Pleasant Tuscan Apartment on Large Hillside Estate

Overall:
Amazing! We felt like we were part of a family on the property - Sandra, Nicolo, and all the staff were so friendly and helpful. The whole experience made us feel special and peaceful. The food was amazing -
Enjoyed Most:
The villa itself, the pool, the scenery and the outdoor meals Tuesday, Friday, Saturday. Part of whole experience, and worth the added cost.
Enjoyed Least:
NOTHING! Just loved it. Would so highly recommend.
Surrounding Area:
The wine and olive oil tastings; we went very locally to a farm where we tasted honey and olive oils.
Nearby Events or Locales:
San Gimignano is very close - but still, we didn't walk as it was hot. I'd recommend walking there and back for good exercise on hilly roads - but not in August! We just loved San Gimignano and wish we had gone back another day.
Tips or Restaurants:
Buy toilet paper, as it is not provided once you run out! Don't wait till last minute - do a grocery run early and get toilet paper/paper towels, plastic wrap, etc. Grocery store is 5 km away - easy to get to and terrific. Also - we found the Equinox gym on the very last day! Very nice, with an outdoor and indoor pool! My son is a gym nut, and was having withdrawals from not working out, and eating so much! Good to know about - very close to the grocery store. Lastly, and most importantly - it is SO hard to find at first, expecially if it is dark. Try to arrive in the light. The GPS took us the wrong way.

Rayna, August

Overall:
Almost perfect.
Enjoyed Most:
The setting and the quality of the facility.
Enjoyed Least:
The phone system did not work and the WiFi could only work in the courtyard, not in our room. For this reason, communication back to the U.S. was difficult
Surrounding Area:
Vineyards all around with miles of walking trails. Very convenient to Poggibonsi, where there was a modern supermarket with excellent quality foods and wines.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Poggibonsi is a very easy drive.
Tips or Restaurants:
Make sure to bring an international cell phone. We used a portable Garmin and it worked perfectly throughout Tuscany and was especially helpful getting into and out of Siena and Florence.
Directions:
We used our GPS, but the directions were very good.
Check In Out:
Wine and cheese upon arrival would have been perfect. We had to go back out in the dark the first night.

Carl, October

Overall:
Everything was fabulous. One thing to note, there are no screens on the windows, so mosquitoes and bugs can enter freely. I guess this is the Tuscan way, of just opening the windows, and enjoying the outside. Plan to eat at least 1 meal at the property. We ate there on Saturday night, after we arrived, and also on Friday night our last night there.
Enjoyed Most:
Everything was perfect. Better than I expected. Just like a dream. The villa was very spacious and fully equipped. Furnished beautifully. Terracotta tile on the floor, high ceilings, with wide curved archways upon entering rooms.
Enjoyed Least:
There's nothing I can say about this property that I disliked or could recommend as an improvement. The owners are very nice and there to help, and they keep everything so clean.
Surrounding Area:
The beautiful country side, with the rolling hills filled with vineyards and olive trees. It is so quiet and peaceful. Totally picturesque.
Nearby Events or Locales:
San Gimignano was the closest. I'm a runner, so I ran there and back on the dirt road. Other family members walked on the road and you could see the walled in city, but they did not walk into town, just a little to far away. They just had a nice out and back walk in the country with the vineyards and olive trees.
Tips or Restaurants:
I would bring washcloths for the showers and a kitchen wash cloth for dishes. We also had brought a roll of TP, but there was some in the villa already. I also brought various sizes of zip locked bags, to use for small left overs or whatever. Make reservations at the property prior to your arrival for Saturday dinner. We did, and it was the best thing to do. After renting the car and driving to the villa, we did not need to worry about getting to the grocery store or cooking our first evening there. A nice place to eat in San Gimignano is Tratteria Chiribiri. You will need to make reservations, it is a very small local restaurant. Great food and wine.
Directions:
You will be on a short, dirt road before entering the property. There's pot holes, so drive slowly. Turning into the driveway of the property, your car will bottom out and you'll scrape the road. We tried to enter, very slowly and in various angles and we still hit the road. Glad it was a rental car!
Check In Out:
The owners greet you immediately, and carry your luggage into the villa and place it in your bedrooms. On check out, they will come to your villa at a specified time that you arrange and they will take your luggage to your vehicle.

David, June