Villas in Tuscany & Umbria Since 1998

Overall impression: It was very nice and proper. The owners were very sympatic people.
Highlights: The view, the eco-pool and the lovely weather.
Unpleasant surprises: Many bites from the mosquitos. But they are anywhere in the world.
Angela (Netherlands)

Overall impression: Very good. Spacious, had everything you needed . Owners very accomodating even bought a DVD player for us to use.
Highlights: Visiting the old cities and local people
Unpleasant surprises: Only the petrol strike ,so no dribing around for 2 1/2 days ...had to walk 8kms in and out of town to get food and check petrol situation.
John  (UK)

Dear Lisa
We have just returned from a wonderful holiday, made even more memorable because of the beautiful villa in which we stayed. Please pass on our thanks and best regards to the lovely owners, Signore Andrea and his wife, (and Gina, the dog!) who were kind and helpful whilst very respective of our privacy. As it turned out, my aunt from Milan was unable to join us because of sciatica, but my Mum was still able to enjoy visiting a part of her native Italy which she had never seen before. An abiding memory for us will be sitting on the terrace of the villa at night, glass of chianti in hand, watching the fireflies twinkling in the hedges and trees: magical.
Many thanks to you and the To-Tuscany team
Ciao and grazie
Elena  (UK)

Overall impression: very commodious; a real home for two couples the owners and son were very friendly and helpful and responded to problems -- broken coffee maker and TV receiver -- immediately
Highlights: opportunity to explore central Tuscany at our own pace. L'Orcio's location made it easy to get to Volterra, the Chianti, Siena, Florence, and other locations, and still return during daylight to have dinner at home when we wanted. Colle's restaurants served us well if we wanted to eat out at night.
Unpleasant surprises: Not really. The road system of the 'new town' is a bit confusing; perhaps a map or more detailed directions about how to drive to the COOP or the piazza might help. The walk into town is direct and interesting, but it's also a bit dangerous, for you must initially cross two traffic circles and then walk on two stretches of road without footpaths or sidewalks.
David (USA)

Michela, the questionarre sent to me does not accept my answers so for you information, FYI, we had an absolutely wonderful time. One draw back was that on arriving I was to supply a 200 Euro deposit for heat I guess [To Tuscany comment - this is a security deposit for damages], I knew that we had to write down the meter readings and be prepared for heat money but not an up front Euro deposit. Luckly I had it in hand. I was wiped out with that till the next day. Not your fault, just a heads up. Would have been much happier with knowing ahead of time. Got most of it back but again, on the morning that we are heading to the airport, so perhaps there could be another way of doing it so that one does not get stuck with all those Euros to bring home. I can change them here but would rather spend them there. The accomadations were great, comfortable, lovely view of Colle D Val d"elsa, especially at night when the lights are all aglow. Fantastic location for sight seeing. 45 minutes to Florence after rush hour, 40 minutes to Volterra, magnificant place to see. /Sienna is only about 23 miles from the villa. The landlords were very accomadating and friendly, limited English but we were able to communicate well with them. There was a problem with the water, hot and then no water one morning due to a leak somewhere but the response was tremendous, very jealous of that, try getting a plumber that quick here, and taken care of. They were quick to respond and were vigilent in getting things working. We are laid back so we were not annoyed. There is no one special thing but I think that sitting at the end of the day with a glass of wine with my daughters and best friend gazing out on the lovely view night after night,even the thunder storm one night, were the "best" icing on the trip. Had fun with the computer email connection. Was great to have to keep tabs on what was going on at home. The key boards are a little different which made our punctuation's interesting. Everyone at home was fascinated with that, I will pass your site on to each and everyone of them. We will be going back and I can assure you that I will talk a few others into going over as well. Ciao Pam

Overall impression: Excellent difficult to fault,neat and clean,spacoius rooms and lovely pool superb area, easy acess to wonderfull regional towns and villages that must be seen,especially Florence and Siena
Highlights: Florence and Siena. and those Tuscan sunsets.
Unpleasant surprises: No
Steve Holbrook

Overall impression: It was excellent. Good value for money. The house was beautiful and the pool was out of this world!
Highlights: The bio pool. It was fantastic swimming with frogs! We enjoyed Sienna and also Florence although we found Florence expensive. San Gimignano was beautiful with fantastic views, especially from the castle. We all had the urge to watch Gladiator!
Unpleasant surprises: A round of soft drinks or ice creams for 6 could be very expensive, but usually worth it to sit and soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the views.

Judith Cross

Excellent. It was very homely. All coveniences were provided. The pool and surrounding gardens were heavenly, described by our friends as the most relaxing place in the world. The Parri family were extremely nice and helpful.
Relaxing by the pool in the natural shade of the mature trees. The view from the pool area. The fresh clear, chlorine free, water in the pool made swimming wonderful. The location of Colle de Val d’Elsa was the best. Close to many other towns but within Colle itself everything needed was available.
Farther to the centre of Colle than expected. Your description said 2km which probably only reached the outskirts of the town centre. Also found that on Tuesdays several restuarants in Colle were closed. It would have been nice to have been warned that the garden sprinklers went off at 5am - still they provided a wonderful green garden.
Neil Harrison (United Kingdom)