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| Details | |
|---|---|
| Bedrooms | 4 |
| Bathrooms | 3 |
| Sleeps | 10 |
| Apartment / Condominium | |
| FlipKey traveler rating |
| 27 reviews |
| Stayed here? Write a review. |
Get the real scoop!
All reviews are written by verified travelers
Details
| Rental type | Apartment / Condominium |
| Minimum Stay | 7 nights |
| Bedrooms | 4 Total |
| Bathrooms | 3 Total |
| Sleeps | 10 |
| Suitability |
Pet friendlyAsk Smoking allowedAsk Suitable for childrenAsk Suitable for the elderlyAsk Wheelchair accessibleAsk |
Description from the manager
Plan to spend lots of time at this lovely farmhouse accommodation in Tuscany, where you'll be able to experience an elegant slice of true Italian life. You'll have your own well appointed apartment in this farmhouse in Tuscany, and access to the grounds, which includes a wooded hiking area, a tennis court, and a picturesque swimming pool. You'll also be within walking distance of Orentano, and within day trip distance of Florence and the coast when retreating to this Tuscany vacation rental.
This villa apartment is situated in an ancient complex dating back to the 18th century located in the countryside near the village of Orentano. Up...Read more
Amenities
Location
La Corte 1
Orentano, Tuscany, Italy
located in Orentano, Tuscany, Italy, but cannot be displayed on a map. Contact the manager for more details
Additional Location Information
Rates
Rates shown in $ USD (change)
| Date | Daily | Weekly | Monthly | Min.Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate Summary | $0 | $1,824 - $3,925 | $0 | 7 nights |
| Mar. 30 2013 - May. 25 2013 | - | $2,075 | - | 7 nights |
| May. 25 2013 - Jun. 15 2013 | - | $2,519 | - | 7 nights |
| Jun. 15 2013 - Jul. 6 2013 | - | $3,086 | - | 7 nights |
| Jul. 6 2013 - Aug. 24 2013 | - | $3,925 | - | 7 nights |
| Aug. 24 2013 - Sep. 7 2013 | - | $2,519 | - | 7 nights |
| Can't find rates for your travel dates? Contact the manager | ||||
| Sep. 7 2013 - Sep. 21 2013 | - | $2,075 | - | 7 nights |
| Sep. 21 2013 - Nov. 30 2013 | - | $1,824 | - | 7 nights |
| Feb. 1 2014 - Mar. 29 2014 | - | $1,824 | - | 7 nights |
| Mar. 29 2014 - May. 24 2014 | - | $2,075 | - | 7 nights |
| May. 24 2014 - Jun. 14 2014 | - | $2,519 | - | 7 nights |
| Jun. 14 2014 - Jul. 5 2014 | - | $3,086 | - | 7 nights |
| Jul. 5 2014 - Aug. 30 2014 | - | $3,925 | - | 7 nights |
| Aug. 30 2014 - Sep. 6 2014 | - | $2,519 | - | 7 nights |
| Sep. 6 2014 - Sep. 20 2014 | - | $2,075 | - | 7 nights |
| Sep. 20 2014 - Nov. 29 2014 | - | $1,824 | - | 7 nights |
| View all 15 Rate Periods | ||||
Availability
AvailableUnavailable Last updated: April 22, 2013 ◀▶
What Past Guests Are Saying
Overall Rating
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Rob
Rob 's review of La Corte 1
Left on 10/06/2012 for a stay in September 2012
Six of us were very pleasantly surprised with the quality, the size of the villa, and the rooms. It's a ten-minute walk to town and yet very quiet.
The bedrooms were quite large and the common area was huge and tastefully decorated.
A good-sized pool and tennis court plus large grounds to wander. -
Jean-yves
Jean-yves's review of La Corte 1
Left on 07/14/2012 for a stay in June 2012
Simply sensational time in Tuscany made all the more possible due to our home base at this villa. We had family members from all over North America stay with us and all agreed it was one of the best vacation spots ever.
The quiet solitude was a definite highlight. No cars we could hear and nary a wire or power line to disturb the illusion of timeless peace. Birds chirping in the middle of the night and hundreds of fireflies. Our kids loved it! The grounds are significant and even with the adjoining units booked you have a sense of solitude. There was more than enough room for everyone.
Lucca is positively charming. We went four times and we loved it so. Proximity to Florence, Pisa, San Gimignano and even Siena is a bonus. Don't miss out on lovely Vinci and its towering view of the countryside. Nearby Altopascio even has its charms if you look for it off the beaten path. If you drive south towards Bientina there are fields of joyous sunflowers as far as the eye can see. Okay that's enough, you pretty much turn any corner, drive/walk in any direction, and you will be amazed. -
Kate
Kate's review of La Corte 1
Left on 06/16/2012 for a stay in June 2012
It was a a relaxing, luxurious getaway.
We loved everything about the villa itself! It was beautifully landscaped, sumptuously furnished, and had a lovely layout. The kitchen had everything we wanted for cooking simple meals, and more that we did not use. The pool was beautiful (if a bit cool, in May). There were comfortable chairs and chaises everywhere plenty of places to congregate and also plenty of places to have alone time.
Some of the beautiful smaller roads were charming, and we found that the Autostrada got us where we wanted to go quickly. We explored Orvieto en route to the villa, and Lucca, Florence, Pisa, the beach near Pisa and Siena during a leisurely week at the villa. If we had been ambitious, it would have been easy to see more, but we were busy enjoying the villa! -
John And Mary Kay
John And Mary Kay's review of La Corte 1
Left on 06/09/2012 for a stay in May 2012
Fantastic.
The backyard and peacefulness. -
Suzanne
Suzanne's review of La Corte 1
Left on 04/28/2012 for a stay in April 2012
The overall experience was wonderful. It's spacious and well appointed. The location is excellent. We enjoyed being able to have breakfast and supper there after a day of touring.
Almost everything, but the grounds are spectacular.
The grounds and small towns are delightful and close for marketing; Lucca was a special favorite. We also explored Greve-in-Chianti and a winery estate, Siena, Pisa, and the coastal area -
Daniel
Daniel's review of La Corte 1
Left on 11/05/2011 for a stay in October 2011
Superb. A beautiful location relatively close to many of the cities/towns we wished to visit. And a beautiful well-kept property. Accommodations were wonderful.
Quality of the accommodations and property location.
Mattresses in bedrooms were inadequate. We found them to lack support.
Beauty of the countryside and proximity to desired sites. -
Terri
Terri's review of La Corte 1
Left on 10/29/2011 for a stay in October 2011
It was very positive. The only minor issue we had was in communicating with the people who let us into the property and checked us out. There was a lot of pointing and charades, but we eventually were able to get essential information conveyed.
It was all so good! It was a good size, had loads of character, was well maintained, but I'd have to say the grounds were my favorite thing. They were simply beautiful.
It was a bit difficult to find. A map with pictures would have been helpful. We scratched up the rental car taking a wrong turn down a narrow road full of brush. Whoops.
We took a drive to a nearby winery which had incredible mountain views. The town of Alto Pascio was also quite hospitable and very charming. The people were incredibly welcoming. -
Denis
Denis's review of La Corte 1
Left on 10/22/2011 for a stay in October 2011
Very much enjoyed the facilities and location. Corte 1 boasted four large bedrooms for just two couples, but it felt luxurious to be able to take advantage of all the space--and we did. The central location made day trips to Florence, Lucca, Pisa, etc perfect.
Space, space, space!
I was going to say hard beds, but I think the kitchen could benefit from a real oven or convection microwave. We ate in most nights having ravaged local markets for some of the finest food stuffs we've ever experienced. It became a challenge to do it full justice in that kitchen, but we managed.
Small quiet towns where you could truly get into the local culture. And everyone was so kind, in spite of our inability to speak Italian. Thankfully some knew enough English or French for us to do what we wanted. -
Joe
Joe's review of La Corte 1
Left on 09/17/2011 for a stay in September 2011
Our expectations were high, and the property exceeded them! The owner explained everything when we arrived, and her English was very good. The house is quiet and beautiful. It's well located, too--we took day trips to the coast, to Florence, to Siena, and to smaller towns in Tuscany.
We really liked the authentic Tuscan feel in the house, plus the grounds. The pool was great; our family enjoyed it and the tennis court, as well as the outside dining and sitting areas. We also appreciated the food the owner provided when we arrived; this was very helpful since the local markets were closed.
We would have liked to have been a little closer to the village.
We spent time in Lucca and enjoyed the Puccini festival and dining in the piazza. Altopascio is a charming town with interesting shops. -
Alison
Alison's review of La Corte 1
Left on 07/02/2011 for a stay in June 2011
We loved the property, which is very comfortable and beautifully decorated. We were very happy to find window screens and a well-appointed kitchen. Best of all, we arrived to find a fridge and cupboards well stocked with all the food and wine we needed for our first few days. Thank you to our hosts!
The beautiful building, grounds, and pool area were a pleasure to be in. Very relaxing and everything worked perfectly. Morning and evening swims were glorious and we enjoyed the barbeque.
It did get mosquitoey for the last couple of days, which made sitting outside difficult. Other days were fine, though. The shower in the smaller bathroom upstairs was difficult to use because it doesn't have a wall fixture.
We loved exploring the hill towns to the north, and their restaurants. Beth Elon's "A Culinary Traveller in Tuscany" has some great suggestions for this area where you won't see another tourist but will get great views, delicious food, and a friendly reception. -
Erica
Erica's review of La Corte 1
Left on 06/04/2011 for a stay in May 2011
We had a marvelous family vacation at La Corte. The villa was very comfortable, nicely furnished and decorated without being stuffy. The gardens were in full bloom, the roses were breath-taking. This was a great place to relax with family and a great central location for travels to other towns.
Spacious. We had eight people in our party and never felt that we were on top of each other. So many places to sit and chat or read or walk. We could all sit together or gather in smaller groups or sit quietly and contemplate salamanders.
The mattresses are thin and hard. I know they are traditional Italian beds, and we were able to sleep on them more or less okay. But this would probably be the one thing all 8 people would mention as their least favorite thing.
Orentano and Altopascio are about midway between Florence and Pisa, within an easy drive of Lucca and Viareggio, and really only little more than an hour to the Cinque Terre. If you go south, there are a number of small hilltop towns which are just charming for a day trip. -
Jean
Jean's review of La Corte 1
Left on 05/07/2011 for a stay in April 2011
Very nice and very relaxing. We were only four people in the large space, but loved the convenience and the comfort of the house.
The manager was very helpful and we were greeted with a large plate of fruit, a couple bottles of wine and she returned the second morning with wonderful focaccia and a fruit tart for breakfast. I had a terrible cold and she took me to a farmacia and translated for me to get the right medicine. That was very helpful.
We had great weather and really enjoyed the nice seating areas in the back of the villa. We often ate breakfast and dinner outside and almost every morning, enjoyed sitting outside and reading in the sun before setting out on our daily adventures.
We also enjoyed a fire every night. We often ate a hearty lunch somewhere and had a simple dinner at the villa. We were there before the pool was available for use.
Really nothing. They said they had tennis racquets, but one was broken and the balls ancient. We were not there to play, so it didn't matter.
We loved going to Lucca. We went for several days and particularly enjoyed renting bikes and riding around the ramparts of the city. It was also an easy trip to Cinque Terre and we had a great time there, both walking and taking the train between towns. -
Kristin
Kristin's review of La Corte 1
Left on 07/24/2010 for a stay in July 2010
it was a really amazing place to stay at. We really enjoyed it. Felt a bit luxurious when we first arrived. Amazing pool area.
The outdoor areas were really amazing. However also loved the old house and the kitchen. The staff was really kind and helpful.
We wished it had been closer to the village. We always ended up driving our car to buy bread and coffee in the morning.
The peacefulness. -
Larry
Larry's review of La Corte 1
Left on 05/01/2010 for a stay in April 2010
We were three couples and all felt the villa was more then promised. The interior was spotless and the furniture was sturdy and comfortable. The grounds were very well kept, and while it was too cool to swim when the pool opened during our stay we spent time in the sun planning our next day's adventure. The owner met us upon our arrival and explained the workings of the house heat, clothes and dishwasher, and keys. She returned the following morning with fresh local bread and a pie. She left a contact number and then we did not see her again. In other words she was helpful but not ever present.
The spaciousness of the two living room areas, large bedrooms and 3 full baths and expansive private grounds made us feel like VIPS.
The nook-type kitchen table in the middle of the room was a bit awkward for six people to maneuver around but this was a minor issue. While mattresses were very firm, we all reported a good nights sleep.
We liked being right in the small town of Orentano were we ate once or twice and very close to the good sized Altopacio.
It was a quick drive to Lucca. One day we just drove up into the mountains and discovered a series of villas and beautiful scenery with no guidebook required. It was wonderful to just explore on our own. -
Charisse
Charisse's review of La Corte 1
Left on 09/30/2007 for a stay in September 2007
The location was ideal with quick access to the autostrada and located midway between Pisa and Florence. Even more special was the owner's daughter-manager. She was delightful and helpful. We hired a cook for two of the nights which turned out to be the owner and her family. A feast is an understatement, and the warmth and hospitality was overwhelming. She helped make dinner reservations and called ahead to a local winery for a private tour. Incredible.
The villa is charming but not posh. The mattresses were uncomfortable, and the towels could be improved. Also, I would suggest whoever rents it to arrange to have housekeeping at least midweek.
It was wonderful to have a pool and tennis court to enjoy when touring gets exhausting. We had a particularly hot week and the kids loved the pool. -
Deanna
Deanna's review of La Corte 1
Left on 07/31/2007 for a stay in July 2007
The outside area. We really enjoyed the pool and the tennis courts.
The beds were hard.
We drove to Lucca - 20 min, Pisa - 30 min, San Gimignano - 1hr 20 min, and the beach - 30 min. We also enjoyed the pizza and beer festival that Orentano had to support their soccer team. We were the only Americans but they were really nice to us. -
Mary
Mary's review of La Corte 1
Left on 06/30/2006 for a stay in June 2006
Beautiful setting with well groomed grounds. Location very good for day trips to Pisa, Lucca and Florence, among others.
The mattresses were uncomfortable. Did not have adequate linens provided. The pool was not cleaned until half-way through our visit. The jacuzzi was not heated.
Loved wine tasting near Monte Carlo. Also had great dinner at The Queen's Room in Monte Carlo. Enjoyed visiting numerous small towns-cities including Lucca. -
Raul
Raul's review of La Corte 1
Left on 06/30/2006 for a stay in June 2006
The garden and pool are spectacular.
Difficult to get to it.
The garden. -
Michael
Michael's review of La Corte 1
Left on 05/31/2005 for a stay in May 2005
Beatiful grounds and setting.
Marginal kitchen.
Beautiful countryside. Nice for bicycling. -
Janette
Janette's review of La Corte 1
Left on 10/31/2004 for a stay in October 2004
It the best hidden secret. The place is so close to different areas. You do need a car. I will always remember the smell of gardenia when you enter the property and the sound of the birds. JUST BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!
The bedrooms and the gardens.
You definitely need to rent cell phones while traveling in Europe. There is no telephone in the villa, and yet we were all able to get by without the cell phones. The peace and quiet was such a welcome!.
The picture on the web site does not do it justice. The place is so breathtaking that I wish I had more time to relax in the villa. I wish I could have used the pool. Very peaceful. Paola and Guiseppe went out of their way to drive us to the restaurant since it was dark and hard to find. They also brought us pastries in the morning since they knew that we did not have time to go to the market. -
Anne
Anne's review of La Corte 1
Left on 09/30/2003 for a stay in September 2003
I would definitely rent the property again. We WERE lucky in that it was late in the season and no one else was renting the adjoining units
THere were alot of areas to congregate in the front lawn, back lawn, living room, kitchen, dining room so we could enjoy each others company comfortably depending on the time of day or what we were doing
Being at the end of the season, the pool needed cleaning.
Good restaurants and markets. Nice small towns to visit. Close enough to the Autostrada to take day trips -
Laura
Laura's review of La Corte 1
Left on 04/30/2003 for a stay in April 2003
It was very peaceful, we loved the tennis court and the barbecue.
Driving down the dirt road
It was perfect. Their was a small town right by us and it was very accecesible to the Autostrada -
Frances
Frances's review of La Corte 1
Left on 07/31/2002 for a stay in July 2002
The long drive back into the villa from the main road was exactly what I expected of a Tuscan villa. Complete seclusion. The villa itself, the exterior and interior were also exactly what I wanted from a Tuscan villa. From the iron gates over the windows, to the arched iron gates over the first floor doors, to the brick floors on the interior first floor, to the concrete steps to the second floor, the marble bathrooms and kitchen counter tops, to the brick archways on the interior, to the antique furniture, the villa was everything an American thinks of when we think of a Tuscan villa. The salt water zero clearance pool was beautiful and a major hit with my entire family. The tennis court was also a major bonus that we used even more than we thought we would. We spent two weeks here which afforded us the opportunity to spend a significant amount of time relaxing and enjoying the villa. I would consider staying a full month next time. The location and it's proximity to all of Tuscany's sites was a major bonus; from Lucca to Pisa to Florence to Forte de Marmi and Cinque Terre.
The typical Tuscan feeling of the villa, the extreme hospitality shown by the villa owner, and the villa's proximity to the Tuscan sites.
Nothing.
The gelateria in the town of Orantano, Lucca, and the people in all the surrounding villages. -
Yves
Yves's review of La Corte 1
Left on 10/31/2001 for a stay in October 2001
We were 100% satisfied with this property.
It was spacious, well located and quiet. The owner stopped by every day, looking after the large garden, and therefore was on hand for advice and answering questions. Very pleasant set up for dinner cooking.
Two small things, there should be better quality kitchen knife and wine glasses that can do honor to Tuscan wines.
Simply quiet but yet close to Lucca, Pisa and train to Florence. -
Ruth
Ruth's review of La Corte 1
Left on 07/31/2001 for a stay in July 2001
This was probably the most beautiful place I have ever stayed. The landlord was wonderful--generous, and hospitable, and a tremendous help when our daughter became ill with a fever. He eased what could have become a very tense situation.
The interior was beautifully restored, and nicely furnished. The couches and beds were very comfortable. Screens on the windows were a big plus. And the pretty lighting of the pool at night for night time swims was great. Oh, and the pool was beautiful with its natural rock landscaping.
The back garden was not finished--a bit rough. But I imagine it will be beautiful when it's done. This was not really an issue however.
The location was great. Very close drive to Lucca, a great spot for touring, and the local towns of Orentano and Altopascio were charming and good sources for food shopping etc. Orentano has an excellent restaurant, and some of the best gelato we had--and we had a lot. -
Steve
Steve's review of La Corte 1
Left on 06/30/2001 for a stay in June 2001
The villa was very nice, spacious and beautifully decorated.
The property and amenities (i.e. pool, tennis court, outdoor grill and outdoor eating area) were all very, very nice. Last but not least, the owners of the property, who met us and showed us into the villa, could not have been nicer or more accomodating. They left us a nice gift package of pasta, bread, olive oil, wine and some other essential basics, and were very helpful in dispensing advice.
The kitchen could have been a bit better equipped. Specifically, wine glasses, more and larger knives, a cutting board and another serving platter or two would have been ideal. The only other criticism, more of a piece of advice to those considering this property, is that this villa is one of three units in the same building, so there will likely be other guests using the villa and the grounds. So, if you are with a big group that is likely to be up late at night enjoying the wonderful wine and lively conversations (as our group was), you will have to be mindful of other guests (i.e. if you are looking for a place where you can be as loud as you want without having to worry about it, this may not be your place). On the other hand, if you are looking for absolute peace and quite, you might have to contend with the noise of the guests in the other unit. Things worked out nicely for us, but prospective renters should be aware of these considerations.
The proximity to a great variety of day trips was perfect (Florence, Lucca, great vineyards, Cinque Terre and much more). The area most immediately surrounding the villa was absolutely beautiful with lots of forested area that was great for walks through the woods. -
Nikki
Nikki's review of La Corte 1
Left on 05/31/2001 for a stay in May 2001
Ultimately the question is: Would I go back? Yes, I would. I will speak highly of my trip to Tuscany and our time there. The villa was tastfully decorated with a wonderful character. It was very recently done so everything was new.
First, I must say that the caretaker/owner of the property was a delightful woman.
The tennis courts were under construction and not available for use. Upon our arrival we were told we could play tennis at another location, but we would have to drive there and call ahead to arrange a time. Along with this came large trucks and much noise (at early hours in the morning) to complete this construction. I understand the need, but wish I had been aware to have planned accordingly - especially since I inquired about us using the garden space for a special event.