Reviews of House Rental in Tuscany, Arezzo
Mulino sul Colle
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Customer Reviews
Overall:
The overall experience was amazing. The villa was everything it appeared to be in the pictures. It was secluded, but not far from town. It was old and authentic but not lacking in amenities. The best part of the villa was the owner. She made us feel completely at home and really put effort into making our stay fantastic. We loved it!
Enjoyed Most:
All around, the property is fantastic. My favorite part of the property is it's history and location. It was built around 1810 as a mill. It was lived in since the early 1900's and bought by the current owners about 30 years ago. You could just see the history in the house inside and out. Even better was that this old, historical house was completely up to date inside. Very nice appliances, a nice TV with tons of English channels, and nice bathrooms. We stayed in early November so it was slightly cold at nights and the heating system was more than sufficient. The outside of the house is amazing and I would love to stay there in the summer to enjoy it even more.
Unpleasant Surprises:
There was very little that we weren't in love with. For comparison, we stayed at five star hotels in Venice and Rome during the same vacation and this villa was just as comfortable if not more so.
Surrounding Area:
The owners of the villa produce olive oil so the villa is on a hill surrounded by olive trees. We were lucky enough to be able to help pick olives for a little while. The view out of the windows in the morning was awesome!
Nearby Events or Locales:
Arezzo is the nearest town and isn't within walking distance. There are things to do and see in Arezzo for those that are interested. For those that want to visit all of Tuscany, Arezzo is right in the middle! We drove all over Tuscany and was very happy with our central location.
Tips or Restaurants:
Don't worry about anything! The owner has all the basics that you could expect at any nice hotel. I was a first-time renter and was very worried about what we would find when we got to Italy. If you are feeling the same, rent this house and stop worrying! I have no doubt that anyone who rents this home will love the owner! After only a short week we felt like we were already good friends. She was so awesome to us and after reading through comments in her guestbook, I quickly realized that she takes care of everyone in the same way. I hope to stay here again sometime soon!
Jeremy, November, 2010
Overall:
The property was wonderful. It had great views, was close to a town, and was peaceful.
Enjoyed Most:
The garden and outside area was a joy. The owner went out of her way to make our stay special.
Unpleasant Surprises:
The mosquitoes the second week became very bothersome.
Surrounding Area:
We took many day trips to wonderful Tuscan towns.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Arezzo, short drive.
Tips or Restaurants:
Buy mosquito repellent.
Directions:
Did use a GPS which was helpful.
Did not need to use coordinates.
Richard, August, 2009
Overall:
We enjoyed staying at Mulino sul Colle quite a bit. The property is outside the larger town of Arezzo on a hillside in an olive grove.
Enjoyed Most:
We loved the outside terrace. It had a great view of a church with ringing bells, you could hear the creek and see the countryside.
Unpleasant Surprises:
Lots of stairs! We were traveling with older family members who grew tired of climbing up and down stairs even to use a bathroom. The stairs are made of stone and are very steep. Even after reading the summary of the property I wasn't expecting the number and steepness of stairs.
Surrounding Area:
It was very peaceful. The closest store is several km, as well as the closest restaurants. It is a great location if you want to use the train from Arezzo into Rome and or Florence. We took the high-speed train to Rome and it only took 1.25 hours!
Nearby Events or Locales:
The closest town is Olmo, I think. It is certainly not within walking distance. You would need a car to enjoy this property and the surrounding areas.
Tips or Restaurants:
The owner has stocked the house with many of the things you would expect to have to bring for a rental home: dish soap, laundry soap, sponges, spices, oils, etc. You really only need to bring your clothes and the food you wish to eat.
Directions:
We used GPS to get to the property.
Denise, April, 2009
Enjoyed Most:
The property is positively picturesque. The kitchen is well-equipped and well-stocked. The owner, is extremely accommodating and helpful.
Unpleasant Surprises:
There is very little negative to say about the place. Perhaps only that people who have difficulty with stairs might have an issue the main staircase, which while charming, is made of stone and the steps are shallow -- not a problem if you are careful.
Surrounding Area:
It is in the middle of a large olive grove. The sunsets visible from the patio and the kitchen are categorically striking!
Nearby Events or Locales:
The nearest town is Olmo, which has a typically dilapidated little strip mall with the typical conveniences. There is no charming 'little Tuscan' town very close by. However, the villa is 10 minutes from Arezzo and 10-15 minutes from Castiglione Fiorentino. 20-25 minutes to Cortona. There is a very large, modern supermarket, Esselunga, 5 minutes drive away in Olmo.
Tips or Restaurants:
My suggestion would be, simply, that if you want a beautiful place to stay while exploring southern Tuscany and even northern Umbria that this is an exceptional place from which to do so.
As far as restaurants go, the best although it was by no means extraordinary, place we went to that was nearby Antica Pieve, about 10 minutes south of the property in Vitiano. It was quite good.
David, September, 2007
Overall:
The kitchen and its huge fireplace was the gathering place inside. The terrace and its views was the place to be at anytime.
Enjoyed Most:
The tranquility and peace.
Unpleasant Surprises:
The third bedroom entry was through another bedroom. Good for a family, not so for 3 couples.
Surrounding Area:
The views of the mountain, olive tress and the garden added to the Tuscan feel. The church about 200 meters up the hill and its bells gave a feeling of all is well.
Nearby Events or Locales:
The nearest town was Olmo and not close enough to walk to. A car is needed. There were good grocery stores within a 10 minute drive.
Tips or Restaurants:
Nadia did add an American coffee maker. The kitchen was well stocked with utensils and there were spices for cooking.
Check In Out:
Nadia made it very easy. We called her on the cell phone 10 minutes from the Arezzo exit and she met us as we exited from the Autostrada and led us to the property.
Maurice, September, 2007
Overall:
It was better than expected.
Enjoyed Most:
It was absolutely beautiful. The villa was clean, homey, better than I had hoped for. Nadia, the owner, made us feel so welcome. She brought food over several times and couldn't have been nicer..
Unpleasant Surprises:
There was nothing I didn't like. No one would be disappointed.
Surrounding Area:
The peace and quiet. The church bells ringing just up the hill.
Nearby Events or Locales:
There really wasn't a town within walking distance, but we had no problem finding places to eat.
Tips or Restaurants:
Not really. You might want to bring washcloths, as none were provided. This was true in two hotels we stayed in also.
Patrick, September, 2006
Overall:
One of the best vacations we've ever taken-- and we've had more than a few in other countries. Nadia, the owner, is a wonderful, friendly and charming lady -- met us at the house, immediately made us welcome, and stayed in touch with us to assist with any issues or questions we might have had. A most enjoyable, relaxing and rewarding experience.
Enjoyed Most:
Secluded, beautiful view of the surrounding area. Olive trees surrounding the house added a significant level of charm. Rustic 200-yr-old mill, but fully restored, had all the amenities without sacrificing character and authenticity. Owners did a phenomenal job of reclaiming the property and keeping it a place you'd want to stay.
Unpleasant Surprises:
Although the weather was hot, the location was breezy, and the bedrooms on the first floor were much cooler. Bottled water was suggested for drinking. Some bugs, but that's what you'd expect from living in the country.
Surrounding Area:
The culture of Tuscany is unlike anything else -- day trips to hill towns Arezzo, Cortona, Siena, Montepulciano, to name a few were most enjoyable.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Don't remember the town's name, but it's a short walk down the hill.
Tips or Restaurants:
Antico Pieve, a few Km south of property, was a wonderful restaurant. Make reservations, though -- it's quite popular.
Check In Out:
Nadia the owner met us when we arrived, showed us around, made us feel truly welcome. Most attentive, warm and friendly.
Emily, July, 2006
Overall:
If you want an unbelievable "villa" experience this is the perfect place.
Enjoyed Most:
So many wonderful things.....the views, the flowers, the building history, the smells, the sounds all were outstanding. Steven Spielberg couldn't do a better job!
Nadia is a lovely caring person and truly conveys her love for the home. She gave us permission to pick whatever vegetables-herbs we wanted from her garden.
Unpleasant Surprises:
Perhaps the door jams between rooms were a little difficult to get used to but that's part of being in an old building.
Surrounding Area:
Proximity to charming old towns and wine countries.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Arezzo was closest and it was too far to walk and sidewalks were nonexistent in some places.
Tips or Restaurants:
House was extremely well-equipped and Nadia was very eager to make sure you had everything you needed. She even made a homemade pizza to cook upon our arrival! Had no insect problems.
Directions:
The turnoff to the villa was a bit difficult to find and took us two attempts.
Check In Out:
Not a problem at all. Very quick and efficient. Again Nadia is a gem.
Claire, June, 2006
Overall:
The owner was warm and friendly, helpful in every way, welcoming us more as visitors to a private home instead of renters. She and her husband lived in the villa for years while renovating it, but now live in Arezzo.
Enjoyed Most:
The setting amid olive groves and gardens was perfect just enough privacy and seclusion, and with easy access, just off the main road between Arezzo and Cortona. Loved the beautiful terraces around the house where we spent much time. Bells chimed on the hour from the church up the hill.
Unpleasant Surprises:
I can't think of a negative thing. It was not "plush" in the American sense, but to us the ideal Tuscan villa.
Surrounding Area:
The proximity to so many Tuscan towns. We especially loved Cortona and the small hill town of Civitella, directly across the Val de Chiana from us. We also very much enjoyed hiking up the hill behind the villa, through the beautifully manicured countryside, with poppies and wildflowers blooming in the fields.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Rigutino and Olmo were close, but we didn't walk to either. It would be possible, but the road is busy.
Tips or Restaurants:
The villa is extremely well-equipped. Do stop on your way to the villa on Saturday at a grocery there are many good super-market style stores in the general area Penny Market and the more upscale PAM are two. Almost everything commercial is closed on Sundays.
Directions:
They were thorough and the property is easy to find.
Check In Out:
The owner was on hand for both to make it completely smooth.
Mary, May, 2006
Overall:
It was clean, and everything worked as expected. The hillside, church, and immediate environs were altogether lovely. The hostess went well beyond anything we expected.
Enjoyed Most:
The peace and quiet is wonderful, and the hospitality warm, gracious, and intelligent.
Unpleasant Surprises:
The sound of the train in the valley late at night and early in the morning. The one small improvement would have been an effective coffee pot.
Surrounding Area:
The agricultural richness, and the access to fabulous cultural treasures in Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Assisi, and even Arezzo.
Tips or Restaurants:
The suggestion booklet provided was quite helpful on that front. In the April- May period, the weather can be quite variable so you need to have clothing choices for that. And you really do want to take seriously the need for modest clothing when visiting active churches.
Sunny , April, 2006