun or shade, a view of the mountains which provided marble for Michelangelo’s sculptures or of the ancient village of Ameglia clinging to the hillside. Then there is the pool. A dip in the pool, knowing that there is a glass of wine or a beer waiting for when you emerge provides a most suitable end to a day spent exploring the area, especially if it involves climbing the hundred steps up to the village.
We really enjoyed our week at Casa Guelfi. The owners were warm and welcoming, without being at all intrusive, and we had a truly excellent lunch in their restaurant in nearby Bocca di Magra.
Neville & Jenny staying in Casa Guelfi. May 2023
Casa Guelfi
“ Peace in the sunshine ”
We loved the little villa. It was simply perfect for us. Beautiful & simply decorated. A little piece of paradise. Thank you!
Ruth staying in Casa Guelfi. Sep 2022
Casa Guelfi
“ A great week in Tuscany ”
Our Villa was magical. It was in a great location and the views are amazing. The owner Wendy is lovely and was very welcoming. I would recommend a stay to experience the real Tuscany.
David staying in Casa Guelfi. Aug 2022
Casa Guelfi
“ We could not have asked for a better place ”
Casa Guelfi was absolutely perfect we could not have asked for a better place. It was very clean and had all we needed, the pool was actually warm which was a surprise after our previous week in another cottage. Wendy the owner was very welcoming and had done nice little touches to welcome you. We would most definitely like to go back in fact it is our last night here and we really do not want to leave. I would also like to thank invitation to Tuscany for all the booking it was perfect.
Angela F from UK staying in Casa Guelfi. Jul 2022
Casa Guelfi
“ Peaceful Italian heaven! ”
Everything about Casa Guelfi was perfect for us. We wanted a quiet getaway and finding a house for 2 with a pool, and as nice as this, is very rare. We took the ‘healthy’ walk up to Ameglia, and used the bus to visit Montemarcelo and Lerici, but really our trip was about having a relaxing time. Perfect !
Roger P from UK staying in Casa Guelfi. Jul 2022
Casa Guelfi
“ An absolutely wonderful holiday home ”
This is an absolutely wonderful holiday home. The view of Amiglia is magical, the pool fantastic and the house close to perfect. Our hosts were lovely people, very welcoming but not intrusive. The House is fully equipped and very tranquil. The village above the house is so picturesque and mysterious with such intriguing architecture. We thoroughly enjoyed our week at Casa Guelfi.
Ian from UK staying in Casa Guelfi. May 2022
Casa Guelfi
“ Magnificent! ”
The moment you arrive you will feel transported to another time. The old village and surroundings provide a splendid backdrop for this charming villa. All the right touches are in place from the kitchen to the pool. You will find yourself relaxing and soaking up all that makes staying here so memorable. The local store is well-stocked and there are wonderful places to eat in Bocca di Magra. A dip in the sea and trips to Tuscan towns will complete your getaway. The owners live nearby and are gracious, helpful and readily available. A delightful place to experience Toscana!
Barbara C from USA staying in Casa Guelfi. Jun 2022
Casa Guelfi
“ Lovely relaxed villa ”
Lovely villa and great views. Hosts were very friendly and ideal base to explore the beautiful costal towns such as lerici.
Lyndsay S staying in Casa Guelfi. May 2022
Casa Guelfi
“ Wow! Stunning views and a beautiful house and pool. ”
This is an absolutely wonderful holiday home. The view of Amiglia is magical, the pool fantastic and the house close to perfect. Our hosts were lovely people, very welcoming but not intrusive. The House is fully equipped and very tranquil. The village above the house is so picturesque and mysterious with such intriguing architecture. We thoroughly enjoyed our week at Casa Guelfi.
Ian M staying in Casa Guelfi. May 2022
Casa Guelfi
“ unique, charming cottage for two ”
Casa Guelfi is a unique, charming cottage for two located up a very steep narrow hill. It is definitely a good idea to hire a small car! Although this comfortable little property is only for two, it is set in a large plot so there is plenty of space to relax outside and enjoy the tranquility of the location. The beautiful pool is a real asset and it was very easy to pass the time just relaxing and enjoying the splendid views of Ameglia Alta and the Apuan mountains. There is a steep pathway up to the very pretty Ameglia Alta from behind the property and this is definitely worth a visit; the restaurant up there is very good but only open on certain days and booking is essential. Bocca di Magra is very attractive and just a short drive away; ideal for an evening passeggiata and drink watching the evening sun on the marble mountains
Jane from UK staying in Casa Guelfi. Jun 2022
Casa Guelfi
“ Just a wonderful place ”
Just a wonderful place. Peaceful with great views of the old village across an orchard and beyond that, the white (marble) mountains around Carrara. A great location allowing day trips out to Liguria and Tuscany. Welcoming discrete hosts live nearby. Their pizzeria - The Garden Hotel on the riverfront at Bocca de Magra - was low key but with superb pizzas and memorable views.
L.M. from UK staying in Casa Guelfi. Apr 2022
Casa Guelfi
“ Fantastic hosts ”
Wendy and Mario are fantastic Hosts. The little house is beautiful and on a very quiet spot. Only the road to the house is very small. We enojed our Time in Liguria a lot. Thank you all! Daniel & Mélanie
Daniel & Melanie from Germany staying in Casa Guelfi. Oct 2021
Casa Guelfi
“ The villa and surrounding area were perfect ”
We had a wonderful time. The villa and surrounding area were perfect. We mostly ate at the marina where there are lots of good restaurants, especially The Garden which is a reasonably priced pizzeria owned by Mario, the owner of the villa, and the slightly more expensive restaurant also owned by Mario, at the marina. One thing I would definitely recommend is a trip to the Carrara marble quarries at the other side of the estuary. Staggering! There is a lovely little town called Sarzana nearby that is worth a visit too. We shall definitely visit Casa Guelfi again.
S.B staying in Casa Guelfi. Feb 2019
Casa Guelfi
“ We had a lovely relaxing week at Casa Guelfi ”
This is quite a difficult review to write. We had a lovely relaxing week at Casa Guelfi. The property itself is set high on a hill overlooking the River Magra Valley and the Apuan Alps. The road up to the property is steep and narrow, but perfectly navigable for all but the most nervous of drivers. We came to Casa Guelfi after three days in the stunning opulence of Castella di Velona in Montalcino, so it had a tough act to follow. The property is well equipped and comfortable. The pool is lovely and the gardens surrounding the house are beautiful (especially Mario's fruit and vegetable gardens). The owners were very friendly and welcoming and we ate two meals at Mario's restaurant in Bocca di Magra, which were quite superb. They also gave us a couple of bottles of delicious limoncello. The only issues we had with our stay are really nothing to do with the property itself but with he surrounding area and wildlife (!). Firstly, the property is not such a rural idyll as you might perhaps be led to think. The Magra valley is a busy area. The Pisa-Genova autostrada is visible and audible (though not loudly) from the property. There is an airforce base in the valley from which helicopters take off and land. And the village bells ring very loudly throughout the night, so if you are not a sound sleeper you have to sleep with the windows closed or earplugs in! You never get the complete silence that you might have expected from reading other reviews. The surrounding area has a slightly neglected feel to it. There are lots of empty and abandoned buildings (factories, petrol stations) in the valley and the local supermarket has closed down. Bocca di Magra is very nice, but Ameglia itself is a bit tatty. We ended up taking days out to places like Lerici, Telaro, Lucca and the Cinque Terre so it was a good base for exploring and the boat trip from Bocca di Magra to Punta Curvo beach was great fun. We would also warn anyone that is susceptible to insect bites to come properly prepared. When the sun goes down the mosquitoes come out in force and they are very resilient to repellent which made eating outside in the evenings a very uncomfortable experience. This could be seasonal and is also likely to affect some more than others, but do be prepared. Overall, after the Castello di Velona it was a bit of a case of "after the Lord Mayor's Show" - we had a very nice time, but the property did not quite live up to our expectations, though that was probably more as a result of our setting our expectations unrealistically high than anything to do with the property itself.
Mr. I.T., UK staying in Casa Guelfi. Feb 2014
Casa Guelfi
“ ...off the tourist track, which made it really special ”
We have just returned from a week in Casa Guelfi in Ameglia. This perfect little villa is charm itself. So pretty with the most incredible view over beautiful countryside and the ancient hillside village of Ameglia. The little villa itself is extremely comfortable with everything you could possibly need. The welcome pack included wine, pasta, two jars of the owner's special passata and beef tomatoes. There was a welcome bottle of water. Luckily we had our own little milk pots as there wasn't any milk. The outside area is where you want to be though with numerous places to sit depending on whether you want sun or shade. The swimming pool is perfect for cooling off. There were 4 sunbeds and two sets of tables and chairs. If we could suggest anything it would be some cushions for the outdoor furniture. The bedroom is bright and sunny with a very comfortable bed and air conditioning, which was very much needed, Surrounded by beautiful countryside the hardest thing is actually leaving the villa to explore. There is a walk up to the ancient village behind the villa through the woods but then an incredibly long range of winding steps - not for anyone who isn't pretty fit and mobile especially not in July heat - I did survive but only just! At the top though there is a lovely little cafe where the locals congregate. The village is so picturesque and very interesting to walk round and take lots of photos. Bocca di Magra is a very short drive. It's a very quiet quite exclusive sort of place - lots of very posh yachts in the marina. There are a few restaurants- Ciccio the owner's restaurant looked beautiful but a bit out of our price range - seemed very popular though. The bar next to it with outside tables and still part of the restaurant was lovely for evening drinks overlooking the mountains and the estuary. We did eat at Mario's other restaurant at The Garden Hotel. Amazing pizza and pasta and good prices too. Beautiful view of the mountains. We visited the vineyard near Sarzana which was well worth a visit. Very friendly helpful staff and very cheap wine! The town of Sarzana is well worth a visit with its typical old Italian town area and pizza with lots of churches to look at and lovely cafes and Gelaterias. There was a massive market on the Thursday we went and filled the long narrow streets. We felt we were seeing the real Italy. The old village of Monte Marcello is well worth it and not far to go in the car. We had the most incredible lasagne in the piazza in the middle of the ancient town. We also went to Lerici but it was very busy and much more than the fishing village we were expecting, all depends what you want. We weren't keen on the crowded very regimented beaches. Lots of places to eat though. We preferred Telero for an interesting place to walk round. Stunning coastal buildings built on the cliff side. No beach but very quirky place. We would highly recommend this villa for a quiet retreat in the most stunning scenery. It is certainly a windy road to get to it but the directions are excellent and we had no trouble finding it. This area of Italy is very rural and off the tourist track, which made it really special.
M&H S from UK staying in Casa Guelfi. Jul 2018
Casa Guelfi
“ ...our favourite holiday house ”
We had a fabulous time at Casa Guelfi and now regard it as our favourite holiday house. This is no disrespect to other places that we have stayed, but this one is very special.
The house was very well appointed and had a feeling of real quality, the surroundings and views of both countryside and mountains were ideal and overall the setting could not have been better. We were met by the owners' daughter, who lives in London and speak very good English, she was both charming and helpful and the following day we met Mario at The Garden Hotel where we ate a very good meal, Pat had fish and I decided on the mussels. When we shopped we found a Supermarket at San Stefano which had great meat and fish, fresh food and good offers on wine and beer. The local Village is approached from the house via an old footpath with exactly 100 steps bringing you out in the central main square, there is a café opposite, a grocers a few paces up the hill and a very good restaurant further down the square itself, we ate there on our first evening and the place was buzzing, excellent plain Italian food.
Coming back to the house the pool was always a great treat, not big but enough for a corner to corner swim, very deep at one end, and extremely inviting being a few paces from the house. For a romantic break, this place cannot be beaten, but the drive from the main road can be quite a challenge.
...thanks for a lovely holiday,
C.B. from UK staying in Casa Guelfi. Mar 2018
Casa Guelfi
“ Mario the owner was brilliant.. ”
Casa Guelfi in Ameglia, Liguria, Italy was in a superb position, outside the village, on a hill and had spectacular views of the ancient village of Ameglia, perched on the hill opposite. Mario the owner was brilliant - friendly and nothing was too much trouble. We could pick any vegetables or fruit from the land surrounding the house, for our meals and we did! Such a lovely place, with a choice of places to sit around the house and pool. Mario would take fresh vegetables from the same land for his restaurants and hotel, in Bocca di Magra. On leaving, we were presented with two jars of homemade passata and a bottle of mint liqueur. We went several times to Bocca di Magra, on the river estuary and enjoyed delicious fish lunches. One day, we braved the heat and went for the day to Lucca, especially to visit the Puccini Museum. Highly recommend Casa Guelfi, but be prepared for negotiating narrow lanes - large 4 by 4s not required!
S & H.W staying in Casa Guelfi. Dec 2018
Casa Guelfi
“ ...a beautiful location with spectacular views ”
We loved Casa Guelfi . It's in a beautiful location with spectacular views. The owners Mario and Wendy were very welcoming. If anyone is looking for a beautiful, peaceful hideaway this is it. The nearby seaside resort of Lerici is lovely, from here you can get a boat trip to see the Cinque Terre. This is well worth doing. We loved Monterosso one of the villages you can visit by boat. It is also worth visiting Montemarcello a short drive from Ameglia, a lovely place. This is a beautiful area and we would certainly return.
R&S.H. staying in Casa Guelfi. Feb 2017
Casa Guelfi
“ We had a PERFECT stay at Casa Guelfi in July. ”
We had a PERFECT stay at Casa Guelfi in July. The setting is fabulous and we were wowed every day. Our thanks to Mario for making us so welcome and looking after us throughout our stay. We have no hesitation in recommending the property and your great services as agent. We frequented both of Mario's restaurants in Bocca di Magra, where we had a very special evening at Ciccio on my wife's birthday. Can recommend the walk up to Ameglia from the back of the villa and on to Tellaro for lunch by the tiny harbour. Two busses get you home via Lido di Lerici, which makes a great gelato stop and promenade. Montemarcello is an easy local drive for great views and simple lunch in the square.
A.W. staying in Casa Guelfi. Dec 2017
Casa Guelfi
“ ...the place is very hard to leave to go sight-seeing! ”
Hi Dan and Laura. We've been back from our Italian trip for a few days now and I finally have time to write and tell you how much we loved Casa Guelfi. It was everything, and more, that we had hoped from your description and if there can possibly be a downside to that, it's only that the place is very hard to leave to go sight-seeing! We met Mario (and Myrtila the Lab) on arrival and he couldn't have been kinder and more helpful. What a charming man - and a hard-working one too, having experienced three of his eateries which were all delightful.
We managed to drag ourselves out eventually to visit Lucca (twice - including an evening's music at the Puccini Festival), Bocca di Magra for Mario's restaurants and Lerici. I was very unlucky in coming down with a fairly horrible cold at the start of the week which definitely slowed us down so we will just have to come back in the future to explore more of the Cinque Terre. I'll keep working on my Italian in readiness!
Thanks to you both for ensuring all the arrangements worked smoothly for us. We were very impressed with your service, care and documentation and will not hesitate to recommend ITT.
J.A. staying in Casa Guelfi. Jul 2017
Casa Guelfi
“ We loved the villa and its views ”
We loved the villa and its views. However we were very disappointed because it is classed as restaurants within walking distance. This was certainly not the case and this spoilt our holiday as we were looking forward to not using the car for this purpose which we had to. Also access to the villa up a narrow path was a minus. If you have a decent car don't come here! At certain parts on the track there was a steep drop. You were only protected by some flat tree trunks from going over the edge. At another part it was completely open. We have photographs of these. Also the jacuzzi bath wasn't working and despite the owner saying someone was coming to repair it no-one turned up. We specifically chose this villa as stated thinking we could walk to restaurants but your information was wrong.
Manager Response I'm sorry to hear you didn't walk to any restaurants - the village of Ameglia is around a third of a mile away - there is a path behind the house. And there are at least 2 restaurants in the village that we know of - there may well be more. -----------------------------a further update-----------------------------I went back to Ameglia and walked the path to the village - there has been a slide on it this winter, but they have bridged it, it was easy to walk. And I found a lovely bar and a lovely restaurant in the village - so I'm a little puzzled by this review.
Anonymous staying in Casa Guelfi . Feb 2011
Casa Guelfi
“ The home is a labor of love and well cared for... ”
The property is just as depicted and absolutely wonderful. The home is a labor of love and well cared for by the gracious hosts and owners. It is centrally located to explore the region and has all the amenities one could hope to have at a holiday rental. Despite earlier reports my very nice car travelled along the ancient Roman road w/o issue. Although you did need to drive to the harbor for restaurant, getting there was quite easy. The Guelfi family's restaurant was truly phenomenal and we also enjoyed their hospitality at that location every night. The swimming pool and outdoor space was a respite from the warm sunny days. The home's interior was comfortable and had everything you would need for your holiday. The gardens were well maintained and a beautiful surrounding. It was as picturesque a view as you could have ever hoped to see in the italian countryside. Do yourself a favor, do not hesitate and book this wonderful villa. You will be grateful that you did and have no regrets.
Anonymous staying in Casa Guelfi. Nov 2011
Casa Guelfi
“ We would certainly consider returning in the future. ”
Casa Guelfi is idealic, comfortable and perfect for a relaxing holiday. There are beautiful views from all angles and lots of places to visit both by the sea and inland. The owners are very welcoming and helpful without being imposing and couldn't do enough for us. Their local restaurant serves delicious fish dishes overlooking a lovely marina. The only downside was having to drive to restaurants but this was the price you have to pay for such a peaceful and delightful property setting. We would certainly consider returning in the future.
Anonymous staying in Casa Guelfi. Dec 2011
Casa Guelfi
“ A perfect escape ”
A perfect escape. Absolute tranquility. A high quality villa in sleepy Tuscan hillside.
Anonymous staying in Casa Guelfi. Oct 2011
Casa Guelfi
“ The villa is an oasis of calm ”
The villa is an oasis of calm. A beautiful place to relax by the pool. There are 3 different terraces to sit on all with sun loungers and two outside eating areas, one of which is covered. The views are spectacular, the accommodation very comfortable with everything you need for a holiday.
Anonymous staying in Casa Guelfi. Mar 2011
Casa Guelfi
“ This is a wonderfully located get-away place for two ”
This is a wonderfully located get-away place for two. It is close to Tuscany and the coast with the fascinating Cinque Terre National Park just a short ferry ride away. The house is charming, with its own pool and several sun decks along with 3 outside eating areas and comfortable furnishings. The owners are friendly and helpful without being intrusive. They own a fantastic local restaurant specialising in sea food, which we highly recommend. Following a very healthy crop of tomatoes, we were lucky enough to be invited to pick sun-warmed tomatoes right off the vine. The drive up to the house is interesting! We would suggest that you arrive in daylight as the final part of the drive to the house is very narrow and very steep. However, once we knew where we were going it was easy enough. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here and would highly recommend it.
Anonymous staying in Casa Guelfi. Dec 2012
Casa Guelfi
“ Second visit to this well equipped house for two! ”
Second visit to this well equipped house for two! Sky TV and internet if you must! The pool overlooks the town and across to the Carrera Mountains. You can do lots or just sit by the pool. Walking up to the old town stretches the legs but is very pleasant! Catch a boat to the five pretty towns perched on cliff tops. The train from La Spezia will get you there sooner but most of it is in tunnels so not so pretty. La Spezia not an attractive city but good parking under the railway station. Sarzana has a huge Thursday market it is the nearest rail station to get to Florence (change at Pisa) but frankly you would probably be better sitting by the pool with a glass of wine! Luni is a large Roman ruin nearby well worth a visit! 2 Euro to get in and tour, don't argue about the fact it says its free to EU pensioners on the entrance board it isn't! Lucca an easy drive away. Pisa also quite close. Forte dei Marmi market on Wednesday amazing value cashmere linen and leather. Walk round the perimeter until you find the handbag stall loaded with leather bags at only 20 Euro amazing value! This house would be the perfect location for a honeymoon. But also suited two Pensioners who needed to chill out! The drive up to the house greatly improved by the newly built wall, though I would still recommend a car bigger that the Fiat 500 we had the first time. The house owners are there if needed, they own a restaurant (Ciccio) in the port Bocca where the food is AMAZING! Both the house and the area are LOVELY, LOVELY, LOVELY! don't hesitate to book!
Manager Response So delighted to hear you enjoyed it, and thanks for taking the time to write all the tips. Luni is a fantastic place to visit, amazing to think the sea used to surround it. And Ciccio's is a delicious restaurant, we've also had some fantastic meals there. Thanks again, Dan
Anonymous staying in Casa Guelfi. Feb 2015
Casa Guelfi
“ ..we instantly knew we'd booked our perfect romantic retreat. ”
On arrival at Casa Guelfi we instantly knew we'd booked our perfect romantic retreat. It's beautiful. The house is clean, well equipped and comfortable, the outside dining area, the pool, the views... it's all wonderful! Just book it! Mario, the owner, is one of the nicest people you could hope to meet... he lives next door and has a fantastic range of salad & veg growing in raised beds in his garden for use in his restaurant, but we were delighted by the invitation to help ourselves, which we did quite often! And the restaurant?... excellent food, first class service and a beautiful location. CioCio in Bocca di Magri. Had a little trouble finding the house at first, even though the satnav took us within yards of it. When you get to the metal pole in the road (you'll know what I mean when you get there) take the unlikely looking track on the right... it's narrow but fine to drive up. The track bends to the left and then the parking space is on the left, by the gate to the house. Where the track bends left there is also a path to the right... this is the path that leads up to Ameglia where's there's a good local shop, just a short walk. There are lots of beautiful places to visit in the region, we particularly liked Porto Venere, but there are so many lovely coastal towns. If you are planning to drive, I strongly suggest familiarising yourself with the Italian traffic laws regarding 'limited traffic zones'... not a problem, but you need to be aware of them. We had week at Casa Guelfi and then headed off to Tuscany to do the tourist things visiting Florence, Sienna, the Chianti region... but most of the 2nd week was spent just missing our perfect romantic house... it was genuinely sad to leave it behind! Thanks Mario... we've never been anywhere twice, the world's a big place to see, but we'll make an exception and come see you again.
Anonymous staying in Casa Guelfi. Dec 2015
Casa Guelfi
“ The villa exceeded our wildest expectations.. ”
We had a wonderful time at Casa Guelfi in beautiful southern Liguria. The villa exceeded our wildest expectations with its sublime views on all sides and lovely pool; if we could transport it all back to Sussex, we would!
R. & J.C., UK staying in Casa Guelfi. Feb 2015
Casa Guelfi
“ Our gracious hosts made us feel so very welcome... ”
The view, the villa, the village! All are amazing! Our gracious hosts made us feel so very welcome and the villa itself is delightful. There are so many wonderful places to just sit back and enjoy the scenery. The kitchen is fully equipped and we ate outdoors every day. The bathroom is superb and the bedroom was a wonderful retreat with its wide windows and cooling, white walls. The living area was terrific but we spent most of our time outdoors! The pool was a lifesaver on hot days! The village is a 10 minute walk and you'll find a great grocery store, complete with meat and fish counters. Of course, wine is everywhere and so full of body and taste. We can't wait to go back next year!
Mrs. B.C., Canada staying in Casa Guelfi. Feb 2001
Casa Guelfi
“ Wendy and Mario were fantastic hosts.. ”
Wendy and Mario were fantastic hosts, the villa is in a great location (slightly difficult approach, but worth it)the villa is extremely well appointed, (small critism is that the pool area looses the sun at this time of the year at about 1500hrs due to high trees).
Mr. and Mrs. R.S., UK staying in Casa Guelfi . Aug 2011
Casa Guelfi
“ ...all we had hoped and much more than we expected ”
Everyone writes about the great views but what's equally beautiful is the wonderful sounds that surround the area. Between the ancient bells inside the tower of the city of ameglia and the bells from lower in the valley, it feels like you're listening to the beauty in 5.1 surround sound.
Casa Guelfi was all we had hoped and much more than we expected...so beautiful...the setting was almost surreal... with the lovely city of ameglia on the hillside and the view of the Marble Mountains. But the absolute best? Our hosts, the owners of Casa Guelfi, Wendy and Mario Guelfi. They met us, took us in and treated us like family...had us in their home for drinks, took us to both of their restaurants and Mario took us on a day trip into the Marble Mountains. When I say into the Marble Mountains I really mean inside of the Marble Mountains...Inside the mines where Michaelangelo got his marble for the David! So incredible and something we will never forget...We will definitely go back to Casa Guelfi and have already been invited back as Wendy and Mario's guests!
Mr. and Mrs. B.T., USA staying in Casa Guelfi. Dec 2001
Casa Guelfi
“ We enjoyed a fantastic two weeks at Casa Guelfi... ”
We enjoyed a fantastic two weeks at Casa Guelfi, and would not hesitate to return. It was very comfortable, well equipped and a superb outside area, with a lovely little pool to spend lazy days relaxing in the sunshine. The owners, Mario & Wendy are both very kind, helpful and hospitable. Their restaurant, Capannina Ciccio down in Bocca di Magra is an absolute must, simply devine! Superbly fresh seafood, excellent service, very friendly and of course the best view in Bocca di Magra out across the estuary & marina. Whilst some reviews have mentioned the challenging drive to the house, it only adds to the charm, and should not put anyone off. The location for local shops, bank, fuel etc is perfect, and for exploring further it's a perfect base for the Cinque Terre, Pisa the marble mountains and Portofino to name a few..There's a lovely feeling to the area as it's surrounded by authentic Italian life, remote enough for privacy, yet not in isolation. Mario's vegetable garden is a thing of wonder! We plan to return soon.
Mr. and Mrs. M.R., UK staying in Casa Guelfi. Jul 2012
Casa Guelfi
“ ..the welcome could not have been warmer ”
This well-equipped and comfortable little house provided the perfect spot for our 30th Wedding Anniversary. While the weather was changeable, the welcome could not have been warmer and the hospitality shown to us was just wonderful. We enjoyed the sun by the pool but also the log fire in the cooler evenings. The little lane up to the house was narrow but easy to drive and visits to the supermarket, the gelateria and the pizza restaurant took just a few minutes. Ameglia is a stunning spot and a good centre for visits to Portovenere, Lucca, Pisa and beyond. We had hoped this holiday would be special and memorable and, thanks to Wendy and Mario, it was.
Casa Guelfi is a unique property crafted with care and skill out of the ruins of an ancient tower. It is appointed well including a jacuzzi bath, swimming pool, a couple of different outside seating/dining options, a well equipped kitchen and even a wood burning stove. The location is close to the coast and the views over the local hills to the mountains provide daily fascination. Casa Guelfi is situated in the luscious and productive gardens of the hosts, Mario and Wendy whose hospitality is second to none. For a special occasion we reserved a table at Mario's restaurant, Capaninna Ciccio, in nearby Bocca di Magra and had a meal fitting of the 30 year anniversary we were celebrating. At then end of holiday it was a great wrench leaving. Note: we had hired a Fiat 500 which I suggest is the perfect size for the access lane to the property parking area.
Cate, UK staying in Casa Guelfi. Feb 2013
Casa Guelfi
“ ..from start to finish the holiday was fantastic ”
Really what can I say, from start to finish the holiday was fantastic, Casa Guelfi is a gem and is perfect for a romantic break for two. The house is well fitted with a good sized kitchen, lounge area and even wifi .The pool was just the right size for a cooling swim but the best is the outside seating areas, absolutely perfect for sitting and staring at the truly stunning view of both ancient Ameglia and the valley below and the distant Cararra mountains whilst sipping owner Marios homemade Limoncello. Both he and Wendy were perfect hosts and their garden is a thing of wonder, and do try their restaurant in Bocca di Magra, highly recommended as is Sarzana, just a 15 minute drive away. The house is approached by a rather narrow and steep track so do not hire a large car, we had a Fiat Punto, which was just about right, and once you driven it a few times, you’re ok. We plan to return.
Mr. & Mrs. D. R., UK staying in Casa Guelfi. Dec 2014
Casa Guelfi
“ FABULOUS!!!!!! What a fantastic place! ”
FABULOUS!!!!!! What a fantastic place! It is useful to throw some dishwasher tablets and tea bags in your luggage. Also you will need barbecue fuel and matches when you shop. Anyone hiring a car needs to know that a Fiat 500 with two adults, far too much luggage and a weeks food shopping will REALLY struggle up the last bit of unmade road at the end of the journey! What they need is a small car (the road is VERY narrow with a substantial drop to one side) but with a decent sized engine. As far as the house is concerned a mirror in the bedroom would be good. Otherwise you couldn't fault it. Wendy, Poppy and Mario were lovely. There if you needed them but not in any way intrusive! We did struggle a bit with the rubbish, plastics being collected on Tuesday is fine if you leave on a Tuesday but otherwise there will always be a surfeit.(Same with the rest really, you can never get ahead!) In the end we took the (sorted) rubbish as we left. The dump is open on a Saturday morning so it was easy. I think that would be better for your guests. The market at Forte del ? is absolutely worth the drive, lots of linen, cashmere and leather, all very inexpensive. We plan to visit again but for two weeks next time. Thank you, we had a really lovely holiday!
Mr. & Mrs. R. V., UK staying in Casa Guelfi. Jul 2014
Casa Guelfi
“ ...want to keep it a secret! ”
We really loved Casa Guelfi and extremely reluctant to tell any of our friends about it - want to keep it a secret! The cottage was lovely and the only downside was the weather, which of course out of anyones control! As we didn't sunbathe we got out and about quite a lot.
We drove to Pisa one day (full journey incl parking was about 1 hour) which was very easy and parked in the underground car park in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, near to a tourist information office and next to Corso Italia. The leaning tower was fantastic and would thoroughly recommend to anyone to buy a timed ticket when they arrive and climb to the top.
I found an informative blog called 'A Path to Lunch' which was useful for local walks. We walked from Ameglia to Tellaro and then along the coast and up to Monte Marcello, quite challenging but worth it The Cinque Terre coastal path only open between Monterosso Al Mare - Vernazza but otherwise closed due to landslides I think. We had a lovely meal in Miky in Monterosso but otherwise found the Cinque Terre extremely busy and touristy despite being early in the season. We drove to La Spezia and parked in the car park beneath the railway station and caught the train to Monterosso which was straightforward but now guests will be able to get a ferry from Bocca di Magra - Portovenere and then another ferry along the Cinque Terre if they wish. Portovenere is worth a visit and recommend a restaurant called Ristorante Le Bocche next to the church at the end of the 'pier'. We went to Mario & Wendy's restaurant a couple of time which was lovely.
All in all a lovely holiday and we'd love to return next year
M.M. and P.D., UK staying in Casa Guelfi. Feb 2013
Casa Guelfi
“ We had a most enjoyable time ”
We had a most enjoyable time. The property is very well appointed and enjoyable to spend time in, both inside and outside, with its spectacular proximity to the very picturesque Ameglia. It is very close to beautiful sites along the coast (the Golfo dei Poeti, La Spezia, the Cinque Terre and Portofino) and inland (Sarzana, Luni, Castelnuovo Magra and the marble quarries of Carrara; great views of the latter two from the poolside). Genoa too is remarkably accessible and well worth the effort (we went twice). We had a couple of excellent meals, at the Trattoria dai Pironcelli in Montemarcello and Trattoria Armanda in Castelnuovo Magra. The house had some good local guidebooks but we found the Bradt Guide to Liguria by Rosie Whitehouse (Second Edition March 2016) very useful.
P. and M.D., UK staying in Casa Guelfi. Dec 2016
Casa Guelfi
“ Casa Guelfi is just amazing ”
Casa Guelfi is just amazing. A beautiful and private cottage with pool and everything you need. Wendy and Mario are wonderful and always at hand if needed. The location is idealic overlooking the Carrara mountains and beside the old Ameglia alta town. Mario's restaurant Ciccio at Bocca Di Magna has wonderful seafood and the service is classic and helpful. His Marina di Carrara restaurant is also excellent and you should try his new Pizza Restaurant at the Garden Hotel in Bocca Di Magna. We visited Montemarcello and Lerici, two small towns overlooking the sea and the Cinque Terre. Also the Carrara mining towns in the hills, Ometteto's Ristorante in Buseletto, and Usama al Nassar's marble studio and workshop nearby to the quarries used by Le Cave di Michelangelo at Torrano. Towns such as Luca, Pisa, Seravezza, Stazzema, and Sarzanna are close by and worth visiting. A very useful note is that the Carrefour supermarket at Ameglia is open every day from 7.30am to 10.00pm.
H. and C.W., Australia staying in Casa Guelfi. Dec 2016
Malvasia
“ Delightful Vacation Location ”
We want to express our appreciation to the fantastic staff at Lornano, Malvasia. They were very anxious to meet any of our requests and answered questions providing us with locations of restaurants and groceries. The location is quite central to many of the hill towns in Tuscany and close proximity to the highway.
We certainly enjoyed tasting the wines!
Ruth Jackson staying in Malvasia. Sep 2022
Malvasia
“ I would recommend Fattoria Lornano without reservation ”
I rented Malvasia for one week and was there by myself - I enjoyed that week as I had an opportunity to contemplate as I wanted. The facility was great as was the countryside.
Angelita was kind, charming and extremely helpful. I then rented all four villas for the second week and had a changing cast of family and friends over the two weeks. Everyone loved it immensely. The physical settings and Angelita's and Silvio's support made for a wonderful time for everyone. The wine, of course, assisted.
Having all four villas allowed for an intermingling of people, some of whom knew each other and some meeting for the first time and it all worked well, in large part because of the warmth of the physical setting. My single complaint is about the WiFi which was a bit challenged. A pain in the modern era but hardly the biggest issue in life. I would recommend Fattoria Lornano without reservation and if I can organize it, would do it again. All the cottages met or exceeded expectations.
Mr. P.B. and friends, Canada staying in Malvasia. Sep 2015
Malvasia
“ a lovely time in Lornano ”
We did have a lovely time in Lornano and the surrounding area but I have to say that Malvasia is suffering from quite a few damp problems particularly in the basement areas (kitchen and bathroom) and although it did not spoil our stay at the Fattoria it is not something you would expect at what is after all quite an expensive rental, everything else was just about perfect and Angioletta provided a great tour and tasting session to boot - the Lornano chianti is actually very good!
In terms of local restaurants then Ristorante Enoteca is recommended albeit having a limited menu that could be varied a bit between lunch and evening meals but in general we would suggest that unless visitors intend cooking we would recommend they take their main meals at lunchtime when visiting the local and very attractive villages most of which have some very good restaurants with prices to suit all. Once you are back at Lornano after a long day out, it is a long trek out to try and find a good local restaurant - Badesse is not one of them though!
That being said, we had a great time with good weather, beautiful scenery in a very relaxing and quiet environment, which is why Lornano caught our imagination when we started to look for a place in Tuscany.
Thank you again for all your help in organising the break, if it wasn’t for the damp problem there would be five stars all round.
Mrs. L.K. and family, UK staying in Malvasia. Aug 2014
Malvasia
“ The house was great ”
The house was great, and I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone. We were able to visit Siena in 10 mins and Florence in 45, or just hang around and play in the wonderful swimming pool.
They dropped just one star on erratic hot water supply and less than perfectly comfy beds.
Mrs. V.R. and family, UK staying in malvasia. Aug 2013
Malvasia
“ Overall a fantastic place. ”
We stayed here is summer 2010. The property was very comfy, clean and a great location. The wine and olive oil from the vineyard on site was fantastic. The owners were very accommodating in showing us around the wine cellar. We loved the restaurant in the village. The pool was great to cool off in. The bus to Siena was also very handy. Overall a fantastic place.
M.F. from UK staying in Malvaisa. Jul 2010
Malvasia
“ The villa is in an ideal location ”
I have been holidaying in Tuscany for several years and without doubt the most memorable trip was our visit to Malvasia at Lornano last July. The villa is in an ideal location for exploring all of Tuscany's treasures - you are minutes away from the main Siena to Florence motorway with San Gimignano and the fabulous Chianti towns of Radda and Gaiole also within easy reach.
However if you want to completely chill out and relax the villa is situated in the idylic hamlet of Lornano which is set in some of the most stunning countryside Tuscany has to offer. The villa itself was beautifully decorated with everything and more you can expect from a Tuscan villa. It is also a working vinyard which produces fabulous Chianti wine, grappa and olive oil - no visit to Lornano can be complete without a tour to the wine cellars and a tasting. You can also expect the warmest of welcomes at Lornano as the staff go out of their way to make you feel at home and do whatever they can to help you get the most from your holiday. A
lso give the restaurant in the town a go - you won't be disappointed. There are too many reasons to explain why I will be going back to Lornano in the very near future but I can assure you I will be and my advice to you is to take up this Invitation to Tuscany - you won't be disappointed.
Mr. J.H. and family, UK staying in Malvasia. Jul 2009
Pipistrelli
“ ..it's safe to say that Pipistrelli was fantastic ”
I won't make this long but it's safe to say that Pipistrelli was fantastic. Better than expectations which were very high. The villa is absolutely incredible & the level of service was amazing. Francesco is a star. He took amazing care of us. The group dinners they do two nights a week are a must and having breakfast and dinner prepared at the villa was perfect. I would 100% go back again. Thank you for the help.
M.L. from USA staying in Pipistrelli. Dec 2018
Pipistrelli
“ ...we enjoyed the trip of a lifetime ”
A beautiful 17th century villa located on a 1500 hectare estate of olive groves and vineyards. Manager Francesco greeted us and catered to our every need supplying a breakfast cook, a catered dinner, and some excellent wines from the estate's cantina. The villa accommodates up to 14 people with 5 bedrooms c/w bathrooms in the main villa, a dining room, a large kitchen and two living rooms while the annex has two more bedrooms and a large open living area. The views over the Tuscan hills are beautiful, especially at sunset, and we enjoyed the trip of a lifetime with 5 couples using the villa as base to tour other Tuscan towns. It is located 15 minute from Siena and only an hour drive to Florence, Volterra, San Gimgnano, Castellina, and Cortona, to name a few towns. Nearby towns like Rosia, Orgia, and Stigliano offer reasonable and tasty dining options and groceries.
Mr. B.L with family and friends, Canada staying in Pipistrelli. Feb 2015
Pipistrelli
“ I agree the pictures do not do it justice! ”
I agree the pictures do not do it justice! We stayed 1 week with extended family, including children between 3 to 12 years, we hardly saw the kids, they were so entertained playing around the property with so much to explore yet in a very safe setting. The rest of us had plenty of space to hang out with each other or do our own thing. Plenty of exploring to do around the area, by foot bike or car! We are going back for more this year :)
Mrs. E.L. and family, UK staying in Pipistrelli. May 2010
Pipistrelli
“ A truely beautiful house in a stunning setting ”
A truely beautiful house in a stunning setting,the pictures do not do it justice. Silent at night with no light pollution, classic unspoilt tuscan views buy day all finished off elegantly furnished rooms that will break your heart when you have to leave.
Mr. D.B. with friends and family, UK staying in Pipistrelli. Dec 2009