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
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
We recently spent a week at Aceronina with members of our family, celebrating major birthdays and important anniversaries. We could hardly have chosen a better location! The views go on for ever in several directions, and never failed to delight, even on the day when storm clouds came sweeping in from the south.
The accommodation is spacious and extremely well equipped and comfortable, and the kitchen has everything you could ask for if you want to cook for yourself. However, you would be denying yourself a great deal if you didn’t explore at least some of the fine restaurants to be found in the area. We really enjoyed dinner at Osteria Rinaldi, in Piazze, just 5 minutes down the road, and the carnivores in the group raved about the mixed grill enjoyed at the restaurant at the castle in Radico-fani. However, the highlight was the celebratory dinner prepared and served for us “at home”. We really appreciated all the help received from Invitation to Tuscany in booking the week, and spe-cially in helping organise our special dinner.
Lounging by the pool was an important part of our stay, but there is also a great deal of interest in the surrounding area. A week was way too short a time, but besides Radicofani and Piazze, we were also able to visit San Casciano dei Bagni and Montalcino, (home of the famous Brunello wine, but also home to a very interesting leather goods store). Siena was also within easy reach for a day’s outing.
Altogether it was a wonderful week, and special thanks must go to Olivia, the owner, for providing such comfortable, well equipped surroundings.
Neville & family from Canada staying in Aceronina. May 2023Our stay at Aceronina was the favorite part of our trip. The villa was even better than expected....Very spacious and lovely...especially the view. We got lost (followed the GPS) on the way and Olivia, the owner came to get us and lead us to the villa. We also had someone recommended by Olivia come in one night to fix a wonderful dinner for us.
Also thanks to Dan of Invitation to Tuscany for all your help. Any time I had questions, they were promptly answered and much help was offered. Would definitely do this again.
S L S from NC, USA staying in Aceronina. Sep 2018Secluded, peaceful, great views. The owners, Wendy & Mario could not have been more helpful. Super villa with a private pool for a couple to 'get away from it all'.
The lane up to the property is quite narrow and twisty, but there's plenty of parking space at the top - easily managed in a LWB Transit.
There are two excellent restaurants within a 45 minute walk, The Garden and Ciccio, with views over the harbour and the Magra estuary. Highly recommended!!!
Jill & Ian, West Yorkshire UK staying in Casa Guelfi. Sep 2023We 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 2023We 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 2023We 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 2023There 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 2023We 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 2022Our 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 2022Casa 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 2022Everything 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 2022This 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 2022The 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 2022Lovely 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 2022This 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 2022Casa 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 2022Just 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 2022Wendy 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 2021We 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 2019We 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 2018We 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 2018Casa 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 2018We 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 2017We 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 2017Hi 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 2017The 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 2011This 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 2014Casa 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 2011We 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 2011A perfect escape. Absolute tranquility. A high quality villa in sleepy Tuscan hillside.
Anonymous staying in Casa Guelfi. Oct 2011The 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 2011This 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 2012Second 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 2015On 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 2015We 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 2015The 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 2001Wendy 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 2011Everyone 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 2001We 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 2012This 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 2013Really 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 2014FABULOUS!!!!!! 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 2014We 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 2013We 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 2016Casa 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 2016The 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 2022This 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 2015We 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 2023Had 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 2022We 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 2022Good 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 2021Genau wie auf den Bildern. Sehr schönes gepflegtes Haus.
Christian C staying in Villa di Mezzo. Jul 2021This 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 2021I 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 2021I 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 2018A 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 2015I 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 2010A 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 2009Excellent location for exploring the area and the nearby town of Ambra which at first sight seems sleepy but boasts good restaurants and bursts into life at the weekend. The property is well looked after, is spacious, well equipped and looks out over the nearby hills. The manager is very helpful and has helped decorate the apartment with very interesting sculptures and paintings! If you get the chance, hire the local cook to cook a meal for you, eating it al fresco was a real treat Thoroughly recommend the Artists retreat.
Neil from UK staying in Artist's Retreat. Sep 2022We loved to stay at this beautiful house, great location and amazing host. The area is nice and quiet.
Khalid staying in Artist's Retreat. Aug 2022We are on a 6 week Italian holiday and booked this beautiful Villa in middle of our trip . Was perfectly timed after a busy few weeks to relax in such a beautiful setting was magic . Loved the personal touches - bottle of wine in fridge, bowl of fresh fruit and fresh flowers . The pool is amazing and the peaceful surroundings are just as I imagined. Can not rate this villa highly enough .
Andrea staying in Artist's Retreat. Aug 2022Our stay was relaxed and trouble free. Very well equipped kitchen, BBQ and Pizza oven all worked well to ensure everyone was happy. AnnaMarie cooked two evenings - her food is delicious and very local in its style and ingredients. Only suggestion would be to put a toddler proof closure/latch on the gate to the pool enclosure to make the most of the fencing and to provide maximum peace of mind. The tennis court and equipment and pool were all excellent.
Definitely our best villa in Tuscany all round in over 30 years.
John and Melanie staying in Villa Amorosa. Jun 2022My extended family (6 adults, 1 infant) had a beautiful stay at Villa Amorosa. We especially enjoyed the swimming pool (completely fenced in; a plus for those with children!) and the screens in all of the windows (there were some bugs in the house, as it's a in a pretty rustic, remote locale, but the screens in the windows significantly cut down on that and allowed for a nice breeze). We also had a cook come in and prepare a beautiful meal (thank you for helping us set this up, Kim and Dan!) The house is a bit of a drive from the grocery store and town, but it worked wonderfully for us, and we'd highly recommend it to others looking for a relaxed, family-oriented stay.
J.P. staying in Amorosa. Jun 2022Property was great and Invitation to Tuscany were super helpful. however the property was missing a few things, eg bin bags and instructions for refuse / recycling. wifi was poor and inconsistent, no ice making facility, no dishwasher tablets, rinse aid and salt and clothes washing detergent. coffee making was inadequate for the property size, (2 x 2cup expresso makers). the master bedroom was full of the owners belongings so we had to live out of our suitcases! the BBQ / Oven had no equipment and didnt work owing to lack of fire bricks to raise grill from charcoals. we had a great stay but it would have been better if we had been advised of the above or it had been supplied.
Thanks Ben, I'll let the owner know - those items shouldn't have been missing, and the master bedroom can be easily cleared. The wifi is a mystery, we get different reports, but it's definitely not being consistent, we'll investigate. Cheers, Dan
Ben H from UK staying in Amorosa. Jul 2022Fantastic house in perfect location. Luca was a fantastic help and all worked fine. The house was clean and great but the pans and porcelain in the kitchen was a little bit sticky. People should clean up better.
We did love the place for sure
Morten & family from DK staying in Casa dei Fichi. Jul 2023The house was exactly as described, in a very beautiful Tuscan setting with great views of Campiglia Marittima and the sea. The house has lots of places to sit, relax, eat, in sun or shade, as required. The wood fired pizza oven was gainfully employed as was the wood fired BBQ. The unsurfaced road and access track to it was a bit bumpy and narrow for the SUV we hired, but manageable with care, and was walkable to Campiglia in 20 mins or so. We were early in the season and the garden was still a bit wild, with opinion divided as to the degree of charm that added! The surrounding area is blessed with great beaches, historic hilltop towns and more modern resorts, the whole ensemble providing for a very relaxing stay. We couldn't find the fig tree though!
Chris P from UK staying in Casa dei Fichi. May 2022We had a lovely time staying at Casa dei Fichi.
There were six adults in our party and the accommodation was perfect for us. The views from all parts of the villa were wonderful in particular from the front bedrooms and the terracing. We could see the Mediterranean from the pool and the castle from the terrace. The settees and chairs in the lounges were very comfortable. The kitchen was extremely well equipped with a very good cooker. The utility room had two fridges and a convenient washing machine and dish-washer. Really, the house was well equipped. The villa was very secluded and we only saw a few of the estate workers and a couple of walkers during the whole week – very peaceful. There were no city noises, no street lights and no crowds – ideal for us.
We had an enjoyable evening when Luca, the caretaker, came to prepare pizzas for us – a really nice meal and although we didn’t cook any pizzas ourselves during the week, we had a few barbeques. Most evenings and early mornings were spent around the pool. The weather was in the high 20’s all week and we only had a shower of rain for an hour one afternoon.
We walked several times into the village and ate lunches in the cafes in the centre. Being on top of a hill, the walk from the villa to the village was easy but a little harder on the way back! We found a map of the trails around Campiglia and followed one of them to the Archaeological park – mines that had ceased working some while back but are now open to the public. The site has several mines and includes small railways – very interesting.
Since we had not been to Tuscany before, we had two city trips – to Florence and Siena. We decided the best option was to drive. In Florence, we parked in Fortessa de Basso – about 0.5 km from the centre. In Siena, we parked in the Stadio – the football stadium – again just outside the ZTL (no car) area – both had plenty of space (but it was September). Both days were filled with the wonderful sights of the cities.
On another day, we visited a winery. We were advised to go to the Bolgheri (about 30km) area where there are several wineries that provide a tour. We visited Marina at Mulini di Segalari who gave us a description of how her wines were produced and then provided us with glasses of the five wine types.
It was truly a most enjoyable week. Location – great; villa – great; weather – great; food and drink – great; pool – great. What else could one say!
Thanks to Luca and Sarah at your office for advice and hospitality.
We had a lovely time staying at Casa dei Fichi staying in Casa dei Fichi. Jul 2019We first visited Casa dei Fichi three years ago and knew then that we would return. Going back we were a bit apprehensive that maybe the memories of the previous time there would not be repeated but the minute we drove around the bend in the driveway and the house appeared I knew we needn’t have worried.
Knowing the locale from last time we knew how to get to the house which wasn’t necessarily the case case first time round (careful not to end up driving down the wrong street and ending up into middle of the old town when you are not supposed to!) Also we knew the local big Coop in Venturina and with the flight into Pisa getting in at 12.30 by the time we had made to Campiglia Marittima we had time to nip there to stock up with our first shop before heading to the house for check-in at 17.00. We also had time for a quick drink in the beautiful town square (great ice creams for the kids at the Bacco Bar) and book a table at La Tavernetta for our first evening (Saturdays it gets a bit busy in the square so worth securing a table outside.)
The dirt road up to the house had been a bit of a challenge the last time but I am glad to report it has been upgraded to an extent and now is no real issue at all. Tuning off the track onto the drive way of the house with the line of cypress trees never fails to bring a lump to your throat as the view and house appears after 400m or so.
Whoever cleans the house between guests does an amazing job as the house was immaculate . The kitchen is fully stocked with every tool and could possibly need. The pantry full of essentials and plenty of fridge space. Books, toys, electronics a plenty to keep everyone occupied. A big stock of seasoned olive wood for the bbq and the pizza oven that are just great for making very special lunches and evening meals sitting on the patio or under the loggia watching the sunset. The pool is just perfect. Not heated but never cold and really fresh being fed by the houses well. The beds were all made up, plenty of extra linen and towels in the store cupboard and big silent fans in the ceiling of each room meaning not once were we uncomfortable sleeping despite the 30+ daytime temperatures.
The week was made up of breakfasts on the terrace, swimming in the pool, pasta and pizza dough making for long lunches, afternoon walks, bbq evening meals or strolling 20 minutes down the hill into town for exploring, drinks and great food in the larger than expected choices of restaurants hidden away down little side alleys off the main square. The walks back up the hill in the dark was always a great source of excitement. Coming across families of wild boar, hiding and jumping out to scare the kids in the dark and telling scary stories makes the walk back and the steep slope fly by.
Last time we did days out to Lucca, Pisa and Sienna so didn’t need to repeat these (although certainly worth it and all less than an hour and a half away). This time we took a day out and visited Volterra and San Grimignano as well as a trip to find some wild swimming on the river Celina (check out the book Wild Swimming in Italy). An afternoon at the beach along from Piombino after a lovely lunch at Restorante Canessa in Baratti was great too.
All in not just a repeat of a previous holiday but perfect week made all the better by feeling you were back home to an extent. Bring on next time!
As a foot note, I think it is worth describing how we got there. I love a road trip but that’s not best with two young kids. As such I set of in the car and met the family at Pisa airport a few days later. We still needed to hire a car as there were six of us in total but it did mean the Easy Jet flights could be done with no luggage and the family car loaded to the gunnels with more than you would every look to take on a plane. Hiring a 5+2 sear car (think Ford SMax, Renault Grand Scenic or Nissan Quasqui+) meant we could still travel around for the week in one car whilst the familiar car was left parked up. The first time I did a direct route via the Mont Blance tunnel and a stop at Vercelli between Turin and Milan for a day and a half 900mile trip to Pisa. Back was a repeat with the over night in Dijon France. Easily doable but not the most fun.
This time I added a day to the trip south and after a day getting to Grenoble drove the Route Napoleon down to Nice and then a night in a seaside town 30miles from Genoa for a quick dash to Pisa the next morning. Much more fun! One thing to note is that since the collapse of the bridge in the middle of Genoa a year or so ago, getting through there is daunting. That Saturday morning there had been an accident on the detour route causing chaos. I did however follow the Waze app which took me off the signed route and through the middle of Genoa missing the whole problem and only 15 mins extra drive time. Well worth putting your faith in Waze!
On the way back I did the same as last time but instead of the cost and waiting at the Mont Blanc tunnel I crossed the alps by the Mont Cenis pass. Again more fun and didn’t actually add much more time or distance.
Thanks for making the family holiday perfect. It won’t be long before we are back.
R.N. and family, UK staying in Casa dei Fichi. Mar 2019We stayed for a week at Casa Di Fichi in June 2018 and I just cannot recommend it highly enough. There's along dusty track leading to the villa, which given we arrived on a late flight, was interesting to navigate! We were delighted to be met, even at a very late hour, by someone to hand over the keys. This was in stark contrast to our experience in Monte Carlo in April when the owner refused to allow a check in for a late flight, so we were most grateful to Dan. The villa exceeded all our expectations. It was huge, clean and had the most amazing views over the valley. The David Hockney print of the view made it very special! The villa had absolutely everything, and more that we needed for a relaxing holiday. The kitchen was so well equipped there was nothing we couldn't find. There are literally hundreds and hundreds of books to read and games too. The pool is chilly but lovely and lots of sun loungers and shade if needed.There is outside space and terraces at every level, so many private spaces, so no problem with feeling cramped or crowded. The nearest village is very pretty but not walk able. We took a day trip to San Gimignano, stunning but busy, and Pisa too, ditto. I don't think the villa would suit very young children due to the number of steps and no alarm or fencing round the pool (mandatory in France, but my kids are older). In summary I would not hesitate to rebook this beautiful and obviously much cared for villa.
R.S. and family staying in Casa dei Fichi. Feb 2018Just thought I would drop you a quite email to say how much we enjoyed our holiday in Casa dei Fichi. The villa surpassed our expectations in every way. It was a perfect location with stunning views and excellent facilities. Our eldest son (a keen amateur cook) was in his element in the kitchen and barbeque, we also had a fun pizza night.
A.F. and family staying in Casa dei Fichi. Mar 2018We had an absolutely fabulous time at Casa dei Fichi and cannot speak too highly of the house, the help and support received from you before we got there (including sending us a video of the drive to the house so we could check if our van would be ok with it) and from Luca when were there. The only issue we had was from very flickering lights the first night we were there, very efficiently sorted by Luca that same night. The house was perfect, and we especially appreciated all the different outdoor sitting and eating spaces around the house. The views from the property over to the sea were beautiful and the pool too was gorgeous and perfectly maintained. We loved walking into Campiglia in the evenings and back after enjoying the excellent restaurants and bars. Finally, a special thanks to Luca for his lovely tomatoes, and for posting us back the keys we left behind!
We used your company many years ago when we used to holiday pre-children, and would never book with anyone with anyone else for our Tuscan adventures.
L.T. and family staying in Casa dei Fichi. Feb 2017This beautiful home - because that's what it is - has a kitchen and shower room I'd die for in the UK. The owners haven't tucked their ceramics out of sight - they're there to pile high with salads and other fare from gorgeous Campiglia Marittima and the various nearby markets/supermarkets. There are so many different places to be in this home that in a week of 5 of us together - 2 in our 50s and 3 friends in their 20s - we never felt on top of each other. Morning coffee on the terrace looking down to the sea and over to Elba in the distance; lunch in the cool on the covered terrace by the pizza oven; evenings watching the lights of Campiglia at yet another table by the BBQ fire. And that's just outside. While the sun worshippers were at the pool during the hottest part of the day or playing scrabble (how do you do that riotously? - they managed) in a shaded spot outside, I stretched out on the sofa, with the breeze coming through the patio doors, working my way through the amazing selection of books scattered around the house. That's what I mean - it really is like a home. The owners have an endearingly potty sense of time and direction as they obviously know the area inside out and forget that those coming afresh can get rather lost. A few hand-drawn maps would really help. But when we came round that last spur of hillside and saw the house waiting for us, it was one of those moments I can count on my hand - ferry to Mull and sunset over Lantau included - when my soul tells me I'm home. It really is heaven. I can't wait to go back.
Ms. M.K. and friends, UK staying in Casa dei Fichi. Mar 2014The Casa dei Fichi was a wonderful place to relax with friends and family. This old Tuscan farmhouse has been beautifully restored and modernised but still has many original features.The indoor space offers good accommodation, plenty of space to relax and eat and features a fantastic open-plan kitchen in which we could all enjoy preparing meals together. The location is peaceful and secluded with amazing views over the countryside and the most spectacular sunsets over the sea. The house is surrounded by terraces, enabling you to find a shady spot to read, paint or just relax even when the sun is hot. In the evenings, we made good use of the inner courtyard (equipped with a wood burning open grill) or sat up late counting the shooting stars. The attractive medieval town of Campiglia Marittima is short drive away - we were lucky enough to be able to enjoy the atmosphere of an annual festival. The area is worth exploring (Elba, Populonia) and the coast is blessed with many bays and beaches. However, in august the beaches are really overflowing with local holiday makers and we found it best to go in the evening when it is possible to find a quieter spot. The owners had left a lot of useful and practical information about places to visit, where to shop etc. which made finding our way around quite easy. A local couple look after the property and are available for questions and support throughout the stay (no language problems as Luciano's English was excellent). Being out in the countryside, be prepared for a dusty and bumpy track to get to this haven of peace and enjoy the wild-life on offer (everything from butterflies to bats and wild boars) as well as the occasional thunderstorm. We would love to return - perhaps in the Spring or autumn or when the less-intense heat would be more amenable to walking and rambling. In short, this was a perfect Tuscan holiday!
Mrs. M.S. and family, Switzerland staying in Casa dei Fichi. Jul 2010Das Haus liegt wunderschön in absoluter Ruhelage in den Hügeln mit Blick auf die etruskische Küste. eingerichtet ist es sehr geschmackvoll und rural, es ist geräumig und es gibt alles, was man für einen erholsamen Urlaub benötigt. Wir hatten eine wundervolle Woche dort.
Mrs. A.F. and family, Austria staying in Casa dei Fichi. Feb 2013This was an amazing villa. We had 5 adults and 2 children and it was the perfect size. The open floor plan made our evening meals even more enjoyable and the view from the back porch was unbeatable. The owners were very accomidating and I would absolutely recommend this villa and hope to return again.
Mrs. S.B. and family, UK staying in Casa dei Fichi. Feb 2011We were lucky enough to stay in this beautiful villa for the first week of August. The house was beautiful, stylish, relaxed and homely! As everybody has mentioned, the kitchen and huge utility room were particularly useful and we even had 2 fridges which kept the beer cold as well as the food! We had three children in our party, aged 7, 7 and 11. The pool keep them amused for most of the week! My husband adored the pizza oven and we enjoyed many evenings worth of pizza! The views are unbeatable and panoramic so wherever we ate, we enjoyed looking over mountains, the sea. It was gorgeous. Now you don't get those views without a hillside drive! From my perspective it might have been a good idea to mention that the track to the villa is a single and fairly narrow track. We had hired a 9 seater minibus but had we known this, we might have gone for 2 smaller cars... would have saved my blood pressure! We immensely enjoyed this holiday and I suspect we will be back to visit Casa Dei Fichi! My only feedback for the owners would be that there are only 3 sun loungers and 1 umbrella for the poolside. Given that there are 4 double bedrooms here and you can accommodate a number of people, I would suggest a few more of each. I don't like to share my sun bed! Air conditioning would have made this villa absolutely A grade but we were provided with fans.
Manager Response Dear Stuart, thanks for your review, I'm very glad you enjoyed it. I'll put a note on the website about the road - it is a bit tricky! I'll also ask the owner to provide more sunbeds and umbrellas for next year, thanks for letting us know! Best regards, Dan
Mr. S.B. and family, UK staying in Casa dei Fichi. Jan 2015“We could not have hope for better” Casa di Fichi was the perfect place for the whole family. The toddler had plenty of space and loved the toys available. (Mr Potato man we miss you!) My mum and my partner are both chefs and were very impressed by the kitchen and the huge utility room. My dad loved the house being so secluded Lovely BBQ area and after being taught how to use the pizza oven, we spend a few evenings creating our own pizzas. The house is made with so much love and care, a true home away from home. My sister who is a keen piano player, loved the piano available to us. But for me the most beautiful thing was watching the most beautiful sunset evening after evening from our terrace. Casa dei Feichi, thank you for such a special stay.
Wendy, Greg, and family staying in Casa dei Fichi. Dec 2014We had a super time, thank you. The house was lovely and the pool and views superb. It was so lovely to be able to retreat to the house in the hills where it was cool (and relatively free of mosquitos) when it was so hot in the plains below. Loved the fact we could see and hear no-one from the property. And the long track made ideal cycling escapades for our three boys! The only thing further we would have liked – but with all your properties – would be a piano!! Holidays are a rare time in which there would be time to play!
Mrs. C.W. and family, U.K. staying in Casa dei Fichi. Feb 2014The casa dei fichi and the views from it were beautiful. We all really enjoyed our stay...... Thanks,
Mrs. R.B. and family, Gorizia, Italy staying in Casa dei Fichi. Dec 2013Back home after a great summer... I just wanted to tell you that our stay (too short) was fantastic, the house was wonderful and exactly what we were looking for and we had a great time there. The house is beautifully decorated, the location is unique and there was everything you could need. The kids were in the pool a lot and it was really quiet and relaxing. We would absolutely like to come back next year! Thank you for everything!
Mrs A.F. and family, UK staying in Casa dei Fichi. Feb 2013We had a great week in August at Casa Allioni. The farmhouse is charming, with easily enough space for our family of five, and set in beautiful countryside. We really enjoyed eating outside (the house has several options for this) and taking in the stunning views in all directions. The pool (a few steps up from the house) was fantastic.Beverly is a great host - welcoming, knowledgeable and full of suggestions on what to see in the area that she knows so well - and we we were even lucky to able to enjoy tomatoes from her garden. We found trips to Siena, Arezzo and Montalcino all within easy reach and there are several nice restaurants nearby.
Alex & family from UK staying in Casa Allioni. Aug 2023We had a fantastic fortnight. Beverly is a wonderful source of local information and restaurant recommendations. The pool and house have beautiful views across the Arno valley. The location is great, with Florence, Arezzo, Cortona and Siena all within easy distance by car or train.
Susan & family staying in Casa Allioni. Aug 2023Just enjoyed a lovely week at Casa Alloni. The farmhouse is in a wonderful setting, amazing views from every part of the property but the view from the farmhouse kitchen was my favourite.
It was ideally located for exploring, Florence, Siena, Arezzo and the Chianti region.
Beverly and Mango were really welcoming and made us feel right at home. Beverly was very helpful with her local knowledge and provided us with info on train times, places to visit, where to eat and shop.
Local restaurants were excellent. The pool is lovely, an excellent place to relax and enjoy the views and soak up the atmosphere of rural Tuscany. Would highly recommend this Tuscan farmhouse experience.
Pauline & family staying in Casa Allioni. Jun 2023Casa Allioni is exactly what we were looking for….Tuscan villa, privacy, swimming pool, easy access to restaurants, and sightseeing.
Beverly (the owner) lives on the property (in a separate apartment over a detached garage) but as she says,..she tries to remain invisible at all times…which she is. However she is most pleasant, knowable, interesting, helpful, fluent in Italian and English as she is originally from America.
The villa is fully equipped…especially the kitchen. Has a washing machine available to guests. The pool is excellent, very private and has a magnificent view of Tuscany.
Wonderful place to stay!
Kenneth and family staying in Casa Allioni. May 2023I just wanted to let you know that we had an absolutely fantastic family holiday last August in Casa Allioni. The house and pool were just perfect for us and we enjoyed a nice combination of pool days and sightseeing trips to the neighboring towns and villages. Post covid it was the ideal holiday to show our children such a beautiful region - their favorites were the local restaurants Perbacco and Osteria dei Vignaioli !
Beverly was an excellent host and made us feel completely at home throughout our stay. We found the facilities at the house to be of a high standard, in particular the kitchen is well equipped. Overall we had a really super holiday - thank you !
J. D. from UK staying in Casa Allioni. Jul 2022We had a lovely week staying at Casa Allioni, it had all of the rustic charm you would hope for. From the exceptional Tuscan views to the wonderful hospitality provided by Beverley who was always discreetly on hand to ensure our stay was as comfortable and enjoyable as we could possibly want. For a self catering experience this was one of the best properties we have ever stayed at, everything you could possibly need was available, a real plus. The pool was lovely too with plenty of shady corners for when things got a bit warm. The wildlife that often frequented the grounds at dusk and dawn added to the charm making for a totally lovely and unforgettable stay the whole family would totally recommend, definitely worth a revisit.
Ian and family staying in Casa Allioni. Jul 2022We had a lovely week’s holiday as Casa Allioni. The house is a home from home complete with lovely Mango the cat. There are beautiful views across the valley from the house and the pool, making it an excellent sunbathing spot! It’s a great place to explore some of the main attractions of Tuscany - Siena, Perugia, Florence etc. more locally there are very pretty villages to explore. Beverly made us feel very welcome in her home and we would love to come back - it was an amazing week that flew by!
Bridget and family staying in Casa Allioni. Sep 2022My family spent a lovely week in this quintessential Tuscan villa built in the 1600s. Beverly was a wonderful host and had some essentials and fruits and flowers waiting for us on arrival. She helped us to arrange a cooking lesson with Martina and Victoria that culminated in a beautiful dinner on the outside dining area that we will remember forever. We traveled to many local sites including Siena, Cortona, Assisi and Arezzo. The pool was beautiful and a nice respite from the heat and the house was rustic in a Tuscan way, yet very comfortable and spacious. I highly recommend this place and would encourage you to come and stay as long as possible. We hope to be back someday!
Una M from USA staying in Casa Allioni. Jun 2022We had the great pleasure of staying at Casa Allioni for a week in August ’21 and it was fantastic. The house and grounds perched on top of the hill overlooking the valley is a breathtaking sight. The home has been beautifully restored keeping the history alive but offering all of the amenities you would expect at home. The pool offered a nice respite from the travels to the towns in this magnificent area. The house is also a short walk from the village with two very good restaurants.
Beverly’s place is a great value considering all that is offered and that can be enjoyed. She is also a fantastic hostess and the benefit of her being around the week we visited was wonderful. She helped us arrange a few catered dinners and the work the team did for my wife’s birthday will never be forgotten by all of us in attendance.
Beverly thank you and we have officially adopted you into our clan and look forward to another visit soon. This is a 5-Star review for a 5-star experience.
P.C. and family staying in Casa Allioni. Aug 2022Imagine a “classic” Tuscany house updated to meet your modern expectations! Casa Allioni has all that, except for a/c. We found during our month there in August/September, that even hot days spent at the beautiful pool, gave way to cooler evenings easily managed with fans. The setting is beautiful, with views of hillsides, olive groves, and vineyards all around. Location ideal for access within an hour to many sights. The owner, Beverly, was super concerned about our comfort, and extremely pleasant and easy to have around when she was there. She’s also good for getting advice about local stuff. Restaurant at bottom of hill is wonderful, but not walkable for anyone who has trouble going back uphill after a meal.
K.T. from USA staying in Casa Allioni.Es war alles perfekt. Das Anwesen, das Haus, der Pool, die Aussicht. Es hat alles gepasst. Beverly, die Vermieterin, war sehr nett und hilfsbereit und hatte immer gute Tips, was Sehenswürdigkeiten und Restaurants angeht. Wir kommen gerne wieder.
S. Z. from Germany staying in Casa Allioni. Aug 2021Our family has returned to the US. What memories we have of our 3 weeks in Italy. We all agree that our week at Casa Allioni was the highlight. You are a gracious hostess. Thank you! The cooking lesson with Gabriella & Antonio was such fun and delicious. Martina & Victoria’s dinner on Friday evening will be a beautiful memory for all of us. Visiting your local olive oil & wine store with you was fun along with the side trip to Pergine. The view from your home was breathtaking. We could have stayed a lot longer!!! It was such a pleasure to meet you. We all hope to return someday.....so we’ll see you all soon. Take care of yourself. All our best, Jill and Dan S. PS - A big “thank you” to JoAnne for recommending and setting up our visit to the Felsina Winery. Beautiful setting, great wines. Thank you!
J.S. from US staying in Casa Allioni. Dec 2019thank you so much for recommending this beautiful villa to us. We could not be happier. Beverly is the perfect hostess, and the pics do not do the place justice.
K.L. staying in Casa Allioni. Feb 2018To celebrate a special birthday a group of four of us stayed in Casa Allioni for a week. It was everything we hoped for. The villa itself is both spacious and homely. There are a number of good outdoor spaces with great views to relax and unwind. The pool is fantastic, big enough for all of us to enjoy, in privacy. The village is nearby at the bottom of the hill, there is a small grocery shop adjacent to a restaurant; on most days it’s open from 8am to 12.30, then 4.30 to 7pm. The owner of the villa, Beverly, is very friendly and helped us out when we had any questions. As it’s the countryside, do come prepared for mosquito bites! The products we brought from the UK didn’t seem to deter the pests, so you may need to buy something local. We were very happy we chose Casa Allioni for our holiday, it was a special stay, and can highly recommend it.
M.K. family and friends staying in Casa Allioni. Dec 2018the Villa was terrific and exactly as advertised. My family had a wonderful time and the views and surrounding areas were terrific. I will be back!!
Lyn did a wonderful job helping to prepare for my mother’s party and special thanks to Beverly Katz and Martina for all their help as well.
Perfect holiday, great house.
Thanks again!
AJB from Singapore staying in Casa Allioni. May 2018Hard to believe we've been home for over a week. It was so hard to leave Beverly's Hill!
Here are some highlights....
due to travel challenges, we arrived very late at night. Nevertheless, Beverly was there to help us find our way to the villa and welcome us to the area. She was exceptionally welcoming and available for whatever we needed. We even had some essentials in the fridge and pantry to tide us over until we could make it to the market.
when we awoke the next morning, the scene outside the kitchen Windows was spectacular! The best part of this beautiful villa.
we really loved the convenience of the small market and fabulous restaurants right at the bottom of the hill (Perbacco and the Osteria).
we spent a day traveling to Arezzo. Definitely something to see.
travel to Firenze is really convenient. We rented a car and had no issues.
the cooking lesson / meal at the villa by Martina was a real treat!
the villa is very comfortable. Plenty of space, inside and out. The pool was our favorite place to hang out as it had the best views.
Beverly is a lovely and generous host. She made the week real special for us.
I would recommend this rental to anyone!
K.B. and family staying in Casa Allioni. Nov 2016Service rating : Information received prior to our holiday was exactly what was required. Some good local information that was not available in the tour books and a real personal service from the staff at Invitation to Tuscany Ltd. Product: Casa Allioni was even better than the promotional literature described. Ideally situated on the hill with beautiful views overlooking the valley. We often sat on the terrace watching the stars, whilst drinking the local wine and eating the sumptious olives grown nearby.
Beverley was an amazing host. She was not overbearing, but we knew she was nearby if needed. A truly lovely person.
The house itself was beautiful inside and out with a wonderful rustic charm. The kitchen was our favourite room and inspired my wife and I to create some local dishes (the olive oil flowed).
We visited many of the local sights including Sienna and San Gimignano. I would though recommend a trip to Arezzo, which was not visited by as many tourists.
We only stayed a week, we wished it could have been longer.
Anonymous staying in Casa Allioni. Feb 2017We loved our stay at Casa Alliona. Beverley was a perfect host and even though she lives part time in her independent studio she kept to herself. We did invite her for wine and canapes one evening and found her most interesting as she told us about her husband who had written several books on WW2 in Rome where she now resides. Very handy for day trips and our only regret was that we didn't spend more time in the villa!
Anonymous staying in Casa Allioni. Dec 2016Casa allioni is a lovely family home with beautiful views within walking distance of several restaurants. We especially enjoyed the cookery book collection, the film library, pictures, pool and being surrounded by vines and olives. The owner is very generous with her own produce and we delighted in her wine, olive oil, tomatoes and figs. Arezzo and Siena are within easy driving distance and with a motorway fairly close it was easy to get to Florence. We have two criticisms, the first is that the directions to find the house were not very good although the owner very helpfully came to find us and the other concerned the beds and bedding for whilst perfectly adequate it would have been nice to have pure cotton sheets and better mattresses.
Anonymous guests staying in Casa Allioni. Mar 2011My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our restful stay at allioni. Beverly, the owner, was very welcoming and went out of her way to make sure that we were comfortable in our home away from home. She even took us on a short tour of Pieve a Presciano and a neighboring town, pointing out restaurants, the pharmacy, and markets. This lovely home exudes all that Tuscany means to us--perfect vistas out every door and window of olive trees, grape vines, wildflowers and rolling hills. Gardens and pots of geraniums, petunias, and herbs abound. We love t o cook and the kitchen was not only well-equipped with modern appliances, but was also warm and inviting in a typically Tuscan way. It was thoughtfully stocked with staples, spices, condiments, olive oil from the casa and "first night food”. After walking to and from the village for lunch, in the evening, we grilled some delicious meals in the outdoor wood burning oven and enjoyed eating them outside under the spacious loggia. In addition, Allioni is perfectly located for trips to arezzo, Firenze, and Siena--even Montalcino is not too far for a day trip. There is a small train station very nearby which is on the main line to and from Rome and Firenze. The pool area is lovely--too bad it was still too cool during our visit to properly enjoy. We were appreciative instead of the availability of firewood and several crackling fires in the living room fireplace.
Mr. and Mrs. P.S., USA staying in Casa Allioni. Dec 2012Our family stayed at the very beautiful Casa Allioni in July 2012. It is a simply stunning villa in a fantastic location.The villa has all the creature comforts you would want to find with so many extras. This might be due to the fact that this is someones home rather than a holiday let but this doesn't make you feel uncomfortable or intrusive in anyway. We marvelled at the way the owner had furnished the villa and the many artistic touches which felt so Tuscan. My daughter felt that the pictures on the website didn't do the villa justice and I would agree.The pool is fantastic. We were lucky to come during a heatwave and without the pool, the stay would have been very uncomfortable but instead we were able to spend every day playing in the pool after our brief sightseeing tours to nearby Siena and Florence or indeed trip to the Prada outlet store which is only down the road (we only walked in, looked at the price tags and walked back out again but each to their own..).There is a great outdoor dining table where you do want to have your dinner in the evening if you are eating in, if not, there are plenty of restaurants in the little village down the road which was also so nice! And hardly any other tourists.The owner, Beverly, absolutely added to our stay. Not only is she a very interesting and clearly giving person but also organised a cooking lesson for us all as well as a wine tasting evening with extras. We loved both.We hope to one day return.
Mrs. A.M. and family, UK staying in Casa Allioni. Mar 2012The villa was larger than expected and very comfortable. The boys particularly enjoyed both the pool (which was very well maintained and kept clean) and the extensive DVD collection. Beverly, the owner, was present and available to call on for advice throughout our stay which we found helpful. The views from the villa were breathtaking and truly Tuscan. A short walk provided us with both a local grocery shop and two local restaurants which served lovely food. Thank you for a relaxing stay.
Ms. T.R. and family, UK staying in Casa Allioni. Jul 2012What a fabulous location and such an interesting and beautifully restored villa. Many a peaceful hour was spent in the shade of the loggia, interspersed with dips in the pool. The villa has marvellous views and is situated close to Pieve a Presciano which has two good restaurants, with many more in the vicinity. Beverly, the owner, was a warm, engaging and generous hostess - welcome pack of food, wine and her olive oil, access to her vegetable garden and herb bed - and was concerned about our enjoyment and the quality of our experience. The villa is full of character and interest and was very comfortable, with many alternative locations for sitting and relaxing in the shade, or for enjoying the view. This part of Tuscany is less touristy than Chiantishire but is a good location for following the Piero della Francesca trail.
Mrs. J.C. and friends, New Zealand staying in Casa Allioni. Dec 2012We stayed for a week and Beverley was the most gracious and accommodating host. A wonderful villa with everything you could need or want for a week of rest and relaxation - just a joy to stay at. We would recommend to family and friends. We stayed with our three young children and have great memories of a fantastic week.
Mrs. E.B. and family, Australia staying in Casa Allioni. Feb 2013We are a family of 5 with teenage kids. My parents also joined and 7 people was a bit cramped. This would be perfect for 5-6 people. The house is at the top of a stone road and set amongst olive trees. The views are spectacular and the house has a rustic feel. A bit old fashioned but everything works and the setting is exceptional. The pool area is great too. Our only complaint was the flies and bugs but there is not a lot the owner Beverley could do about them! Beverley was really helpful and great company and full of stories of her interesting life in Italy. We did day trips to Sienna, Arezzo, and Florence, all easy to access. My daughter went horse riding 10 minutes away and we visited a local vineyard. Highly recommend.
Mr. M.S. and family, UK staying in Casa Allioni. Dec 2013From the moment we arrived to the moment we left, everything was perfect. We had a group of 5 and the house was a perfect size for us. The pictures don't do the views justice!!! From the beginning: The address did not register in our GPS, so we had t follow Beverly's directions, which were flawless. We arrived at around 8pm and Beverly had already stocked the kitchen with bottled water, yogurts, juice, cookies, bread, a bottle of bubbly and other essentials. It made it easy to avoid going to the store that night!!!! Beverly mentioned she was headed into town to meet a friend for dinner and asked if we wanted her to let the restaurant know we would be on our way. We went to dinner at Osteria dei Vignaioli and we greeted very warmly. My father-in-law was very excited by the smell from the kitchen, indicating that it reminded him of his grandmother's house growing up. This was one of the best meals we had in all of Tuscany. The Villa: Spectacular views, unique kitchen, great pool, Owner that goes above and beyond. The Location: At the top of a hill from town, the villa is a short, but challenging walk into town. In town, there are a couple restaurants, a bar and a small store. We drove to Siena, San Gimnano, Florence, Montepulciano and had a wine tour tasting Brunellos in the Montalcino regions. The highlight: Beverly's assistant came by with her mother to cook dinner for us. It was a fantastic and one of the best meals we had! They roasted chicken from her mother's farm, termpura fried vegetables, roasted potatoes, and a homemade apple tart. It was a great night!!! I would recommend this villa to anyone looking for relaxation, a beautiful place to end the day exploring Tuscany.
Anonymous guests staying in Casa Allioni. Mar 2013After two wonderful weeks, I cried when I had to leave Casa Allioni. A lovely home filled with charm. The accommodations are excellent: very comfy beds, spacious rooms, art filled walls, excellent kitchen and bathrooms. The farmhouse is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, wild flowers and wild life. The views were ever changing and beautiful, the pool refreshing and the air was sweet with spring blooms. Perfectly located to explore the three important Tuscan towns of Arezzo, Siena and Florence, plus the many lovely hilltop villages that Bella Italia has to offer. Kudos to all who make Casa Allioni such a wonderful spot.
Anonymous guests staying in Casa Allioni. Dec 2014We loved our week at Casa Allioni. The setting, high above a tiny Tuscan hill town, was spectacular, amidst olive trees and ripened grapes (and a great pool), overlooking a beautiful valley and hills across the way. The house was beautiful -- 17th century charm with all the modern conveniences. The owner is incredibly helpful and generous. Definitely order in a meal your first day, and at least once more -- four courses of local ingredients and wine. Day trips to Sienna and Florence are expected, but also head for the Chianti Classico trail for an abundance of vineyards and tastings. We couldn't imagine a more idealic house to enjoy the wonders and beauty of Italy.
Manager Response: So pleased you enjoyed it! We love the view from the pool, with the house below and the hills stretching away into the distance!
Anonymous guests staying in Casa Allioni. Dec 2014My husband, 18 year old son and I stayed at Casa Allioni for one week, and it wasn't long enough!!! From the very first day, we knew that we were staying somewhere very special. Beverly went above and beyond to make our stay comfortable. Fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as coffee, milk, , bread yogurt and pasta were provided for us. The beds were crisp and comfortable, the movie selection was fantastic and the pool was delicious! It was just the place for escaping our busy every-day lives! We hope to return some day in the not-to-distant future!
Mrs. M.F. and family, USA staying in Casa Allioni. Feb 2015What a wonderful spot high on the mountain with beautiful vistas of the Arno River Valley. Spacious, comfortable and convenient in the Casa; plenty of room for privacy. Beverly lives above the garage but you will hardly know she's there unless you need her. After house rentals around the world, we are done exploring. Hopefully we can rebook at Allioni ad infinitum...
Mr. C.H. and family, USA staying in Casa Allioni. Oct 2015If you want to stay at a quintessential Tuscan hilltop house, choose Casa Allioni. Perched high on a hill overlooking olive groves and vineyards, this lovely stone house is perfect for a retreat with family or friends and well-located for day trips to most Tuscan destinations. The house is nicely decorated and very comfortable to be in, with all of the appliances necessary to make living easy. And, the owner couldn't be more helpful and friendly. You won't be sorry if you choose Casa Allioni.
Mrs. J.S. and friends, USA staying in Casa Allioni. Dec 2015We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Casa Allioni. We loved the house and felt instantly at home and comfortable. We took advantage of all of the outside seating options, and found that the pool was the perfect spot to cool off after a hot day. The location of this property was just right as a base for sightseeing trips to many of the Tuscan towns in the area, but we also enjoyed spending time in the village, shopping in the general store and eating at one of the restaurants. We appreciated the attentiveness of the property owner. She did not intrude in anyway, but was very willing to assist us, making sure that we knew that the village store would be open for a limited time on a public holiday, and helping with reservations for dinner. We will recommend this property to our friends.
Mrs. K.F. and family, UK staying in Casa Allioni. Nov 2012We can't thank (the owner) enough for letting us stay in her beautiful home in Tuscany. It exceeded all our dreams and expectations. Not only were we graciously welcomed personally by her, we were delighted to have Martina cook for us on our first night in Tuscany. After traveling with young children, Martina alleviated the stress of having to shop and cook on our arrival. The food was amazing! The portions were generous! The prices were beyond reasonable! And the fact that Martina cleaned up too was a bonus to our first Tuscan experience. It was so amazing to me and my family that we had her come back two more times!
Her house is beautiful. She were so helpful and attentive to our needs. Her kindness made us feel like we were right at home. Taking us to the local store, helping us find a stroller (after we forgot ours in America), and making sure we had everything we needed was so genuine. And staying in Tuscany, swimming each day overlooking the Tuscan hillside was a dream come true! We will remember this week for the rest of our lives. We only hope to come back again and visit!.
Mrs. A.S. and family, USA staying in Casa Allioni. Feb 2012We loved staying at Casa Allioni calling it home during our two weeks in Tuscany. The house is located in a great area and close to all the cities that we visited, and we did see quite a few. We especially loved visiting Arezzo; in fact, we went there twice. Other cities that were special to us were Florence, Sienna, Anghiari and La Verna.
Casa Allioni was certainly what we needed during our time in that region-------waking up each morning and opening our kitchen windows to view the fog coming through the mountains was inspiring. The house itself was very comfortable, and the gardens were so welcoming and restful. Loved the fact that we were able to use some of the herbs that were left in the vegetable garden. Even though we didn't take advantage of the pool, we did spend time sitting around it......Bella!!!!
Our hostess, Beverly Katz, was very helpful and introduced us to Pieve a Presciano our very first day there. She was always available for questions and hints about the area. We took advantage of the well-stock grocery store right at the bottom of our road, and we loved dining at Il Cacciatore, 15 minutes from our house on the way to Arezzo and The Osteria right in Pieve a Presciano. I would recommend both of them very highly.
Mrs. T.M. and family, USA staying in Casa Allioni. May 2013We had an amazing two weeks at Casa Allioni. Nestled on a hillside covered with vineyards, olive trees, wild flowers and wild life, we felt as if had landed in an Italian rustic paradise. The accommodations were perfect. The beds were incredibly comfortable; sheets and towels in abundance; an excellent kitchen; lovely farm tables for eating indoors and out. Casa Allioni is not a typical vacation rental, it is someone's home that is filled with eclectic art work and tasteful furnishings. The views from the pool and the terraces are magnificent, and we spent many an evening sipping wine and watching the sunset over the mountains and fields below us. The location is fabulous. We took day trips to Arezzo, Sienna and Florence. Spent time in Chianti country and wandering around little towns stopping to take in the beautiful vistas that appear at every turn of the road knowing that we would be returning to our little corner of Tuscany.
I'd recommend Casa Allioni to anyone wanting to explore Tuscany with an authentic Tuscan farmhouse as a base, or if you want some peace and quiet in Bella Italia you'll be perfectly content. I'm already planning my next visit.
Mrs. T.S. and family, USA staying in Casa Allioni. Feb 2014With apologies for the late reply, this is just a quick note to say what a fantastic time my wife and I had at Casa Allioni. The holiday was to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary and, despite only mentioning it in passing, we were greeted with a vase of fresh flowers and a bottle of red wine. We arrived in the dark so we didn't see the views until the next morning. This was our second surprise. The scenery was beautiful and the views across the valley to the villages and hills beyond were stunning. Unusually for us, by Sunday evening we were already relaxed and our one week stay felt like two. Please pass on our thanks to Beverly for her kindness and providing us the opportunity to share both the location and the story of her home at Casa Allioni.
P.S. Favourite places to visit? Siena, Siena and Siena. Best 'find'? The fish restaurant Tre Cristi........in Siena. Friendly and helpful staff, and well cooked dishes that are to be savoured.
Mr. M.N. and family, UK staying in Casa Allioni. Apr 2014Exceptionally hot weather (and a bottle of the locally produced Chianti Classico) greeted us at Lornano; the welcoming pool was just the thing for cooling down. In fact the pool and the surrounding gardens were the best part of the holiday. Angelitta (the site manager) was very helpful; the bedding and towels were changed mid-holiday. The winery tour and tasting was very enjoyable.
Canaiolo was historic with lovely features but in need of a comfy sofa and better mattresses. The patio chairs would of benefitted from cushions. Fly screens and fans would of been an advantage. Great base for visiting the local countryside and towns and having beautiful Sienna on your doorstep was a huge plus.
Manager Response Comfy sofa! We've mentioned this to the owners before and will mention it again now - we do agree. Fly screens and fans can be arranged - in fact the upstairs rooms have screens, if I remember correctly. It's the large double doors that, though wonderful, are tricky to protect from flying things. Glad you enjoyed it overall and thanks for the notes - we will act upon them.
Anon staying in Canaiolo.Canaiolo is in a fine location, overlooking a valley but with easy access to the main Siena - Florence road. The grounds and the pool are the best things about it - they are idyllic. The house is simply furnished but spacious, although the bedrooms get hot (we were there in a heatwave). Having a helpful caretaker on site was a bonus.
Anon staying in Canaiolo. Jul 2011We had the most wonderful week. Was a stunning place for the kids and adults to stay and relax.
Anon staying in canaiolo. Aug 2011Stayed in Mid June, so before mosquitos were a problem. Larger property than expected with a great restaurant within walking distance. Close to Sienna and Chianti estates. Comfortable, spacious and clean accommodation and great pool if still a little cool in June. Would thoroughly recommend the place to anyone who is thinking of visiting the area.
Mr. P.W. with friends and family, UK staying in Canaiolo. Jun 2011Exactly what we expected, and a little more. We really enjoyed our stay. Canaiolo is so ideally situated...close to all the places worth visiting. And the scenery...absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. The only problem we initially had was to find the place, directions could be a bit more specific, especially for foreigners. Thank you so much for contributing to a wonderful holiday in Italy.
Mr. L.B. with family and friends, South Africa staying in Canaiolo. Jul 2011We were relocated from another property that did not function so had no previous experience or knowledge of San Michele. We were all very impressed with the property and it suited our needs perfectly: Lots of space inside and outside, animals the kids could watch, a wonderful pool and a very nice owner ready to guide and help us.
Jens & family from Denmark staying in San Michele. May 2023San Michele was absolutely amazing, the grounds were incredible and so well kept, pool area superb, hosts so helpful and two delicious meals with them and vegetables from their veggie patch. Plus a tour of their wine cellar, quite something else. The layout of the villa suited us all so well, plenty of room to have our own space! The 18 month old loved going to see the animals in the morning and evening. Great value for money.
C.W. and family staying in San Michele. Feb 2018We were very happy and satisfied with our stay at San Michele. The beauty of the place and friendly welcome from Patricia made us feel so at home. We enjoyed Arezzo, shopping in Pam and some restaurants in town. We found an interesting steakhouse called Mama Mia! No pizza for kids but there's 🍝. A shopping center with Decathlon and Coop grocery store had nice selection of food and drinks. An outlet 29 km direction Sienna had good selection of brand in clothings, shoes and more.
A.T. and family staying in San Michele. Mar 2017We had a wonderful time at San Michele! The property itself is wonderful. We enjoyed the building itself which worked very well for our extended-family group. We loved walking the gardens and visiting the animals and our hosts were terrific. It was also great that the train in Arezzo was so convenient for day trips. Even though we had a rental car, sometimes the train was easier than dealing with parking at our destination. Things we loved the most: Cooking class offered by Patrizia and Pietro – this was so much fun! We all loved the experience and the wonderful food! Trip to Florence by train Two great restaurants in Arezzo: Pappa e Cena (Via Romana, 133, 52100 Arezzo AR, Italy) and Osteria Dei Mercanti (Via di Ser Petraccolo, 52100 Arezzo AR, Italy)
The one tip we have, at least for American guests is to rent a car with automatic transmission. The road up the hill is steep and narrow in places and we were glad to have an automatic, even though we know how to drive a manual transmission.
H. F. and family staying in San Michele. Feb 2017I visited San Michele at the end of a long day's driving; I had been out seeing a lot of houses around Tuscany and was tired. The welcome that Patrizia and Pietro gave me, coupled with one of the best views I have ever seen and a swimming pool perfectly placed to take advantage of it soon gave me my energy back. This is a building on a site redolent with history, lovingly nursed back to life after decades of being hidden under brambles - ask P & P to show you the photographs of what the site looked like when they bought it! This is a house made to be enjoyed - there are myriad delights down in the plains toward Arezzo and in the hills beyond, but this is a place where I would want to just lie by the pool, relax and soak in the astounding view, day after day. A favourite!
D.W. staying in San Michele. Sep 2016We stayed at San Michele in Arezzo in Autumn and just had a fabulous time. The villa was everything it should be. The rooms were large, the views were fantastic and our host and hostess were incredibly helpful and welcoming. There were two washing machines and drying racks. The pool was fantastic. Our hosts, Patrizia and Pietro did a wonderful homemade pizza dinner for us, another fabulous dinner in their cantina and also invited us to a private party in their home. The linens were changed weekly including our comforter. Softer and or extra pillows would be nice. The villa was at the top of a small mountain and overlooked the entire town. The directions to the villa on our GPS were great. It is narrow in places but we drove a large van that held seven and it is doable. There is also an electric gate to go through so you could not possibly feel safer. The air conditioning worked as well as american a/c but we didn't need it except for the first few days. We slept with the windows open and it was heavenly. Windows were screened, but we did not notice any flies or mosquitos while there. There is an absolutely amazing bakery not far from the villa called Panificio Pandemonio in Arezzo. Their almond biscotti, raisin coffeecake, and breads are unbeatable - Don't miss it. There is also a fabulous grocery store, Ipercoop, that matches any from the U.S. Go to the deli meat section and splurge. All those wonderful meats and cheeses are half the price you'd pay back home.
Ms. D.P. and family, USA staying in San Michele. Dec 2009We had a fantastic stay at San Michele. It was a really special place and Patrizia and Pedro fantastic hosts! To be honest, we didn't venture far as it was so lovely there. Would happily recommend it to people and hope to return!
Mrs. R.T. and family, UK staying in San Michele. Feb 2016Wow! On our recent visit we were amazed by the villa's setting, its breathtaking views, and the pool which shone like a gem in the night sky. We were impressed by the quality of the interior, especially its lovely linens and chic bathrooms. The pergola was a favourite spot where we enjoyed breakfasting and a fun pizza evening; we even ate some bits from the lovely vegetable garden as guests are invited to do. Patrizia and Pietro were perfect hosts at an incredible dinner in their wonderful home with a view you must see to believe - we loved staying at San Michele and know you will too!
L & L. staying in San Michele. Nov 2014