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Customer Reviews

Overall:
Excellent! We had stayed in this property with another couple 2 years ago but this time we were alone so we took the small unit. It is perfect for two.
Enjoyed Most:
Location, view, easy walk to town, good base for travel to other towns, and the owners are very friendly and helpful.
Surrounding Area:
Great hill towns and close to major sites.
Nearby Events or Locales:
While a steep climb - Cortona is just a 10 minute walk out through olive groves behind the house; we often walked to town twice in a day.
Tips or Restaurants:
Lots of excellent places to eat--impossible to try them all even in 2 weeks.
Directions:
Directions are good.
Check In Out:
Having stayed there before we arranged to meet at the property. Check out is easy - just leave the keys.

Russell, November, 2012

Overall:
A very good experience.
Enjoyed Most:
Its location.
Enjoyed Least:
Trying to find the manager to get to the property. Very difficult to find, especially after dark, and they only speak Italian. They were very nice, but language was a problem.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona, yes but a difficult uphill climb so we always drove.
Tips or Restaurants:
Get better directions on how to find the manager.
Directions:
Used GPS but lots of streets are pedestrian only, or one way.
Check In Out:
Check out was excellent, check in in was difficult because we could not located the manager.

Brian, November, 2012

Overall:
We had a wonderful time at the villa and in Cortona.
Enjoyed Most:
The location and the view were wonderful. It was quiet and peaceful and very comfortable. The town of Cortona is 5-minutes away with wonderful restaurants, sights, and shopping.
Enjoyed Least:
There isn't a lot of natural light in the unit itself, but that wasn't much of an issue as we would sit outside whenever we could. It could have been maybe a bit more equipped with basics like toilet paper and decent knives, but nothing really to complain about.
Surrounding Area:
It is situated in a great location. Easy access to everything. The views are spectacular.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona is a 5-minute walk. But be prepared that it is a steep, uphill climb on a narrow road.
Tips or Restaurants:
Bring extra toilet paper and maybe laundry detergent.

Judy, October, 2012

Overall:
Comfortable place. Great location for travel around Tuscany.
Enjoyed Most:
It was quiet and clean.
Enjoyed Least:
Rather dark inside and there is no Internet access.
Surrounding Area:
The pool, peace and quiet.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona. A bit tiring to walk due to the uphill climb.
Tips or Restaurants:
All the restaurants in Cortona are excellent.
Directions:
Used GPS. It was easy to get to Cortona but not easy find the property. Had to ask around.
Check In Out:
The landlady and her family were most helpful. We had a vehicle incident and their daughter helped to communicate with the car rental company and get us a replacement vehicle. I think we would have been lost otherwise.

Joanne, September, 2012

Overall:
Adriana 3 is in a perfect location to explore the town of Cortona. It is within walking distance but the roads that wind up the hill are narrow, so we drove. After a week there we felt so "at home". We prepared several meals, did our laundry and had one poolside day. We would return, if possible.
Enjoyed Most:
The view of the valley and the night sky from Adriana 3 was excellent. The grounds and rooms were very well-kept with an Old World-style ambiance. It was a relaxing place to sit outside and read or discuss the day's travels. It was also wonderful to have such a large area for parking our rental car.
Enjoyed Least:
The property was almost perfect. I would probably only change the dining table in some way so meals weren't eaten facing a wall.
Directions:
We used your directions to easily find the people who led us to the property. They in turn were so friendly and helpful.
Check In Out:
It was very easy and comfortable.

Kandee, September, 2012

Overall:
Fabulous. The property is just a delight and everything was clean and very well maintained. Our neighbours in apartment 2 were great company for us and we all had fun together.
Enjoyed Most:
The garden.
Surrounding Area:
Gorgeous countryside to both walk and drive. The town of Cortona itself is really charming.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona, and yes, we walked to it up the hill. 10 minutes from the property.
Tips or Restaurants:
Apartment is complete. The only problem for us was lack of Internet access as there are very few places in town with WiFi. We needed WiFi as we were travelling for so long and needed to book ahead.

Linda, September, 2012

Overall:
Adriana 3 provided comfort and privacy while giving us the feel of living like locals.
Enjoyed Most:
We loved the authenticity of the villa. It doesn't give you the feeling you're staying in a rental property. After a wonderful day in Tuscany we felt like we were going to our home away from home. The location is perfect. Beautiful views, and so comfortable! Everything we needed was provided.
Surrounding Area:
Cortona was wonderful as was Camucia. We were close to the autostrade so getting to other cities was easy, yet we still felt like we were in the Tuscan countryside.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona was the nearest small town and was well within walking distance. Camucia is right down the hill - a short 4-5 km ride down the hill.
Tips or Restaurants:
Everything was provided that we needed for a comfortable stay. There are several markets in Camucia for groceries and essentials. Our favorite restaurant finds were Fufluns, and La Buccacia. Don't miss these two amazing restaurants! Check out TripAdvisor for reviews.
Directions:
The written directions were very helpful. GPS is a must.
Check In Out:
The key holder's daughter spoke English very well, answered all our questions, and gave good instructions on the check-out process.

Ray, September, 2012

Overall:
Excellent
Enjoyed Most:
Loaction, view, character, grounds.
Enjoyed Least:
Lack of mosquito screens on most windows.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona. Nearly within walking distance.
Tips or Restaurants:
Bring a small electric fan if you are there in June.
Directions:
Did not use GPS...followed directions to home of caretaker and were then led to property.

Robin , June, 2012

Overall:
It was an excellent experience. The property provided a wonderful place to escape the crowds of tourists. The gardens were lovely, the pool refreshing and clean and the views magnificent. The property is well located and the owners extremely friendly and helpful.
Enjoyed Most:
The location and the tranquility. Also access to the pool and a washing machine. I enjoyed meeting the owners and the overall ambience of the place. The building is a well kept old farmhouse. The original part of the building dates to the 1500s.
Enjoyed Least:
The kitchen was very small and the fridge being behind cupboard doors was a nuisance. Also, there was no information about the surrounding area left in the apartment, such as where the nearest grocery store is located.
Surrounding Area:
Cortona is a lovely town and with a car, this property is within easy reach of many other small old walled towns. There is also a modern town with an excellent grocery store just a five-minute drive from the property.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona - just a 10 minute walk away.
Tips or Restaurants:
The Tuscher restaurant in Cortona is a great place for coffee or dining. Bring a swim suit. The pool is lovely.

Ian, June, 2012

Overall:
We had a fantastic time at Adriana 3! We loved the beautiful farmhouse and the views, but it was a shame that the pool was too cold.
Enjoyed Most:
The views and the surroundings.
Enjoyed Least:
Small kitchen (with no kettle) and there were quite a few bugs in the pool, so we never really used it.
Surrounding Area:
We loved the reading area with the hammock looking over Camucia and watching the sunset from the pool area and the kitchen window. We also loved the walk to the Old Town (even though it was all uphill) as you walked along a path with wild poppies and olive trees to the side of it, all looking out over Camucia. It was heaven.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona Old Town was an 8-minute uphill journey. It was pretty steep, but we are in our mid-twenties so it was fine for us. The walk was one of my favourite parts of the day due to the amazing views along the way. Don't go the road way; walk along the rugged path full of poppies and olive trees.
Tips or Restaurants:
Toilet paper is a must and a Cortona map (we had to buy one in the Old Town). Also if you don't want to boil your water in a pot, you should bring a kettle. We would also recommend researching the area before you arrive, as you are given no information. Trattoria Dardano is excellent. The porcini mushrooms and steak are brilliant! We bought fresh pasta every day, which was excellent. I recommend combining fresh pasta with truffle paste, a lot of fresh cut up garlic, onion, pesto and a little sugar to make the most divine meal! Also, if you arrive by train, ask the owner to organize a taxi to take you to Adriana 3 and ask the taxi driver to pick you up when you're due to leave. We had trouble with all of the taxi companies being fully booked.
Directions:
We called Elisabetta who arranged a taxi to pick us up from the train station--which was great. We had trouble with our departure though as the all of the taxis were booked so, as mentioned before, it pays to book in advance!
Check In Out:
Little information given on arrival, so it would be good to do your research first and purchase a map beforehand or in the Old Town. Elisabetta picked us up on departure (which was lucky!) and took us to the train station due to the taxis all being booked.

Lucy, June, 2012

Overall:
Very nice. The villa is in a lovely setting overlooking the valley and Camucia. We had everything we needed for a wonderful week.
Enjoyed Most:
The setting, the swimming pool, and the comfortable bed.
Enjoyed Least:
It was a very steep walk to Cortona which we did every day, but we did not feel comfortable walking along the small, busy road after dark. The apartment was rather dark and chilly.
Surrounding Area:
The view, the town of Cortona, and the other hilltops towns nearby.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona. Yes, we walked up every day, using the shortcut right behind the villa.
Tips or Restaurants:
We liked all the restaurants we went to...there is a nice variety. The wine bar on Via National is great for free WiFi and tasty snacks. The little grocery store on the main square had everything we needed for cooking some of our meals at home. Be sure to visit the Etruscan Museum and walk up the hill to the fort!
Directions:
We took a taxi and Elisabetta was waiting for us and drove us to the villa.
Check In Out:
We could have used more detailed information on how to use some things in the villa, ie. the TV.

Jill, May, 2012

Overall:
We loved calling this beautiful farmhouse our home for a week and I didn't want to go. It's that simple. It was beautiful and if I had a group of friends going to Tuscany I would want to stay in the larger apartment. The small, upstairs apartment we stayed in was perfect for the two of us.
Enjoyed Most:
The view. The peace and the quiet. The roses everywhere. The beautiful yard and gardens.
Enjoyed Least:
The lighting inside. It was dark because the windows are small. But they opened up to beautiful views.
Surrounding Area:
Just beautiful. Cortona is lovely and being able to get in and around that little town and the surrounding towns for a week was delightful.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona is within walking distance and it is uphill every step. That is to be expected. I would not recommend this location to anyone who has trouble with stairs or climbing.
Tips or Restaurants:
The Enoteca on the main square was just lovely and arranged a wine tasting/food tasting dinner on Thursday night. We actually met Frances Mayes! We had to buy a sharp knife because the knives there were just not.
Directions:
It was necessary to drive to a parking lot at a gate that wasn't clearly marked and the parking lot was jammed. And it would be impossible to find the property without first finding the property manager. And we arrived late because of the confusion and they were lovely to work with.
Check In Out:
The whole family was waiting for us to leave to jump in and clean the house. They were friendly and truly lovely to deal with.

Ruth, May, 2012

Overall:
We had a lovely time.
Enjoyed Most:
The location and the yard.
Enjoyed Least:
Not being able to use the fireplace. It rained two of the days we were there and it would have been nice to have a fire. Editor's Note: There is a fireplace available. Firewood upon request.
Surrounding Area:
Cortona has wonderful people and amazing food.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona is the nearest town and yes, it's within walking distance.
Tips or Restaurants:
Buccacia is the best restaurant! And so is Teatro...the walk is steep, but bearable. Do Allesandra Federici's cooking class!! A must!!
Directions:
The owner's daughter picked us up. She was very sweet and accommodating.

Kristina, October, 2011

Overall:
Outstanding! Great ambiance.
Enjoyed Most:
Architecture, setting, and view.
Enjoyed Least:
Mosquitos.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona is the nearest town; yes, it's within walking distance.
Tips or Restaurants:
Electrical outlet adapters are helpful!

Patricia, October, 2011

Overall:
We enjoyed our stay at the property.
Enjoyed Most:
It was close to the town, the owners were around but not intrusive, and it was well maintained.
Enjoyed Least:
It was smaller than we had anticipated. We had a problem with the lock on the door; we had difficulty with it and on one occasion called the key holder--and sometimes left it unlocked in order to avoid having to call again. Editor's Note: The lock has been fixed. November 2011.
Surrounding Area:
It was very historical and beautiful, just what we had hoped for. Also, we felt quite safe.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona was the nearest town. You could walk to it but it was a hike.
Tips or Restaurants:
My only suggestion would be that older renters be made aware of the steps and steep hills in the area. This might also be a concern for some drivers.
Directions:
We did use a GPS, which was useful.
Check In Out:
The check-in was a distance away in the walled part of Cortona; this was a bit awkward, but doable.

kim, September, 2011

Overall:
It was a beautiful area, beautiful accommodations. We loved it!
Enjoyed Most:
I loved the fact that we were in the middle of an olive grove. It was very peaceful and private.
Enjoyed Least:
There was nothing we didn't like.
Surrounding Area:
I loved the beautiful hills and countryside and magnificent sunsets.
Nearby Events or Locales:
The nearest town I would say would have been Cortona. We did walk into Cortona one of the days for breakfast and hiking, but it's all uphill. We still enjoyed it. Camucia is the next small town but we drove in for groceries--about a 5-7 minute drive.
Tips or Restaurants:
Bar 500 was absolutely delicious. Everything was provided in our apartment. I just brought extra tolilet paper,a small box of laundry detergent, and a couple of our own beach towels for the pool area.
Directions:
We did use a GPS. Highly recommend one for day tours.
Check In Out:
Signor Castellani and Elisabetta were very sweet and friendly. Thank you, Signor Castellani, for the delicious bottle of wine!

Elizabeth, September, 2011

Overall:
We had a fantastic experience at Adriana 3.
Enjoyed Most:
The family who maintained the place was lovely and very helpful. They picked us up and dropped us off. The accommodation was clean and the pool was lovely. The owners' recommendations for restaurants and the guided English walking tour were also really good.
Enjoyed Least:
As we stayed in the peak of Summer the heat was truly unbearable at night to the point where I could not sleep. I had to drape wet towels over me to stay cool. We had 1 fan and the owner gave us a second but we were told to keep the windows closed and the hot air just circulated. I loved the place but it really needs air conditioning in Summer! The days were +40 degrees Celsius. One other improvement I would suggest was proper cutlery. The plastic knives and forks were ok as we could just throw them away, but they really weren't good enough to cut vegetables.
Tips or Restaurants:
Overall we loved our experience and we walked a lot. We wished we had rented a car but we managed ok with the bus from town and trains.

Sarah, August, 2011

Overall:
We had a wonderful time.
Enjoyed Most:
The views from the upper windows were spectacular. The hosts were very friendly and welcoming.
Enjoyed Least:
It was a bit warm, a fan would have been a nice addition.
Surrounding Area:
Wine, food, views, wine.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona was a healthy walk uphill. I was very glad to have a car.
Tips or Restaurants:
Enjoy your visit to Cortona. Plan on hiking about a lot--we saw so much that way. Montepulciano is about 30-minutes away and a magnificent visit. We liked it enough to return. We loved the restaurant on top of the hill, past Cortona: Loc. Castel Girardi 64, 52044 Cortona (Arezzo); 0575 691030.
Directions:
The directions were not very good, but I don't have any suggestions. There are three major parking areas surrounding the two primary gates to the city of Cortona. We chose the wrong gate, but Carlo Fernando's son came right down and guided us directly.

Tim, August, 2011

Overall:
We loved the owners, the villa,and the location. Note that it DOES have a microwave, window screens, and a hairdryer. I was very comfortable and happy being there.
Enjoyed Most:
The views and the location are ideal. It is indeed 1 km walking distance to Cortona, but that's walking up the one-way street. However, it's steep no matter how you get to Cortona, as it's a hill top. We drove and parked outside the walls, which is more like 3 kilometers. We loved Cortona and it was our favorite place of all the towns we visited during our two-week stay.
Enjoyed Least:
I didn't really dislike anything, although the kitchen is tiny. I wished I had internet access.
Surrounding Area:
Cortona is fantastic!! I could spend the whole week right there...and not get bored. It's also not far at all to the train station, where we caught the train to Rome with ease. Trains to the north, though, require connections in Florence, so it's not quite as simple.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona
Tips or Restaurants:
We ate in Cortona at a different place nearly everyday, and were not disappointed. Don't forget your electric adapters. In the next town, about 5 kilometers, there's a grocery store that also has small appliances. If you need a fan, buy one there. We had no trouble charging phones, cameras and computers.
Directions:
I could not find the sign that said Porta Colonia; I found a sign that says Piazza Mezzina.

Bev, August, 2011

Overall:
It was great in every single way.
Enjoyed Most:
The property was a few-minute drive from the walls of Cortona in a very peaceful and quiet setting.
Enjoyed Least:
If I really have to pick something (it would be difficult), then it would be the fact that the online photos of the property were probably taken by a professional, and therefore were all taken from and ideal angle.
Surrounding Area:
Proximity to the heart of Cortona. It was wonderful to take morning or especially evening walks in the town. We wanted to mingle with the locals and avoid tourists, so we took some relaxing evening walks. They were great. Some of the smaller trattorias were also fairly reasonable in price and tipping was easy, since a surcharge was already added to the bill at all times (by the way, this surcharge was also more reasonable and often less then in the US). We also travelled a lot to Assisi, Florence, Siena, Montalcino, and Montepulciano.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona "downtown" was the closest. We always drove up to the walls, parked the car, and kept on lingering around until the last trattoria closed.
Tips or Restaurants:
Definitely Trattoria Dardano. On our first day, we asked our hosts which their favorite "tourist-free" restaurant was with real local food for mostly locals. Fernando walked down with us to Trattoria Dardano. It is a very charming, clean place with a great selection of food. We tried other places, too, but this was the absolute winner. The "house specialty of mixed appetizers" is the best for antipasti. It was so easy to fall in love with all of them. The atmosphere was just naturally Tuscan. We ate there twice and I wish there was a chance to teletransport ourselves to Cortona on Friday nights to enjoy thier hospitality along with their wild boar specialties.
Directions:
We drove to the keyholder family's home. The GPS took us to the town walls and we parked the car and showed the first Italian trattoria owner the papers that you sent us. He saw Fernando's name and lead us to the right home. By the way, Fernando's family, Giovanna and Elisabetta, were super nice ALL THE TIME. But not fake nice with artificial smiles--just simply naturally nice and caring. They even helped us call our families back in Hungary from their own home when we had problems with our phone. They didn't speak Hungarian and we didn't speak Italian, so it was quite a funny experience--but once again, the whole family was super nice all way long!
Check In Out:
We had difficulties getting to Cortona on time, but they were all very understanding and had absolutely no problems with it, whatsoever...

Zoli , July, 2011

Overall:
We LOVED Cortona! What an amazing and enchanting city.
Enjoyed Most:
It had amazing views of Tuscany!
Enjoyed Least:
The interior felt dated.
Surrounding Area:
Amazing food and the people were wonderful
Nearby Events or Locales:
We walked to Cortona but it was very steep. We ended up driving the rest of our time there.
Tips or Restaurants:
I would suggest bringing your own sheets and towels, even though they are provided. It's hard to travel internationally and pack these items, but I wished I had. We loved all of the restaurants that we ate at in Cortona. It seemed that they were all above par and amazing!
Directions:
We arrived pretty easily!
Check In Out:
Check out was easy; we just left a key on the counter. Check in was easy also.

Shelli, July, 2011

Overall:
We had the best time of our trip at Adriana 3. It was a beautiful property and the view of the cuntryside was amazing. The time the owner had taken to renovate the property was so apparent and we loved that the property was and old farmhouse. It was fun to do a little cooking on our own.
Enjoyed Most:
It was nice to have the pool on hot days. It was very close to town--it took us 12 minutes to walk there. The owner was so attentive--he was around at least once a day to check on the property and we could ask questions if we needed to. The inside furnishings of the farmhouse apartment were so appropriate for the setting. The furniture was antique as was the artwork. The bathroom was totally modern and well done. It felt like home.
Enjoyed Least:
There was not anything to dislike. It was perfect! We have recommended Rentvillas.com to our friends already.
Surrounding Area:
The Cortona area was beautiful and the local people helpful and friendly. We enjoyed visiting Cortona and taking day trips to Asisi, Arezzo, and Siena. We didn't want to be on the go too much because we loved being at the villa.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona was a 12 minute walk uphill but we are in pretty good shape.
Tips or Restaurants:
We loved grocery shopping in Cortona at the little markets and at the grocery across from the train station in Terontola because the older owner was so nice there. He even put some olive oil in a container for us because we didn't need a big bottle. The Trattoria Dardano was a wonderful place to eat in Cortona. The food was amazing, especially the fried porcini and the chicken.
Directions:
We were not able to make the connection to get our rental car so we had to take a train to Terontola (about 15 minutes away from Cortona). It was getting pretty late so the owner's daughter came to pick us up at the train station. It was so nice of her to do that and we so appreciated her helping us out that way.
Check In Out:
Very easy. We forgot to ask about where the washer was and where to put the trash so maybe a handout left in the room for those of us who forget to ask question!

Vanessa, June, 2011

Overall:
Absolutely perfect for the two of us, mother/daughter. The owners were delightful and helpful. The daughter speaks English.
Enjoyed Most:
The location. It's private but close to a very neat town.
Enjoyed Least:
Can't think of a thing!
Surrounding Area:
So Italy!! We rented a car for the week and we were in a perfect location.
Tips or Restaurants:
The directions to the owners house in Cortona were a little confusing for us, but we asked a shop owner and found the address. Your suggestion to do grocery shopping before arriving was perfect.
Directions:
As I said we had a little problem finding the owner's house in Cortona, but they were very gracious to take us to the property and show us around.

Joan, June, 2011

Overall:
Great
Enjoyed Most:
Location and owners
Enjoyed Least:
Kitchen is really tiny and inconvenient. Directions could be improved.
Surrounding Area:
Everything
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona; it's within walking distance but it's uphill.
Tips or Restaurants:
Come prepared to have fun. Keep in mind that this villa is located outside the town walls and has stairs.

Walter, May, 2011

Overall:
Adriana 3 was everything we were looking for, it was the perfect home base for our vacation. The apartment was clean and comfortable and much prettier than I'd expected from the pictures. Additionally, the owners were lovely and friendly. I'd really like to go back in the future!
Enjoyed Most:
The location was ideal. We were isolated enough that it was very peaceful and quiet but it was just a mile to walk into Cortona for dinner.
Enjoyed Least:
I wish there had been more light.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona was about a mile away, the walk was uphill but not terribly taxing. We walked into town for dinner most nights.
Tips or Restaurants:
We ate in several of Cortona's restaurants and our favorite BY FAR was Fuflun's. We were blown away by the freshness and quality of the ingredients, we ate there twice and every component of the meal was excellent each time. I highly recommend it to anyone!

Leslee, May, 2011

Overall:
A central location to stay in the Tuscany region. Pleasant place to stay, and the view was spectacular. Small, but nicely updated and clean. Cold, would have been nice to have a little heat in the evenings.
Enjoyed Most:
Clean, modern kitchen and bathroom, central location. The bed was large and most comfortable!
Enjoyed Least:
No heat, and no English TV channels - no news.
Surrounding Area:
Spectacular views and local culture.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona would have been walking distance if the hill was not so steep. The car was the only option for us.
Tips or Restaurants:
Kitchen is well enough stocked that you could do some cooking, to avoid eating all meals in restaurants. Restaurant meals were very boring - only Italian food - Pizza, Panini, and Pasta in Italy. No option to go for Chinese or Mexican for a change of pace! If you don't bring books or magazines in English, a deck of cards would be handy. We did some crossword puzzles and read at siesta time. Restaurants not open for dinner until at least 7:30 pm.

Beverly, April, 2011

Overall:
I enjoyed it tremendously.
Enjoyed Most:
The scenic view.
Enjoyed Least:
The bathroom and television.
Surrounding Area:
THe location to Cortona.
Tips or Restaurants:
Bring a converter, extra toilet paper and small DVD player.

Joel, November, 2010

Overall:
My overall experience was unmatched. I have never had such a terrific trip in my life and this property was one of the major contributors.
Enjoyed Most:
I liked the quaint location. And the very serious peace and quiet that came with its location.
Enjoyed Least:
It was cold in there, but I knew that it would be as I went knowing I would be spending the last two weeks before they turned on their heat.
Surrounding Area:
The surrounding area! The walk up to town. The unmatched views of Camucia below and Cortona above. The weather was perfect everyday!
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona was the nearest small town and for a 27 year old who loves a little uphill climb to start off his day,it was very walkable.
Tips or Restaurants:
No suggestions of what to bring other than if you decide to go Late October, bring layers in your clothing. Otherwise, the Rentvillas checklist is perfect and the villa itself is quite stocked with everything you might need right away. And, if I may, try as many of the restaurants as you can in Cortona. They are all unique and unbelievably delicious and the price is right at all of them. My favorites included Preludio, Tuscher, and Il Loggetto. And my absolute favorite was Osteria del Teatro. The food is all homemade, even their chocolate. My favorite was their Ribollita soup and their Tagliatelle con Funghi Porcini. I had dreams about their Ribollita! Also, they have two waiters there who couldn't have been more charming or welcoming.
Check In Out:
They are very sweet people and check-in check-out was extremely smooth.

John, October, 2010

Overall:
Very good.
Enjoyed Most:
Access to hill towns.
Enjoyed Least:
No complaints.
Surrounding Area:
Convenience and views.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona.
Tips or Restaurants:
We used the restaurants finds on the RentVillas site and they were accurate.

Mary Ella , October, 2010

Overall:
Good.
Enjoyed Most:
Good views, remote.
Enjoyed Least:
Rather dark inside. We had a car, which was necessary.
Surrounding Area:
Beautiful area, lots of interesting things to see and good restaurants
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona. Apparently was within walking distance. Up a hill. On a busy road. We never tried it.
Tips or Restaurants:
Despite other comments, we found most stuff there, except for a kettle. They assume you drink coffee. If you are a tea drinker, you will have to boil water in a saucepan. If you arrive late Saturday or on Sunday, shop before you get there. And bring matches.
Directions:
The road down to the cottage is not necessarily easy to find, particularly in the dark. As you come into Cortona, go past the large car park and it is the first very sharp turn to the left.

John, March, 2010

Overall:
It was our first trip to Italy and loved it. I would do the same trip over again and try to slow down a bit more.
Enjoyed Most:
The owners. The location close to Cortona. We got to know the folks staying downstairs and that added to our experience.
Enjoyed Least:
The kitchen was really small but certainly better than staying at a hotel room. It was hard to get food as there are no grocery stores in Cortona.
Surrounding Area:
That is was so old. And scenic.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona was just a bit far for it to be convenient. But it was nice not to have to drive.

Peter, October, 2009

Overall:
It was beautiful.
Enjoyed Most:
Location on the mountain and close proximity to Cortona.
Enjoyed Least:
You can't get away from the uphill.
Surrounding Area:
The wine country, and close proximity to other interesting towns.
Tips or Restaurants:
Bar 500 in Cortona. Emma is the owner. Order the Bruschetta and the mixed meat and cheese tray.
Check In Out:
The owners were fabulous.

john, September, 2009

Overall:
Good
Enjoyed Most:
Peace and quiet.
Enjoyed Least:
Shower had poor drainage.
Surrounding Area:
Peaceful area and great views.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona - although advertised as being within walking distance it was not unless you are extremely athletic.
Tips or Restaurants:
Bring along a decent cork screw. Bring along your own music - no CD player supplied. We took an iPod and docking station. We mostly cooked in the villa to avoid the high restaurant prices. There is a great little pizza house in Cortona which sells slices of pizza quite cheap - great for lunch. Hardly any coat hangers supplied - bring some of your own.
Directions:
Unfortunately we had purchased a road map which did not give us enough detail and in hindsight wished we had purchased a GPS as Italy was very difficult to get around due to poor sign postage and road rules or lack of abidance

Helen, May, 2009

Overall:
We loved it. The fireplace MADE it.
Enjoyed Most:
Coziness, view, fireplace.
Enjoyed Least:
Small bathroom.
Surrounding Area:
Walks to town.
Nearby Events or Locales:
You could walk to Cortona.
Tips or Restaurants:
Buy toilet paper. That's it! Really.

Tamara, March, 2009

Overall:
Cortona is a fantastic city,as well all Toscana region. Our experience was excellent.
Enjoyed Most:
Peace and quiet.
Enjoyed Least:
Lack of skylight inside the house.
Surrounding Area:
Cortona is a very touristic city.
Tips or Restaurants:
Several good trattorias.
Directions:
The directions we received were clear.

Luiz, October, 2008

Overall:
The most wonderful vacation.It was peaceful,the views were amazing,the place was rustic and real..it exceeded our expectations.Could not have been better.
Enjoyed Most:
The views,the pool and the bocce ball area.
Enjoyed Least:
Loved everything!
Surrounding Area:
The views,the restaurants and the quaintness of the town.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona...yes.
Tips or Restaurants:
Needed to have music..bring an ipod or something.
Directions:
We did use a GPS and that made everything very easy.

Erika, September, 2008

Overall:
We enjoyed our week. Obviously the scenery was fabulous. But spring was also just a lovely month to visit... with wild red poppies and purple iris blooming along the sides of the roads and in the fields. To be wakened by birdsong in such a tranquil setting was delightful. Although steep, the walk into Cortona was really short and each bend up the hill gave us new stunning vistas. The town of Cortona was delightful and everything we needed to just enjoy the hillside charm of Tuscany.
Enjoyed Most:
It had a great location - you could walk into Cortona. Views from the garden of the surrounding countryside were beautiful. The key holders were so very helpful and even though they didn't speak much English, they helped us to feel welcome and relaxed. They are amazing people - with a truly lovely home.
Enjoyed Least:
The kitchen - no stove or microwave. But it was adequate for our week. We rented the upstairs apartment... so didn't have any panoramic views from our living room/ dining room, but if we stood and looked out of the other windows we did have great views, and lovely sunsets (from the small windows in kitchen and bathroom).
Surrounding Area:
Wonderful scenery...what was there not to like about it!
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona
Tips or Restaurants:
Buy toilet paper.

Richard And Marilyn, May, 2008

Overall:
Our overall experience was outstanding. The property was beautiful, the location was great, the owners were helpful and organized. It couldn't have gone better.
Enjoyed Most:
It was very quaint, and charming, and clean, and well-kept. The garden and grounds outside were beautiful, and the views were fantastic.
Enjoyed Least:
There is really nothing not to like. The kitchen area is tiny, so there is not a lot of counter space. It wouldn't be easy for someone who planned serious cooking, unless they got creative and used the table space for preparation. But there is another apartment just below this one that has more space, I hear. I'm sure it is just as beautiful.
Surrounding Area:
There are many great Tuscan hill towns within reasonable driving distance.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona was a 10 minute walk up a hill. It is a beautiful, well-maintained hill town with walls that date back to Etruscan times. It was nice to have the option of walking into town for dinner or breakfast rather than having to drive anywhere.
Tips or Restaurants:
Bar 500 in Cortona was a great coffee-pastry shop. Il Grotto, down a tiny alley off of the main piazza in Cortona, has great food and atmosphere.
Directions:
There are walls around the city and several entrances. One is called Porta Colonia and there will be a parking area near it. One has to get close enough to the city to be just next to the tall wall to find it.

Elizabeth , April, 2008

Overall:
Excellent - really enjoyed the stay.
Enjoyed Most:
Views, peace and charm.
Enjoyed Least:
Nothing to complain about.
Surrounding Area:
Great walks, easy reach of major cities - Florence, Siena.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona - easy walking distance, but up hill.
Tips or Restaurants:
Many good restaurants, but Teatro was the star.

Tom, April, 2008

Overall:
For two 72 year-old people, a couple of 52 years with eight children, and 22 grandchildren, Adriana 3 provided a nice cozy venue to celebrate a honeymoon. Adriana 3 was a comfortable refuge from the worst of the weather. The landlords did an incredible job of introducing us to the details of the villa property, mechanics, laundry, gate, appliances etc. All in all it took about an hour using Italian language, none of which we understood. The landlord made sure we understood when he said IMPORTO, and that one word in common made all the difference in making the introduction and stay most workable and comfortable.
Enjoyed Most:
There was central heating! Cortona worked its magic, as a refuge to come home to in adverse weather, thanks to the comforts and surroundings of Adriana 3. Not to be overlooked was the shower stall, the largest we found in Greece and Italy, and its welcome hot water after a day of hill navigating by car and on foot in drizzle, wind and cold.
Tips or Restaurants:
The landlord made sure we understood the IMPORTO of locating the CO-OP supermarket in Camucia, the flat-lander town below Cortona for food shopping. He pointed out the white market building several hundred meters below us with the red letters COOP. I would add to this fine introduction to villa life the advice to Embrace Camucia, and all its parts as the practical part of living in the impractical attraction of Cortona. Learn the railroad for excursions to Assisi, and Fiorenze. These worthwhile destinations are no place for your car; parking is a nightmare in the best of circumstances and the railroad station in each destination has convenient and cheap public transport from their respective terminals. The Camucia Embrace includes, their post office, their Internet shops relatively inexpensive, Esso gasoline station with a copy of the Herald Tribune, and Financial Times. Use your camera in Cortona; use your wallet in Camucia.

Larry, October, 2007

Enjoyed Most:
It's location and the lovely owners!
Surrounding Area:
Everything was in easy reach - but it did mean you had to walk there, which was good.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona
Tips or Restaurants:
Take a bottle opener.

Colin, September, 2007

Overall:
It was so authentically Italian.
Enjoyed Most:
Everything about the property exceeded anything we could have expected. Elisabetta was an angel. So nice, and spoke perfect English to boot.
Enjoyed Least:
Traffic on the street immediately adjacent to the property was quite loud into the wee hours.
Surrounding Area:
It was just so beautiful. The olive tree orchards, the old Italian houses, the church bells. Cortona was totally convenient to all of Tuscany - provided of course that you had a rental car, as we did.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona. It was an easy 10 minute uphill walk. Downhill coming back though.
Tips or Restaurants:
Eating at the villa was a pleasure. Local foods were convenient at the Coop store in Camucia. Our hosts also provided fresh garden veggies!

David, June, 2007

Overall:
The owners were very friendly. Lovely place to stay.
Enjoyed Most:
Very authentic, cozy and romantic. Nice feeling of seclusion and great views. Nice flowers and they had a wonderful aroma coming into the villa. Lots of pretty rosemary.
Enjoyed Least:
There was a road next to the property that many people use as a shortcut out of town, so there is a fair amount of traffic noise. Early crowing rooster.
Surrounding Area:
It was very easy to get to the highway and explore. Town was close and many nice villages nearby.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona. Not really very good to walk to as it was all uphill for over a half mile to get into town.
Tips or Restaurants:
All of the restaurants in Cortona were wonderful. Many to choose from. La Loggiato in the main square had the best food. Had a great meal at the Grotto. we wish we had brought a night light. Also, we needed extra toilet paper. The kitchen supplies were good. Villas tend to give you only about two towels for the week, so I bring an extra old towel from home that I throw away. Because of the road, earplugs helped.

William, June, 2007

Overall:
I loved the pool and being able to make our meals at the end of the day.
Enjoyed Most:
The pool is great. I love the screens on the windows, but one was broken. It would also be nice if they can put them on the windows in the kitchen and bathroom so that you can open the windows without concern for bugs. Overall we liked the place's charm and we weren't expecting 5 star accommodations.
Surrounding Area:
I love the location because it was closely located to major highways and a lake.
Nearby Events or Locales:
We enjoyed our walks into Cortona. It was a little steep but then all that area is and we didn't mind. It only took us 10 minutes to walk into town.
Tips or Restaurants:
I bought and left a hairdryer in Adrianna 3, so I hope they keep it in the Villas for others to use. I strongly recommend visiting the COOP. If you need more things, there is a much larger COOP in Arezzo. Once you get into town there are signs to the store.

Venus, May, 2007

Overall:
Lovely, quaint place. This was our third time using Rentvillas and we were not disappointed. While this place is not 'as fancy' as other places we have rented, it was charming and, because of reading the great reviews, we knew that the kitchen would be small. I felt it was an excellent value and enjoyed being within walking distance to town. We were there in October, so can't comment on the pool.
Enjoyed Most:
It's proximity to Cortona -- only a 10-minute walk to the town walls. The king-size bed was very comfortable. There was plenty of closet-dresser space, too. Loved the stone walls and antique furniture.
Enjoyed Least:
The rooster who crowed VERY early EVERY the morning. Earplugs solved that issue and besides 'him,' it was very peaceful. Would've like to have been allowed to use the fireplace, as it was a bit chilly the first two days we were there in late October. Also, would've liked to have CNN available on the TV, as it was very quiet and there were no English-speaking TV stations. A radio would be nice to have, too. Other reviews commented on how small the kitchen is - 4-burner stove top and small fridge - but for the two of us, it worked fine for breakfasts and easy dinners of pasta.
Surrounding Area:
Easy access to main roads and to numerous hill towns -- Orvieto, Todi, etc. Beautiful countryside, fun winding roads, plenty of restaurants, lovely churches, etc.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona was a 10-minute walk up hill. It's a rather steep walk, but then going home only takes 5 minutes! Camucia - not within walking distance - is at the bottom of the hill and has grocery stores, gas stations, railroad station, etc.
Tips or Restaurants:
I would highly advise having a car if staying here. Make sure to bring a hair dryer, if you use one. Watch the hot water -- it gets hot very fast. I would NOT recommend this place for more than 1 couple. There is a pull out sofa, but then it would be really cramped. There is Co-op grocery store, down the hill, on the main road going towards Arezzo. They had everything we needed to buy. Enjoyed a nice dinner at La Grotta, in Cortona. Had a fabulous lunch at Cavour in Todi.

Lori, October, 2006

Enjoyed Most:
It had fantastic views. Set in a beautiful area next to Cotona which is a great center for a holiday.
Enjoyed Least:
The kitchen was extremely small and only one ring was working on the hob. The settee in the lounge needs replacing.
Surrounding Area:
Everything
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona - it could be reached on foot but it is up a very steep road.
Tips or Restaurants:
The venue is great. The restuarants in Cortona are to be recommended, especially the one overlooking the main square

Steve , September, 2006

Overall:
The owner was very nice and friendly. We had a fantastic time. Next time i might want to rent the larger apartment to be able to cook some dinner. We will definitely be back.
Enjoyed Most:
The bedroom, the outdoor, the proximity from Cortona.
Enjoyed Least:
The kitchen was very small, and the equipment was pretty basic.
Surrounding Area:
The table outside for our lunch, the longing chair near the swimming pool
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona, walking distance was about 20minutes.
Tips or Restaurants:
La Buccacia restaurant in Cortona. Best restaurant in town. The owner, Romano, is really nice and his wife, Agostina, is a great chef. The restaurant inside is beautiful and the wine list is most interesting in the downtown of Cortona. Things to bring: a radio for music, an alarm for the last day

Vincent, May, 2006

Overall:
We recommend this as a life expanding experience.
Enjoyed Most:
For the two of us this property was an ideal getaway with an expansive outdoor area with olive trees, garden, beautiful landscaping, even rosemary growing just outside which we used in cooking. It was a place we loved to come home to at the end of the day. We were never concerned about security. The remote control on our keys opened and closed our gate, and the door locks were secure. What especially impressed us was our landlord who treated us like old friends or even cousins. They were extremely helpful and accommodating far beyond what would normally be expected. They are a truly lovable family.
Enjoyed Least:
We had to go to the store and purchase a corkscrew----big deal! Actually there was nothing we didn't like.
Surrounding Area:
Total Tuscany! This is ancient and medieval Italy at it's best. The property is located on the slope of a high hill at the top of which is the city of Cortona, which is the location of the home of the author of Under the Tuscan Sun. What more can I say?
Nearby Events or Locales:
Cortona up, Camucia down. Both in walking distance but steep both ways. You need to be in good physical condition. Otherwise---drive.
Tips or Restaurants:
Bring a small hand-held compass for exploring the region because you can get a little disoriented. It also helps if you can speak some Italian or find some young Italian who can speak some English to help purchase train tickets Camucia has only automated ticket sales - in Italian. All the restaurants were good. Experimenting is what we like to do.
Directions:
Try to arrive in daylight. Watch out for fog.

Irl, November, 2005

Enjoyed Most:
What I liked most was the beautiful setting and the rustic look and feel of the place. There were several outdoor seating areas to help take advantage of the pretty grounds. In the evenings we could sit in the garden or near the pool and watch the red sun setting over the horizon. The owners are very friendly and welcoming.
Enjoyed Least:
We were in Tuscany during the height of summer and most days the temperature reached over 30 degrees Celsius. So the room, being upstairs, tended to get very hot and it stayed that way during the night. I think a fan of some sort would have helped us sleep better.
Surrounding Area:
Cortona really is a beautiful little town and very well located as a base for exploring Tuscany and Umbria. We really enjoyed day trips to Siena, Montepulciano, Pienza and Assisi. The food and wine were also a highlight!
Nearby Events or Locales:
The villa is on the slopes of the stunning hilltop town of Cortona. It is a short 10-minute, but steep walk to the town centre, or you can drive a bit closer. We ate at four different restaurants in the town and liked them all.
Tips or Restaurants:
Our favourite restaurant was Botteglia D'Oste. On another note, remember to pack some insect repellent.

Maria, June, 2005

Enjoyed Most:
The landlords were fantastic, helpful, charming, enthusiastic every time we were with them. They made our trip special. The view and grounds were very beautiful and comfortable, and the location within a 15-minute walk of Cortona was great.
Enjoyed Least:
This apartment is on the 3rd floor, right under the roof, and it feels a little like being in the attic. And it does get a little warm up there. A fan would help. Then again, the views from the windows were fantastic.
Surrounding Area:
Cortona - charming village with wonderful shops and restaurants, and very nice people. Great walking and hiking in and around the village
Tips or Restaurants:
A fan. We enjoyed all 3 restaurants we went to Cafe degli Artisti, La Grotta and best of all, Il Cacciatore. The hike to the hermitage, Le Celle, just outside Cortona made for a very special day. It was suggested by our landlords.

Peter, June, 2005

Overall:
The grounds and location of the property exceeded our expectations. The picture on the web does not do it justice. Grounds are lovely. Views are spectacular. Very pleasant to sit outside and have dinner while the sun sets. The pool was better than we expected.
Enjoyed Most:
The grounds surrounding the house and the pool are wonderful. Great views. Very relaxing atmosphere. Many nice opportunities to walk and explore Cortona.
Enjoyed Least:
The kitchen in the apartment may not be adequate for someone wanting to do significant cooking. We were part of a 3-couple party. The other two couples rented one of the adjoining apartments. Jointly using the kitchen with the adjoining apartment made it very workable. Neighborhood roosters and dogs get up early. For those used to sleeping late this might be a problem.
Surrounding Area:
Cortona is great and very accessible. While the walk to Cortona is a 10 to 15 minute walk up a steep hill, for those used to walking or hiking it is not a problem. It is easy to visit other cities in Tuscany and Umbria. Day trips to Florence, Assisi and Orvieto are quite easy to do.
Tips or Restaurants:
Great restaurants all around. Ask the proprietors. They were very helpful. The units were very well furnished with the basics. Dishes, pots and pans were sufficient. Laundry was very convenient.

Thomas E., July, 2004

Overall:
We thought it was wonderful. It was basic, not amazing decor, but good for us. The kitchen is a bit small, but again, it worked. The apartment was also a little bit dark. We would rent it again, but I could see how some people have other opinions.
Enjoyed Most:
The overall look and feel of the building and the location.
Enjoyed Least:
The bathroom was a bit dark.
Surrounding Area:
Cortona is beautiful, and very centrally located.
Nearby Events or Locales:
The town of Cortona.
Tips or Restaurants:
Defintely bring slippers or thick socks for evening as the tile floor gets cold.

Nancy, May, 2001