Large Tuscany Villa with Private Pool, Views near Siena

A: First, you don't need to bring a coffee maker ....they have one there. Second...the room question is hard. The rooms in the chapel are beautiful....but there are shared bathrooms. The one down the hall is the one I chose...because the bathroom was not shared. It's a wonderful villa!!! You'll need info if there is a thunderstorm....Make sure you get the car opener that leads to the chapel section...it's much easier to park and has a garage port. Driving there is fun...but Fabio was great. If you have any other questions please feel free to ask I plan to rent the same villa. I never figured out the tv but that was okay.

A: I stayed in Feb.05 with 8 other people. It was very cold out so our utility bill was approx.300 Euro for the week. We had 2 keys. We arrived very late but the caretaker Fabio stayed as long as it took for us to get there. No problem with the security deposit and it was taken care of with cash as we checked out. The people in Sienna are all wonderful and we had taxi drivers drive one of us around for hours that arrived alone, as she was lost. They did not charge her. Extremely secure and safe villa that was absolutely fabulous.

A: We had five couples staying at the Villa last year and we all were around the pool several times during our stay. At the time there were wooded lounges with terry cloth covers along with chairs so everyone could enjoy the pool area.

A: Depending on how many travellers you have with you I would recommend one adapter per two people. The showers are small with little room to maneuver around so don't plan on lathering up and shaving and do all that sorts of stuff without it being quite a task. Toilet paper was provided and we did not have to provide that for ourselves and did not run out. We had 9 people total staying there and it was great!!! Make sure you have enough bottled water for drinking and snacks as you are a good 10 minutes from town. If you are renting a car you are in good shape if you are travelling by taxi make sure you always have some change for the ride and the taxi service telephone number handy. By the end of your trip they will probably know you by name :-) We did not use the washer and dryer on the property but saw it and it looked as if it was in good shape and operable. The property is beautiful so make sure you have a camera. Make sure you have a jacket and warm clothes as it tends to get really cool when the electricity is off. Which is mandatory for so many hours a day. If you have any questions or concerns once you arrive definitely call Fabio who looks after the property. He was INCREDIBLE at offering information and suggestions and answering questions we had. If you are travelling with numerous people make sure if you split up and leave in different directions for day excursions that both sets of travelers have a key and a gate openers to return into the property. Once the gate is closed you cannot get back through it with out the opener and if no one else is around your out of luck. THere are no street lights on the street and the nearest place to find a public phone is probably 1/2 mile or so. ENJOY your trip !!! We had a FABULOUS time and hope to go back soon.

A: The necessary items that you will need will be based on how many you will be traveling with and how you intend to use the villa. When you arrive at the villa you will find it with the common comforts of your own home and is in great living condition. Everything thing is very neat and clean with handsome furnishings. We were just a small group of 4 for the week (we rented the villa and chapel) and spent most of the time traveling throughout the region and beyond. We were not at the villa much, except in the evenings. We cooked only a few times. The kitchens (there are two) have all necessary dishes, pots/pans and appliances. But you will need to provide your own groceries like coffee, cream, sugar, bread, meat, spices, etc. I would suggest having coffee supplies at the villa. The closest cafe is around 10 minutes or so drive from the villa. And if you are like me and need a cup of coffee to get going in the morning, even ten minutes is a long time to wait. There are several markets in Sienna to buy these everyday items. Additionally, you will find bathroom towels and extra blankets at the villa. I’d buy extra toilet paper and dish soap when you get there if you are a large group. There is a washing machine, so bring or buy detergent if you intend to wash clothes. Bring your own hand soap and toiletries. The best idea is to take a look at what the villa is equipped with when you arrive, and make a list of any additional items you think you may need. Then you can simply pick them up the local market. I wouldn’t suggest lugging these sort of items on your travel abroad. As far as adapters, be sure to bring one for all the appliances you may be using at one time. I was the only one who brought an adapter, so we had to take turns using our hair dryer. I do recall that there was a hairdryer at the villa we used as well. The villa has some adapters, but they must have been for electrical voltages from other countries because our plugs didn’t fit. Also, bring a detailed street map of Sienna and the surrounding areas. The one they provide doesn’t give enough local street detail, so I would either request one from rentvillas.com or do some research on your own to attain one. We had a bit of a problem initially finding the villa and we found it easy to get lost on the streets( and I consider myself a person that finds my way around strange cities easily). Don’t use Mapquest for your directions there. We found them to be very inaccurate.The caretaker is very sweet and helpful with any questions or needs you may have. I would highly suggest having a car during your stay. As I mentioned before, the villa is set some distance away from the main highway and from downtown Sienna. I would consider it too far to walk, and I really didn’t see much local transportation, if any at all.

A: We ate at several resturants, all of them good. I'm not sure of the price, I wll ask my husband tonight to see if he remembers. We have sent information on the villa to several people, one group my have been there already or are going this fall. I know they booked it. I have also told of your services to several people who may want other places. We really appreciated your help with our trip. It is still a wonderful memory for all of us. I talked to my husband and he remembers meals being $10-20/person. We did do a couple that were more. One resturante we would suggest is Osteria il Campaccio. You need to make a reservation because the place only seats around 28 people. It is served Siena style, like a home cooked meal. Prepare to go hungry. We suggest you do as much of the traditional 4 courses as possible. It is casual attire, but wonderful food. The menu is in Italian, the owner is very helpful. Having Mattice cook a meal at the Villa is wonderful also. He allows you to be in the kitchen and gives away some of his secrets. The meals were $30-35 a person, but he brings all the food and wine. It is a 4 course meal so again, save the calories during the day. You will be full. Leftovers make a great breakfast the next day. We also suggest the market on Weds. It is like a flea market here with everything to buy, clothes, flowers, bedding, what ever. There are venders that sell many meats and fish also is you are cooking in the Villa. We did both eating out and in. Most breakfast were in and many lunches. We used the market to get breakfast meats, cheeses and breads.

A: Hello. My family and some friends stayed here a little over a year ago. None of us remember the exact prices, but they were similar to American restaurants. .. just a little higher. What we all do remember is that we could never get into the restaurant that's right down the hill (looks a little like a pub from the outside), or into the two all the way down the hill. The first night was a nightmare - trying to find a place. We ended up in a very crowded family-style pizza joint that was very reasonable. You can dine well - for $$$, or at simple pizza joints, like here in The States, for $. I do recommend that you bring supplies for the first breakfast, some snacks - like fruit.., and eat BEFORE arriving the first night. Because we had the huge dining rm table, right near the fireplace, we ended up cooking. We took turns - 1 team each night. The first morning, my daughter-in-law and I went to town and spent $125+ for breakfast things at a quaint little store. Later, we found out we could have gotten the same stuff for 1/3 the price @ the supermarket - which is even closer! (Be SURE you find the supermarket - to the right @ the bottom of the hill. Ask that wonderful, helpful man (not the care-taker who speaks no English) who meets you the first evening. ..what IS his name! Shopping in the supermarket was great fun - unless you hate to shop. We each chose different things, so the variety in our kitchen was great. Also, plan to replace (and add to, if you like) the liquor stash. We found several bottles in the chappel, and when we left, we left two extra bottles to 'thank the house' and help the next people through the first night. Also, be sure to bring enough cash for the gas/electric/firewood. We wore socks, sweaters, jackets, etc. and it was $500, exactly what I had budgeted for, but I think some people might be quite astonished at the prices. Our family knows you will have the best time ever. We did - despite the rain, cold, the laundry that took FOREVER to dry, no knives, 200 coffee makers - none which fit the electrical sockets, and first day food problems. The view alone makes it all worthwhile. (We painted it in watercolors at the picnic table right outside the 2nd kitchen.) The lay out is so great - perfect for several 'sets of people'. The pictures do not do it justice. Write if you have any more questions. I'm happy to reply.

A: I was asked to respond to this question, however I stayed in the villa in early May and found it to be extremely reasonable and got back much more of my deposit than I expected for the cleaning and electricity- for the week we were there with fourteen people we paid 150 euros for cleaning, and approx 200 euros for gas and electric and phone. Choosing this villas is one of the best decisions I ever made. Enjoy!

A: I have conferred with my wife and 2 of the friends we were with. Our recollection is that of the 8 bed rooms, at least 3 had twin beds. We think the others were queen size, tho' there is one single bed/room. We only used 3 of the bedrooms so our memory isn't great on exact details. That's the best we can do.

A: The pool is not heated, but was comfortable in the summer. Maid service is not provided except for the between guests clean up. I think you could talk to the property manager, Fabio, and he could arrange maid service at extra cost. We did hire a cook for one night. You can walk to two restaurants on the road to the villa and you can walk on the hills which have lovely vistas. This villa is great and I highly recommend it. We had a wonderful time there.

A: We stayed in the villa in late-October and the pool was shut down for the season. I do not know if it is heated through the summer season. The view from the pool area is spectacular. I believe maid service is provided for an extra fee. We did not choose to go that route and washed towels as needed ourselves. The villa is not very close to civilization but there was a very nice restaurant about 2 miles from the villa. A couple of the people walked there one night before it got dark but we tended to drive as it was too dark. A flashlight is definitely recommended if you walk especially in the fall when the days are shorter. Next door to the villa was a agri-tourism farm. The owner was very friendly although the communication was challenging. If you are looking for a place that is quiet with great views but not too close to town, this is an awesome place to stay. If you want to be within walking distance of shops, you should look elsewhere. Aside from the one restaurant, you are a 10-15 minute drive from town.

A: I am not sure why someone thought parking was difficult--I would say the exact opposite. We had 2 cars (which we rented at the airport and drove to the Villa) and had no trouble parking. There is plenty of room at the Villa (gravel driveway), and it's very easy to park in Sienna (there are lots of free spaces on the outskirts of the center which is a lovely 8+/- block walk from the heart). We used our cars every day--day trip to Florence (v. easy and parking in a reasonable lot right in the city was easy, too), San Gimignano (highly rec.--best gellato ever!), wine tour, etc. So, while I cannot rec. a car for hire, I can tell you it's really no problem to park there. If you don't like driving in Italy...well, that's another story! I'm sure the groundskeeper who lets you in can tell you a hire company if this is the case. Have fun. This place (the Villa) is really amazing. Even better looking "live" than in the photos!! Best, Arden

A: NO PROBLEM FOR PARKING !! Up to 5 cars if needed !! Space is available at 2 different doors !! One in a little hill but the other is musch easier !! We rented from the airport at arrival, for our stay in Italy !! Beware of the heating ! Enjoy, also the cook for an evening at home !! Very relaxing for once !! Have a great stay !!