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| Details | |
|---|---|
| Bedrooms | 4 |
| Bathrooms | 3 |
| Sleeps | 8 |
| House | |
| FlipKey traveler rating |
| 51 reviews |
| Stayed here? Write a review. |
Get the real scoop!
All reviews are written by verified travelers
Details
| Rental type | House |
| Minimum Stay | 7 nights |
| Bedrooms | 4 Total |
| Bathrooms | 3 Total |
| Sleeps | 8 |
| Suitability |
Pet friendlyAsk Smoking allowedAsk Suitable for childrenAsk Suitable for the elderlyAsk Wheelchair accessibleAsk |
Description from the manager
This villa rental in Lazio is the perfect base for exploring the Tuscan and Umbrian countryside-- or as a quiet retreat after visiting nearby Rome or Florence. Spacious, comfortable, meticulously furnished, and centrally located, this Italian villa is your home away from home. Of course, we're guessing your real home doesn't have a view like this...! Whether you're exploring the Umbrian hill towns, tasting at Tuscan vineyards, or simply sitting under your own pergola enjoying la dolce vita, this Tuscan villa rental with a castle view is the place for you.
[2,500 m2] Built in the 1920's, this villa rests on the edge of the medieval villa...Read more
Amenities
Location
Villa del Castello
Torre Alfina, Rome & Lazio, Italy
located in Torre Alfina, Rome & Lazio, 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 | $2,800 - $3,600 | $0 | 7 nights |
| Mar. 23 2013 - Jun. 29 2013 | - | $3,200 | - | 7 nights |
| Jun. 29 2013 - Aug. 31 2013 | - | $3,600 | - | 7 nights |
| Aug. 31 2013 - Oct. 26 2013 | - | $3,200 | - | 7 nights |
| Oct. 26 2013 - Nov. 2 2013 | - | $3,528 | - | 7 nights |
| Nov. 2 2013 - Dec. 21 2013 | - | $2,800 | - | 7 nights |
| Can't find rates for your travel dates? Contact the manager | ||||
| Dec. 21 2013 - Jan. 4 2014 | - | $3,200 | - | 7 nights |
| Jan. 4 2014 - Apr. 12 2014 | - | $2,800 | - | 7 nights |
| Apr. 12 2014 - Jun. 28 2014 | - | $3,200 | - | 7 nights |
| Jun. 28 2014 - Aug. 30 2014 | - | $3,600 | - | 7 nights |
| Aug. 30 2014 - Nov. 1 2014 | - | $3,200 | - | 7 nights |
| Nov. 1 2014 - Dec. 20 2014 | - | $2,800 | - | 7 nights |
| Dec. 20 2014 - Jan. 3 2015 | - | $3,200 | - | 7 nights |
| View all 12 Rate Periods | ||||
Availability
AvailableUnavailable Last updated: May 10, 2013 ◀▶
What Past Guests Are Saying
Overall Rating
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Janet
Janet's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 10/27/2012 for a stay in October 2012
Perfection! Exactly what we had hoped! The beauty of a country villa yet within driving distance of everything we wanted to see and then some!
Everything: the beds were comfortable, rooms spacious, bathrooms fully equipped, modern kitchen gorgeous, an outside patio, and our own private wine cellar!
Great location for day trips. We managed to explore about 3 different towns each day. -
Judy
Judy's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 10/13/2012 for a stay in September 2012
From Alex's welcome to Olga's jams, the beautiful surroundings, the lovely villa, the gelateria close by, and the fabulously equipped kitchen, the experience was wonderful.
Everything! The beautiful decor, the attention to detail, the quiet location, the lovely garden, the outdoor living spaces, we loved it all!
We loved visiting Civita di Bagnoreggio and other close by towns. We really enjoyed the quiet and the fact that we could just relax and be there. -
Frank_leo8
Lititz, PennsylvaniaWe keep coming back to the Villa...
Left on 09/13/2012 for a stay in September 2012
This was our 4th stay at this Villa in the last 5 years , we can not stay away. A true home
away from home. The beautiful setting, grounds and view are just the beginning. On each visit we experienced the wonderful service from the moment we arrived until
our departure. Alex and Olga were always ready to assist us with all that we asked.
Highlight, a fully stocked wine cellar!!
Includes a GPS with preloaded towns, museums and resturants and two cell phones
to communicate if traveling with a group.
A great location to visit Umbria & Tuscany . A short train ride to Florence & Rome , we did it all. The Villa is equiped with guides & suggestions made by the owners for day trips, wineries, resturants and all things Italian for a daily aventure.
Although some days we simply enjoyed the property, the pergola and hammock
made for great resting spots to enjoy a glass of wine and some good reading.
Or a stoll in the village for a expresso or gelato.
Looking forward to our return in the fall of 2013 -
Michelle
Michelle's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 07/21/2012 for a stay in July 2012
Villa del Castello is a very special place. It's located in a charming little village with a beautiful castle. We loved meeting the residents of Torre Alfina. We even hung out with them when Italy was in the Euro Cup finals, plus we got a tour of Fabio's gelato factory a kilometer away from the town center. We very much felt at home and were sad to leave after our two-week stay.
The house, inside and outside, is outstanding. Indoors, the bedrooms are very spacious, the furniture is beautiful and the ceilings are very high. Outdoors, the pergola is very comfortable and inviting, the gardens are lovely and there was plenty of space for our kids to play on the lawn. And you can't beat the view of the castle!
The surrounding area is lovely and peaceful...and not too many tourists (unlike in major centers and in the heart of Tuscany)! My husband enjoyed going for long bike rides and checking out nearby villages. -
Steve
Steve's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 06/23/2012 for a stay in June 2012
We all had a marvelous time. The beds were most comfortable, the other furnishings were good quality and in good repair. We especially liked the physical location because of the easy access to places and experiences we wanted to enjoy. The caretaker and his wife were so very helpful throughout the visit. By the end of the week, we felt completely at home and sort of resented the next group of renters coming in to take "our" villa.
I think that the most wonderful thing was the pergola. We used that almost exclusively as long as the weather permitted. Coffee and breakfast, dinner in the evenings, it was always our gathering place. Of course, that's not to say we didn't enjoy the garden, fruit trees, herbs, ornamentals, etc. It's just about too difficult to pick one thing.
We loved the small towns with the winding streets and the walls, and the countryside as a whole. The weather was wonderful, even on the day it rained. We especially liked the proximity of Torre Alfino and the good restaurant and gelateria that we found there. -
Sandy
Sandy 's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 06/16/2012 for a stay in June 2012
Staying at the Villa del Castello is like being in paradise! The villa is charming and set in serene and peaceful gardens. Lovely soft air, amazing views of the medieval castle, coffee in the garden listening to nature under the pergola covered with climbing vines. Privacy, yet at the edge of the village. One of the best holidays I've ever had anywhere. Alex and Olga are the couple who took wonderful care of us and they became our friends. The house is complete and has everything you might need. Gorgeous kitchen, well-stocked. Lovely sitting room, dining room, bedrooms and bathrooms kept in pristine condition. Wine cellar is fantastic. Laundry room with washer, dryer, iron and ironing board came in very handy. Great supermarkets in Aquapendente with local shops in Torre Alfina such as a meat shop, bread shop, small market and two cafes/gelaterias. Dont forget to visit the Coop in Aquapendente, an excellent supermarket.
We loved everything about the beautiful villa, landscaped with flower gardens and pots of flowers and herbs. A wonderful vegetable garden, as well. Wonderful, friendly people in the village, Connie and Carlo's Ristorante Nuovo Castello in Torre Alfina, Sarchionis and Simone, outdoor concerts in the center of town, trips to Aquapendente, weekly open markets, exquisite drive to Orvieto with hills and valleys of olive trees and vineyards. The owner and his wife were very gracious, calling us upon our arrival.
We loved Aquapendente and the Toscana restaurant, Orvieto with it glorious cathedral and great restaurant I Sette Consuli, Montepulciano and A Gambe di Gatto restaurant, Trattoria da Gianfranco in Trevinano, and Osteria del Ceccottino in Pitigliano - all superb culinary experiences. I guess you can see how much we adore Italian food. Also, not to miss is the Festival of flowers, the art exhibit in the town hall, the two churches in Torre Alfina, and climbing around the castle for the spectacular views -
Maclin_63112
44881Unbelieveable!
Left on 01/26/2012 for a stay in April 2011
The Villa del Castello was an experience of a life time. The villa had everything you needed feel at home. The appointments were great. The villa was within steps of 2 great places to eat. If you wanted to stay home, the cooking utensils were top notch. An american sized frig and even a dishwasher.
Alex and Olga took great care to make sure our stay was a memoreable one. -
Maryellen
Maryellen's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 11/19/2011 for a stay in November 2011
The villa and town were perfect! Alex was very helpful. We went to a Brunello winery where we had a private tour and 4 course wine tasting lunch! Mark, an American guide who lives in town, arranged it for us.
The decor is well appointed. Grounds are great. We had unusually warm weather for November so were able to take advantage of the outside dining.
Loved the butcher in town and of course, the gelateria.
Went to Orvieto which was beautiful. Montepulciano, Pienza, and Montalcino. Had previously spent 3 days in Florence before driving to the villa. -
Virginia
Virginia's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 10/22/2011 for a stay in October 2011
We loved the village location, being able to walk to the stores, etc. The villa itself was lovely, beds comfortable, the grounds beautiful. Having the wine cellar was certainly a plus.
Taking the trip to the vineyard was a highlight.
The outside dining area. Frequent trips to get a gelato and/or cappuccino in town.
There was no place to hang clothes in one upstairs bedroom.
Torre Alfina village itself and other local small villages. We had a local guide (and American) take us on a wonderful day trip to a Tuscan winery and the town of Pienza. -
Carol
Carol's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 10/15/2011 for a stay in October 2011
Excellent.
Location, comfort.
There was a large open field behind the villa where several local teenagers rode their dirt bikes in the evening. It was very noisy and annoying. We chased them off a couple of times.
It was like living in a postcard. We visited 21 hill towns in our 3-week stay. -
Sandra
Sandra's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 08/13/2011 for a stay in July 2011
From the moment we entered the villa we were enchanted by its loveliness. The first day really set the tone for the rest of the week. Alex showed us around and made us feel very welcomed and fortunate to be spending our vacation at Villa del Castello. He provided a light meal for us including chilled wine which we enjoyed under the lovely grape arbor. He also stocked the frig with eggs and other breakfast items we'd need in the morning. In short our stay and the accommodations always met or exceeded our expectations.
It's hard to choose what we liked most about the property. My husband was delighted with the garden fresh tomatoes and other produce. We all enjoyed relaxing with a glass of wine from the wine cellar after a busy day. And I simply loved the windows. They were large enough to let in lots of sunshine and breezes and closed tightly enough to keep out noise and the morning light. We all slept late that first morning thanks to the comfy beds and those great windows. The villa was a marvelous place to just relax.
My son and his wife used the bathroom with the whirlpool tub, but they missed having a shower.
Torre Alfina was a pretty little town and Sarchiones Gelateria was a favorite spot to visit in the evening. Our favorite day trips were to Sovana, Pitigliano, Civita di Bagnoreggio and the Decugnano dei Barbi winery. -
Judy
Judy's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 08/06/2011 for a stay in July 2011
Our week at Villa del Castello was fabulous! Torre Alfina is a charming little village with more to offer than you would expect from a place with only 400 residents. It was a good base to explore the area, but was also a wonderful spot to hang out and relax.
Everything was great--better than we expected. Use of the wine cellar and produce from the garden was an amazing bonus.
Sarchioni's Gelateria was a regular stop and the people there were delightful. We particularly enjoyed our visit to the facility where they produced their delicious gelato. If you think gelato tastes great, you should try pistachio right after it's made!
Orvieto and Acquapendente were both towns worthy of exploring. -
avfalk
Calgary, CanadaWow...magnificent!
Left on 08/06/2011 for a stay in July 2011
We had the privelege of staying in this villa with four other friends. From the moment we stepped in the door and alex greeted us with wine and appetizers, to the moment we departed, we had a fantastic stay. One other reviewer said they should have a camera capturing the look on guests' faces upon entering the villa, because it really does exceed all expectations. The villa is beautifully and artfully decorated and furnished, leaving nothing to be desired. The large garden offered fresh lettuce, fennil, basil, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers to name just a few things. And imagine our delight when alex showed us the fully stocked wine cellar and told us this was for guests. The terrace is beautiful and we spent a lot of time there. The view of the castle is pure fantasy and waking up to the town church's bells was lovely. The villa is in a quaint little, medieval town of Torre alfina where the people were friendly and where we very quickly discovered the best gelato in Italy at Sarchioni's. It was also wonderful to wander down to Sarchioni's in the morning for a delicious capaccino and a roll. We cannot say enough good things about this villa and this wonderful little town. Our only complaint is we were only there for a week!
-
Charles
Charles's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 07/23/2011 for a stay in July 2011
Fourteen thumbs up--two for each of the seven people who stayed there. We were expecting a great place to stay, but we were not prepared for the quality of the furnishings and features. They were above and beyond our wildest expectations.
The outside area was a wonderful gathering place in the evenings with the cool breeze continuing into the night. The stocked wine cellar added a lot to the ambiance...
I can't really think of much not to like. There were only two restaurants in Torre Alfina, but that has nothing to do with the property. We had to travel a few kilometers to go to different places to eat.
The proximity of several interesting places - Orvieto, Tuscany, hill towns. -
meschers
west central OhioWebsite doesn't do it justice!
Left on 07/21/2011 for a stay in July 2011
Usually a website presents only the best side of a rental property. In this case, the pictures can't capture all the charm that is Villa del Castello.
From the very momenet we pulled through the gates, we were awestruck. The beauty of the grounds, the looming castle so close it seemed you could touch it, the modernness and cleanliness of the rooms - all made this week the best of our vacation.
It is close enough to several wonderful cities - Orvieto, Florence, Assisi, several hilltowns - that we easily made daytrips out but were back in time to enjoy an evening under the pergula with the complementary bottle(s) of wine.
If you want to cook, the 21st century kitchen begs to be used, but we opted for our evening meals in one of the restaurants in the area, all serving wonderful Tuscan or Umbrian cuisine.
For small group vacations, Villa dell Castello can't be beat. It is definitely on our "Gotta Return" list. -
Ellen
Ellen's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 07/02/2011 for a stay in June 2011
I think Americans sometimes have the idea that we must escape to a paradise in order to have a wonderful, wonderful experience. But it's just not true. Paradise is boring--unless you only intend to stay there 3 days. Because if you stay more, you might notice that birds sometimes fight, that it rains on occasion, that teenagers like to ride dirt bikes for a couple of hours on the weekends. You might notice that the castle interior was closed. But as for the people you encounter? Angels, every one of them. No wings. But angels nonetheless. And after all, what would paradise be without a few challenges here and there?
It was so peaceful, shady and sunny both, comforting to hear the bells, wonderful to be able to walk into town and the local restaurants without exerting too much energy, or around the village if you wanted to exert a bit more energy, or up the castle roads if you wanted to feel the burn. I loved doing the laundry and hanging the clothes on the line, lying in the hammock and watching the astonishing clouds and lush, lush greenery. And I loved the bird that said la-dee-dah dah, Richard.
If you rent a car, try to get a smaller one--not a huge Mercedes automatic as I did.The gates are a bit hard to maneuver around and it becomes tedious whenever you go out to have to open and close them. On the other hand, get your passenger to do it!
There is no shower in the bathroom with the Jacuzzi and frankly it does take forever for the Jacuzzi to fill. The other bathroom on that floor is the en suite one in the master bedroom. So basically, two of the 3 rooms on the top floor don't have access to a shower close by unless they "share" the one in the master bedroom. What my guests did was use the one downstairs.
OMG, it was by far and away the most beautiful, surprising, heart-filling and heart-stopping countryside I've ever seen. You can drive to a different town every day to see something very special. -
Donald
Donald's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 04/30/2011 for a stay in April 2011
What a wonderful treat to myself for my 65th birthday. Eight of my family and a truly beautiful and pristine villa in Lazio. I can not say enough about the way it was kept and the attention that was give to every detail. Everything in the kitchen was top notch and high end. Alex and Olga are jems. I can not say enough about the way they looked out for our needs.
From the arbor to the great bathrooms, there was nothing not to like.
Only staying a week was the down side. We could have stayed a week longer.
Walking to the restaurants. Carlo at the New Castle was great! One of your group was allergic to gluten. They made gluten free pasta. The whole town was so friendly. -
Ruth
Ruth's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 11/13/2010 for a stay in October 2010
Our experience was so much better than we ever expected. I think the owners should have a camera set up when guests open the front door so they could see the expression on our faces.
We really liked everything. The home is beautiful and the
yard and garden area lovely. Unfortunately for us it was
beginning to get a little chilly in the evenings so we only
dined outside once and the garden had passed its prime, but I can only imagine how fabulous is would be maybe a month
prior. We were there the last two weeks in October. The caretaker was great and it was wonderful to have a lovely tray of snacks and some wine from there cellar upon our arrival. The home is really furnished with everything you need.
I don't think there was anything we weren't happy with. Even the bells at 7:00AM were lovely. We are all early risers, but a couple of days we slept so well we didn't even hear them.
It is a lovely area and we were able to visit many surrounding towns. You really just need to be aware that
while the drives are beautiful there are lots of hills and
winding roads that may bother some people. We drove almost everywhere, but we did take the train from Orvieto to Pisa and Florence and stayed one night in Florence. -
Phillip
Phillip's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 10/30/2010 for a stay in October 2010
Outstanding...the best villa we have ever rented!
Everything was tastefully furnished. From the high quality kitchen utensils to the linens, it consistently exceeded our expectations.
Nothing!
The proximity to the small village was helpful in walking to restaurants and shopping. -
Melinda
Melinda's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 10/16/2010 for a stay in October 2010
Overall experience was 5 star! Everything was as described on the RentVillas site and the four of us were quite comfortable during our week there.
The villa was obviously designed and decorated with creature
comforts in mind. The living spaces were attractive and the
kitchen was particularly nice and well-equipped for the evenings we spent at home.
I can't think of anything that was overlooked by the owners so there were no negatives as far as we were concerned.
Walking around the property, choosing fresh vegetables from
the garden just outside the kitchen, and exploring the village of Torre Alfina were pleasant pastimes when we weren't touring. -
Italophile73
SF Bay AreaNothing but superlatives!
Left on 10/13/2010 for a stay in September 2010
This was definitely the villa we all dreamed of, but thought didn't exist. It was beautiful, clean, comfortable, well-furnished, relaxing, and perfect for a group. The town is tiny but enjoyable and we found the residents and shopkeepers to be friendly and welcoming. The restaurant at the albergo Nuovo Castello around the corner was superb. In fact, after 12 visits to Italy, we have found the place that feels like home. We have been gone for only three weeks but are already scheming to go back!
-
David
David's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 10/02/2010 for a stay in September 2010
Very relaxing. Like being at home.
Very convenient walk to village and convenient to drive to historic attractions in Tuscany and Umbria.
There are no negatives to this property.
Views of the surrounding countryside and exploring the area for "unknown" restaurants. -
Chenda
Chenda's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 08/21/2010 for a stay in August 2010
We had a wonderful time.
Having an ample garden to pick from and a wine cellar at our disposal made all the difference to having a delightful experience.
There was a lot of noise in the evenings from a volleyball tournament and teenagers hanging around till one or two AM in the street outside.
Wonderful mountaintop villages to visitResponse from Rentvillas.com - 08/24/2010
Manager
The owners have just installed double-glased windows and silent split air conditioning, so that the village noise will not disturb clients in the future - August 2010.
This issue has been resolved and will not happen, again. -
Alice
Alice's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 07/03/2010 for a stay in June 2010
It was wonderful. All eight of us truly loved the villa. It is very well maintained. The owner greeted us and she couldn't have made us feel more welcome.
The grounds were beautiful. We loved sitting on the patio under the grape arbor. We were all thrilled that the villa had screens in the windows. Also, the kitchen had great pans and small appliances, plus a well stocked pantry.
It sits next to one of the two restaurants in the village and so it was a bit noisy at times. Other than that, it was a perfect spot to spend a relaxing week.
Torre Alfina is a lovely village. We went to Gelateria Sarchioni every night. We liked exploring around the castle. We wanted to go to the nature preserve but ran out of time. The drives to the different cities and villages were beautiful. -
Karen
Karen's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 06/26/2010 for a stay in June 2010
Really Amazing...unbelievable - such an incredible view and charming town. The villa was comfortable, serene and enjoyable in so many ways.
The castle view was the best - and the hammock in the yard - also the wine cellar of course We had dinner every evening at the large outdoor dining area under the sprawling grapevines, while enjoying the wine the castle view. What more could you ask for?
We read reviews before we arrived and some people had mentioned that there were lots of bugs. There were bugs, but they didn't bother us much. No bites or anything. We just kept the screens shut and they mostly stayed outside.
The town was slow and sleepy - the people were friendly and inquisitive about America. We went to the gelateria nearly everyday and made friends with the clerk. He even gave us free postcards to send back home. The highlight was a marching brass band coming down the street playing right in front of the villa. They were practicing for some big event - and we got a private concert! -
Sharon
Sharon's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 05/22/2010 for a stay in May 2010
We had a memorable experience in spite of a rainy week. Lots to do and see and lots of diversity. Besides hill-towns, there were Etruscan tombs, La Foce villa gardens, and the lake areas to explore. The villa was a bit remote, but authentically Italian and off the beaten path.
The owner had a well-stocked library of travel guides in English, saving us a lot of buying and schlepping around of books. They also provided a helpful binder of suggested itineraries within easy driving distance and a hand-held GPS with the tours already programmed. Wonderful!
We did not find the local restaurants particularly friendly.
The only thing lacking the first week of May was heat and it turned out to be a cold, rainy week. We did stoke up the fireplace, however.
Lots to do and see and lots of diversity. Besides visiting hill-towns, there were Etruscan tombs, La Foce villa gardens, and the lake areas to explore. Also castles and monasteries. We never made it to the wineries, but they are there somewhere. -
Joel
Joel's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 05/01/2010 for a stay in April 2010
We had a fantastic stay at the villa. It exceeded all our expectations and more. There was nothing that was lacking. Jeff and Robin are such gracious hosts.
Everything. From the amenities in the villa, to the location. You felt like you were living in the castle itself. And of course the wine cellar.
Nothing really. The only minor thing would be the church bells. But after a couple days, you did not even notice them anymore. The good thing was, at least in the morning, it made sure you were up to go and explore.
The proximity to get to any area you wanted. We travelled all around, and it was easy to drive. The village itself, Torre Alfina, is wonderful. Nice to walk around, great restaurants, bakery, gelateria. -
Ellen
Ellen's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 12/31/2009 for a stay in December 2009
Working with RentVillas was an easy, pleasant and successful experience. It was a little scary using a company I had just found on the internet and it was such a relief that it all worked out so well!
Villa Del Castello exceeded our expectations. The owners and manager anticipated all our needs, plus more, such as the cell phones and GPS and internet service, well stocked kitchen and fully supplied bathrooms. Not only did they take care of anything we would need, we enjoyed visiting with them so much! The beautiful villa was furnished comfortably and fully. The bedding was so comfortable that we felt right at home immediately! It was the perfect setting for our varied group of eight with a range of ages and interests! It was also nice that the villa was not too near other homes which added to the relaxation. The property just had so much charm, from the inside to the outside. All the views were spectacular from seeing the castle lit up at night to the open rolling hills across the street from the villa. We so enjoyed Torre Alfina as well and visited the restaurant and gelateria multiple times plus the butcher shop, bakery and the church. We were invited to the Christmas Eve party in town following Christmas Eve service which was so fun! The town was exactly what we had hoped to find ourselves in and the opportunity to soak up the culture.
The villa was also a great "homebase" for our trips to Florence, Rome, Assisi, Milan ( a little farther), and many other smaller visits such as Sienna, Orvieto and Deruta. Having the train as well as the major roads near by made the day trips easy. Having visited over the Christmas holidays, we were happy to see beautiful town decorations and the varied nativities in all areas, including the hidden nativities in Torre Alfina! We enjoyed the bells ringing and found them very peaceful.
What a welcome surprise it was to find cheese and other treats provided to welcome us our first night with Alex waving to us from the window as we drove in at night!
The villa was a highlight of our trip and has already become the center of our best memories and stories we share. It couldn't have been any better!
We really had no problems. The only tiny problem may have been our hot water needed reset a few times and Alex quickly took care of that and checked in daily to make sure everything was fine. The directions were as clear as I think they could have been, although we made a wrong turn as soon as we came into Torre Alfina. It may help to list in the directions the idea to go to the grocery store a little earlier than the step it is listed in currently. The villa and the preparation to get us there were all so wonderful, it seems petty to even suggest these thoughts! -
Liz
Liz's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 10/31/2009 for a stay in October 2009
Our week at Villa del Castello was excellent. The Villa is beautiful and we (two couples) had plenty of space and amenities for a week of cooking, wine tasting, and sight seeing. The weather in the last week of October was excellent for our visit, but was a bit cool for outdoor dining on the beautiful patio and we missed the height of the kitchen garden season. Still we harvested herbs, fennel and lettuce from the Villa garden for home cooked meals, augmented by produce from the market truck, beef, chicken and hare from the local and Orvieto macellerias.
The kitchen is well equipped for a group like ours (we love to cook), and groundskeeper Alex was generous in teaching us to fire up the wood-fired Tuscan BBQ. It was very special to be greeted at the Villa by the owners, who provided all the basic provisions (milk, coffee, cheese), lots of tips and information, and generous amounts of the house-bottled red and white wines. The house is as well-kept and as beautiful as the pictures.
Nothing. -
jane
jane's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 10/31/2009 for a stay in October 2009
Wonderful!!! The Villa itself was lovely, comfortable and cozy, the beds provided great sleeping, and great bathrooms. The grounds around the Villa were spectacular as well the views, especially the view of the Castle in Torre Alfina.
The property itself, the garden, wine cellar and chickens. Also the fact that the town was walking distance, Torre Alfina, only a minute or two from the Villa.
The only thing I could think of is that there was not enough lighting in the kitchen and bathroom but that was a minor detail.
Torre Alfina was great. The restaurants were wonderful as was the local bakery etc. The fact that it was walking distance, actually only a minute or two from our property made it even more special. You were able to take a walk in the mornings around the town or anytime that you desired without having to get in a car. There was a great bakery for our morning treats as well. -
Jeanne
Jeanne's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 10/31/2009 for a stay in October 2009
Excellent! It is a lovely property and a great location.
The comfort afforded to us with all the amenities made us feel "at home". Location is perfect.
We did enjoy everything. The kitchen was a bit of a challenge with just one outlet to use for coffee, toaster microwave. But a little creativity and it worked just fine.
We loved our walk in the morning after the bells! Twice around the village -- saw the kids going off to school, and met people walking or going to work. Always very friendly. Loved walking to the local restaurants in the evening. -
Cherie
Cherie's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 10/31/2009 for a stay in October 2009
The villa was fantastic! The owners made you feel at home from the moment you arrived. The view of the castle and of the valley from the backyard was stunning. The town was quaint and friendly. I would definitely stay at this property again!
I don't even know where to start! The villa was so comfortable that you felt like you were home. The outdoor living space is where we ate all of our meals and spent all of our time so that was probably my favorite aspect of the Villa.
Nothing. Previous visitors talk about the church bells, but they were beautiful.
There were a lot of great towns to visit without the long drive. Orvieto was our favorite town to visit. We definitely suggest taking the underground tour in Orvieto-very informative and something different to do. There was also great shopping and eating! -
Brett
Brett's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 09/30/2009 for a stay in September 2009
Wonderful. The house was well stocked. We received good advice better than guide books. A Tom-Tom was provided for driving and we did a lot of that.
Everything. The gardens were tranquil and relaxing. The proximity to town was a very easy walk.
Everyone complains about the bells but with the amount of touring we did each day I found that they may have awakened me, but I went right back to sleep.
Torre Alfina is charming and although no one speaks English we could make ourselves understood most of the time. -
Drusilla
Drusilla's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 08/31/2009 for a stay in August 2009
Wonderful! Each of our three generations loved it. The youngest, ages 8 and 5 could safely play knights and dragons in the enclosed property in the shadow of a real castle. The rest of us loved being part of an Italian village and yet very private in our own hedged in property.
Being able to walk into the town of Tore Alfina and immerse ourselves in Italian language, culture and small town events. The gelaterias, the bakery, the butcher shops, the emporium, the pool and the two restaurants were popular walkable destinations. We also loved the gardens on the property. There were tomatoes, vegetables, herbs, figs all ripe and available for the cooks in the family to create a dinner at home sitting under the pergola sipping local wine. It doesn't get any better.
There was nothing we didn't like.
Torre Alfina is close to so many wonderful things. We swam in Lago de Bolsena, explored amazing hill towns, went on Tuscan epicurean adventures, and just stayed at the villa and read in the hammock. Each was perfect. -
Carol
Carol's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 10/31/2008 for a stay in October 2008
Fabulous from the welcoming introduction to the farewell dinner the owner arranged for us in Acquapendente. Provided so many extras that made our visit easy and most enjoyable.
The 4 bedrooms were so equally wonderful that we had a difficult time choosing our favorite. The pergola and outdoor table were great, even in October. The Nature Preserve was a nice surprise, although I'd recommend driving there instead of our walk which meant we had no more energy to walk around the park itself. Loved relaxing in the morning and late evening after our days' activities. Great launching location for drives to Todi, Orvieto, Montepulciano, Pienza, Pitigliano, Civita di Bagnoregio, Bolsena, Perugia and many more we didn't have time for.
The 7:00AM bells could be a problem for late sleepers, but we were ready to start our day in order to make the most of it. We counted over 80 double rings!
All the hilltop picturesque cities, the Etruscan Necropolis in Sovana, Orvieto Duomo. -
David
David's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 10/31/2008 for a stay in October 2008
Beyond expectations. The owner provided access to his wine cellar, fruit trees, vegetable and herb garden, and even tracked down 5 bottles of local olive oil which he gifted to us. They also provided us with a GPS programmed with ATMs, pharmacies, and restaurants.
Although it is a very comfortable and easy to live in property, the location was precisely what we were looking for 20 minutes to the Autostrada, 20 minutes to the train. Walkable to a small village with 2 restaurants, 2 gelaterias, 2 meat markets, and a small grocery. There were twice weekly linen changes and a gardener so there was always someone on site if there was a problem there were no problems, however.
Nothing. It was absolutely perfect.
Within an hour we were able to drive to Montepulciano, Pienza, Pitigliano, Civita de Bagnoreggio, Todi, and Siena, not to mention Orvieto, which was 20 minutes away. -
Jim
Jim's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 07/31/2008 for a stay in July 2008
Wonderful villa - when we first drove into Torre Alfina, I thought "Did I make the right choice? This is a tiny town!", but it was PERFECT. Very centrally located for day trips into the towns. We went as far as Pisa, and everyone loved coming back to the villa at the end of the day. VERY relaxing, and there was enough going on in the town in the evening for our 18-year-old son and his friend as well.
The house has a large outdoor sitting area under a grape arbor right outside the kitchen door, where we had coffee in the morning, and meals in the evening. The gardens are very pretty. There is a caretaker named Arnoldo who comes every day to tend to them. We all spent a great deal of time outside. And Arnoldo will barbecue for you and take you to his nephew's butcher shop to pick out the meat.
There is very little to dislike. I even got used to the church bells which rang every morning at 7:00am, but I tend to get up early, anyway.
We drove to several of the towns in Umbria and Tuscany - Florence, Lucca, Montepulciano, Spello, Deruta, Todi, and one day to Spello just to have lunch. And the hill town of Orvieto with its great cathedral is only 18 kilometers away. -
Michael
Michael's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 07/31/2008 for a stay in July 2008
The villa is more beautiful than the pictures would indicate. The town has a lot of history and is very picturesque.
The proximity to the castle, town and events.
Festivals, proximity to interesting towns, we felt as though we were the only tourists... immersed in an Italian experience. -
Kathryn
Kathryn's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 06/30/2008 for a stay in June 2008
A little slice of heaven. It made me want to move to Italy and buy a Villa.
The beds were dreamy and the arbor was pure bliss, we never ate inside. Our boys loved going to collect eggs every morning.
We didn't have enough Italian to talk to the grounds keeper.
The beautiful rolling hills and Lake Bolsena. Contact the owner and he will put you in touch with someone who can take you for a tour on the lake. Bring your suit - the swimming was great! -
Marianne
Marianne's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 05/31/2008 for a stay in May 2008
FANTASTICO !!!! The villa was beyond our expectations - just beautiful! I am an artist and I had visual overload with the beauty and art we saw in Italy!!! It is a trip we will always remember!
Everything! The owners had every detail covered in the Villa. This was the best equipped rental property we have ever seen. The beds were super comfortable, kitchen had more than adequate utensils kitchen equipment, and of course it was extra special meeting the caretaker, Arnoldo, who was so generous with his fresh eggs, vegetables and wine!!!!!
Having to leave!!!
The natural beauty of the surrounding area is just enchanting. It was wonderful to be able to walk 2 blocks to the local bakery, grocery and gelateria - probably the best gelato we had in Italy - and of course, the fantastic restaurant, Nuevo Castello ! -
Kristine
Kristine's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 05/31/2008 for a stay in May 2008
Experience was excellent. The grounds around the villa were beautiful and the gardener was fantastic. It was delightful. ...
The outside was probably my favorite. Unfortunately, the weather was not always working for us. Bathrooms were up to date and clean. And we had fresh eggs every day and veggies from the garden!!
The only drawback for our party was that there were only 2 showers and 3 couples. So we had to share... Though the kitchen was very well stocked and had every cooking utensil and pan you could possibly want and great quality, it was rather small and hard to have more than 2 folks in there at a time.
Orvieto was our favorite city and we were so lucky to have it so close to the villa. The drive to Orvieto was also fantastic. The countryside was beautiful... wish I was there now. -
Vincent
Vincent's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 11/30/2007 for a stay in November 2007
A very satisfied customer three time in a row!
Owners, workers, everything, town.
A little remote.
Everything. -
Mark
Mark's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 07/31/2007 for a stay in July 2007
I would go back in a second. The owners are wonderful and welcoming hosts. .
The house is amazingly modern - plumbing, kitchen, furnishings, bedding. Incredibly comfortable for up to eight people. Four good size bedrooms. Hard to believe how great the house is - really! You won't want to tear yourself away from it, but there is so much to see in the area, you'll have to.
If you are a light sleeper be aware that there are lots of loud church bells at 7:00am and dogs sometime barking at 7:30am. My children had no trouble sleeping through them. A VERY small dislike in the grander scheme of things - it's an outstanding property. It's a little tricky to find the town, so pay close attention to the directions and watch the signs as you are approaching from Orvieto.
The town is precious, a movie set. You will also love the gelateria only a short walk away, and the hotel restaurant next door was convenient, friendly, and good. -
Dale
Dale's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 07/31/2007 for a stay in July 2007
We couldn't have asked for a better place to stay!
The property is set in the remote village of Torre Alfina. The house came completely equipped with everything you can ever need while traveling. The owners are also fantastic people who make you feel at home from the outset. The house is a complete gem. The villagers speak NO English but try so very hard to communicate with you if you try!!
nothing... nothing... nothing....
The hillside and countryside are magnificent. The house is "watched over" by the castle of the village. It is completely tranquil and peaceful and leaves you wanting to come home and open your own windows for a breath of fresh air. -
Alice
Alice's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 06/30/2007 for a stay in June 2007
The property was better than we imagined. The owners more welcoming than we expected. We will definitely go back.
The outdoor space was extraordinary... from the grapevine-covered pergola to the abundant flowers of lavender and hydrangea, to the vegetable garden with fresh produce and eggs at our door step every morning.
The church bells that rang at every hour, every half hour and at odd times in between.
We took day trips every day... to Orvieto, Lago di Bolsena, Perugia, Todi, Montalcino... all lovely in their own way. But we especially loved coming back to our home away from home. -
Robert
Robert's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 06/30/2007 for a stay in June 2007
The property met all of our expectations. It had that villa-in-the-country feel we wanted, plus it had its own castle. What more could you want? Each member of our group noted that it more than lived up to the expectations they had for their Italian Villa experience. Thanks for a great experience.
The lovely pergola was private and with a good view of the local distinctive castle. It was a marvelous place for outdoor dinners. Although we had a couple of days of "ify" weather it was a favorite spot for the family. The welcome by the owners was more than we expected, The housekeeper and gardener were also very helpful. All in all it was a perfect "fit" for our party of 6 adults.
The second bath on the second floor had a great Jacuzzi tub but lacked a shower. That was a bit of a problem as it meant that the shower on the first floor had to be shared with two bed rooms on the second floor whenever their occupants wanted a shower. A small problem which they worked out.
We loved Orvieto. The area around Orvieto is not a high traffic tourist destination so it was both quiet and authentic. We found day trips to well known areas in Tuscany and Umbria easy to reach. Our oldest son is a bit of a bicycle fanatic. He rented a road bike and made several 100 kilometer trips to little hill towns in the area. He loved the hilly country and noted that it was great biking territory for experienced riders but those who were not in great shape would be challenged. -
Lynn
Lynn's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 05/31/2007 for a stay in May 2007
Everyone in our party raved about the villa and were sorry they had to leave.
The beautiful views, outside dining area pergola, heavenly beds, beautiful bathrooms, overall decor and cleanliness, town of Torre Alfina, unlimited supply of wine from the wine cellar . . . the list goes on and on! And, of course, Arnoldo, the caretaker, who would enjoy a glass of wine with us almost every early evening. Despite the language barrier, we all seemed to understand each other perfectly. Despite 8 adults and one small child, hot water for showers was never a problem and there was plenty of room for all. The owners were so friendly and helpful. They even bought a portable crib, wonderful stroller, and high chair before our visit because we had a toddler with us. Washer and dryer were very helpful.
The fact that we had to leave after only one week.
The fairy tale towns of Torre Alfina, the old part of Orvieto, Deruta, Torgiano. Day trip to Florence by train, and cooling off in a nearby lake. Our first full day in Torre Alfina found us in a religious procession parade through the streets which were decorated with spectacular pictures and patterns in vibrant colors using flower petals. -
Monica
Monica's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 04/30/2007 for a stay in April 2007
We have stayed in numerous villas through out the world and I assure you, that we have yet to find one that is as fully equipped and as clean as this one. Excellent property for families. Owners greeted us with wine, cold cuts and cheese and had milk and soft drinks for the kids. An incredible vacation.
It is difficult to state because the entire experience was awesome.
We loved it all.
The setting is beautiful, peaceful and welcoming. The entire Burg or town is magnificent. People are wonderful and everything was super clean and neat. -
Terence
Terence's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 04/30/2007 for a stay in April 2007
The villa was extremely comfortable and very well equipped. Great location if you want to expand the scope of your day trips beyond the obvious towns and sights to see in Tuscany.
Although Torre Alfina is small, it has a certain unique charm and is quite convenient to the major sights in Umbria and Tuscany, as well as places in Lazio. Of great interest, but not on the normal tourist radar are such towns as Pitigliano, Sovana, Saturnia and Tarquinia, with its outstanding museum and Etruscan tombs. The owners of the villa have gone out of their way to insure a great stay.
Nothing. We were a party of 7 almost all of whom had been to Italy numerous times and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the villa.
The tranquillity. We did not have time to explore the neighboring nature preserve, but it would be another plus for the area, especially later in the springtime. -
Joe
Joe's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 03/31/2007 for a stay in March 2007
The property is beautiful and well cared for by its owners. The view of the Torre, the location - keeping us within 90 minutes drive from most of the attractions. Most importantly, the owners and how they reached out to make our stay most enjoyable.
The March weather can be harsh - with rain, snow, hail and cold temperature in the 30's.
Tuscany and other villages in Lazio and Umbria. -
Lucille
Lucille's review of Villa del Castello
Left on 08/31/2006 for a stay in August 2006
In our opinion, we would not hesitate recommending this property to anyone. This is a five star property if ever we've seen one. We left the villa only because we had to, because after a three week stay, we still had not had enough of the villa, the delightfully warm people of Torre Alfina, and the entire experience. My sincere gratitude to both Rentvillas, and to the owners for making it possible for us to enjoy the best vacation that we have ever had.
It would be difficult to pick one specific thing. We just Loved everything about our experience. However, if I had to choose one thing it would be the warm and welcoming attitude that we received from the owners and the caretaker. Just wonderful!!!!!!
Absolutely nothing. We loved everything. Best vacation we have ever taken.
The view of the castle, the gardens, the quaint village the proximity to everything.
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