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!
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Reviews
What our customers have said
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
Vendemmia
“ Amazing place ”
Amazing place with breathtaking views and a beautiful garden with barbecue. The apartment's furniture was quite authentic and had everything we needed, it was really clean, the beds were comfortable. Would definitely recommend!
Asya, Bulgaria staying in Vendemmia. Sep 2023
Villa Quirico
“ What a wonderful week ”
What a wonderful week we had. Your kindness and wonderful service to our family will never be forgotten. The house is faboulous and the food out of this world. We appreciated everything that you did.
Joseph, US staying in Villa Quirico. Sep 2022
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
“ 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
“ ...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
“ ... 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
“ ...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
“ 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
“ 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
Palazzo Giustiniani
“ A wonderful visit ”
It was a wonderful visit with everything you could want. We were very well looked after by our host Barbara and nothing was too much trouble.
The palazzo was well designed and furnished to a high standard. The rooms were comfortable and the outside space was amazing. I really liked the way modern convenience mixed with the old to provide a restful,relaxing holiday experience unlike any other I have previously known.
Lynne from UK staying in Palazzo Giustiniani. Aug 2024
Palazzo Giustiniani
“ A magical place full of history ”
Palazzo Giustiniani is one of the most magical places I have ever encountered! The place is just heavenly. From the historical grounds to the tasteful refurbishment by the owners, everything speaks of quality and attention to detail. Barbara has gone out of her way to look after us and she's been one of the best hosts ever. The breakfast on offer is top notch. The pool and gardens are super peaceful and airy. The location is right next to everything you might need. A one of a kind experience that will stay with you forever, don't miss on this one
Afroditi from UK staying in Palazzo Giustiniani. Jul 2024
Palazzo Giustiniani
“ An elegant and intimate experience at the same time ”
I spent some dream days with some friends in the beautiful Giustiniani palace.
Barbara is an extremely helpful and convivial woman, and together with the engineer Giustiniani welcomed us giving us some historical goodies on the building.
The beauty of the Apulian resorts has enriched a unique intimacy that Sogliano Cavour and the building have managed to give us.
The location is extremely well-kept with objects of elegant and contemporary design that come into contact with typical elements of the local architecture, such as star vaults and Lecce stone.
Very clean, king size beds made it even more comfortable.
I can't help but mention the outdoor patio, where I shared with my friends chatting and laughing, it gave us an elegant yet homely atmosphere.
A magical place, perfect for families, friends, but also couples and real connoisseurs.
Gabriele from Italy staying in Palazzo Giustiniani. Apr 2024
Palazzo Giustiniani
“ I loved the authenticity ”
I loved the authenticity of Palazzo Giustiniani and the atmosphere that can be felt there, the large internal and external spaces and the style, refinement and refinement of the furnishings. All studied down to the smallest detail, respecting the history of the building and the Salento architecture.
Large bedrooms with very comfortable beds. Beautiful bathrooms. The large and well-equipped kitchen. The courtyard, the swimming pool area and the various terraces offer different outdoor areas on multiple levels, where you can choose to stay in complete tranquility and shielded from the rest of the world, or with views over the main street of the town and the beautiful church in front of the Palace.
At Palazzo Giustiniani you can really breathe a special atmosphere in all its rooms. Exquisite and professional welcome. Impeccable cleanliness. In addition to the beauty of the structure and the guarantee of excellent service, also the very central position in the main square of Sogliano Cavour, with all commercial services within walking distance, and the most beautiful beaches of Salento 20 minutes by car, make Palazzo Giustiniani a real pearl for unforgettable holidays with family or a group of friends.
Manuela from Denmark staying in Palazzo Giustiniani. Mar 2023
Palazzo Giustiniani
“ Magical Historical Palazzo ”
I'm Dan, the owner of Invitation to Tuscany. In April 2023, I had the pleasure of visiting the Palazzo. This historical treasure has been beautifully restored with a delicate touch and impeccable taste. Located in the heart of the town, it feels like a genuine part of the community, offering a rich experience of Italian culture.
During my visit, I spent much of my time exploring the surrounding area. The Palazzo is ideally situated for trips to the beaches of Salento. I tested this by driving east to Otranto, then following the coast down to Santa Maria Leuca (Finibus Terrae), and up the western coast to Gallipoli. Each town and beach on this route is worth a full day's exploration, making for a fantastic day trip.
As a former architect, I found the building particularly fascinating. It features a series of underground rooms (not accessible to visitors) that naturally circulate cool air into the rooms above during the hotter months. While Barbara and Filippo have installed modern air conditioning, this centuries-old system helps keep the massive stone structure cool through natural ventilation.
I'm thrilled to include this remarkable building in our portfolio.
Dan from Invitation to Tuscany staying in Palazzo Giustiniani. Apr 2023
La Ronda
“ It was all that we could have hoped for ”
We had a wonderful time. It is indeed a lovely spot. It was all that we could have hoped for. The views and location were beautiful. Quiet, relaxing and comfortable. Antonella was so friendly, kind and helpful. Luciano , the chef, was wonderful and our meal was delicious and our cooking lesson was superb! We also enjoyed our tour of the cellars and wine tasting. Elena was great. The train to Florence was easy to get and Florence was everything we thought it would be. We were lucky enough to get a lift back up from Pontassieve to our accommodation. That would be the only drawback if you don’t have a car and have spent a whole day walking around Florence. We lucked out though! It was a perfect few days so thank you.
Laura & Emma from UK staying in La Ronda. Apr 2024
Pinolo
“ Idyllic location ”
We had a very good stay in Pinolo. The location was perfect, we could walk into the beautiful village of Casole d'Elsa. There was a community supermarket very close opposite the petrol station which had everything you could want. 2 butchers in the village. Great restaurants and bar. We particularly like the little balcony where we ate supper, very private. We thought it was a great base to explore all the places of interest, Volterra, San Gimignano and Siena by bus from Colle di Val D'Elsa was so easy. Our host provided us with the timetable and all the info we needed. They couldn't have been more accommodating. We will recommend to our friends and family.
Alli Scott staying in Pinolo. Sep 2025
Pinolo
“ Lovely time in Casole d'Elsa ”
We had a really lovely time in Casole d’Elsa albeit extremely hot with the heatwave Europe is experiencing. Having a swimming pool was a must and greatly enjoyed. Seeing Elvira at nearly 90 years of age still looking so healthy and definitely the loved matriarch of the family was really lovely. I couldn’t understand a word she said but she was very welcoming as was her daughter-in-law, Katia who now manages the place. She even made us a cake which was so, so lovely😊
We did notice a few changes in the village although I would agree it still offers that authentic charm. We enjoyed walking into the village every day for a morning coffee. We really liked the Ristorante Pizzeria il Porrina – nice reasonably priced meals and the Ristorante Pizzeria il Colombaio di Cipressina (sit on the terrace so you get the view).
We have now experienced 3 of the 4 accommodation options at Agresto and each has their own charm. Loved the space of and the views from first floor Pinolo and the coolness of Rustico which was on the cooler side of the house. The layout of Rustico was certainly a bit different with no lounge other than the couch situated in 1 of the bedrooms and the ‘throne’ and shower at the top of stairs in the bathroom. Of the 2 options Pinolo would be our pick of the 2 bedroom options due to its layout and views. We got to see the new addition to the accommodation options (Mandorlo) – which is a lovely modern tastefully done 1 bedroom apartment on the ground floor which as ideal for a couple
Larkins from NZ staying in Pinolo. Jun 2025
Pinolo
“ Fabulous property in Tuscany ”
This was our second trip to stay near beautiful Casole d'Elsa - and this time at Pinolo just outside of the village. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there. The property was just beautiful and just what we wanted. Very peaceful and quiet - with wonderful views and a great pool to enjoy. We spent time relaxing at the property, walking the gentle walk into the village for coffee or meals - and also driving to nearby villages for further exploration. Pinolo met all of our needs and more - it exceeded our expectations. We even had the lovely caretakers leave us a freshly made tart one day to add to the wonderful experience. We would highly recommend this property and would stay there again.
Jason and Renee, UK staying in Pinolo. Oct 2024
Pinolo
“ A very pleasant apartment on an Agriturismo within walking distance of the village. ”
We enjoyed our stay at Pinolo. Well equipped apartment with amazing views and Katia was an excellent host. Within walking distance of the lovely village of Casole D’Elsa and there is a nice bar serving great pizzas even closer. There is an excellent pool and well equipped outside seating areas so you can relax after a day sightseeing in this superb area.
Drew, UK staying in Pinolo. Sep 2024
Pinolo
“ Lovely country location ”
Pinolo is situated in a beautiful picturesque location. It's an easy walk to the village (learning about the lift to the top of the town early is essential!). The setting is gorgeous with a lovely pool and countryside around. The accommodation itself seems a little tired in terms of furnishings, appliances and utensils and the bathroom is definitely utilitarian but if you don't mind quaint then this will be fine for you. Unfortunately the pool towels we had requested (and paid for) weren't left for us, and the single bed in the second bedroom wasn't made up (again as requested). These were attended once we raised it. All in all we had a lovely stay at Pinolo and would love to return - ideally after a bit of an upgrade of facilities.
Vincent from NZ staying in Pinolo. Jun 2023
Pinolo
“ Another glorious week! ”
My sister, a friend and I spent another wonderfully relaxing week here. We had stayed here last year and couldn't wait to return. Thank you to Katia and family for making us so welcome again. The wine that they produced was delicious and it was so nice to have the chance to try it. We had inadvertently timed our stay during the local Palio so we were able to enjoy the festivities too! I couldn't imagine a better location to stay as not only is it peaceful with beautiful views towards SAN GIMIGNANO , but it is a short walk into the little town of Casole d'Elsa which was a favourite place for morning coffee and breakfast. The kitchen facilities in the apartment are perfect which also enabled us to prepare simple lunches before returning to the beautiful pool.
We definitely plan to return to Pinolo and find it difficult to make any suggestions which could improve our stay next time !(perhaps bigger, softer pillows?)
Claudine & friends from UK staying in Pinolo. Jul 2023
Pinolo
“ Being able to walk into Casole D’Elsa is a big bonus ”
Had a great last minute stay in Pinolo and received fabulous service from Dan – he came up with exactly what we were looking for. The apartment is in a superb location – being able to walk into Casole D’Elsa is a big bonus plus there are lots of great restaurants to choose from. There is also a supermarket within walking distance that is well stocked (not obvious from the road that it is actually a supermarket!). Apartment is well kept and has everything you need (no oven so need to bear that in mind) and has great views. The pool area is another added bonus. Overall this is a great base to visit the beautiful Tuscan countryside.
C.S. and family staying in Pinolo. Sep 2020
Pinolo
“ A peaceful, tranquil and restful stay in Tuscany ”
Our second stay at Pinolo only confirmed what we always felt about the place, the location, accommodation and amenities are, without doubt, exactly what is required for a peaceful, tranquil and restful stay in Tuscany. The first floor entrance is adjacent to the rear door to the owners accommodation and their kindness and generosity of spirit was wonderful, they gave us homemade cake, wine and ice creams and were always on hand for help and advice. The kitchen could perhaps do with being a little better equipped and the size of the drinking glasses a little small for beer drinkers, but on a score from 100 we would give it 99.5!
C.B. and family, UK staying in Pinolo. Jun 2013
Pinolo
“ ...everything one would need for a holiday ”
Stayed at Pinolo in Casole d'Elsa - good sized apartment for 4 people, very clean and tidy and everything one would need for a holiday. Pool was a nice size with plenty of loungers/ seats around - and my favourite, a hammock hanging between 2 olive trees! 5 mins walk to nearest pizza house (which did pastries for breakfast too) and the local produce stocked supermarket and about a 15 mins walk to the town - which is beautiful with a good handful of restaurants and bars. Invitation to Tuscany - Very helpful in terms of booking and finding us something that would suit us and our small-ish children. Would highly recommend
H.B. and family, UK staying in Pinolo. Dec 2017
Pinolo
“ Fantastic holiday made even better by the welcoming owners ”
We were heartily welcomed by the owners, whose grasp of English was only marginally better than our Italian, but after creating a raport with suitable "thumbs up" hand signals to indicate our pleasure with the appartment, she moved on to describe the operation of the dishwasher in Italian, which was probably a little over-optimistic.
The Apartment was just perfect for 4 and had plenty of space in the lounge/dining area for relaxing out of the sun. Breakfast was often taken on the patio area overlooking the countryside - just fabulous. After a quick swim in the "its alright once you are in" pool, it was down to some serious sunbathing on the loungers - and there are more than enough for everyone. Lunch by the pool on a table conveniently located under a shady pergola with even better views and San Gim in the background. Afternoons spent relaxing - although sometimes interspersed with awesome thunder and lightning over the valleys!
Locals towns provide a good evenning entertainment, even Casola D'Elsa seemed to have enough going on to keep us going back, despite its small size. This place has everything you need for a quiet week or so, but a car is a must for getting about and shopping, the local supermarket and shops are limited.
Fantastic holiday made even better by the welcoming owners - even turned up with free homemade pizza and wine at 11pm one night, which we ate and drank in the moonlight! We would return tomorrow.
C.B. and friends, UK staying in Pinolo. Dec 2009
Pinolo
“ Charming hosts, beautiful, quiet, relaxed setting ”
You know that scary feeling you get when you book accommodation on the internet that looks wonderful in the photos, but you're sure it couldn't possibly be that wonderful? Well, rest assured, Pinolo is wonderful! Charming hosts, beautiful, quiet, relaxed setting, yet still close to village. We stayed in the two bedroom upstairs apartment. Very clean, rustic and charming. I will always remember the view from the upstairs window - you can see the towers of San Gimignano in the distance. So many beautiful places to visit nearby, beautiful Tuscan countryside. We'll be back!
Mr. A.G. and family, Australia staying in Pinolo. Dec 2010
Pinolo
“ Looking forward to returning ”
Situated in the heart of Chianti in Tuscany, this villa is in walking distance of a lovely village with restaurants and a weekly BBQ on the village plaza which is a must! The hosts are most welcoming and the Pinolo villa offers excellent views! Great sightseeing in the region. The hosts wine is worth the purchase. The outdoor pool is large and always clean. We are looking forward to returning.
Mrs. J.G. and family, Canada staying in Pinolo.
Pinolo
“ We will definitely return ”
We stayed at Pinolo last summer and would highly recommend it. The location is excellent - within walking distance of the local village, and right in the heart of Tuscany. The family who own the property were incredibly welcoming and one evening we were brought homemade cake and a bottle of their own wine. Delicious. Having the pool also helped hugely on hot days. We will definitely return.
Mrs. C.J. and family, UAE staying in Pinolo. Feb 2011
Pinolo
“ The owners are lovely and produce their own wine and olive oil ”
The farm house is a little outside the village which is uphill and easily reached by car, bike or by foot. The latter will maybe take 30 mins. The apartment is on the first floor in the main building with its own entry. The two bedrooms have sufficient space for 5 and the living & dining room as well. In case you like outside dining you need to take note that you have to go downstairs, which is not very practical. There is a small outside sitting area, good for two and a glass of wine in the evenings. The pool is nice and the gardens (vineyard, olives) are lovely. The farm is a on a hill itself which allows for a cooling breeze and nice views. The owners are lovely and produce their own wine and olive oil. A good price compared to many other locations we saw on-line.
Mr. R.V.W and family, Switzerland staying in Pinolo. Feb 2013
Pinolo
“ ...beautiful views of the Tuscan countryside ”
Our apartment, Pinolo, was spacious and well equipped with beautiful views of the Tuscan countryside from every window. The building is a traditional farmhouse which added to it's charm and there were plenty of outside spaces to relax in. We found it a very convenient base to explore Tuscany, not far from San Gimignano, Siena, Orvieto and Florence.
Mr. K.M. and family, UK staying in Pinolo. Dec 2014
Pinolo
“ .....we liked it so much, we would consider hiring the entire complex the next time ”
We knew we wanted to stay in Tuscany but could not find the ideal location. After stumbling across 'Welcome to Tuscany', the helpful staff recommended we stay at a charming, converted Tuscan farm house in the heart of Tuscany upon the outskirts of the small village of Casole'd Elsa. Father and sons the three of us set off from Carcassonne, and thus arrived late at Pinolo and Rustico after a beautiful, but winding drive through the Alpes and across the fateful Rubicon. Upon arrival the owner kindly stayed to greet us, which set the scene for the rest of the holiday; as the owners who lived on site worked tirelessly to ensure the accommodation and surrounding grounds were kept immaculate whilst remaining innocuous but there to help if needed. Both apartments well equipped with original features and large luxurious bedrooms. The complex was landscaped throughout with thoughtful touches like flowers and charming Cypress trees which framed the gentle descent from farmhouse to pool. The Village was a short walk on foot and although small it was a lovely example of some of the bigger and more impressive Casole's situated in Tuscany. With a great selection of Restaurants - in particular the Enoteca which runs a set course that changed each night of the week and friendly English speaking owners. Beware of 'White Tuesdays', when the whole towns descends to paint the town, 'white' (called so because they do not sleep - like another day and something of a tradition in much of Tuscany) In terms of location Casole d'Elsa was perfectly situated to explore the well known likes of Sienna, Florence and San Gimignano (recommend Quattro Gatti for super!) but also the lesser known, and less spoilt towns such as Volterra (see the Etruscan tombs - utterly fascinating - like steeping down through the gates of Hades explored in Homer's literature), Montalcino and the medieval walled city of Monteriggioni. For those who love red wine, not more could be asked in this delightful region; and a pilgrimage to Saasicaia and the aforementioned Montalcino is well worth it. We like it so much, we would consider hiring the entire complex the next time and bringing all our friends!
Mr T.H. and family staying in Pinolo. Dec 2014
Pinolo
“ highly recommended ”
We stayed in the upper floor of the farmhouse (Pinolo) at Agriturismo Elvira. The accommodation was great for our family of 4. A lovely large room for living/dining/cooking, plus 2 bedrooms and bathroom. There are pretty garden areas and terraces around the house where you can sit or eat al fresco with amazing views of the Tuscan and Chianti hills. The outdoor swimming pool and surrounding garden was great too! The hill town of Casole d'Elsa is a 15 - 20 minute walk with a good range of small shops plus some excellent places to eat and drink. Highly recommended
Mr. T.J. and family, UK staying in Pinolo. Dec 2015
Pinolo
“ ...it has my highest credentials ”
We duly returned from Casole Saturday. There were no problems /breakages, the accommodation was perfect and the hosts very charming. All in all I would recommend to anyone and it has my highest credentials. We visited all around and had a great time. Thanks again for all your help
Mr T.H. and family, France staying in Pinolo. May 2014
Pinolo
“ A fantastic stay at Pinolo ”
We had a fantastic stay at Pinolo - beautiful part of the country. The accomodation was great, very authentic Tuscan farm feel while providing most of what we needed. The only suggestion would be for them to improve the WiFi reception within Pinolo itself. It was a bit hit and miss at times. Also to provide basic soap and shower gel. It was a bit of a surprise to us that this wasn't provided. Otherwise it was superb, and we really enjoyed having the private pool available to us. We also really enjoyed the local town of Casole d'Elsa. The pizza restaurant in particular was very good for lunch - great value for money and excellent service. We also had an amazing dinner at the restaurant attached to the local hotel. Can't remember the name of the hotel but it's on the main road to the left as you leave the housing estate area. Thanks for making this property and experience available to us.
Mr R.D. and family, UK staying in Pinolo. Dec 2014
Pinolo
“ On a score from 100 we would give it 99.5! ”
Our second stay at Pinolo only confirmed what we always felt about the place, the location, accommodation and amenities are, without doubt, exactly what is required for a peaceful, tranquil and restful stay in Tuscany. The first floor entrance is adjacent to the rear door to the owners accommodation and their kindness and generosity of spirit was wonderful, they gave us homemade cake, wine and ice creams and were always on hand for help and advice. The kitchen could perhaps do with being a little better equipped and the size of the drinking glasses a little small for beer drinkers, but on a score from 100 we would give it 99.5!
Mr C.B. and friends, UK staying in Pinolo. Feb 2013
Pinolo
“ ..Stayed there...and we loved it ”
I stayed here with my family when our son Ben was around 2 years old and we loved it. I know the village well, as it's where I grew up, so it was great to be able to walk in every morning - Ben and I would go in to buy breakfast for mum from the local cafe. The living room/ kitchen is large and comfortable, and the little loggia perfect for an evening drink with an ear out for sleeping children.
Dan R. and family staying in Pinolo. Dec 2012
Pinolo
“ ...just right for a small family holiday ”
We felt so comfortable in this spacious apartment, with its lovely light and generous spaces just right for a small family holiday. The good-sized pool and the views of the vines to one side and the valley to the other are delightful. Strolling into Casole d'Elsa was so convenient for picking up supplies or going out for a good meal - truly an ideal location.
L. and L. staying in Pinolo. Dec 2015
Villa Bianca
“ Memories to last a lifetime ”
What an amazing stay at this beautiful Villa. We are so grateful! Memories to last a lifetime!
Bennett Family staying in Villa Bianca. Aug 2024
Villa Bianca
“ Fantastic week ”
Thank you so much for a fantastic week with our big family from 2 to 80 years. We've been 21 very happy people with this week.
R.S staying in Villa Bianca.
Adriana
“ Tuscan dream ”
Wow what a dream location. This is exactly what we pictured for our time in Tuscany. The team was exceptional in making us feel right at home from the minute we stepped onto the farm!
Alex, South Africa staying in Adriana. Oct 2023
Adriana
“ Everything we had hoped for ”
The host could not be more gracious and accommodating. Doing the on site dinners is a must as they are fun interaction and the food is great. The villas are spacious and clean with a rustic feel.
An amazing property!!!!
You need a car. The coop grocery is about 10 minutes drive and has a good selection. Sign up for on site dinners. Great experience
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
“ 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
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
Terrazzino
“ Slice of heaven in Tuscany ”
Absolutely wonderful villa. Do not want to leave!!! Francesca is fantastic and here to help in any way she can. Will not be our last trip for sure.
Mark from USA staying in Terrazzino. Sep 2023
Alta
“ Lovely stay ”
Thank you for the lovely stay! The view is amazing, we saw the best sunset from across the villa. The villa was easy to find and the restaurant nearby is an absolute must-try, the pasta and steak are delicious. Flavia was very helpful and friendly, she even helped us find a place for dinner and offered great suggestions, thank you!
Victoria staying in Alta. Dec 2024
Alta
“ A must do experience ”
Perched atop a mountain overlooking numerous cities and rolling terrain, it is hard to imagine anyone being disappointed. This villa estate has been owned by the same caring and dedicated family for many, many years. Their efforts to ensure all our needs were accommodated were Herculean. Would we stay there again ... absolutely! Rent a car or minibus within walking distance of of the Montecatini-Monsummano train station, because timely service from taxis down and back up the mountain could be challenging. Our group of 6 loved the remoteness, with convenient access to nearby small cities and wineries. The onsite restaurant (open Thurs-Sunday) is a "must do" experience. Special thanks to family owners Flavia and Julio for tending to our unique needs. mark
Mark, Ohio staying in Alts. Oct 2024
Damiano
“ Montestigliano-where your dream of visiting Tuscany begins! ”
Francesco is the most accommodating host we have ever met. He was so kind and helpful and even got us out of a traffic mishap. The grounds are meticulous and our Casa Damiano (house) was so warm and inviting, we felt that we were "at home." The location is very convenient to many sites, restaurants and the Autoroute. When you dream of visiting Tuscany, start by reviewing the website for Montestigliano.
Connie staying in Damiano. May 2024
Damiano
“ Felt like family! ”
Stayed 5 nights with friends and it was wonderful. The views are breathtaking and accommodations just perfect. Francesco and all the staff were very welcoming and I’m so glad we made it for pizza night. Damiano is an accountant by day and a chef and karaoke singer by night. Needless to say there was eating, drinking, singing and dancing throughout the evening. A wonderful place to stay.
Liz B staying in Damiano. May 2024
Torrevista
“ Ideal stay for groups ”
Ideal stay for groups, to getting around in Tuscany, quite close to many attractions in the regionThe neighborhood was fantastic. The mansion is perfectly equipped, even with basic spices, oil, vinegar, for first day cooking. The owner was really helpful
Andras and family from Hungart staying in Torrevista. Oct 2024
Torrevista
“ Relaxing family holiday in a fantastic environment ”
Great location with a great view. The house was what you would imagine a villa in the middle of a winery in Tuscany. We were thrilled!
Eva and family from Austria staying in Torrevista. Jun 2023
Torrevista
“ We really enjoyed our stay at Torrevista ”
We really enjoyed our stay at Torrevista. The weather was great and the property just what we expected. I have to also say how satisfied I was with our overall experience using Invitation to Tuscany for our booking. Lyn was a great help and the whole process from making the initial reservations, being able to make them in English, making payments, getting information on the property and area in advance. The Internet is an amazing tool for this. I really appreciated how Lyn tried contacting us before our arrive to make sure we knew how to get to Torrevista as the address does not show up on GPS navigation. We would like to go back sometime.
We will highly recommend Invitation to Tuscany to anyone we know interested in traveling to Tuscany. Thanks for helping us have such a great vacation/holiday.
Mr. R.M. and family, USA staying in Torrevista.
Torrevista
“ Great value here! ”
Great value here! The hosts were fantastic and personable. The complimentary wine tasting is not to be missed - definitely a highlight of the trip. It's your own piece of heaven - very close to San Gimignano!I would definitely stay here again!
Mr. J.R. with family and friends, USA staying in Torrevista.
Valdera
“ A Great Villa on edge of Iano Village ”
We really enjoyed our stay and will likely return in the future. Great accommodation with nice private pool, next to a small village with good traditional restaurant (no pizza). The Pool is not really overlooked and has an open outlook, only slightly spoilt by a pylon.
Views from the Villa were great, looking all the way to Volterra in the distance. The accommodation worked really well for us as a party of 6, but we left 3 rooms unused on this trip. It would work for a party of 12, (with 2 twin rooms for kids). The villa has one large living area with semi screened kitchen, large dining, and comfortable living space. This opens to a terrace with lounge seating and dining area which looks to the sunset.
The bedrooms all had plenty of space and good bathrooms. The two doubles on a lower level were cooler compared to the one on the upper floor which would need the AC on a hotter month. There is a high roof terrace for long distant viewing accessed from one of the bedrooms.
The customer service was great from Chinzia who lives nearby and sorted minor issues quickly.
We have stayed in many Tuscan Villas over the last 19 years and all agree we would highly recommend this one for families who want a central location to all the historic sites, amenities close by that allow traditional dinner (without driving), and a nice private pool for relaxation.
Anthony Kettle staying in Valdera. May 2026
Valdera
“ Excellent Experience ”
The property was exactly what is advertised. It provided six excellently appointed bedrooms and comfortable bathrooms. The dining options inside and outside provided a setting for memorable lunches and dinners with stupendous views. The kitchen was adequately equipped to provided us with an assortment of meals that extended long past sunset.
The pool and grounds were immaculately maintained.
The little village of Iano provided an outlet for dinners, coffees, emergency supplies of wine and a departure and destination point for walks into the Tuscan countryside.
The site provided stupendous sunset views across the Tuscan fields and hills. Famous towns like Volterra and San Gimignano proved to be only about 30 min away. The routes were studded with wine tasting opportunities. Supplies of food and drink were available from the local town of Montaione.
The support by the owners and the team at Invitation to Tuscany was always immediate thoughtful and informative. We spent an incredible week that met all our expectations.
Philip and family, from Trinidad and Tobago staying in Valdera. Aug 2025
Valdera
“ Beautiful location and villa for a family holiday ”
We stayed at Valdera for a family celebration and had a wonderful time. Nothing was too much trouble for Cinzia the owner who was delightful. The villa is well equipped and in a beautiful setting. The local village shop is great for basic supplies, coffees and pastries. And the local restaurant is GREAT DEFINITELY RECOMMEND A STAY HERE
Sally and family staying in Valdera. Jul 2025
Valdera
“ Fantastic Villa in beautiful and convenient location ”
We had brilliant week at Villa Valdera. Laura was extremely helpful before we left in organising a walking tour of Florence and advising on the best way to get there. She also booked a couple of meals for us in the villa. The first of these meals was not quite what we had hoped for so Laura was very happy to cancel the remaining meals for us. The villa was very clean, well equipped and in the perfect location. The many outside spaces were used by all and allowed privacy for all of our travelling group. We loved the views, close by restaurants and coffee shop. A hire car is a must to explore this beautiful area. Thank you for a wonderful week.
Rachel and family, UK staying in Valdera. Jul 2025
Valdera
“ Villa in Iano ”
Excellent location. Great pool. Kitchen equipment rather dated apart from washing machine which appeared fairly new. Some quirky furnishing which added to charm. Air-con inadequate to 40 degree heat but provided some relief A comfortable villa with stunning views.
Penny and family from UK staying in Valdera. Aug 2024
Valdera
“ Beautiful Villa ”
Lovely villa which we thoroughly enjoyed and can not fault at all! The location was fantastic, and the shop/cafe up the road was incredible - every day for perfect ice cream and coffee!
We did really miss having a tour of the villa, and there was no cleaning facilities like a dustpan and brush, enough bin bags, basic kitchen cleaning equipment - with a baby it was needed! There should have been changing of towels during the week, but we didn't have this either - so that was a bit of a disappointment.
Katie from the UK staying in Valdera. Jun 2024
Valdera
“ Beautiful spot in Tuscany ”
Our family of 7 had the chance to stay in this villa for a week and had a wonderful time. The villa is spacious and well stocked in the kitchen. The beds were comfortable and the ample outside seating is picturesque. The owner of the the villa lives just a few minutes away and she was always available to answer and questions and assist when necessary. Villa is in a great location to explore Tuscany.
Juli & family staying in Valdera. May 2024
Valdera
“ Exceeded Expectations ”
The pictures do not do justice to the beautiful villa and surroundings. Everything is well maintained, and comfortable for all guests with en suite bathtooms. The owner is charming and easily accessible for questions or help. Walking distance to a small shop for fresh meats/cheeses/fruit etc and a small restaurant. 35 minutes drive to San Gimignano, 1 hour to Siena and take the train from Empoli station (40 minutes) for a stress free journey to florence. It was perfect.
Ian from UK staying in Valdera. Jun 2024
Valdera
“ We had a fantastic time at Valdera ”
We had a fantastic time at Valdera. The people we met in association with the villa were so friendly and helpful. Any contact we made always had a quick response with a smile.
Valdera was spotless and the bedding and towels were of a good standard. An expected nice touch was the offer of a change of towels mid week. The sun towels were also really lovely to use.
It was great to be able to walk to the village shop and the restaurant was of a much better standard than I imagined it would be, which is lovely if you return a few times. The chef was also really friendly.
The location of Valdera is brilliant. We had a great time visiting the towns and cities (this is our first time to Tuscany and the first time in a private villa).
Dan kindly recommended a restaurant for us to go to on our route from Arrezzo to Iano which we couldn't access as there was an old car rally taking place in the village of the restaurant. Unsure of where to eat, we carried on and ended up asking in the Tourist Office at Gambassi for a recommendation. I don't know whether it was the relief of finding somewhere pleasant to eat with extreme hunger 😊 but we all really enjoyed sitting in and eating in Beltempo Ristorante www.beltemporistorante.com. It is a new modern restaurant in the town and it was extremely pleasant. I would say it is great for lunch and is informal. It was one of those places where you hope they succeed as the service, enthusiasm, food and atmosphere was lovely.
C.B. and family staying in Valdera. Feb 2017
Valdera
“ A perfect Tuscan Villa ”
Wonderful views, fantastic facilities A perfect Tuscan Villa capable of sleeping 8 people, even though we are only 4! Very comfortable beds, great bathrooms, kitchen fully equipped and washing facilities. Swimming pool, although too cold to use it! Situated in the heart of the Tuscan hills with so Kant interesting places to visit close by. Train to Florence, Siena very easy too.
Paul and Guest staying in Valdera. Aug 2017
Valdera
“ We had a wonderful time at Valdera ”
We had a wonderful time at Valdera. It's a lovely house in such a beautiful place! The house was great and we were impressed with how well the gardens and pool were tended. It felt remote enough but great to be able to walk to a shop and restaurant. My only comment would be that it could be better equipped with 'basics' - bin liners, food storage bags or boxes, matches etc. Also non-breakable stuff to take down to the pool.
We ate at Antico Borgo in the village. It was nice to be able to walk and it's a straightforward restaurant with pizza and pasta. Lovely views from the outside area. We made the mistake of not booking on the last night so had to eat inside - it seems to get busy at weekends. We had breakfast in the other cafe - La Chicca, which was nice. The village shop is really good and well stocked, although expensive compared with the supermarket.
Dan asked for comments about our hotel in Lucca. We stayed in L'Antica Bifore which we loved. It is a four room b&b in the centre and our room was in part of a medieval tower. It was very relaxed, a friendly couple and lovely breakfast. Parking not very convenient if you had lots of luggage. We had dinner at da Pasquale which was the best meal of our trip. Pasquale was the most amazing, enthusiastic and knowledgeable host who looked after his guests so well. He gave us a bottle of olive oil which we enjoyed through our holiday!
J.S. staying in Valdera. Feb 2017
Pilastri
“ Blown away by the villa and all the facilities ”
I wanted to email and say a BIG thank you for all your help in enabling us to have the most wonderful holiday at Pilastri. We really did have the best time in the most incredible setting. We were honestly blown away by the villa and all the facilities. The pictures do not do it justice and we were very pleasantly surprised by how much bigger everything was in real life. The size of our private pool was fabulous and even the shared pool looked much larger in real life. The house had everything we needed and there was a lot to explore too.
Your tips were very helpful and Francesca was also amazing and made us feel very welcome. We actually have almost too many good things to say about the place. The dinner cooked for us by the chef was wonderful and they were very accommodating of our likes/dislikes. It was most definitely a worthwhile experience especially after travelling. The setting where we ate was really lovely too.
The small poolside bar was well stocked and reasonably priced and it was great to be able to have cold beer on tap and the knowledge that we always had a wide variety of drinks and snacks available there.
With regards to activities, we did the wine/olive oil tasting at Palagina which was well run and they did a great job of making it an interesting experience for both adults and also the children too. We also went there one evening for dinner amongst the vines. This was probably our favourite night of the trip with music, food and of course wine. We had a lot of fun chatting to everyone at the table and the scenery was gorgeous.
I think my only criticism would be that it isn’t clear which bedrooms are part of the building and which are ‘extra’. I had been hoping we would be able to sleep in the beautiful four poster room but that is one of the rooms that gets added to villa when more than 4 bedrooms are requested. Perhaps a plan of the villa can be added to the listing (or something similar). However, we were not very disappointed as the whole place was amazing.
Thank you again for all your help with the booking. We will definitely book through you again.
Andrew & Family, UK staying in Pilastri. Jul 2024
Pilastri
“ The situation of the Borgo is excellent ”
The situation of the Borgo is excellent- peaceful and very rural with pleasant country walking within a 100 metres or so.The village is a few minutes drive away with friendly shops and the big supermarket only 15 minutes drive. There are beautiful remote villages in every direction.
The big town, Figline, has the benefit of a railway station only 10 minutes from the Borgo, with the delightful town of Arezzo well worth a visit.The staff were exceptionally kind and helpful and we have already booked a return two weeks in 2024!!
D.G. from UK staying in Pilastri. Sep 2022
Casa Andrea
“ The views from the villa are breathtaking! ”
Casa Andrea is a beautiful 2 bedroom/2 bath villa with plenty of space for two couples or a family with children. The location is perfect, very close to the beautiful medieval town San Gimignano. The views from the villa are breathtaking! The owners are amazing and were very helpful. Exceeded our expectations and we highly recommend this villa.
We also highly recommend the Montese cooking class and the private chef dinner/wine tasting right down the road at Arrigoni.
Tanya and Gaet from the US staying in Casa Andrea. Mar 2025
Aceronina
“ Aceronina ”
A lovely apartment in a delightful setting with views across the valley to the delightful hill town of Citta della Pieve. Charming family - very helpful. It was great to have food (and wine!) laid in on arrival, by arrangement with Olivia. Excellent and detailed instructions and suggestions for restaurants and services in the folder. The kitchen perhaps the best provided of any place we have stayed at. Nice quiet pool. Lots to do in the area.
Some suggestions: A sign to indicate Aceronina on the final turning on the white road - it is not labelled as such! We found that entering Borgo Montefreddo on the satnav worked well. The final ~200M of track is a bit of a nightmare- would be tricky for a small or low vehicle- so could be improved!
Thanks Nigel, I've changed the directions to make them more helpful!
Nigel and family staying in Aceronina. Aug 2025
Aceronina
“ We are all hoping to return again in the future ”
We had a party of five people at the villa for 5 nights - it was perfect. We could not have asked for a more tranquil, relaxing, and private holiday destination. We had the beautiful grounds and pool to ourselves for the entirety of our stay at the villa, and we thoroughly enjoyed this. We made use of the lovely big pool daily - playing pool volleyball as well as doing laps. It is meticulously maintained, as are all of the outside grounds of the property.
Inside the villa is a beautiful large kitchen which allowed all five of us to prepare food at the same time. In fact all of the rooms in the villa are large which gave us ample room to relax inside when it was too hot to be outside. The kitchen is well stocked with all utensils and spices needed to create meals. The bathrooms were very clean and ample bath and pool towels were provided.
The villa is air-conditioned, with controls in all rooms, and in conjunction with the shutters on all windows the villa was kept lovely and cool even on the hottest days that we were there. The view from the outside balcony/patio was absolutely breathtaking, clearly seeing across the valley to the hilltop village on the other side, many kilometres away.
We were welcomed by Olivia, the owner, and her daughter who allowed us to check-in early. It was comforting knowing that Olivia lives at one of the other houses on the property, however we were also given complete privacy.
We highly recommend this villa for a restful holiday, and we are all hoping to return again in the future.
Guy and family staying in Aceronina. Jul 2025
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
“ 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
“ 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
“ 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