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Based on 27 Reviews
Customer Reviews
Overall:
Six of us were very pleasantly surprised with the quality, the size of the villa, and the rooms. It's a ten-minute walk to town and yet very quiet.
Enjoyed Most:
The bedrooms were quite large and the common area was huge and tastefully decorated.
Surrounding Area:
A good-sized pool and tennis court plus large grounds to wander.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Orentano was a 10-minute walk
Directions:
Used a GPS.
Rob , September, 2012
Show All 27 Reviews
Overall:
Simply sensational time in Tuscany made all the more possible due to our home base at this villa. We had family members from all over North America stay with us and all agreed it was one of the best vacation spots ever.
Enjoyed Most:
The quiet solitude was a definite highlight. No cars we could hear and nary a wire or power line to disturb the illusion of timeless peace. Birds chirping in the middle of the night and hundreds of fireflies. Our kids loved it! The grounds are significant and even with the adjoining units booked you have a sense of solitude. There was more than enough room for everyone.
Enjoyed Least:
I guess if we must nit-pick. The usual hard beds but hey, this is Europe--it's not so unusual. The Internet connection and television were dubious at best but we wanted to go "off the grid" anyhow. The pool is not heated which is not surprising however it is interesting that there is an unheated Jacuzzi.
Surrounding Area:
Lucca is positively charming. We went four times and we loved it so. Proximity to Florence, Pisa, San Gimignano and even Siena is a bonus. Don't miss out on lovely Vinci and its towering view of the countryside. Nearby Altopascio even has its charms if you look for it off the beaten path. If you drive south towards Bientina there are fields of joyous sunflowers as far as the eye can see. Okay that's enough, you pretty much turn any corner, drive/walk in any direction, and you will be amazed.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Orentano has a population of 850 and they are all lovely. The restaurants were wonderful and the gelateria in town was our favorite hangout to watch the Euro cup games and for the kids to play fusbal. Quiet, quaint where one feels instantly at home. We hoped Orentano was within walking distance but it's a 20 to 30 minute walk (did it twice) and given the narrow road and heat it's impractical. Also, there's no economical way to get to the Altopascio train station and grocery store (Conad or Pam) so a car is a must when renting here.
Tips or Restaurants:
Some previous renters mention stocks of goods when they arrived. Alas I believe this is subject to the previous renters and what they leave behind. We had to rush to the store for toilet paper and then, at a more leisurely pace, provide everything needed for the kitchen from spices, to olive oil to dishwashing detergent, etc.
As a suggestion to future travelers: get lost. Meander the grounds, lose yourself in obscure narrow alleyways or turn the GPS off once in a while. You won't regret it.
Directions:
The street itself is not difficult to find. It's the lane leading to the villa which is quite difficult to locate. Small sign is hidden behind another. Lane looks like a cow path leading to nowhere as the villa cannot be seen from the roadway. Better signage is recommended.
Check In Out:
The caretakers were wonderful and very helpful.
Jean-yves, June, 2012
Show All 27 Reviews
Overall:
It was a a relaxing, luxurious getaway.
Enjoyed Most:
We loved everything about the villa itself! It was beautifully landscaped, sumptuously furnished, and had a lovely layout. The kitchen had everything we wanted for cooking simple meals, and more that we did not use. The pool was beautiful (if a bit cool, in May). There were comfortable chairs and chaises everywhere plenty of places to congregate and also plenty of places to have alone time.
Enjoyed Least:
A bulletin board with notices about additional potential charges and instructions: the security deposit, cleaning fees, instructions about how to strip the beds, where to leave the linens, and utility fees. These extra costs should be included in the rental fee.
Surrounding Area:
Some of the beautiful smaller roads were charming, and we found that the Autostrada got us where we wanted to go quickly. We explored Orvieto en route to the villa, and Lucca, Florence, Pisa, the beach near Pisa and Siena during a leisurely week at the villa. If we had been ambitious, it would have been easy to see more, but we were busy enjoying the villa!
Nearby Events or Locales:
Orentano was walking distance. Altopascio, a few kilometers away, had everything we needed.
Tips or Restaurants:
We arrived on a Saturday evening and learned that all stores would be closed shortly. It might be helpful to suggest that people bring supplies for the first 24 hours with them if they arrive close to 19:00. We appreciated the suggestion on the bulletin board about where to buy good bread, but, sadly, never found good bread (even at that bakery.) Next trip we will avoid bread and concentrate on the many other delicious foods that abound.
Directions:
We did not use a GPS. A map was very helpful.
Check In Out:
We did not have telephones with us, and had to rely on other guests at the complex to contact Paula so we could get into the villa. Fortunately, she and her husband were around at times, so we could ask them about the few minor problems that arose.
Kate, June, 2012
Show All 27 Reviews
