Villas in Tuscany & Umbria Since 1998

Overall impression: We fell in love with Tuscany and our villa was a big part of that.  We were very fortunate in that we were pretty much the only people there but I think the layout is such that even if the villas had all been occupied you would still have privacy and quietness.
Highlights: Too many to choose.  The location was very central which meant we could do day trips and see a very good variety of countryside and cities in Tuscany.  We had great onsite assistance - eg we were advised not to drive into Florence but to catch a train instead.  Also, the villa itself had a book with a number of trip ideas and suggestions which was useful.  An added bonus that we didn't excpect was access to the internet - would have been good to have access to a printer as well (minor point)  We loved our time so much we stayed an extra 4 days and were grateful that that request could be met.
Unpleasant surprises: None at all - we have recommended to-tuscany to a number of friends and would love to return ourselves.
Sharon ( Accommodation: Taglialegna)

Overall impression: Impressed with everything about Taglialena. Situation, outlook, facilties..
Highlights: Weather and food.
Unpleasant surprises:None.
Thomas (accommodation: Taglialegna)

Overall impression: Very comfortable and cozy.  The view was spectacular.  I was only sorry the weather wasn't great for sitting out on the patio.  A light in the kitchen would have helped.   The only issue -- the walls were very thin between units, but not a big problem, although I could see if there were noisy people next door, it could spoil the experience.
Highlights: Montepulciano, Volterra and Siena, although I think one of the best days was hiking through Chianti from Radda to Volpaia.  Exquisite.  This hike was described in the binder left in the villa.  Very good directions.
Unpleasant surprises: Just the thin walls between villas.  The light in the kitchenwould have helped.
Sara (Accommodation: La Stella)

Overall impression: We were very happy with the apartment - it was very clean and had everything we needed. I would definitely recommend staying there to friends/family.
Highlights: The wonderful food (and owners) at the restaurant in San Sano.
Wine tasting at Castello Tornano, Le Micchine, Rocca di Castigilione, Castello Nueva di Ama
Unpleasant surprises: The DVD player didn't work, which was a letdown as we'd actually brought DVDs all the way from the States with us.
Julie (Accommodation: Mietitore)

Overall impression: The accomodation was lovely, although we were a little disappointed that the view from the upper terrace was interrupted by ugly bars.
Highlights: Dining in the local restaurants. Management on site was very friendly.
Unpleasant surprises: I didn't bank on the hamlet being so family orientated. There was a familty next to us with 4 very small kids and our day was really dictated by when they got up and if they were in...also, there wasn't much peace around the pool....
I would have like to have been told about this and it did marr our holiday.
Also, although the property was nice i thought it  was old and was surprised it was a purpose built hamlet. this wasn't obvious from the marketing.
Thankyou however, for helping us with our holiday...
regards
Andrea (Accommodation: Mietitore)

Dear Dympna,
Everything was great and it all ran very skoothly. The computer room was an added bonus which was great so our son could check his e-mails. Which turned out to be important for his forthcoming departure to Bath Uni.
We didin't dislike anything! And the web site was very true to what we found.
The cottage was fantastic for Italian standards, we have stayed in a lot of places and this was the best equiped (apart from a choppin board) cottage we have ever had. It is usually on the primitive side but here all was there and functioning!!!! Thanks for all. We had a great time and visited lots of beautifull places and the highlight was Siena by night!
Regards, Anna (Accommodation: La Stella)

Overall impression: Very good! We really enjoyed it, including the kids!
Highlights: Accommodation, weather and breathtaking surroundings.
Unpleasant surprises: No!
Magnus (Accommodation: Taglialegna)

Overall impression: It was simply wonderful and more than I could have hoped for!!
Highlights: Our villa was in such a lovely location - tucked away in the quiet hills, but close to every Tuscan site we could wish to visit!
Unpleasant surprises: Only that our bank put a "security caution" on our ATM card...even though I had phoned them before we left the US to explicity let them know we'd be in Italy! This presented a hardship for a day when we were trying to get from Venice to Florence to pick up our rental ca. We were low on cash, and with the time difference, we had to wait 8 hours for the security department of our bank to open! My recommendation to any US traveller in Italy (and especially in the Tuscan countryside) - never carry less that 150 - 200 Euros in cash!
Marla Gerein (Accommodation: Pesci)

Overall impression: The accommodation was truely excellent. Presentation was perfect. Very well equipped (although a tray would be good to carry food and drinks to the terrace for dining al-fresco). There was a b-b-q provided but it was so rusty as to be difficult to use without special cleaning materials. We would have liked to see mugs rather than cups (lots of trips to the kitchen). But these are really small points - the building was charming, the bed comfortable the price competitive and we really enjoyed ourselves.
Highlights: As this was the 3rd trip to Tuscany we did not do anything new and never found the time to even get to Florence. Basically we pottered round the villages meeting charming people, eating superb food, looking at beautiful countryside and enjoying fantastic weather. For us there is nothing as relaxing and free as pottering round the Chianti countryside.
Unpleasant surprises: No nothing of note happened. On the first day we saw a 3ft snake crossing the road near the accommodation (which caused my partner to be nervous at walking at night). We also wondered why the Hertz desk was so busy at Pisa when the Sixt desk was completely empty. Getting the car took longer than ever before and I will consider changing company next year.
David (Accommodation: Taglialegna)

From Chris and Claire Hall, Western Australia (villa Taglialegna, early May 2006).
As this was our first visit to Italy, we had no idea what to expect in the way of accommodation and the best location from which to visit the various places of interest. From that point of view, we very much appreciated the excellent service provided by Linda Page. She spoke from personal experience, and nothing was too much trouble for her. We met other travellers at Hamlet Montefiorile near Lecchi who said the same thing - so she must be doing something right! She went the extra yard and gave us information about other areas as well, even to the point of providing a suggested itinerary; so heartfelt thanks to Linda.
We were extremely happy with our accommodation, and the early May weather was just like a Perth autumn. The unit Taglialegna was just the right size, and had a nice view across the valley to the hills. The nearest village, Lecchi, had everything we wanted, including well-priced wine - we bought a very acceptable red for 3 euros! - and a quality restaurant.
Tuscany is just like the advertisements - it's impossibly beautiful, with views at every turn. However, having driven many miles around the countryside, we both agreed that the most stunning Tuscan views were to be had along the road from Castellina in Chianti to San Donato - just breathtaking.
For those thinking about taking the plunge: Italy is nowhere near as expensive as people would have you believe. It is possible for a couple anywhere in the country to self-cater on the most magnificent local foods for $Au30/day, including wine. But if you intend to drive, we would suggest a portable GPS navigation system such as a Tom Tom. The main roads are well signposted, but one can get seriously lost on the country roads. The locals were wonderful to us when we were lost, even driving us miles out of their way to our turnoff.
All in all, it was a wonderful month. Thanks to To-Tuscany for a lovely experience.

Thank you for our stay in Tuscany. The villa was very beautiful. Too bad the weather was a little cooler than expected. Had you been in charge of the weather, it would have been beautiful. The place was spotless and comfortable. The organized wine tour was the best!!!! Thanks again. We hope to return.
Charlie and Fran and Jaime (Accommodation: Pesci)

Hi Michela,
Sorry for the delay in responding. Has taken a little while to get organised after the trip.
We loved our stay in Tuscany and in particular at Pesci. It was well equiped, very comfortable and a lovely outlook. Was great having internet access available. We didn’t seem to be able to get the TV working (probably a grey moment) however that didn’t really matter.
Overall we had a great stay and we have some very envious Aussie and English friends so I think you can expect more custom over the next few years.
Linda provide great assistance at this end in helping us to select Pesci and providing links to other sites of interest regarding the area. To-Tuscanys web site is very good.
A couple of general points - we got lost trying to get thru Sienna as we picked up a car at Rome airport and then drove up the coast road before cutting across to Sienna. We ended up coming via Castellina (I think) which worked out ok. We also got a parking fine in Sienna. Thought we had parked legally but we were in a residents only area. Bit of a warning for future guests.
Thanks again to you and the staff for making our stay so enjoyable.
Regards,
Roger & Marg Hilton (Accommodation: Pesci)

The accommodation overall was lovely.It was a good size for a couple, although we noted when we arrived that it would be too small for four people (as it is advertised as being suitable for), particularly as the sofa bed is in a room with no curtains, allowing little privacy and a lot of light through.
The balcony had beautiful views and we found the furniture in the villa all comfortable and clean.The kitchen was surprisingly well equipped and we liked the open plan living area. Added extras such as a CD player, iron and ironing board aswell were all appreciated. The communal tower area which allowed us use of the washing machine and free internet access were big bonus points for us, aswell as other guests because the computers were often
being used.
Whilst we were surrounded by quite a few other properties, quite closely packed in, this didn’t really bother us, we could go for a lot of the day without seeing other guests and when we were in and around our villa it was incredibly quiet.Most people were very friendly there anyway, which created a lovely atmosphere in the hamlet.
Tom Prestwich (Accommodation: Vinaio)

Absolutely excellent!  The standard of build, the facilities and the location were lovely. The design layout of the units ensured total privacy so that we were never aware or disturbed by our neighbours. The grounds were lovely with lots of different plants which encouraged wildlife and were well looked after.  The views were just spectacular!  Although it was, for we townies, quite remote, the nearest of Lecchi and access to other villages and towns around was excellent.
Sue (Accommodation: Pesci)

Quite nice and homey, everything about the room itself was just as represented to us.  The kitchen was quite useful and we loved our balcony (when it was not raining!). Beautiful area.  We enjoyed being so close to so many wineries and especially loved the tour of a nearby farm, Castelnuevo d' Ama.
Edward Greim (accommodation: scorpione)

Our accommodation was very good. Lovely terraces with lots of garden
furniture. Comfortable interior with good bathroom and kitchen facilities.
Nice to have shaded parking for our car.
Beautiful- especially the view from Pesci.
We had a lovely holiday! Thank you. Judy and Alan Keech