Since 1982

Reviews

Reviews

What our customers have said

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

The Hay Loft

The Hay Loft

Dan's visit

I visited this little wine estate in May 2021 so we have no reviews yet - these are my impressions. As always, my main focus on a first visit is on the owners and the caretakers - they will be the people looking after you when you visit so much rests on their shoulders. I met both caretakers and the owner, they couldn't have been more charming so I'm confident you'll be well looked after here. The estate has 8 apartments, we have listed three to start with, our favourites. This one, the "Hay Loft" has these fabulous large windows so I thought it would be a great addition.

The buildings are surrounded by vineyards that are run by the little estate, producing their own wine. THe swimming pool is set higher up the hill than the buildings so you get great views across the Arno valley towards the Chianti hills. You can walk - or drive - down to the local train station and get into the centre of Florence in under 30 minutes, which is a lovely way to explore the city and then come back to your pool and spacious apartment.

Dan Wrightson staying in The Wine Lover. May 2021
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

Rustic Tuscan farmhouse in stunning setting

Another lovely stay at Casa Allioni, such peace and tranquility in a beautiful rural setting with stunning views but within walking distance of good restaurants and within easy drive of the attractions of Florence, Siena and Arezzo. Beverly is a great host, so helpful and knowledgeable of the area, always willing to assist with restaurants bookings etc. A great place to relax and enjoy all Tuscany has to offer.

Pauline, UK staying in Casa Allioni. Sep 2024
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

A great introduction to Tuscany

We 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 2023
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

Million-dollar views!

We 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 2023
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

A real Tuscan rural retreat

Just 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 2023
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

Wonderful stay at Casa Allioni

Casa 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 2023
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

Fantastic family holiday

I 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 2022
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

A Tuscan getaway

We 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 2022
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

Fantastic Stay at Casa Allioni

We 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 2022
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

Amazing

My 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 2022
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

This is a 5-Star review for a 5-star experience

We 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 2022
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

A “classic” Tuscany house updated to meet your modern expectations!

Imagine 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.
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

Traumhaftes Haus

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 2021
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

...our week at Casa Allioni was the highlight

Our 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 2019
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

...the pics do not do the place justice

thank 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 2018
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

...everything we hoped for

To 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 2018
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

The Villa was terrific and exactly as advertised

the 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 2018
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

It was so hard to leave...

Hard 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 2016
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

...even better than the promotional literature described

Service 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 2017
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

We loved our stay at Casa Alliona

We 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 2016
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

.....a lovely family home

Casa 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 2011
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

...thoroughly enjoyed our restful stay at allioni

My 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 2012
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

...a simply stunning villa in a fantastic location

Our 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 2012
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

..larger than expected and very comfortable

The 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 2012
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

...such an interesting and beautifully restored villa

What 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 2012
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

...just a joy to stay at

We 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 2013
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

Highly recommend

We 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 2013
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

...a beautiful place to end the day

From 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 2013
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

A lovely home filled with charm

After 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 2014
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

We loved our week at Casa Allioni

We 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 2014
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

...one week... it wasn't long enough!

My 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 2015
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

What a wonderful spot...

What 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 2015
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

...a quintessential Tuscan hilltop house

If 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 2015
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

...felt instantly at home

We 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 2012
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

...exceeded all our dreams and expectations

We 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 2012
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

We loved staying at Casa Allioni

We 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 2013
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

...an amazing two weeks at Casa Allioni

We 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 2014
Casa Allioni

Casa Allioni

...what a fantastic time my wife and I had

With 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 2014
Ambra

Ambra

Top notch place.

Very charming and great for everyone. Francesco is very kind and takes care of his guests. Excellent!

Absolutely great place! Such a nice historical house with, which has been greatly renovated! It keeps a very charming atmosphere! You feel the place is very special. Francesco and his family maintain the property at the highest level. Swimming pool is another highlight and a view on San Miniato castle from the pool creates top experience!

Petr and family staying in Ambra. Aug 2023
Massimo

Massimo

Our experience was magical

We stayed 5 weeks at Montestigliano this Fall. Our experience was magical. Our villa, Casa Massimo, was a delight - modern, spacious, well-equipped and comfortable. The grounds were beautiful, quiet and allowed spectacular views. Francisco, the manager/concierge could not have been more helpful. The location is convenient to Siena and there are nearby villages with outstanding restaurants and all the essentials one might need. We will be staying at Montestigliano again, without doubt!!

Mike staying in Casa Massimo. Sep 2023
Massimo

Massimo

Highly recommend this estate

Montestigliano was recommended to me by a friend, who said great things about her stay there in 2010. I looked at other sites in the general area, but nothing seemed better than her recommendation. The villa had everything we needed for a very comfortable week's stay in the Tuscan countryside, and bucket-loads of charm as well. The whole estate is picture-book perfect. There are numerous walking trails, including one to the nearest village where good coffee can be had. 2 pools (one designated for families) operate in the warmer months. We did not miss having a TV. Good WiFi kept us connected with the world (when we wanted to be). The estate is a short drive from the nearest small town for essential supplies, and less than 30 minutes' drive from Siena - a magical place that we went back to a number of times over the week. The opportunity to join other guests for a traditional Sienese dinner was fantastic. The estate's own olive oil is a wonderful product, which we made use of while we were there (and would have liked to take home, except our baggae limits wouldn't allow it!). Highly recommend this estate - I doubt you will have a better experience, and staff will do everything they can to make your stay memorable!

Anonymous guests, Australia staying in Massimo. Dec 2012
Valdorcia

Valdorcia

Lovely Villa with Magnificent View

Villa d’Orcia is an elegant older house overlooking Val d’Orcia. It offers good bedding, a well equipped kitchen, functional bathrooms, a variety of herbs, Gelasio who oversees the house during the owner’s absence, two dogs and two cats who will make you feel right at home! Oh, and a stunning, private swimming pool.

It would be good to develop more shaded areas with good garden furniture. The dirt and gravel road needs work.

All in all, very delightful!

Carol & family staying in Valdorcia. Jul 2023
Valdorcia

Valdorcia

Peace, tranquillity, no neighbours, a lovely garden with the most beautiful view.

This is very much "borrowing" a much loved but probably 1970s lovely Italian family holiday house, once a farm, on a remote hillside - not a standard holiday rental property with pristine white walls and health and safety certificates in abundance.

So you get a real experience of Val d'Orcia as published by Iris Origo. It is a very happy house with a lovely well-tended garden that grows on you as the week progresses but you need to dispense with some modern comforts and just relax into the beautiful scenery and exist with the wild things that live in the forest!

Plenty to do within a short drive including Al Foce gardens and if you start missing the high life you just pop up to the spanking brand new Monteverdi hotel (and wellbeing centre) for evening negronis or Aperolspritz's in the sunset and let the car just roll back down the hill when satiated! Some great local restaurants too but why not take the River Cafe Italian cookbook and try some things out using local produce? Arezzo , Pienza etc all an hour's drive away for cultural intake.

If you are at home in the countryside, like animals and want to do the real Italy off the beaten track with a bit of adventure thrown in then this is a jewel. If you are at all high maintenance, prone to complaining about the facilities, dislike driving off-road, with kids who won't sit still for 2 seconds then you should be in Rome not Val d'Orcia... or get a life!

PS. The secret of finding the property, which isn't easy on arrival, is to use Google Maps and drop a pin. An option is to get cheaper BA flights on Thursday, stay at Wine Resort Dievole in Chianti on the saving, and then drive to Val d'Orcia on the Saturday in plenty of time - well stocked up with mixed crate of Dievole chianti rose & olive oil to last the week.

Simon et al. staying in Valdorcia. Jul 2023
Valdorcia

Valdorcia

...a jewel in the Tuscan countryside

We had a really lovely time in Valdorcia - all the family thought the house and location was great - a jewel in the Tuscan countryside. Our daughter and son in law would like to revisit with friends at some point in time. All yours and Sarah's assistance was much appreciated with the wonderful catering we had one night and all the travel instructions. Matteo the owner was charming and helpful also on the 2 occasions we had to reach out to him . We spent most evenings either having a barbecue or other in house cooking as we had the grand kids with us but obviously we were out three nights with the family wedding and also tried a recommended restaurant in Sarteano on the Valdorcia house list which was great.

L.R. and family, UK staying in Valdorcia. Jan 2019
Valdorcia

Valdorcia

... a beautiful old stone farmhouse

Valdorcia is a beautiful old stone farmhouse sitting high up on a sloping property overlooking the valley of the same name. Access is partly via a bumpy, unpaved road for just over a kilometre, which some may find challenging but we found added to the charm and deterred unnecessary traffic. The house is quite remote with no neighbours close by. Because of the altitude of the property, we found it breezy when we were there in September, but that didn’t stop us enjoying the magnificent view from the front of the house.

Rooms are large with high ceilings. Downstairs is an enormous kitchen/dining room with a large table seating eight, as well as a small area with a table for four. The kitchen is “rustic” but well equipped with six gas rings, a wall oven, a large old fireplace for grilling, and a new dishwasher. The pantry, which contains the fridge/freezer (and adjacent powder (cloak) room) is around 15 paces from the kitchen sink which makes for lots of walking. However, given the quality and quantity of Tuscan food, lots of walking is a good thing.

The main floor also has a small sitting area at the end of the dining/kitchen and a bedroom with en suite bathroom.

Upstairs there are five bedrooms, two with en suite bathrooms, and one particularly charming “library” bedroom. The communal bathroom is enormous and its anteroom has a washbasin and a washing machine. There is a lovely sitting room with comfortable sofas and chairs and a huge stone fireplace. A good place to sip Limoncello after dinner.

The caretaker lives on the property with his two friendly dogs. He brought us fresh figs, huge fresh eggs from his chickens, dark red, sweet tomatoes from the garden, as well as lettuces and onions. He is a real asset to the property, putting out garden chairs in the morning and maintaining the grounds beautifully, including the large swimming pool.

Sarteano, the local town, has a small but well-stocked supermarket, as well as some superb restaurants. We were given a list of recommended restaurants in the area by the owner of the farmhouse and every one was wonderful. On two occasions, Rita from Sarteano arrived with her bags and made three-course dinners of typical Tuscan food – enough for the eight of us for lunch next day as well.

The autostrada was fairly close (20 minutes drive) so visiting other areas from this property is relatively easy.

J.G. with Reid Party, Canada staying in Valdorcia. Sep 2017
Valdorcia

Valdorcia

...a place to be treasured

We have just returned from a wonderful visit to Valdorcia. This lovely house sits high up, with a magnificent view over the Val d’Orcia, which was a constant source of pleasure and inspiration. The house is large, with six bedrooms, but occupancy is limited to 8 people, which means that there is plenty of room for all. There are four shower rooms (two en suite, and one of the others has a bathtub too), and there is the added convenience of a separate toilet on the ground floor.

The kitchen is large and exceptionally well equipped, with more than enough pots and pans to satisfy even the most ardent cook. The dining table seats eight comfortably, and there is a very convenient seating area just off the kitchen, ideally placed so that those not involved in meal preparation can provide a stream of advice. The living room, on the first floor, has comfortable seating for at least eight people, with plenty of light and a fireplace for cooler evenings.

We were welcomed to Valdorcia by charming owners Matteo and his wife. They are justifiably proud of their house, and pay guests the compliment of furnishing it with family possessions. However, as beautiful and comfortable as the house and surroundings are, most the best thing about our stay was Gelasio, the caretaker. He lives on the premises, and has the knack of being totally unobtrusive unless needed. It seems that he can turn his hand to anything, but we particularly appreciated the way he produced fresh eggs, salad greens and figs almost before we knew that we needed them. Under his care the grounds and pool are kept immaculate.

We had two excellent meals prepared for us by Rita, who came in to cook, and also enjoyed several restaurants in the area. It is true that it is difficult to find a substandard meal in Italy, but we would like to say that the restaurants recommended in the house notes were outstanding. Other reviewers have rightly praised Ristorante Santa Chiara in Sarteano, but good as it is, we felt that Osteria da Gagliano also in Sarteano, is even better. All credit to Matteo for these recommendations, and also for sending us to Zi’ Pina in Fiumicino, where we spent our last night in Italy before returning (reluctantly) to Canada. Overall, Valdorcia is a place to be treasured, and returned to as often as possible.

Neville and Jenny Reid staying in valdorcia. Sep 2017
Valdorcia

Valdorcia

We would love to come again!

We loved Valdorcia – the house and grounds had the most wonderful atmosphere which we fell in love with as soon as we arrived and met the owner. So many glorious things about it but perhaps above all the view from the property which is stunning whether sitting under the big oak tree in front of the house which provides such marvellous shade or from down at the pool. I absolutely loved early morning walks up to Castligioncello del Trinoro where the staff were always very friendly and it was possible to get coffee and a pastry on the terrace with the spectacular view back down over the house. We were also fortunate enough to catch one of the concerts there – quite amazing – such an astonishing quality of musician performing without charge to the audience and in such an intimate venue.

One of our guests and myself are keen walkers so we also enjoyed walking through the woods above the property to La Foce (War in Val D’Orcia is such an interesting read if you have visited the area).

The house itself was very comfortable and we all loved the fact that it felt like such a home – several of us are avid readers and would have loved to be able to read Italian as just seeing the depth and range of books was amazing. The kitchen was very well equipped and we ate in a great deal but we had a good dinner at Santa Chiara in Sarteano, a wonderful lunch at Osteria La Porta in Monticchiello and a very good casual lunch in Radicofani.

Above all though we would all like to say a huge thank you to Gelasio who was such a kindly and humble presence throughout the week – our Italian was almost non-existent as is his English so I was constantly anxious that when we tried to ask him something we sent him to a paroxysm of anxiety, however, he communicated particularly well with one of our number who is a wonderful listener and a great gardener and I will never forget him bringing her a wonderful basket of figs – so beautifully presented with the basket all lined with fig leaves.

We would love to come again!

E.H. and friends, UK staying in Valdorcia. Dec 2017
Valdorcia

Valdorcia

We had a great time at Valdorcia

We had a great time at Valdorcia, and could not fault the house. In particular, the owner Matteo and his wife were very helpful in showing us around on arrival. The housekeeper, Gelasio, was around most of the time but we didn’t find this intrusive. Despite the language barrier, we were just about able to communicate with Gelasio when needed. The gardens were really well kept and the views across the valley were fantastic.

The house is along a rough steep track, about 1 mile off the main road. This was not an issue for us but might be worth warning people about this.

We ate out at Ristorante Santa Chiara in nearby Sarteano which we would recommend. Good food and service in an interesting location of an ex convent.

Mr. P.C. with family and friends, UK staying in Valdorcia. Jun 2016
Aceronina

Aceronina

A genuine old stylish Tuscany villa in a magical setting

This is a big villa for six people - ideal for a family or group of friends. Each stylishly decorated bedroom is spacious and has its own luxurious bathroom. We had three generations of the family staying, and there was always space for everyone to do their own thing, with a large sitting room/lounge/dining room, a big country well equipped country kitchen, and a convenient loggia/verandah for outdoor meals overlooking the spectacular scenery down the Val di Chiana and across to the medieval hilltop town of Citta della Pieve. We loved the original farmhouse tiles, the beamed ceilings, comfortable furniture, art and stylish furnishings. Olivia provides a lot of tourist information, and fantastic art, literature and picture books on the area and Italy in general, as well as personal recommendations for local restaurants. We took her advice and went to a spectacular restaurant in Citta della Pieve, and another in San Casciano dei Bagni, both within 20 minutes drive. There are also small groceries within a short drive away, where you can buy a grand selection of local cheeses, hams, prosciutto, olives and other vegetables.

The pool was a good size for lap swimming as well as lounging about. We appreciated the tote bag gifts and pool towels. We all enjoyed the beautiful setting, except for one problem: near the villa on this large estate, there was a horse paddock surrounded by forest (with deer!), and this proved ideal conditions for horse flies which are a terrible scourge in hot weather, as they have a painful bite (they can even bite through clothing or sunbed mesh), leaving a swollen itchy sore for days. Some of us suffered more than others, who were able to fend them off with insect repellent. Fortunately, the flies were restricted to one area and did not come near the house, which was high up on the first floor, and also had screened windows.

We all loved this villa and would highly recommend it. Olivia and her adult children were very helpful and responsive hosts, providing lots of information and sorting any problems very quickly. We only encountered one difficulty, which was in initially finding the villa because the coordinates given in our instructions were incorrect, and our GPS led us almost 15 kilometers away down an almost impassable track, before we realised there must be a mistake in the directions. The local village of Piazze was not mentioned in the instructions, and although we were told the villa was called Aceronina, no one used this name, and it was always called Montefreddo. Eventually after phone calls to our host, Olivia, her daughter rescued us, and came to meet us in Piazze to lead us to the villa. However, the instructions need to be corrected to save others a wild goose chase. This is a beautiful villa in a lovely peaceful spot, with wonderful tourist sites in the vicinity, and gave us a relaxing and happy holiday.

Wendy and Mark from New Zeland staying in Aceronina. Aug 2024
Aceronina

Aceronina

An Italian Gem!

This is our first stay here. Having stayed in the area previously, we were taken aback by the panoramic views from the terrace. The accommodation is superb! It is very comfortable and well equipped. Our hosts were charming and helpful, especially about the restaurant recommendations in the local towns. All of which we found to be very charming. The lasagne from the local butchers in Piazze is a must!!

Heather & family from UK staying in Aceronina. Jun 2024
Aceronina

Aceronina

A great week in the Tuscan countryside

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 2023
Aceronina

Aceronina

The villa was even better than expected

Our 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 2018
Villa Ema

Villa Ema

My inspection visit

I visited this house on a rainy day in October 2024. I found it striking, reminiscent of 1960s films. For some reason I kept thinking of "The Pool", a 1968 Blake Edwards film with Peter Sellers and Claudine Longet. Or of "Fumo di Londra", a 1966 film with Alberto Sordi. The fireplace and sunken seating area are fabulous - I could just see myself lounging there with a cocktail, listening to songs from Andy Williams' collection of "Music to Watch Girls By". Downstairs, the enormous games room continues the 60s vibe, while outside a kidney-shaped pool completes it. This is not a typical Tuscan converted farmhouse, but a delightful, vibrant and exciting slice of Italian sixties culture.

Daniel Wrightson (inspecting) staying in Villa Ema. Oct 2024
Canaiolo

Canaiolo

Great base for visiting the local countryside

Exceptionally 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

Canaiolo

Canaiolo is in a fine location

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 2011
Canaiolo

Canaiolo

wonderful week

We had the most wonderful week. Was a stunning place for the kids and adults to stay and relax.

Anon staying in canaiolo. Aug 2011
Canaiolo

Canaiolo

Comfortable, spacious and clean accommodation

Stayed 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 2011
Canaiolo

Canaiolo

We really enjoyed our stay

Exactly 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 2011
Scaparzi

Scaparzi

A wonderful Tuscan fortnight! - again!

With 14 people staying at this property ( taking all 8 double rooms) we have had a fabulous time with plenty of room for all. Extremely relaxing and convenient location ( our second time renting this property). We had a dinner party for 16 people which worked so well in the huge dining room. We have enjoyed wonderful breakfasts prepared by extremely hard working , cheerful ladies who also cleaned the rooms on a daily basis. We certainly have no complaints about anything . Wonderful holiday - molto grazie!

Claudine & John from UK staying in Scaparzi. Aug 2022
Scaparzi

Scaparzi

The property was amazing

Hello Dan, I have been meaning to drop you a line to thank you so much for donating this to Battersea. I had the most wonderful time. We all thought the property was amazing (the views were spectacular) and loved the impressive driveway. Everything was well appointed (particularly the bathrooms). We loved the outdoor living, and used the pizza oven twice (and were very pleased with the results!)

A.B from UK staying in Scaparzi. Sep 2019
Enofila

Enofila

Dan's visit

I visited this little wine estate in May 2021 so we have no reviews yet - these are my impressions. As always, my main focus on a first visit is on the owners and the caretakers - they will be the people looking after you when you visit so much rests on their shoulders. I met both caretakers and the owner, they couldn't have been more charming so I'm confident you'll be well looked after here. The estate has 8 apartments, we have listed three to start with, our favourites. This one, the "Wine Lover" has disabled facilities so I thought it would be a great addition.

The buildings are surrounded by vineyards that are run by the little estate, producing their own wine. THe swimming pool is set higher up the hill than the buildings so you get great views across the Arno valley towards the Chianti hills. You can walk - or drive - down to the local train station and get into the centre of Florence in under 30 minutes, which is a lovely way to explore the city and then come back to your pool and spacious apartment.

Dan Wrightson staying in The Wine Lover. May 2021