“Stunning apartment and perfect host.” Extremely clean and beautifully appointed flat was perfectly situated to see the sights and visit the markets of Florence. The kitchen has every amenity and all appliances are new and top of the line. No need to scrub the pots before you cook here. The supermarket on the street and the market just around the corner provided us with the fresh ingredients for the best meals. There is even a toaster and a drip coffee maker if you prefer a non-Italian breakfast. Good restaurants and coffee shops in the area. The map and directions provided by our host got us on the right track quickly to see the sights. The neighbourhood is safe for an evening walk for a gelati or espresso. The bed was extremely comfortable with extra linens and towels provided. The heat in the flat was adjustable so that the rooms were always the right temperature. The best flat we have ever stayed in when on vacation.

“Spacious with breathtaking views, an incredible experience” I stayed here while travelling Europe with my wife on our honeymoon. We wanted a true Tuscany experience and finding La Balconata was an absolute gem!! Pictures simply can't do this location justice, it is everything we could have hoped for and more. Reading a book overlooking the mountains is a unique, peaceful experience. The perfect getaway location if you want to avoid staying near tourists and children(!) The house is huge with tall ceilings, very clean and comfortable. It feels like Tuscany inside and out where i think the hosts have taken good care in keeping with a rustic, homely feel. I can imagine it's very cosy during winter. You need a car here. It's a convenient location for visiting nearby towns and villages to really soak in the spirit of Tuscany. Lucca is a fantastic city well worth visiting and if you fancy sunbathing on the beach, i recommend Viareggio. There was simply too much to take in during our short stay but we'd certainly come back. Not only was this a favourite spot on our honeymoon, it was also one of the cheapest

“Dreams do come true in Radda” We spent a month in Europe and Radda was the last leg of our journey and the absolute best part of our trip. Besides the breath taking vistas that abound in all directions, the accommodations are spectacular. A comfortable bed, a gorgeous bathroom and a quaint sitting area with sink and fridge. Evenings we would enjoy a glass of wine on the terrace overlooking the orchard. The gardens are filled with rows and rows of lavender. Exquisite! The entire villa is like a setting from a romantic movie about Italy. To be really decadent, we had a massage poolside that Mila arranged for us. It was heaven. It really is a place to find peace and tranquility, away from the noise of life. Mila is a charming hostess and a fountain of knowledge re the neighboring villages and history. She was fascinating to listen to and not the least bit intrusive. If we needed her she was there, otherwise she respected our privacy. My one wish would be, to have the opportunity to return again to this paradise. Thank you Mila for a wonderful experience in Chianti.

“Home from home with an awful lot more ...” For us La Mulinella was idyllic,from the thick stone walls and curved ceilings of the house itself to the unique view out of each window.It's rustic charm combined with every mod-con makes for the most relaxing holiday.The only problem for our family of four, children aged seven and twelve was that everytime we left the house all we wanted to do was get back to it!!(if you call that a problem)Ping pong by the pool,hammocks in the shade, a bread/dough maker and last but defeniteley not least a traditional wood burning pizza oven.It is "A little gem" We thank the family for being so helpful and sharing their wonderful home with us...

“Under theTuscan Sun” There are no words to describe the beauty here. When we drove up to the house, we thought there was a mistake. Surely this beautifully restored "Under the Tuscan Sun" farmhouse with majestic views of rolling hillside towns dotted with cypress trees, olive groves and vineyards as far as the eye could see could not possibly be the right place. But it was!! So much more than we could have imagined. Expected to see Diane Lane strolling down the road arm and arm with that crazy blonde at any time. The house inside is just as beautiful. Plenty of room...simply and tastefully decorated with everything you need for a very comfortable stay. The pictures really don't do it justice. Ann and Charly are warm and caring hosts...always quick to help our stay more enjoyable. Would absolutely recommend without hesitation!

“Great house and surroundings in Badia Tedalda” We had a great time in this lovely located holiday house. A great swimming pool with a magnificant view. If you like a relaxed holiday this is the place. The lady who takes care of the house daily can also like to prepare a wonderfull dinner at the house. Reservation a few days in advance. Smashing Italian dishes !!!

“Great holiday for everyone” We were a combination of three families, including grandparent, cousins, friends, including children from 9 - 23 and there was something for everyone. Lots of room for kids to run around in grounds, big pool with lots of chairs/lounges, great outdoor eating morning, noon and night, good kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms in abundance. Ipod dock and books for everyone. We travelled as far as Rome, Perugia, Todi, Spoleto, etc. Highly recommended.

“Beautiful House with awesome View” My friends and I stayed here in late april/early May. The weather was perfect and we easily took the train to Florence, Lucca, Pisa and Rome from here. The house itself is beautiful and fully stocked. No need to pack extras, there were umbrellas, travel books, and even a ceramic flat iron to calm my frizzy hair. The balcony is a great spot to relax and enjoy the view after a long day of sight seeing. There is a quaint Italian restaurant a short walk away with great food. You can eat there or take it back to the house. Just a short taxi or bus ride takes you to the train station where you can travel to any other Italian cities.

“Family Memories” Our stay was everything we expected and more. The villa was beautiful and very comfortable for our family of 8 (4 adults & 4 teenagers). There was plenty of room for everyone, including 3 different tables where we could all dine together. We cooked most nights and had everything we needed. We loved having a full-size refrigerator and a washing machine. The location was very convenient to grocery shopping and the train station for our day trips. The scenery was incredible and we enjoyed relaxing by the pool. Our hosts were very attentive and helpful. They gave us very helpful information on the area and arranged a wonderful chef for an evening. It is obvious the Della Santa family takes great pride in their property and wants to make sure their guests are happy and have everything they need. We highly recommend this property for a memorable vacation.

“Rooms with a view!” One of the most peaceful and beautiful locations we have stayed in. Wonderful memories of sitting on the terrace outside the well-appointed house high in the Tuscan hills, with a distant view of the leaning Tower of Pisa, wooded hills all around, birds singing, a glass of local wine from the Colle Verde vineyard (north of Lucca)in my hand - absolute perfection! We loved this part of Italy and will be sure to visit again. Lucca is a must-see place, which we preferred to the busyness of Florence. Luisa and Colin were very friendly and helpful hosts, even offering to do an initial shop for us prior to our arrival. The drive up from the road requires a bit of skill and good tyres, but our two drivers were experts by the end of the week!

“Podernuovo offers a unique opportunity to see the real Italy in” Service: Alvina and Umberto are the perfect hosts, friendly and helpful, well-informed as to what to do and what to see. The accommodation: The villas are superbly appointed with every modern appliance, yet from the exterior they retain their rustic charm. All the windows overlook the vineyard and olive groves and the spacious terraces are the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of Umberto's wine after a day of exploring. Location: Podernuovo is well situated to visit the many medieval villages Tuscany is known for. We have had 10 stays at Podernuovo and have enjoyed wonderful day trips to Collodi, the town of Pinocchio Pistoia, Sant'Antimo abbey, to listen to the monks Gregorian chant and Saturnina to luxuriate in the thermal baths. Alvina and Umberto's local knowledge also extends to the most novel and interesting restaurants in the region. The village of Castel del Piano is a 10 minute stroll up the hill and boasts excellent supermarkets, cafes and bars. What did we like best? My husband and I love everything about staying at Podernuovo as witnessed by 10 stays there! Perhaps however, the fact that it is truly unique Italian experience, 'off the beaten track' in a sense and in a place where tourists do not abound (and where villagers are friendly and welcoming), sets it apart from other villas we have stayed in. I simply can find nothing about Podernuovo that doesnt delight both of us. In fact, we are already planning our next visit for 2013.

“In the heart of Florence” The host was very friendly and thorough when showing us the apartment. The apartment is very centrally located and is within easy walking distance to all major tourist sites in Florence. The apartment has all the amenities for an extended stay.

“beaqutifully calm holiday.” I came with a group of friends and it was fantastic time away. A solidly built Tuscan building with two large bedrooms and one smaller one. Plenty of space to sit around downstairs and space on verandas outside as well. The house was clean, quiet and everything worked! The villa sits in beautiful Tuscan hills which are covered with vineyards- a wine lovers dream as all can be explored and local produce sampled! Plenty of scope for walking too - through vineyards and, unspoilt woods with beautiful wild flowers and butterflies.(I am told there are wild boar there but we did not see one) There was an excellent booklet written in English, welcoming us and explaining how everything in the house worked and giving us good insider knowledge of the region. As Jane is English, Tuscany and the local region was clearly explained. It gave us the different options for getting to Florence and recommended we took the train. It was very easy! After a day in Florence, sightseeing, markets and shopping, it was so nice to escape back to the quiet of the countryside and villa! The guidebook in the villa also listed local restaurants and explained clearly how to get to them and if bookings were necessary. Their recommendations were excellent. I don't think we would have found them some of the places without this help and it was fun to explore the locality and get a real taste of Tuscany. Jane and her husband Giampiero - the proprietors were very friendly and welcoming. They live next door to the villa and were on hand if we had any problems or uncertainties. Buying provisions was easy as a huge local Co op is a short car drive away. However, I was relieved to have accepted Janes' suggestion that she sort us out with fresh and basic provisions before we arrived. One less thing to worry about and more time to holiday! It is easy to get to from London and is quality quiet and a place to really unwind. I will certainly be going back and recommend this villa to all my friends.