“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.

“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 Apt” This apartment was almost perfect. I'll get it out of the way and say the shower was very tight, i'm 5'6" 156lb and it felt cramped. But I dont there is anything that can be done about this so its just something you live with. The apt itself was spacious, it has a washer, close to city center, comfortable and included a bottle of water and coca cola. We only slept in one of the rooms and felt it satisfied all needs. The apt stayed cool and we never had to run the a/c just the fan at night. This is a very cute apt. We also didnt use the bikes, but thought about it and decided to walk since we were mainly shopping and taking tours during our time in Florence. The location is just outside the main center on a quiet street. It takes maybe 4-6min to walk to Duomo area, 25min to walk to train station. I would not recommend walking to train if you have luggage, the sidewalks and roads makes it a long 25min. Gianluca was very pleasant. He met us at the apt and gave us some contact info for tour guides. We didnt have any issues so we never had to call him for assistance.

“Unforgettable experience” We had a great time not only in the place but more importantly with the hosts! The farm is managed by a beautiful family. Sig.ra Serena & Sig. Alessio were very accomodating from the moment we took interest & inquire about their bed & breakfast. They were very generous with information, knowledge, service & time. The place is pristine. Well-kept & perfected to the last detail. It smells good, too. The location is brilliant for somebody who enjoys privacy. I can go on & on about Podere La Grande Querce because there's a lot of positive things about this place (& I may not have much characters left), but what struck us the most is the family behind it. They are very kind, respectful & good natured. We had no inquiry, need or question left unattended or unanswered. And to us, that is the most important factor. They made us feel at home. We will surely be back!

“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.

“sorry to leave” We really enjoyed this spacious and tastefully decorated apartment in a country home, situated in the hills just outside Florence. We stayed there for only one week and were very sorry to leave. The large swimming pool, containing salted water, is very refreshing on a hot Tuscan summer's day. The owner, Andrea, and his son Lorenzo are fantastic hosts who really make you feel at home.

“Fantastic holiday at Villa Maura” This is our second visit to La Scuola in Tuscany and our group consisted of four adults. It has an ideal location for sight seeing, being close to Pisa, Florence, and Lucca, not to mention the vineyards and wine tasting, but you do need a vehicle as it is special in its remoteness from urban life. It is in a beautiful setting, within the rolling hills and picturesque scenery you expect from the area. There is a swimming pool to be shared by the few apartments but it is mainly very quiet for a relaxing day with a good book. We have stayed in both an apartment and the Villa Maura which is an exceptional property with all the facilities a family could need. Both met our needs more than adequately. Tiziana the proprietor gives exceptional customer service and this year she helped us with a series of visits with local dignitaries and local places in the area in our efforts to establish some things of unexpected but special historical interest to my family. She has, on both our visits, offered her time and service to help us out. Tizzie even arranged our first basket of shopping to ensure we had groceries for our arrival as it was late in the day and at the weekend. We enjoy a balance between touring and relaxing and this gives the opportunity to do both. If you don't wish to drive into cities there is adequate railway provision locally to get where ever you wish to go. The town of Fuccechio has an open air market each week and there are large local supermarkets close at hand. There are detailed information packs in the Villa and apartments to help you. I would highly recommend this property as a base to chill out or as a base to see the wonders of historical Tuscany or as for us, a chance to do both.