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

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
Villa Amorosa

Villa Amorosa

“ Definitely our best villa in Tuscany all round in over 30 years. ”

Our 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 2022
Villa Amorosa

Villa Amorosa

“ Beautiful villa far off the beaten path ”

My 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 2022
Villa Amorosa

Villa Amorosa

“ Great property and location for our reunion with friends. ”

Property 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 2022
Villa Elisa

Villa Elisa

“ Wonderful time at Villa Elisa ”

We had a wonderful time at Villa Elisa despite a couple of hiccups.

Sara was very attentive and helpful. She organised a booking at the local restaurant in Motelopio. Such a wonderful night! Such a treasure of a restaurant.

We were delighted with the fantastic array of food and drinks available for us on arrival. It made our first evening so easy until we could get to the shops. The villa itself is very comfortable. So many outside sitting areas, incredible pool big enough for laps and great inside areas for sitting and dining. 1 small quibble - the ground floor bed was 2 mattress’ pushed together which was pretty uncomfortable for a couple.

The water stopped completely on one of the days we were there but it was quickly rectified and another day, when we had a lunch appointment in Chianti, the gates refused to open so we were trapped inside for a good hour until a way of opening them was found.


Thanks Paul! We'll make sure the manual override for the gates is clearly displayed somewhere! Dan

Paul and family staying in Villa Elisa. Jul 2025
Villa Cortona

Villa Cortona

“ An experience we will cherish forever ”

Our stay at Villa Cortona was nothing short of magical. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with open arms by the most wonderful hosts, Alessandra and Federico. Their hospitality and attention to detail made our week-long stay an unforgettable experience for our entire family. Alessandra went above and beyond in helping us plan our wedding, ensuring that every detail was perfect. Her dedication and passion for her work shone through in every aspect of the event. She also organized other delightful activities, such as a pasta-making class, which added a unique and authentic touch to our Italian adventure. Alessandra's meticulous planning and warm personality truly made our wedding an absolute dream come true. Federico was equally fantastic, always available to assist with any request and ensuring that we felt at home. Together, Alessandra and Federico created an atmosphere of warmth and joy that made our stay at Villa Ivana truly special. The villa itself is stunning, with breathtaking views and luxurious amenities. Every corner of the property exudes charm and elegance, making it the perfect setting for a memorable celebration. Thank you, Alessandra and Federico, for making our stay at Villa an experience we will cherish forever. Your kindness, professionalism, and dedication made our time in Cortona an absolute highlight of our lives. We cannot recommend this Villa highly enough and look forward to returning one day to relive the wonderful memories.

Taylor staying in Villa Cortona. Jul 2024
Villa Cortona

Villa Cortona

“ Fairy Tale Family Experience ”

A magical two weeks at Villa Cortona. My wife and I celebrated our 70th birthdays by taking our children and grandchildren to Tuscany for two weeks. My grandson thought we were living in a palace and asked if there was a moat! Alessandra and Federico are without exception, the warmest most attentive hosts we've ever experienced among the dozens of rental properties we've engaged over the years. We asked many questions and made a few requests during our stay and they responded every time immediately, fulfilling each one. The housekeeping is immaculate. Each bedroom is unique and amazing as are the bathrooms. Complete privacy on this large estate yet close enough that some of our adult children walked into Cortona one day. The outdoor canopied patio is spectacular and we enjoyed most of our meals there. The pool is huge and perfectly maintained. This was a bucket list trip for my family and this Villa met and exceeded our high expectations.

Steven staying in Villa Cortona. Jun 2023
Villa Cortona

Villa Cortona

“ Dream vacation in Tuscany! ”

Wow! Dream vacation in Tuscany! The entire family spent the entire week in this amazing Tuscan Villa and enjoyed every minute of it. We were a total of 15 people of all ages and everyone just loved it. The villa is very clean and fit well with the surrounding. The pool is big and fun and the area around the Villa was great for a walk or a jog. The Owners are fantastic! I definitely recommend this place!

William S. staying in Villa Cortona. Jul 2018
Trullo Olievo

Trullo Olievo

“ Beautiful ”

The trullo was not just an accomodation, but a whole experience thanks to the attention for each little detail! Beautiful interiors equipped with all the facilities we needed for our group of 7 and a gorgeous outdoor space with pool and olives. It was a great base for us to explore some key destinations in the area: Alberobello, Polignano, Monopoli and Ostuni (by car). We also appreciated the excellent communication with our hosts and the additional support they offered us - as our plane landed really late, they supported with groceries shopping, so in the moment we arrived at the trullo everything was waiting for us.

Ana-Maria, Romania staying in Trullo Olievo. Sep 2023
Alloro

Alloro

“ Alloro ”

The house was super and beautiful views from almost every window. It is very peaceful. Claudio is a wonderful host. The pool is very inviting.

The hill was a little too much for my husband to walk up, and we had to be careful with the hire car as the lane is very narrow, but in no way did that distract from the wonderful stay at Alloro

Janet Brodie-Savoy staying in Alloro. Jul 2025
Alloro

Alloro

“ Four gals from NZ ”

The villa has been so peaceful, loved the pool, the views, the setting and all the folk we have met in the village have been so friendly and welcomed us all warmly. For a small village it is very well-appointed, perfectly located and has all the facilities and services we needed. And we didn't have enough time to explore all the places we could have visited....next time, will need to stay a month!

Michele and friends! staying in Alloro. Jun 2025
Alloro

Alloro

“ Beautiful ”

The apartment, in a beautiful old house a 5-minute walk from the tiny village of Paciano, is quiet and comfortable, with lovely outdoor spaces, gardens and pool. Claudio and Dario were super helpful when we needed anything, including guiding us to the property from the village and showing us around the house, suggesting restaurants etc. Saskia was also responsive and helpful. We would definitely visit again.

Basia, NY staying in Alloro. Sep 2024
Il Mulino

Il Mulino

“ A Perfect Umbrian Escape ”

We have had an absolutely fantastic stay at Il Mulino and cannot recommend it highly enough.

The villa is simply stunning—beautifully restored, full of character and set in the most peaceful surroundings. From the moment we arrived, it felt like a true escape. Every day started with coffee overlooking the countryside and ended with a glass of local wine as the sun went down. It really is a special place.

The pool is outstanding and became the centrepiece of our holiday. It’s immaculately maintained, a great size and the perfect place to relax after exploring the beautiful towns and villages of Umbria.

The villa itself is exceptionally well equipped, spotlessly clean and has everything needed for a comfortable stay. It’s clear that a great deal of care has gone into creating such a welcoming home, and it strikes the perfect balance between authentic Umbrian charm and modern comfort.

We spent the week visiting places such as Assisi, Gubbio, Montone and Lake Trasimeno, all within easy reach, making Il Mulino the perfect base for exploring this beautiful region.

If you’re looking for peace, privacy, breathtaking scenery and an authentic Italian countryside experience, you won’t find many places better than this. We have made some wonderful memories here and would return without hesitation.

Thank you for sharing such an incredible property with us—we sincerely hope to visit again.

Joseph and family staying in il Mulino. Jul 2026
Il Mulino

Il Mulino

“ Il Mulino ”

It's a really lovely spot, the house was great, lovely pool (good size), the kitchen well equipped.

Brilliant listening to the frogs in the morning!

The journey down from the main road is quite steep. The main bedroom and 2nd bedroom were lovely, tho 3rd bedroom was small and not v comfortable.

The privacy and seclusion, the local woods etc - just perfect.

Jane P and family staying in Il Mulino. Jun 2026
Il Mulino

Il Mulino

“ Perfect Days ”

It was our second stay at Il Mulino and we really enjoyed it again. If you are looking for peaceful tranquility combined with a high standard of comfort, you´ll find it here. You are in the middle of the forest and feel safe and secure, surrounded by light and warmth. Great!

See you again, Michael, Jule and Leander

Michael and family staying in Il Mulino. Aug 2025
Il Mulino

Il Mulino

“ Amazing ”

Beautiful, remote and clean. Wonderful family vacation with all the lovely villages close by to visit.

Heather and family staying in Il Mulino. Jul 2025
Il Mulino

Il Mulino

“ Un séjour très agréable à Il Mulino ”

Un séjour très agréable à Il Mulino, au coeur de la campagne ombrienne. La maison est très belle, au calme au coeur de la vallée. Elle est très bien équipée, et le contact est très fluide avec le propriétaire et le gestionnaire. Nous avons passé 15 jours formidables.


A very pleasant stay at Il Mulino, in the heart of the Umbrian countryside. The house is beautiful, peacefully located in the heart of the valley. It is very well equipped, and communication with the owner and manager is very smooth. We had a wonderful 15 days.

Fabien and family staying in Il Mulino. Jul 2025
Il Mulino

Il Mulino

“ Wonderful Stay ”

Thank you to the Invitation to Tuscany team for a wonderful stay in Il Mulino, Umbria.

Our villa was heavenly, beautifully decorated, in a quiet wooded valley and our housekeeper Stefania was delightful.

The helpful interactions with Laura on the team in Italy about the details were great in advance, the villa was immaculately clean upon and we loved our welcome gift.

We enjoyed a really wonderful and memorable family holiday, our only regret is that we only booked one week! We would love to return, thank you!

Louisa Stone staying in Il Mulino. Jun 2025
Il Mulino

Il Mulino

“ Es einfach gar nichts auszusetzen ”

Wir haben sehr viel Erfahrung mit Ferienhäusern, aber in diesem Fall gibt es einfach gar nichts auszusetzen. Für jede Stunde des Tages gibt es einen geeigneten Platz im Haus, am Haus, ums Haus herum. Ob man es in der Sonne mag oder im Halbschatten, alles ist möglich. Die Gesamtatmosphäre, die sich aus absoluter Ruhe, Wald, Haus, Stil und Ausstattung ergibt, ist ungemein harmonisch und entspannend. Wenn man den Ort betritt ist man sofort im Urlaub. Wunderbar! Also ein großes Lob an die Vermieter für dieses gelungene Ferienerlebnis. Vielen Dank. Mit den besten Grüßen, Michael, Jule und Leander

We have a lot of experience with holiday homes, but in this case there is simply nothing to complain about. For every hour of the day there is a suitable place in the house, on the house, around the house. Whether you like it in the sun or in the shade, everything is possible. The overall atmosphere, which results from absolute peace, forest, house, style and furnishings, is incredibly harmonious and relaxing. When you enter the place you are immediately on holiday. Wonderful! So a big compliment to the landlords for this successful holiday experience.

Michael and family, Germany staying in il Mulino. Aug 2024
Il Mulino

Il Mulino

“ Maison chaleureuse où l’on se sent comme chez soi ”

Une semaine pour se ressourcer en famille dans une maison très agréable, chaleureuse où l’on se sent comme chez soi. Décoration raffinée. Le calme absolu.

A week to recharge your batteries with your family in a very pleasant, warm house where you feel at home. Refined decoration. Absolute calm.

Charlotte & family staying in Il Mulino. Aug 2024
Il Mulino

Il Mulino

“ Perfect place to get away ”

Great house in the middle of the forest and great valley. Perfect place to get away. Housekeeper Stefanie was nice and always ready to help.

Enjoyed our stay very much.

Phillip and family from Belgium staying in Il Mulino. Jul 2024
Il Mulino

Il Mulino

“ Perfect location for total peace and quiet ”

Arrived following a week near the coast. The mill is a perfect location for total peace and quiet. The pool was well used. For day trips we'd recommend Gubbio, Perugia, Assisi and the lake/beach at Passignano. We enjoyed star gazing one night and saw shooting stars. A fabulous holiday, thank you.

Charlotte, Jeremy and family from Enfield, UK staying in Il Mulino. Aug 2018
Il Mulino

Il Mulino

“ Beautiful Valley ”

Our second visit, lovely as ever! So good to be back in this beautiful valley.

Hildegaard Family from Copenhagen staying in il Mulino. Jul 2017
Il Mulino

Il Mulino

“ Fantastic relaxing holiday ”

Fantastic relaxing holiday. Loved the Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, so much we visited it twice! Also, loved visiting the Alberto Burri exhibitions (2 musuems) in Città di Castello. Thank you!

Andrew & Family from London staying in il Mulino. Jul 2017
Salvestro

Salvestro

“ We had a fabulous time ”

We had a fabulous time here and you made it a very special exeperience for us. Your place is beautiful and the meals and the service we received was excellent. Thank you for everything.

John, UK staying in Salvestro. May 2022
Casa Umbra

Casa Umbra

“ Unbelievable location with a spotless swimming pool ”

Very charming and helpful villa owners. Not easy to find with villa directions issued by London company - very steep access , much better suited to a 4 by 4 or car with high ground clearance .

Comfortable villa with plenty of indoor and outdoor space - plenty of bathrooms . Kitchen could do with additional small saucepans - ( only frying pans available ) Bed mattresses were hard - could do with the option of toppers ! However the views are amazing and the swimming pool is kept immaculately. Additional towels for the swimming pool would be beneficial. Todi was a picturesque local town with a choice of many eating places . Would visit villa again.


Thanks Ilona, directions now corrected.

Ilona and family staying in Casa Umbra. Jun 2026
Casa Umbra

Casa Umbra

“ October stay at Casa Umbra ”

Located in the beautiful Tuscan hills of Morre, Todi, Casa Umbra is an amazing retreat. We visited in October so spent much of our time walking the local area of Collelungo, Izzalini and Todi and enjoying the views from the villa in the evenings with a glass of wine, before settling in by the fire. The villa does also have an amazing outdoor pool and we will definitely be back to visit in the summer months when we can take advantage of this too. Mario and Valentina are amazing hosts and very kind, thoughtful people. They were so helpful in suggesting things for us to do, as well as giving us lifts to places and delivering groceries to the villa, whilst also allowing us all the space we needed to enjoy the villa. We had a hire car so were wary of driving too much on the paths leading up to the villa (which are very steep and gravelled) so we were very grateful for their help. We can’t wait to return to Casa Umbra again, it is a truly special place!

Connor and family from UK staying in Casa Umbra. Oct 2025
Casa Umbra

Casa Umbra

“ Gorgeous, secluded house ”

This house is so beautiful and serene, surrounded by trees and the sound of cicadas and with a lovely view of rolling Umbrian hills. With thick stone walls it remains fairly cool irrespective of the surrounding temperature, and there is a good air flow through the house once doors and windows are open. The large pool is fabulous and warms nicely in the sun, but has the benefit of being increasingly shaded as the afternoon wears on. It is easy to spend the day lolling around the house without the need to go anywhere. But there are things to do: the area is very rural and sparsely populated, but the stunning hill towns of Todi and Orvieto are in relatively easy reach and there are numerous other places a bit further away.

Mario, the host, is very kind and helpful. He is able to offer recommendations of all kinds, and attends quickly to any questions or issues.

The road to the house is indeed a genuine challenge - I expected it to be a minor issue, but the steep and unpaved sections would likely be beyond the capability of smaller cars. I think Mario is working to pave the whole road (in which case it will be steep but otherwise perfectly fine) but is awaiting relevant permissions. The access road and other potholed roads around Umbria somewhat shredded our car's front tyres, which needed replacing in a Norauto garage before driving back to the UK.

David & family from UK staying in Casa Umbra. Jul 2023
Casa Umbra

Casa Umbra

“ Idyllic retreat ”

We loved our stay at Casa Umbra, a wonderful spacious rustic house and fabulous clean large pool, surrounded by wonderful countryside, wild flowers, butterflies and birds. Lovely walk up behind the house.

Our host Mario went out of his way to ensure all our needs were met, provided recommendations for local events/places, introduced ours kids to his horses and helped arrange a private yoga instructor/masseur visit. Yet at the same time did not intrude at all.

The area of umbria also proved very enjoyable with trips to Todi, Asissi & Spello, Orvieto and Marmore Falls by Terni. Plenty options for vineyard, olive farm, horse riding visits also.

Highly recommend Kairos restaurant in Izzalini, just short drive away.

When booking you are warned about the road and type of car to use to get to the house, this is genuine advice and should be heeded. The house is off the beaten track but 100% worth it !

Carmel & family staying in Casa Umbra. Jun 2023
Casa Umbra

Casa Umbra

“ Blissful retreat ”

Casa Umbra is the perfect setting for a peaceful and relaxing break. Nestled in the hillside, surrounded by nature and incredible views, it really does offer a everything you need for a complete getaway. We could not have asked for a better place to enjoy Southern Umbria. The access road is steep, so a larger car (4X4) is recommended.

Anonymous from UK staying in Casa Umbra. Sep 2022
Casa Umbra

Casa Umbra

“ We had a very relaxing stay ”

You will need to take care with the road leading to the accommodation as it can be steep and narrow in parts. But the villa is in an enviable location with excellent views of the surrounding hills and villages. We had a very relaxing stay. The kitchen is excellent, well equipped and very convenient for cooking. Bedroom very comfortable. The swimming pool is wonderful, with good sun-beds, and we liked very much the hammocks on the lawn at the front of the villa. There are a number of places outside to eat, so you can choose depending upon the time of day. Mario is a very welcoming, helpful and generous host, always available but also very conscious for the privacy of the guests.

D.C. staying in Casa Umbra. Dec 2018
Casa Umbra

Casa Umbra

“ It is just a wonderful place... ”

It is just a wonderfull place, beautifull villa with a very nice, romantic view of the small walley and surrounding hills. Ideal for families looking for silent place in umbrian nature. We spent there 1 week which was not enough for us. I would recommend to stay for 2 or even more weeks so you can discover the whole area and enjoy umbrian food, nature, history...one thing should be highlighted here, the owner - Mario Santoro. His helpfull attitude and personlity made our stay much more pleasant. Thank you

M.O. staying in Casa Umbra. Oct 2017
Casa Umbra

Casa Umbra

“ ..the perfect hideaway in Italy's heartland ”

Located on a remote hill with a stunning view of the breathtaking landscape of Umbria, the Casa Umbra is the perfect hideaway in Italy's heartland. The elegant and luxurious residence is fully equipped with everything one needs for a perfect vacation. One can relax by the pool or read in one of the hammocks overlooking the hillside. The three bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms are spacious and provide perfect privacy even when sharing the house. The kitchen is fully equipped and even though one is fully surrounded by nature there is a fast internet connection, a TV and telephone. While it could be easy to loose oneself in the serenity of the place and just never leave the villa, one is still very close to the gems of Italian art and culture. Beautiful must see towns such as Todi, Orvieto, Perugia, and Assisi are just a short drive away and offer fantastic dining and outstanding cultural experiences. Me and my family would have loved to stay the whole summer and hope to come back soon.

N.D. staying in Casa Umbra. May 2017
Casa Umbra

Casa Umbra

“ Time at this Villa is simply remarkable ”

Time at this Villa is simply remarkable. The food, the staff, the hospitality, the comfort and the view are simply unmatched

C.T. staying in Casa Umbra. Aug 2017
Casa Umbra

Casa Umbra

“ One of the most beautiful places in the world! ”

One of the most beautiful places in the world! Peaceful surrounding, ideally arranged villa with exceptionally good taste, never ending visual and physical pleasure. To come back and experience again and again

K.I. staying in Casa Umbra. Dec 2017
Casa Umbra

Casa Umbra

“ A marvellously tranquil part of Umbria... ”

A marvellously tranquil part of Umbria, and a great house high on a hill. I have spent happy days there, and highly recommend it. Day trips to great places are to be found in every direction. I only hesitate to recommend it because I want to keep it to myself!

W.A.E. staying in Casa Umbra. Dec 2017
Villa Ponte

Villa Ponte

“ Our stay here was out of this world ”

Our stay here was out of this world. We had such a great time splashing by the pool and eating delicious foos. You are such sweet people and made our trip something we will always treasure. We are so apperciative of what you've done for us to make everything just perfect! We loved Lucca and enjoyed every moment of our trip. We had a wonderful time celebrating Nancy and Bob's 50th wedding anniversary we couldn't have asked for a better way to relax and explore Italy.

Adeline, US staying in Villa Ponte. Jun 2022
Oliveta

Oliveta

“ We can’t wait to return! ”

We spent a week in Oliveta and we can’t wait to return! The interiors are incredibly refined, with a perfect balance between Tuscan tradition and modern comfort. The bedrooms are huge, the beds are extremely comfortable, and the bathrooms feel like a private spa. The living room was perfect for cozy evenings. The outdoor space is just as spectacular—immaculate gardens, beautifully scented flowers, and a breathtaking view of the rolling hills. The heated pool is a true luxury, ideal for relaxing at any time of the day. A special thanks to Chef Pietro that made our dinner unforgettable! Last but not least we love tennis and having the tennis courts at our disposal was such a great thing!

Charles staying in Oliveta. Aug 2024
Oliveta

Oliveta

“ Simply stunning! ”

What can I say… Oliveta is simply STUNNING! It looked amazing in the photos, but in person, it’s even better. The interiors are a perfect blend of elegance and comfort: spacious rooms, refined furnishings, and every little detail carefully thought out. The garden is a dream, a peaceful oasis with perfect spots to relax in the shade of olive trees. The heated pool was the cherry on top—taking a swim at sunset with a view of the Tuscan hills was an unforgettable experience. Special mention to Barbara that took care of our stay and organized service and activities for us! If you're looking for a place to unwind and enjoy Tuscany to the fullest, this villa is the best choice. We’ll definitely be back!

Carol staying in Oliveta. May 2024
Rocca

Rocca

“ A lovely place ”

A lovely place. The house is better than what you see in the pictures. All excellent. An unforgettable week.

Angela staying in Rocca. Jun 2023
Villa Bosco

Villa Bosco

“ A 5 star review ”

This is the first time in years (or maybe ever) I am writing a 5 star review for any form of hotel, villa, or accommodation - and I would give 6 stars if I could! I had an amazing and truly memorable time at Villa Bosco (Villa Vetrichina). The villa and rooms were amazing, and Patrizia took care of every single detail to perfection. Chef Francesco's daily cooking was also amazing, some of the best food I had in Tuscany, or Italy for that matter. Aurora also did an excellent job throughout. All of them were super warm and welcoming.

Patrizia was also very knowledgeable about Tuscany and the region, and I really enjoyed her personalised recommendations - right down even to the detail of which specific roads were smoother paved and more scenic. An unforgettable place to relax and enjoy Tuscany! Thank you!!

Daryl staying in Villa Bosco. Aug 2024
Villa Bosco

Villa Bosco

“ One of the best experiences we have had ”

Villa Bosco in Tuscany was probably one of the best experiences we have had of renting villas all over Europe. We were 3 families, 6 grown-ups and 7 children aged 2-14 and we had a wonderful 3 week vacation at the villa. First of all the environment is perfect as advertised: A beautiful old farmhouse, renovated with all modern amenities – excellent bathrooms, showers, and bidets air conditioning in all the rooms (note: electricity for A/C charged separately), very comfortable beds, most of them extra-large by European standards, beautiful old furnishings but practical and useful. The kitchen is fully equipped with all cooking utensils, dishes, flatware, large refrigerator, dish washer and of course a large dining room with a table that seated 13 easily. The swimming pool was also fantastic – clear water, large, many pool toys and accessories available, pool furniture including many armchairs – a real joy to escape the heat in hot days. Many other amenities: table tennis, outside gazebo with full dining table, outside grill and barbeque, and more. Our only remark was that the 2 TV sets in the lounges could have been a bigger… The villa itself is arranged with groupings of 1, 2,3 bedrooms so that families can have an “area” to themselves and yet join the whole group for meals, evenings, etc. What made the stay so special was our host Patrizia and her chef Francesco. She really made the difference making this experience so unique. She lives next door and always available for any requestproblem. Every request was met with a smile and the team made all attempts to satisfy all our requests. During our stay we had an incident where one of our group fell and wounded her head, she was taken care by Francesco who eventually called an ambulance, was taken to the hospital, stitched, and returned after a few hours. Wonderful care, as good as can be expected. We ordered a few dinners cooked by Francesco – highly recommended, excellent food, Italian delicacies both local and national – to say nothing of the calorie-full desserts. Our only complaint was that there was too much food at these meals. Needless to say, the children got special dishes, always with a smile and an effort to please. In summary, this villa warrants 6 stars – not 5 and we are sure that anyone who chooses it will not regret it and enjoy every minute.

Silia, UK staying in Villa Bosco. Jun 2022
Torretta

Torretta

“ Right size, right layout and the right distance from town. ”

We had a great time at the villa. It was perfect for us. Right size, right layout and the right distance from town. All super clean and tidy.

Supplies when we arrived was a nice touch.

A particular standout point was the local team all of whom were really good, they did everything we asked in terms of restaurant bookings, bike hire etc.

The pool was perfect.

It’s a great location.

David and Family, UK staying in Torretta. Aug 2023
San Martino

San Martino

“ Memorable and truly special ”

My friends and I stayed at this property for a milestone birthday trip and had a really nice time. Our host was fantastic and helped with organizing day trips and other activities before we arrived making our stay Both memorable and truly special. The property itself is very large and has a wonderful view and is even larger than it seems in the photos. We enjoyed a cooking lesson and a chef prepared dinner during our visit, all arranged by our host and enjoyed at the villa. Our only issue was that our one week stay was too short and we had a packed itinerary! The location is a bit remote and we had some difficulty driving around, but it was worth it for the amazing location and views. I would highly recommend the villa and Timeless Tuscany to anyone planning a trip to Italy and hope that I will be able to return again to enjoy the amazing scenery, food and wine.

Su C. staying in San Martino. Oct 2024
San Martino

San Martino

“ So much more than expected. ”

So much more than expected. The house complete with panoramic view, pool and spa help make memories to last a lifetime. Big thanks to Cinzia for all her arrangements, dinner prepared in the villa and cooking class with personal chef Vieri, amazing! Five stars

Larna S. staying in San Martino. Jul 2023
Guardiano

Guardiano

“ my personal favourite so far ”

A very lovely house and garden- my personal favourite so far after many years visiting Umbria and Tuscany. Travel books etc now out of date but most people will bring their own maps, guidebooks etc. Also it would be useful to update the informationm on local trattorias/gelaterias, etc- with accurate closing days/times - e.g., the nice piazzeria/gelateria/trattoria in Civitella was closed several days in the week but we had to work this out by trial and error. Some personal recommendations on 'basic' and more 'sophisicated' places to eat would be helpful!

Nigel & family, UK staying in Guardiano. Jul 2022
Guardiano

Guardiano

“ Wonderful Holiday ”

We couldn’t fault the house or location. Everything was wonderful. The views from the house and the pool are spectacular. It was so hot that air conditioning would have been nice but I think it was unusually hot. We’d come back but maybe earlier in the year when it is sub 40 dc

Tim and family, UK staying in Guardiano. Jul 2022
Guardiano

Guardiano

“ ..the property was fantastic ”

we had a great time at Guardiano thanks.

We thought the property was fantastic – the location, pool and gardens are absolutely beautiful. The beds were comfortable and the living area worked really well for us. It was very good value for money. The following are not complaints just what they could add for very little cost (with the exception of replacing the sun loungers – that would be costly) and would make a big difference.

Nice big glass tumblers for Gin and Tonic (we are British after all 😉 ) we ended up buying some large wine glasses that we left there. Bottle of wine in fridge on arrival – nothing fancy – we arrived at 7 on Saturday evening and would have loved a drink before going out for dinner and didn’t fancy going to the supermarket immediately. Pasta machine! (I cook on holiday 😉) I should have asked beforehand – I bet Luciana and John would have been happy to lend me theirs. Pool loungers that you can turn over on – the ones there you can only tan your front – failing that, cushions to put behind your head on the sun loungers to make it easier to read a book whilst reclining. Small soaps in the bathrooms would be nice.

We loved all 3 of the restaurants we went to in Civitella. Antico Borgo on the one night it rained.

Enoteca Ristorante il Vicolo was great, bit more expensive than it’s cheap and cheerful neighbour that was also great but can’t remember the name of it so that’s not very helpful – they’re both in the same little piazza at the top of the steps when you first park and walk up to Civitella.

Luciana and John were great – very welcoming.

Definitely a property I would recommend to friends – even without any of the above additions.


Staff Comment: "Thanks Penny, I'll let Luciana know about your comments, I'm sure they can find some larger glasses for the G&Ts and I agree a bottle of wine on arrival would be welcome. Thanks again and we're delighted you enjoyed it!"

P.C. staying in Guardiano. Nov 2017
Guardiano

Guardiano

“ A thoroughly amazing place and two lovely owners ”

Luciana and John were fantastic, as was Guardiano! Both the house and especially the pool area left for nothing, we were so delighted all round that we have done a very rare thing, in regards to promising to return there again in some future year (we never go to the same place twice 😉).

Positive constructive feedback is hard to suggest! The only things I can offer are:

A larger draining board area (being only two of us we did not want to waste water using the dishwasher) The mattress in the blue/green room was not as high quality as in the master bedroom (noisy springs) Unfortunately some rather large and persistent wasps had nested in the watchtower so we were unable to use that during our stay (but to be expected in the country)

A thoroughly amazing place and two lovely owners!


from Dan: "Thank you for your comments - we will pass the advice on to the owners so they can act on it. Particularly getting rid of the wasps!"

S.F. staying in Guardiano. Nov 2017
Guardiano

Guardiano

“ ....suited us very well indeed ”

Guardiano and its gardens and view are beautiful and suited us very well indeed. We loved the historic and rustic nature of the building and some of the quirkier restorations. The pool, the gardens and the chance encounters with wild boar and deer made it quite an experience for us Londoners.

We fell in love with Civitella although it really wasn't walkable because it was on road but once there it is very magical and Il Vicciolo restaurant was superb.

JoAnn Warren was brilliant at helping get us to a vet in Arezzo when one of our dogs injured her paws and giving us a heads up about a national holiday on the Friday when we were there.

There was no information in the house about recommended local restaurants or places of interest and markets/festivals etc. although lots of maps and brochures and some recommendations could be taken from the visitors book. It would be good to provide more!

J.D. and family (and dogs!) staying in Guardiano.
Guardiano

Guardiano

“ The cottage was idyllic ”

The cottage was idyllic, absolutely perfect, the peace, the quiet, the view, the beautiful tower where we ate every day. The swimming pool was probably the best we've ever had anywhere. I would recommend it to anyone who just wants to get away from it all. We will be back.

Mr. I.G. and family, UK staying in Guardiano. Dec 2015
Guardiano

Guardiano

“ ...a great stay at Guardiano ”

We had a great stay at Guardiano recently. The house has been beautifully restored and the peaceful surroundings of the gardens and immediate area was just what we were looking for. The salt water swimming pool was lovely as was the pool area. The various eating areas were excellent especially the converted loft away from the house. We had a lovely relaxing quiet stay.

Mrs. R.H. and family, UK staying in Guardiano. Apr 2015
Orologio

Orologio

“ We can’t wait to come back! ”

Thank you again for our family’s amazing experience at Orologio last summer. The home was truly remarkable; one of the oldest and most important Villas in the Lucca area, but also stunningly beautiful and comfortable. The modern comforts, like air conditioning, and the beautiful large swimming pool made the visit more comfortable, and, for the kids, lots more fun! We appreciated all of your travel tips, and loved the private chef you arranged for us (we talk about how much we miss the chef regularly!!). Thank you again, we can’t wait to come back!

Sharps Family, US staying in Orologio. Aug 2019
Argentum

Argentum

“ Quiet, quaint, and quintessential Italian! ”

Our apartment at Villa San Miniato, outside the beautiful city of San Miniato, was a quiet country oasis. It was so clean, so quiet and so charming. Complete with a beautiful pool - with a view of San Miniato in the distance - the whole villa was quaint, beautifully restored and so comfortable.

Lastly, the manager - Francesco - was so personable and helpful. He was the perfect host, helping us and advising us when needed, and giving us privacy to enjoy the Tuscan countryside. Villa San Miniato was wonderful; I highly recommend to anyone who wants to enjoy Tuscany, and spend day trips in nearby Florence, Pisa, and Lucca.

Damian Savarino staying in Argentum. Jun 2026
Argentum

Argentum

“ A great experience ”

Fantastic place for family. Excelent service and great standard. Perfect pool for families with kids. Great basecamp for visiting Pisa, Lucca, Firenze and Siena. The place is on a hill top and even in high temperatures there is slways a chilling wind.

Morten from Norway staying in Argentum. Jul 2023
Modernista

Modernista

“ Modernista's location is perfect ”

11 days, 2 families, 4 adults. Large 1950's stylish family house with super, airy living/ dining space and well equipped kitchen. Suite of beds and bathrooms in two wings giving good separation and privacy. Fantastic views, fabulous olive orchard and garden, good sized pool, seating everywhere, complete privacy, quiet, peaceful, 360* sun/ shade facing all day. Just a stroll away from a small, beautiful, (non-touristy, non-commercial) village centre with cafe-shop for basic amenities (bread and pastries, etc) and great restaurant, Le Cantine. Arezzo is full of character with more excellent restaurants and a hypermarket. Modernista's location is perfect for the many touristy sights but we couldn't really drag ourselves away from such a chill-out space.

Nigel S. staying in Modernista. Jun 2024
Modernista

Modernista

“ I cannot recommend it enough ”

Let me start by saying that I have had the pleasure of staying in many villas throughout Italy. I have to say my stay at Modernista was joyous the property was better than I anticipated. The rooms were airy and modern and the pool was a great resource. The location in the small town of Peregine Valdarno was perfect enabling us to walk into the town for basic shopping and the bar in the evening and the restaurant. Yet it was only a short drive away from Florence and Siena. Our hosts were attentive and helpful and in no way intrusive. The whole region is wonderful and for me Certona was an unexpected bonus as was Civitella. Modernista helped me connect with Italians and the Italian ways in a way I have not been able to from other tourist type villas. I cannot recommend it enough.

Mr. T.M. with family and friends, UK staying in Modernista. Feb 2015
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ The location was perfect ”

As far as our stay at Castelonchio is concerned it was a lovely two weeks. The location was perfect for seeing that part of Umbria and for whatever wanted to do. The villa was clean and comfortable and very well equipped. The master bedroom in particular was extremely comfortable.

The gardens and outdoor spaces were so well thought out and the pool was perfect. The views from the house and terraces of Lake Trasimeno were stunning.

We cannot find any fault with the accommodation at all. In addition, what made our stay so special was our hosts, Barry and Karen. They were so welcoming and generous in every way. The thoughtful provision of wine and groceries for our arrival, their concern to make sure we were comfortable and had all the information we needed for maximum enjoyment of our holiday and our time spent with them and being included in an evening with their neighbours.

Thank you Karen and Barry so much. We are quite seasoned travellers. We have never experienced hosts who perfectly balanced being helpful and attentive and also unobtrusive.

Claire Potter staying in Castelonchio. Sep 2025
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ Lovely place to stay ”

Barry & Karen are excellent hosts with a wealth of knowledge of places to visit while staying.

The property is beautifully restored with lovely gardens to explore. The pool is refreshing and well maintained. The absence of chlorine a benefit.

Well equipped kitchen.

The ceiling fans work excellently and I see no need for air conditioning as these fans kept us cool overnight with temperatures of 24+ on some nights.

Justin Kempson staying in Castelonchio. Jul 2025
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ Barry and Karen are the consummate hosts ”

Barry and Karen are the consummate hosts. Attentive. Caring. And still provide the privacy. The house is well appointed and situated.

Beth Dickstein staying in Castelonchio. Jun 2025
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ Beautiful Umbrian house with a view ”

We had a truly wonderful two week stay at Castelonchio and we highly recommend this beautiful house. The house is set in the hills, close to the olive groves, with spectacular views of Umbria and Lake Tresimeno before it. We arrived in the heatwave of July so we were very grateful for the overhead fans in most of the rooms. The bedrooms were all a good size, with nice furniture, while the kitchen is small but functional, with everything you need in it. And the owners gave us a great starter pack, which included local wine, olive oil, butter, milk and juice amongst other things. It's all very tastefully kitted out, and the insect screens on all the windows were especially appreciated. The saltwater pool area is just beautiful, with lavender bushes on one side and the olive groves on the other. Perfect place to relax with a book :-) The lovely owners, Barry and Karen, live onsite (the villa is semi-detached - the rented side looks out to the lake view, whilst their side looks out to the pool and olive groves), and they were so kind; eager to help with suggestions about where to visit and eat out, and they shared some delicious locally grown vegetables with us from their neighbours. They also gave our son a card and a bottle of Prosecco for his 21st birthday, which was very thoughtful indeed. In terms of the region, there is just so much to see and do. Highlights: 1) Taking the small ferry out to Lake Maggiore, walking up to the church, then having a swim at the small beach before enjoying a lovely lunch overlooking the lake at L'Oso. 2) Visiting all the old medieval towns in both Umbria and Tuscany such at Assisi, Montepulciano, Pienza (stunning views across the D'Orcia Valley), Gubbio, Cortona and the most local towns of Passignano sul Trasimeno (fun lakeside town about 15 mins drive away) and Castiglione del Lago (hillside town about 20 mins drive away). We loved all of them. 3) We drove from England so we also enjoyed stopping off at Colmar in France, then Lucca and Sienna en-route to the house. 4) We had many lovely warm evenings eating out on the terrace, playing games, and enjoying the wonderful views, the beautiful sunsets to the west, and all of the fantastic Italian wine and food! 5) A standout day for our kids was a trip to the Frasassi Caves over on the east side of Umbria - they were blown away by the magnitude and beauty of these grottoes (about 1hr 15 mins drive).

All in all, it was a very successful holiday - thank you so much, Karen and Barry :-)

Louise and Family staying in Castelonchio. Jul 2025
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ An idyllic stay in lovely rural Umbria ”

We had an idyllic stay in lovely rural Umbria. The villa was perfect for our rough and tumble family with 2 little divas.

We have had a very nice time, we saw a lizard city! We loved Assisi and Isola Maggiore, the gelato was yummy (from B)

Daniel and family staying in Castelonchio. Oct 2024
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ A real haven ”

We have had such a special, relaxing time in your wonderful place. It has been well worth travelling 18,441 km (Hamilton New Zealand to Perugia). Thank you for being the perfect hosts, with welcoming food & delicious wine, not to mention the fantastic olive oil. I shall miss your lovely pod, the garden and such a well-designed house. A real haven.

Many a Guardian crossword was solved under the beautiful holm oak, thank you.

Wendy & Mark, NZ staying in Castelonchio. Aug 2024
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ A perfect spot for a relaxing stress-free Italian holiday ”

Castelonchio is a lovely villa for a family or small group of friends. It is conveniently situated near Lake Trasimeno, only half an hour from Perugia. The little local town of Tuoro is walkable and the grocery store/supermarket is conveniently close by. There are stunning hill top towns nearby and many other wonderful tourist sites in the vicinity. The villa itself is a beautiful two storied stone building, an old farmhouse that has been re-built sympathetically, with very good layout and lots of space. The house has lovely furnishings and a kitchen equipped with all you could need. Also very welcome, were the insect screens on all the windows. Best of all, there are lots of outside areas with comfortable chairs and tables for dining and lounging. We spent a lot of time lazing under the old holm oak near the kitchen. The grounds are spacious and lovely, set among the wider olive groves, and the pool is a great size: big enough for serious lap swimming, or just for soaking. Barry and Karen, our hosts, were very welcoming and discreet, but helpful when we asked for information, and good company when we wanted it. Their olive oil is spectacularly good, and in ready supply. We bought lots of tins to carry home. This was a memorable holiday, and just the place for quiet rest and recuperation. We will definitely be back!

Ms M.R, NZ staying in Castelonchio. Aug 2024
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ A Wonderful Place ”

Can't say enough good things about this property and the people who own it. It is such a great spot. The villa is spacious and well equipped with great beds, overhead fans in every room and two full bathrooms. It's nestled in an olive grove (they make their own olive oil!) on a quiet road that doesn't get much traffic. The salt water pool was amazing and a great place to hang out on some of those super hot days.

Barry and Karen are wonderful hosts, available when we had questions, and full of local information and recommendations for places to visit and restaurants to get a good meal.

The location is absolutely perfect if you want to spend time in some of the medieval villages in the area. Cortona is 20 minutes away, Montepulciano is about 30 minutes away. Orvieto, which has an amazing cathedral, is about 50 minutes. The nearby village of Tuoro is a short drive, or a 20 minute walk away...

Lago de Trasimino is about a 25 minute walk from the villa, and there's a ferry you can catch there to Isola Maggiore...a small island with some churches, restaurants and very good gelato. We would happily return when we visit Italy again.

David & family staying in Castelonchio. Jul 2024
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ Our stay was wonderful ”

Our stay was wonderful.  The house works perfectly for a family of adults with plenty of outdoor areas to have individual space plus communal areas to dine and play.  The large pool and table tennis table were much appreciated by us all and the grounds of the house are beautifully maintained under the guidance of Karen’s expert eye. The peace and views from Castelonchio are very special and we fully appreciate why our hosts chose this particular plot.

We must say a special thank you to Barry and Karen for their care and attention during our stay. Barry was like a personal concierge and having insider knowledge of the area meant we made so much more of our time in Umbria. We enjoyed meeting them both and appreciate how hard they work behind the scenes (no doubt in full olive harvest mode as I type).

The temperatures were hot during our stay and perhaps air conditioning in the upstairs rooms would have been a bonus but the ceiling fans were indeed a relief and we understand the prohibitive cost and practicalities of aircon.

As with our holiday in 2023 we very much appreciated your help in choosing a location that worked for us. Villa Castelonchio is in a superb spot for accessing local villages and also in easy distance of many Umbrian and Tuscan gems. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.

Julie & family, UK staying in Castelonchio. Jun 2024
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ Beautiful farmhouse in great location. ”

We really enjoyed our stay at Villa Castelonchio, from the moment we arrived until the day we left Barry and Karen made our stay extremely comfortable and their thoughtful touches throughout enhanced our enjoyment. There was a very generous welcome pack of food stuffs, extremely useful info in a binder about day trips with valuable info about where to park in busy Tuscan towns! They even left the equivalent of a nectar card for the local supermarket (excellent Gala, 2 mins drive away) attached to a key ring for extra discount on our shopping. I went with two young grandchildren and B&K had organised two cots and a high chair for us.

As our stay went on we really appreciated the location of the villa more and more. Tuoro itself is a sweet little town with Passagano and its island ferry trips and lovely lake walks and cafes/gelaterias and restaurants only 10 mins max by car., a trip up the hill to the Squirrel a must for stunning views! Cortona only 20 mins, Siena an hour, Assisi 45 mins and Florence 1h30m makes the villa extremely well situated, I even drove my daughter to Rome airport one Sunday morning and was back by 11:30am.

There are stunning views of lake Trasimeno from the gardens and patio too! The beautiful salt water pool area is stunning and spacious altho unheated. I think the villa represents great value for money and the area on the Umbria/Tuscany border is stunning. Karen and Barry will make your stay very enjoyable! Peter

Peter and family staying in Castelonchio. Sep 2023
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ Fantastic week at Castelonchio ”

We had a fantastic week at Castelonchio in August. The house is airy and spacious and well equipped - Barry and Karen seem to have thought of everything. The saltwater pool is lovely and was a hit with all of us - we also enjoyed the barbecue and eating outside with the spectacuar views. The house is well situated, just on the Umbria/Tuscany border. within easy reach of towns such as Cortona and Orvieto, and Barry and Karen were always happy to suggest ideas for places to visit (we also enjoyed going to the island in the lake). Although perhaps a but less well known than Tuscany (which is very close by), we found this corner of Umbria charming, with warm and friendy people rightfully proud of their region - and of course the delicious and ubiquitous Umbrian truffles! Many thanks to Barry and Karen for a thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing week.

Alex and family staying in Castelonchio. Aug 2023
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ The Perfect Place ”

Karen and Barry have created a place for true relaxation. Whether you are single or bring the family Castelonchio is memorable. The home is comfortable and has sunsets that are unmatched. They sense the amount of privacy each guests wants and are completely lovely.

Beth from US staying in Castelonchio. Jul 2023
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ Wonderful 2 weeks ”

Thankyou for a wonderful 2 weekss! 3 generations of our family all happy, relaxed and wanting to come back. We loved the pool of course, but also the fabulous views, the serenity and your discrete care. You certainly live in paradise here.

Beate and family staying in Castelonchio. Aug 2022
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ The perfect place ”

This simply is the perfect place you've given us, we have unwound, relaxed and immensely enjoyed our stay here - Dan gave it the big sell and he wasn't wrong. The views, the house, the area, absolutely perfect. The lovely welcome pack in the fridge, your beautiful garden and pool and even the warm welcome from the cats and both of you.

You couldn't have been better hosts - your place is absolutely beautiful and we can't wait to come back again.

Jill & family from UK staying in Castelonchio. Jul 2022
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ Exactly what we wanted ”

Castelonchio is in a beautiful hillside location with great views. The house, gardens and pool are all of very good quality and well equipped. The owners live next door and managed a perfect balance of being available and helpful without intruding on our holiday. The local area is full of interesting places to visit and things to do. There is no downside to staying here. We will definitely return.

Peter staying in Castelonchio. Aug 2022
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ Perfect house and pool ”

We had a fantastic week at Castelonchio. The house was lovely, authenic, clean and everything was just perfect. The saltwater pool was the best, we have experienced in a rented house. It was nice to arrive to the house where the host bid us welcome and even had provided food and wine in the frigde. The host was very helpfull, informative and kind in a most friendly way. We already miss the beautiful view from the house and the lovely evenings at one of the terraces.

Hanne staying in Castelonchio. Jul 2022
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ Castelonchio the Umbrian Idyll ”

Wonderful welcome, fabulous setting, Five star with bells, a real treat. We loved it Alla prossima B&T x

B & T from UK staying in Castelonchio. May 2022
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ A real home from home ”

We have had such a lovely time here, a real home from home, and amazing views. Thank you for your help and hospitality.

Tracy and family from UK staying in Castelonchio. May 2022
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ A delightful Villa with large airy cool rooms ”

Castelonchio it self was a delightful Villa with large airy cool rooms. The owners Barry & Karen made us very welcome and I hope we were no trouble to them.

We visited Assisi and viewed the Basilica of St Francis, the Cathedral and the Basilica di Santa Chiara and had an excellent meal outside on the street at Trattoria Da Erminio on Via Montecavallo.

Also took the boat trip to Isola Maggiore, I was quite tickled that the boat was run by Italia Bus, again had a local meal at Albergo Ristonant da Sauro.

We were were taken with the "Walled" adjacent town of Castiglione del Lago. We had a lovely outdoor meal on a very hot afternoon at "Osteria Calandrino" on Via Vittorio Emanuele not far from the local Hospital. Hope spelling is correct all taken from Google Street view!

On our last night out we saw 2 wild boar when dining at the "Squirrel" "Lo Scoiattolo" restaurant up in the hills, we were on the balcony!! Very unexpected! The locals were throwing food to them from the balcony!

P.E. from UK staying in Castelonchio. Sep 2020
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ A great place, highly recommended. ”

We had a fantastic time at Castelonchio. The property is really impressive with lots of space, a wonderful pool and large grounds plus the hosts are incredibly accommodating and helpful.

The accommodation is nice and spacious for 6 people with big and airy bedrooms. Everything is modernised, comfortable and the kitchen is well equipped. The large eating area outside is amazing with great views over the lake and a lovely spot to spend your evenings.

We walked down to the town on a couple of occasions for meals and the local restaurants are great. There is so much to do in the area both around the lake and beyond so you will have no trouble filling your time between enjoying the property and getting out and about. The property also has good access so you can get out to places really easily.

The owners are on hand to help if needed and are full of good suggestions on what to do and where to go. The accommodation is at the side of the property and the grounds are spacious so it’s nice and secluded from the main house.

A great place, highly recommended.

D.A. from UK staying in Castelonchio. Jul 2020
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ The views from the pool and eating areas are spectacular ”

We had a wonderful holiday at Castelonchio. The views from the pool and eating areas are spectacular. We never tired of the marvellous panorama over lake Trasimeno and the surrounding hills. Being up the hill also meant we had pleasant breezes in the heat of August.

Barry and Karen are very kind and thoughtful hosts. They were so kind providing things for us (a praying mantis in a jam jar was a particular favourite of our 8 year old and we have our lavender pouches, made with lavender from the pool, at home to remind us.). They are full of useful info which they happily share - our trips to Sienna and Cortona were made so much easier with Barry’s great directions and helpful places to park for instance.

We enjoyed many meals out locally on recommendation from Barry and Karen. We enjoyed ambling into Tuoro to eat (but weren’t so keen on walking back up the hill afterwards!!). Barry and Karen really know everything so there is little we can add. There are a lot of local dishes made from fish from the lake which are great.

The house is very comfortable, very nicely decorated and spotless!

The area is brilliant. Really easy to get around and we loved Perugia and Sienna (on Palio day!) which are easy drives. I cycled the 65kms round lake Trasimeno early one morning and it was fun and interesting.

W.D. and family, UK staying in Castelonchio. Aug 2019
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ ..Villa Castelonchio was the highlight of our trip ”

We are just back from a very enjoyable 5 week European holiday, which included 2 weeks staying at Villa Castelonchio, Tuoro Sul Trasimeno, in Umbria.

Our stay at Villa Castelonchio was the highlight of our trip and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there.

Barry and Karen where the perfect hosts and couldn’t have been more helpful and friendly. Their input on what to see and do in the area was fantastic, the only downside was that on the first night they introduced us to……Aperol Spritzer which we have developed a real taste for and now stock the ingredients ready for the coming summer in New Zealand and also sent us to their favourite local restaurant where the Pizza is superb and we will be hard-pressed to find anything close to in NZ.

The villa was everything that your website said it would be and we couldn’t have been happier. The fact that it had a full kitchen was a godsend for us as we like to prepare our own meals for some of the time we are away. It was well appointed and the 2 level layout meant that the other couple we had staying with us for some of the time could have their own space.

The villa’s location just a couple of minutes out of the Village meant that it was lovely and peaceful in a rural setting surrounded by olive groves and being just over the Tuscan/Umbria border meant that all the amazing tourist destinations were a short drive away, or as we did on a couple of occasions, a short train journey from the local station.

Barry and Karen keep the place immaculate and between the Aperol Spritzers, the Pizza and the swimming pool we didn’t want to leave. We would have no hesitation in recommending Villa Castelonchio to anyone wishing to have a superb holiday in this location.

M&J P. from New Zealand staying in Castelonchio. Feb 2019
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ We had an absolutely lovely time at Castelonchio ”

We had an absolutely lovely time at Castelonchio. Barry and Karen our hosts greeted us most warmly and invited us to coffee the morning after our arrival to tell us more about the fascinating area around Lake Trasimeno. Our little grandchildren ran to the pool in their bathing costumes before we had even unpacked the cars and from then on it was the pool or nothing for them so it was with difficulty that we explored the endlessly intriguing small towns around the Lake. The immediate area is fascinating and the property is well within reach of the more major towns of Siena and Florence, Perugia and Arezzo - that is if the children will leave the pool and the grown ups will leave the beautiful garden with its amazing views.

P.C. staying in Castelonchio. Dec 2018
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ Very comfortable house ”

Very comfortable house.Excellent out side space. Very well situated for exploring or in our case returning to favourite places. One new place this year a little further afield was Pienza.Would recommend for a visit. Trattoria Dardano in Cortona is a good place for lunch.Always busy.

J. L.W. staying in Castelonchio. Feb 2018
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ We had a fabulous time at Castelonchio ”

We had a fabulous time at Castelonchio. The villa was immaculate & had everything you could possible wish. Sitting outside on the patio with a glass of local wine & looking at the views was beautifully relaxing & the children in particular, loved the fabulous pool. Barry & Karen were great hosts & recommended places of interest and were incredibly helpful researching how we could do a park/ride to Rome on our last day. We had beautiful day trips to Siena, Orvieto, Gubbio & San Gimignano as well as a very enjoyable boat trip out to one of the islands in Lake Trasimeno. All in all, it was a fantastic week & we hope to visit Barry & Karen's beautiful house again sometime.

D.R. family staying in Castelonchio. Nov 2018
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ I am jealous of your Italian paradise ”

I am jealous of your Italian paradise. If you need extra help with the pruning of the olive trees or grass cutting, do give me a ring! Free labour ;o) Wonderful relaxing week, good to see medieval towns and churches. Great history and good food. The pool is the icing on the cake and Castelonchio is a retreat from the hurly burly. As John Wayne said, 'I shall return."

Mr. N.C. and friends, from U.K. staying in Castelonchio. Feb 2014
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ We have loved every minute ”

Karen and Barry - Thank you so much for lending us your beautiful home! We have loved every minute. Over our two weeks we have visited Florence (by train - very easy), Siena (our favorite city - so gorgeous), Cortona, Assisti and Isola Maggiore (almost by peddalo!). We've also had lovely relaxed days reading by and playing in the pool and making delicious food to eat on the super verandah. You have been most hospitable and have made our wonderful stay even more special! Many, many thanks...

Ms. C.B. and friends, from U.K. staying in Castelonchio. Feb 2015
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ The setting is idyllic, so relaxing ”

Thank you Barry and Karen for sharing your beautiful home with us. The setting is idyllic, so relaxing. Thank you for your advice and recommendations and a fridge full of provisions. A wonderful holiday to celebrate our ruby wedding anniversary, will remember it always.

Mr. R.B. and friends, from U.K. staying in Castelonchio. Dec 2016
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ ...a relaxing and pleasant experience ”

Thank you so much for you kind hospitality and letting us stay at your wonderful house. We've had a brilliant time exploring the area and coming back here to wind down has been a relaxing and pleasant experience. I even managed to surprise my beautiful girlfriend (now fiancee) with a marriage proposal in the olive grove. I'm sure we'll be back again at some point.

Mr. D.B. and friends, from U.K. staying in Castelonchio. Dec 2017
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ ..another amazing holiday! ”

Thank you, Barry and Karen, for another amazing holiday! Gorgeous house, with a perfect pool and perfect hosts. We all hope to see you again soon!

Mr. T.E. and family, from the U.K. staying in Castelonchio. Feb 2017
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ Umbria for us from now on ”

Thank you very much Barry and Karen - Very nice. I apologize for not doing my research before I arrived, Umbria for us from now on. Amongst all the culture, history, leather and wine shops, there was the lake. Treat yourself and hire that paddle board Barry, the best €10 per hour you'll spend for a sore back. ... and the house/ the view / the pool - if only Fife were warm (or even saw the sun), it could be this good. ... and what a surprise, there's we thinking that my summer C90 tape mix would be useless without my walkman - the next time, I'll bring a few more cassettes. Wonderful!

Mrs. F.H. and family staying in Castelonchio.
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ ....really great personal service from Invitation to Tuscany ”

We all had a fantastic time thanks, and I can’t believe that it was a week since we left to come home!

The villa was beautiful and really well fitted out. Barry & Karen were the prefect hosts – there for advice if you wanted it but left you space for yourselves the rest of the time. The welcome drink and restaurant recommendations were most appreciated, together with all the food and drink in the Welcome Pack.

All of the local restaurants we went to were ones recommended, and we enjoyed really good local food, at a very treasonable cost.

We went to Siena and Cortona whilst we were there, and some of the smaller towns around the lake – all very easy to get to thanks to Barry’s instructions in the villa.

The big hit with the most important person, our 11 year-old granddaughter, was of course the huge pool. In fact our son and daughter-in-law used it quite a lot as well.

I will, and have already, recommend it to friends, and I hope that we can go back as a family someday.

Finally, a big thanks to you and Dan for all your help in the year since we first booked it, really great personal service from Invitation to Tuscany.

Bob D. staying in Castelonchio. Feb 2017
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ Castelonchio more than lives up to its reputation ”

Castelonchio more than lives up to its reputation. Excellent accomodation,wonderful salt water pool in substantial well kept grounds and easy walking distance to shopping and the village. And a plus--charming and most helpful hosts.

Anonymous staying in Castelonchio. Sep 2011
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ ..stayed at Castelonchio 2 years ago and loved it so much we returned ”

We stayed at Castelonchio 2 years ago and loved it so much we returned again this year. The English owners Barry & Karen are super hosts (they live next door) and are able to offer sound advice on all things local together with a warm welcome. The accomodation is lovely with 3 big bedrooms and 2 'well appointed' bathrooms. Bed linen from 'The White House' and everything really comfy and clean. Kitchen well stocked with the necessary implements if you want to practice your Italian cookery skills as we did. Beautiful view over Lago Trasimeno from your little balcony outside the main double bedroom and the outside terrace which is perfect for breakfast. There's a decent supermarket nearby - within walking distance if you run out of wine but 5 mins by car if you need heavier supplies. Good local (and cheap) rail links to tourist towns ie Assisi if you don't want to be a slave to the car. Passignano 10 mins away for some lovely restaurants near the lake. If it’s convenient then we recommend flying to Perugia as it's an easy drive. Enjoy!

Anonymous staying in Castelonchio. Oct 2010
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ I can see us going back soon ”

The house was comfortable and spacious, it felt fresh and everything we needed was there, inside the house and out; lots of garden, ample parking, we enviously eyed the pool but were there too early in the year for a swim, so contented ourselves instead with wandering around the olive grove, enjoying the views of Lake Trasimeno and beyond. And to misquote someone, the angels were in the details: a bottle of home grown olive oil in a kitchen cupboard, some fresh milk and cold wine waiting in the fridge when we arrived, and joy of joys, the kitchen knives were properly sharp! It is a house that has been thought through, and through again.

The hosts Barry and Karen were helpful and friendly - even when our 5 year old sneaked off and hid behind the wintering lemon tree, for a full 20 minutes, enjoying our increasingly frantic flapping. (It was reassuring to realise that small adventurous children cannot escape without the key to the gate.) They gave us suggestions for things to visit and see which were perfect for our family, with genuinely useful and detailed information; like knowing exactly where to park on our trips to Assisi and Cortona, or printing off the ferry timetable for Isola Maggiore on the lake, and which of the local train stations to choose for the best services to Orvieto (with its funicular, extraordinary double helix well, caves: a perfect day out for both adults and kids.)The local village - in walking distance - had everything we needed. A pizzeria - delicious pizza, good value and welcoming, a well-stocked supermarket, and much more that we didn't get to explore. It is a really rich and interesting part of Italy to visit, with more to see and visit than is possible in a week, or even two. I can see us going back

Mr. D.D. and family, Italy staying in Castelonchio. Mar 2010
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ My favourite thing was the swimming pool ”

The hosts, Barry and Karen, were very helpful and attentive. The villa was in excellant condition and fully equipped. Location was good and having a supermarket a mile away was very convenient. The panoramic view of the lake was fantastic from Castelonchio. My favourite thing was the swimming pool, surrounded by lavender bushes. Great to smell whilst you were swimming and listening to the bees was relaxing too. Great summer holiday memories. Honestly can't think of anything negative to say about, maybe the only thing is that you would need a car to get about. Public transport not near farmhouse.

Anonymous staying in Castelonchio. Dec 2010
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ The location here is incredible - very quiet with stunning views ”

The owners, Barry and Karen made our family feel so welcome. We arrived late, after the shops had shut and there was even pasta and provisions left to fill our rumbling tummies! The location here is incredible - very quiet with stunning views. There's a handy shop nearby and a few local restaurants. We were even invited to help pick olives in the next door grove. The beautifully restored farmhouse is immaculate and comfortable. I hope we can visit again sometime!

Ms. M.K. and family, UK staying in Castelonchio. Feb 2010
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ ...everything in the property is five star ”

The location is great, overlooking Trasimeno, with outstanding evening views. But what is exceptional about staying here is that everything in the property is five star. It is really well designed, and furnished and looked after and comfortable. So when you get there it exceeds the promise of the pictures. Every part of the proerty so well-cared for - and that makes for a better holiday. Add to that that the hospitality (we were really well looked after - far and away beyond what we might have expected) and it made for a fantastic week. We'd happily go back there and can recommend it without reservation also - excellent location - Trasimeno a walk away, Assissi nearby, cycling round the lake etc...perfect. We'll be back.

Anonymous staying in Castelonchio. Dec 2011
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ ...a high standard with extras as well ”

We could not fault the service we received from the initial booking to the stay in the villa. The owners made sure everything was provided to a high standard with extras as well. They were very friendly and helpful when needed but remained discreet during our stay. The farmhouse was wonderful itself with amazing views and the grounds gave us lots of space to spread out. The pool was beautiful, very refreshing and surrounded by fragrant lavender. The location was wonderful and quiet being in a rural setting outside the small town with views of Lake Trasimeno. You can easily visit several famous cities and local historic towns. We particularly enjoyed being able to walk to local restaurants (slight hill involved on homeward route). We also enjoyed discovering for ourselves the local area.

UK visitors staying in Castelonchio. Feb 2012
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ It is the only home we would consider going back to ”

My friend and I vacation in Tuscany/Umbria every summer in a different home for two weeks for the last 12 years. By far, this was the nicest home and best experience. The hosts are wonderful; the home comfortable and is truly well located. The breeze from lake makes every day a nice one! It is the only home we would consider going back to.

Ms. B.D. and friend, USA staying in Castelonchio. Feb 2012
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ Wish we could have stayed longer! ”

We thoroughly enjoyed our week's stay here. Wish we could have stayed longer! The villa is gorgeous, the pool is lovely and both have amazing views of the lake and surrounding countryside. The owners were very kind and helpful. It was a truly amazing stay! Highly recommend to anyone

Mrs. S.L. and family, UK staying in Castelonchio. Dec 2012
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ Reading through all the reviews there is not one negative comment ”

Reading through all the reviews there is not one negative comment. That's because this is a perfect holiday, a real home away from home in an idyllic setting. We had a 2 and 4 year old with us and we felt very relaxed knowing they could safely explore the lovely grounds, swim in the great pool, pick grapes and olives and spend hours trying to catch grasshoppers and lizards. We enjoyed sipping wine at sunset overlooking the stunning view of the lake, visiting the beautiful towns of Cortona, Assissi , Perugia etc. A great little supermarket is close by, a winery at the bottom of the hill, gorgeous ice cream shops by the lake .... all very easy and stress free holiday. Thanks Barry and Karen - keep up the good work and we hope to return one day.

Mrs. L.W. and family, UK staying in Castelonchio. Dec 2012
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ Our recent stay at Castelonchio was superb ”

Our recent stay at Castelonchio was superb. The villa was first class and the owners really know how to make their guests feel welcome. Their knowledge of the local area and the little tips on how to get around were immensely helpful. We were a family of 6, which included myself, my wife, 2 grandparents and 2 Daughters of ages 10 & 14 and we found enough variety during the 2 weeks to keep everyone happy. We swam and used the facilities at the local lake, Parco Del Lago Trasimeno, sunbathed around the Villas pool with its beautiful surroundings, went site seeing in many of the local towns, all soaked in history and tradition, and ventured out to Rome: only a 2 hour train journey.

Enjoying a good meal was an important part of our holiday and we had great experiences at the local restaurants with one particularly nice tavern within walking distance. Catering for ourselves was also easy to do as the Villa was fully equipped with all the utensils we needed, including the most important thing a BBQ.

I wholeheartedly recommend staying at Castelonchio if you are looking for a holiday that encompasses traditional Italy whilst staying in total comfort.

Mr. M.C. and family, UK staying in Castelonchio. Feb 2014
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ This house is always a delight ”

This house is always a delight, the rooms are clean, crisp and comfortable, the views of the lake so pretty, breakfast, lunch and dinner on the terrace always has a stunning backdrop. We enjoyed exploring the area including the lakeside town of Passignano sul Trasimeno, just a 10 minute drive from the house, where we enjoyed seafood in some new favourite restaurants. You can take boat rides to the islands or just paddle on the shore, there is something for everyone.

L.& L. staying in Castelonchio. Sep 2015
Castelonchio

Castelonchio

“ Barry and Karen were great hosts ”

We had a fabulous week at Castelonchio. Barry and Karen were great hosts. I was perhaps a little apprehensive about the "shared" aspect of the accommodation, particularly with 3 fairly small and noisy children, but I needn't have been. The annexe was large, comfortable and private. The pool was beautiful, as in fact was the location generally, and although we were effectively sharing Barry and Karen's home, we did not feel like we were intruding. They were there, but somehow not! (If that makes sense?!)

Barry recommended places to go and see, which were all worth the trip (again we had been slightly apprehensive about sightseeing with small children in the height of Summer). We ate out a couple of times at Da Silvano's, a pizza place in the village, which had good food and a friendly owner (Omar). We also tried a more up market fish restaurant in nearby Passignano, which was also good.

All in all, highly recommended. We would definitely go back.

Mrs. S.H. and family, UK staying in Castelonchio. Feb 2013
Villa di Monterchi

Villa di Monterchi

“ Wonderful stay at Villa di Monterchi ”

We had a wonderful stay at the villa. Rosado made us feel so welcome and had great suggestions for visits. The villa is beautiful. It has an excellent location for visiting other towns. The views are gorgeous and hot tub and pool excellent.The kitchen is amply equipped for 6 avid cooks! We can’t wait to come back.

Susan W., USA staying in VIlla di Monterchi. Nov 2024
Villa di Monterchi

Villa di Monterchi

“ Absolutely wonderful! ”

Beautiful villa! The roses, the view, the pool, the house...all absolutely wonderful! Rosado was the most gracious host, offering to make dinner reservations, checking in to see if we needed anything and making amazing recommendations for day trips. We would love to return!

Marie R. staying in VIlla di Monterchi. Jun 2023