Reading reviews and comments of guests that have stayed in a italian villa or apartment is a great way to start planning your trip to Italy. After their trip, each guest is asked to evaluate different aspects of the accomodation and to leave a general comment to publish. To view the ratings for each category, click the link called 'Villa Review Rating Details'. If you're considering Italy for your next vacation, please take a few minutes to browse these reviews - you'll be glad you did.
We recently had a group of 10 friends stay here and had a wonderful time. The owners (Danielle and Massimo) are on site and are terrific to deal with. The location in the hills above Florence is very picturesque and offers great views of Florence and Sesto Fiorentino.
The villa is a 750 year old building that the owners spent 4 years renovating. The original architecture is now mixed with modern conveniences. A very peaceful and quiet location. It offers a very authentic Tuscan experience with 9 plus acres high in the hills overlooking Sesto / Florence with many stone walls/ terraces, including many olive, plum and fig trees for our use. Small area of farm animals - hens, geese, goats horses, etc.
While the villa is close to 4 hillside restaurants, a village and Sesto Fiorentino, you definitely need a car to get anywhere due to the steep hillside roadways. Make sure you bring a GPS with maps of Italy – if you do not you will spend many hours lost on narrow, winding one way streets. City centers generally do not allow non resident cars and will fine you if you drive in them.
Danielle and Massimo will prepare a full breakfast for you for a fee and they will arrange for 2 outstanding Chefs to prepare multi course themed Italian meals for you at a reasonable cost. . These two ladies were very willing to explain each course and how they had prepared it...lots of food and variety.
We booked 1 breakfast and 3 dinners. In hindsight we should have booked more. The food was better than the restaurants with plenty of leftovers for snacks a day or two later. It was more relaxing to eat at villa after a busy day out driving/ touring than to have to go out again in evening to restaurant .
Danielle gave us tips on grocery store ( Esselunga recommended ) locations and how to get to the train station. Take the local train to Florence as opposed to driving. Much quicker and no need to drive in heavy traffic. Cost is 1.5 euros per person.
The villa was listed as "Villa Eden" on some web sites but the actual name is Tenuta Lonciano. That is what the locals know it by and the road is well marked with many signs indicating where the villa is located.
Find Massimo’s café (Gran Bar) in Sesto Fiorentino and enjoy his wonderful baked goods!!! The experience was excellent in every respect.
Can not say enough positive things about our hosts, Danielle and Massimo. These two fine hard working gentleman made our stay in Tuscany pleasant and enjoyable ..always available and willing to give advise and help. Danielle was willing to get up at 5am and drive 2 members of our group to the local train station so they could get to Florence to catch the train back to Rome for the flight home. He would not take any payment for doing this for us.
When visiting Florence try the " hop on hop off " bus for good city tour/orientation. The best experience was driving out into the countryside to the small hilltop Medieval/Roman towns....less people, better prices, some have old walls, narrow streets and many out door markets...very quaint and beautiful places.
Some favourites... Lucca .. Drive or take train from Sesto
San Gimignano.. Nice drive
Siena... Take the train as parking is horrible
Montalcino... Nice drive
Greve in Chanti easy drive from villa
And many more....
We booked this villa because of it's history and location and were not disappointed.
Debbie & Gerry, Joe and Sharon, Ellie & Dave, Gloria & Dave, Marlene & Dale
Would you recommend this property to a friend? Yes
Casa Paola exceeded our expectations by far. A beautiful villa in a wonderful surrounding. But what made our vacations memorable, is the kindness and devotion of Nella and her entire family. Home away from home, this is the feeling that comes to mind when I think of our stay at Casa Paola. Well situated, close to Firenze and Sienna and many beautiful cities along the scenic wine road RS 222. A must if you are looking for a magnificent villa in Tuscany!
Jocelyne & François, Montréal
Would you recommend this property to a friend? Yes
Podere Cantalena ist eine unglaubliches Feriendomizil. Die Eigentümer sind wahre Gastgeber und sind herzlich und sehr hilfsbereit. Schlüsselübergabe war problemlos und sehr flexibel. Das Haus ist ein wahrer Traum. Absolut sauber und sehr authentisch luxuriös eingereichtet. Es fehlt an nichts; alles ist vorhanden, vom Brotmesser bis zu lecker Esprossopulver inkl. Maschine und Poolliegen. Die Lage und demnach der Blick ins Tal und auf die Berge ist atemberaubend. Das Haus ist uneinsichtbar; man hat viel Privatsphäre. Zu 100% können wir einen Erholungsurlaub im Podere Cantalena empfehlen.
Achtung: Die letzten 5 KM erfolgen über eine Schotterstrasse, welche mit normalem PKW wirklich schwierig zu fahren ist. Der nächste Einkaufsmarkt ist 20 Minuten Autofahrt entfernt.
[English translation courtesy of Easy Reserve] Podere Cantalena is an incredible holiday property. The owners are true hosts and are welcoming and very helpful. The check-in was smooth and very flexible. The house is a dream come true. Absolutely clean and authentic luxurious furnishings. Nothing is missing; everything is available, from bread knife to delicious espresso powder incl. machine and pool loungers. The location and the view of the valley and the mountains is breathtaking. The house is secluded; you have plenty of privacy. At 100%, we can recommend a relaxing holiday at Podere Cantalena.
Attention: The last 5 km of the access road are not asphalted, which makes it really difficult to drive with a normal car. The nearest supermarket is about 20 minute drive away.
Would you recommend this property to a friend? Yes
Geräumige und schön eingerichtete Wohnung mit großer Terrasse und umgebender Wiese. Großer Wohn-Essraum mit gut ausgestatteter Küchenzeile. Große Schlafräume, Bäder ausreichend groß. Herrlich gelegenes und absolut ruhiges Quartier mitten im Chianti mit Ausblick bis San Gimignano. Die letzten 2 km Anfahrt sind für den, der es gerne asphaltiert bis zur Haustüre hat, gewöhnungsbedürftig - aber vor den Erfolg haben die Götter den Schweiß gesetzt!
[English translation courtesy of Easy Reserve] Spacious and beautifully furnished apartment with large terrace and surrounding meadow. Large living-dining room with well-equipped kitchenette. Large bedrooms, bathrooms big enough. Uniquely located and absolutely quiet position amid of the Chianti area with view to San Gimignano. The last 2 km access road are unpaved and those people who like it paved up to the front door need to get used to - but "in front of excellence the immortal gods have put sweat..."!
Would you recommend this property to a friend? Yes
Large character Villa, with plenty of space, in a stunning peaceful location.
A vehicle is essential as the nearest town of Greve is 5km away.
Some facilities could do with updating, specifically:-
* No Kettle
* Toaster slow and too small for 8 people
* Oven did not work
* Insufficient sunbeds for 8 people, some were broken and the covers were dirty and threadbare.
* No outdoor BBQ
* Shower curtains in poor condition and need replacing with ones that do not stick to you!!
Would you recommend this property to a friend? Yes
Ein traumhaftes Haus (Villa) mit sehr großem und vor allem gepflegten Grundstück. Der große Pool auf dem Grundstück ist absolut perfekt gelegen und lädt täglich dazu ein ihn in vollen Zügen zu nutzen. Das Haus ist sehr schick und vor allem auf italienische Art sehr gemütlich eingerichtet. Die Lage des Hauses ist in sehr ruhiger Bergregion und man hat absolut seine Ruhe dort. Die Bergvilla ist auf alle Fälle sein Geld wert und wer die Ruhe und die Natur mag ist hier auf alle Fälle gold richtig. Abwechslung, gute Restaurants und Sehenswürdigkeiten hingegen gibt es nur wenige Kilometer entfernt.
Would you recommend this property to a friend? Yes
We recently had a group of 10 friends stay here and had a wonderful time. The owners (Danielle and Massimo) are on site and are terrific to deal with. The location in the hills above Florence is very picturesque and offers great views of Florence and Sesto Fiorentino.
The villa is a 750 year old building that the owners spent 4 years renovating. The original architecture is now mixed with modern conveniences. A very peaceful and quiet location. It offers a very authentic Tuscan experience with 9 plus acres high in the hills overlooking Sesto / Florence with many stone walls/ terraces, including many olive, plum and fig trees for our use. Small area of farm animals - hens, geese, goats horses, etc.
While the villa is close to 4 hillside restaurants, a village and Sesto Fiorentino, you definitely need a car to get anywhere due to the steep hillside roadways. Make sure you bring a GPS with maps of Italy – if you do not you will spend many hours lost on narrow, winding one way streets. City centers generally do not allow non resident cars and will fine you if you drive in them.
Danielle and Massimo will prepare a full breakfast for you for a fee and they will arrange for 2 outstanding Chefs to prepare multi course themed Italian meals for you at a reasonable cost. . These two ladies were very willing to explain each course and how they had prepared it...lots of food and variety.
We booked 1 breakfast and 3 dinners. In hindsight we should have booked more. The food was better than the restaurants with plenty of leftovers for snacks a day or two later. It was more relaxing to eat at villa after a busy day out driving/ touring than to have to go out again in evening to restaurant .
Danielle gave us tips on grocery store ( Esselunga recommended ) locations and how to get to the train station. Take the local train to Florence as opposed to driving. Much quicker and no need to drive in heavy traffic. Cost is 1.5 euros per person.
The villa was listed as "Villa Eden" on some web sites but the actual name is Tenuta Lonciano. That is what the locals know it by and the road is well marked with many signs indicating where the villa is located.
Find Massimo’s café (Gran Bar) in Sesto Fiorentino and enjoy his wonderful baked goods!!! The experience was excellent in every respect.
Can not say enough positive things about our hosts, Danielle and Massimo. These two fine hard working gentleman made our stay in Tuscany pleasant and enjoyable ..always available and willing to give advise and help. Danielle was willing to get up at 5am and drive 2 members of our group to the local train station so they could get to Florence to catch the train back to Rome for the flight home. He would not take any payment for doing this for us.
When visiting Florence try the " hop on hop off " bus for good city tour/orientation. The best experience was driving out into the countryside to the small hilltop Medieval/Roman towns....less people, better prices, some have old walls, narrow streets and many out door markets...very quaint and beautiful places.
Some favourites... Lucca .. Drive or take train from Sesto
San Gimignano.. Nice drive
Siena... Take the train as parking is horrible
Montalcino... Nice drive
Greve in Chanti easy drive from villa
And many more....
We booked this villa because of it's history and location and were not disappointed.
Debbie & Gerry, Joe and Sharon, Ellie & Dave, Gloria & Dave, Marlene & Dale