We collect reviews directly from our clients via email and publish them here. We hope you enjoy reading through them as much as we do, they are a paper trail of happy memories!
We also have reviews on UpFront and on our Google page
Reviews
What our customers have said
Villa dei Fiori
“ FANTASTIC VILLA DEI FIORI ”
Villa dei Fiori not only lived up to our expectations from the photos on the website, it exceeded those expectations. The house itself was fantastic - very comfortable bedrooms, the bathrooms were high quality, the kitchen had everything we needed and the lounge area was very comfortable and relaxing. Outside, there were a couple of attractive eating areas, and several places to sit and relax. The pool and the surrounding area was terrific - with plenty of space to sit or lie in the sun, or to enjoy the shade under the pergola. We had a wonderful time, and are already planning a return visit!
Colm and family staying in Villa dei Fiori. Aug 2025
Villa dei Fiori
“ We cannot wait to visit again! ”
We had an absolutely lovely time, and much was thanks to our warmly gracious and responsive hosts, Alessio and Cinzia. The property and villa was beautifully taken care of, clean, and met most of our needs… we cannot wait to visit again!
A., USA staying in Villa dei Fiori. Sep 2024
Villa dei Fiori
“ Wir würden gerne wiederkommen ”
Wir haben hier 5 Nächte verbracht. Wurden sehr freundlich empfangen, die Gastgeben waren sehr bemüht uns alles gut zu erklären. Im Haus war alles vorhanden, was wir gebraucht haben. Die Anlage ist wunderschön und sehr sauber. Lage: etwas abseits gelegen, aber man hat seine Ruhe und Schönheit der Toskana um sich. Wir würden gerne wiederkommen:-) In der 2 Etage dauert es etwas länger, bis es heißes Wasser im der Dusche/ Badewanne läuft. Wir haben uns dann einfach unter geduscht. Es ist für uns nicht dramatisch gewesen.
Translation
We spent five nights here. We received a very friendly welcome, and the hosts were very keen to explain everything to us. The house had everything we needed. The property is beautiful and very clean. The location is a bit out of the way, but you're surrounded by the peace and beauty of Tuscany. We would love to come back :-) On the second floor, it takes a little longer for the hot water to run in the shower/bathtub. We just took a shower. It wasn't a problem for us.
Olga, germany staying in Villa dei Fiori. May 2024
Frasca
“ This is the place to be ”
If you are looking for a place to stay in Umbria and want to reach the place on foot, this is the place to be. The house with the well-maintained garden and pool, as well as the away from it all over the countryside, invite you to spend a relaxing holiday. We were already delighted with our stay in 2006 and are still there today.
Juergen staying in Frasca.
Salviati
“ Truly unforgettable ”
This trip was all the more wonderful with the addition of your great energies. We missed you on the days we were out touring! I can't imagine how much we'll miss you now that we're leaving. Thank you for your smiles, unbelievable food, great stories, and putting up with our loud dance parties. When we remember this faboulous trip, we will always think of you. Hopefully our paths cross again. This was truly unforgettable thank you so much for everything. This has been the best vacation of my life. You made it wonderful than I could ever imagined – your wonderful meals and hospitality were incredible. I hope you come to visit us in Arizona! Thank you for an amazing two weeks. I loved every moment
Jasmine, US staying in Salviati. Oct 2022
Salviati
“ What a lovely experience ”
What a lovely experience to spend a week at Salviati for my 60th birthday. My friends and I had a gloriuos time. We loved the food, the home, the grounds and pool. Giovanna and Pietro were efficient, talented, kind and patient. Arrivederci!
Maria, Italy staying in Salviati. Jul 2022-copy.jpg)
Cellevista
“ Remote and lovely ”
A quiet and remote location, this was a lovely villa to explore the surrounding countryside from. Room sizes were good, kitchen and bathroom are compact but fine. We had a very warm welcome from Rita who was very helpful . We have stayed in other villas where the local taxes and cleaning are included in the price whereas we had to leave 70 euros for this. I think it helps to have everything in the price. It didn't take away from our enjoying our stay.
Mr D.C, UK staying in Cellevista. Sep 2024
Cellevista
“ Lovely villa. Beautiful pool and views. ”
Poor communication with lady who welcomed us. No English at all so couldn’t advise on anything like walks etc however it may be part of the authenticity which is fine. A few pieces lacking: Only 1 wineglass, Broken bottle opener.
Once again we had an excellent holiday thank you.
"Thanks Gyles, I'll let Rita know about the glasses and bottle opener! best, Dan
Gyles from UK staying in Cellevista. Sep 2023
Cellevista
“ Excellent location for a relaxing time in southern Tuscany, especially after visiting busy Firenze. ”
We really enjoyed our stay at Cellevista. It was good to relax beside the well maintained pool. Local Property Manager Rita was warm, welcoming and very helpful. Kitchen was v. small - bookers for more than 2 people should be alerted to its limitations: single power outlet, single light, & 5m bench length.
Bernard staying in Cellevista. Jul 2023
Pilastri
“ Blown away by the villa and all the facilities ”
I wanted to email and say a BIG thank you for all your help in enabling us to have the most wonderful holiday at Pilastri. We really did have the best time in the most incredible setting. We were honestly blown away by the villa and all the facilities. The pictures do not do it justice and we were very pleasantly surprised by how much bigger everything was in real life. The size of our private pool was fabulous and even the shared pool looked much larger in real life. The house had everything we needed and there was a lot to explore too.
Your tips were very helpful and Francesca was also amazing and made us feel very welcome. We actually have almost too many good things to say about the place. The dinner cooked for us by the chef was wonderful and they were very accommodating of our likes/dislikes. It was most definitely a worthwhile experience especially after travelling. The setting where we ate was really lovely too.
The small poolside bar was well stocked and reasonably priced and it was great to be able to have cold beer on tap and the knowledge that we always had a wide variety of drinks and snacks available there.
With regards to activities, we did the wine/olive oil tasting at Palagina which was well run and they did a great job of making it an interesting experience for both adults and also the children too. We also went there one evening for dinner amongst the vines. This was probably our favourite night of the trip with music, food and of course wine. We had a lot of fun chatting to everyone at the table and the scenery was gorgeous.
I think my only criticism would be that it isn’t clear which bedrooms are part of the building and which are ‘extra’. I had been hoping we would be able to sleep in the beautiful four poster room but that is one of the rooms that gets added to villa when more than 4 bedrooms are requested. Perhaps a plan of the villa can be added to the listing (or something similar). However, we were not very disappointed as the whole place was amazing.
Thank you again for all your help with the booking. We will definitely book through you again.
Andrew & Family, UK staying in Pilastri. Jul 2024
Pilastri
“ The situation of the Borgo is excellent ”
The situation of the Borgo is excellent- peaceful and very rural with pleasant country walking within a 100 metres or so.The village is a few minutes drive away with friendly shops and the big supermarket only 15 minutes drive. There are beautiful remote villages in every direction.
The big town, Figline, has the benefit of a railway station only 10 minutes from the Borgo, with the delightful town of Arezzo well worth a visit.The staff were exceptionally kind and helpful and we have already booked a return two weeks in 2024!!
D.G. from UK staying in Pilastri. Sep 2022
Borgo Rinnovato
“ Gorgeous property ”
Travel advisor since 1981, traveled around the world. By far, the best Villa/home experience. Gorgeous property !! Every room in Villa is equally superb. En-suite bathrooms in all. Think old world villa vibe with enhancements of a new build. Serene property & excellent staff.
Kathleen G. staying in Borgo Rinnovato. Sep 2024
Borgo Rinnovato
“ 60th Birthday ”
I have traveled to many places in the world, this place and the staff are the best I have experienced so 5 big stars from here. Can definitely be recommended.
Boye from Denmark staying in Borgo Rinnovato. May 2024
Casa Andrea
“ Casa Andrea ”
From the moment we were met to the time we left we all thoroughly enjoyed our stay. A lovely property with great facilities. Views to die for from the garden. A good starting point for us on our planned trips. Luca,Pisa & Sienna. San Gimmiagno was a 10 minute drive. Wonderful.
The service provided by both Invitation to Tuscany and the owner Elena was brilliant. We would definitely book again.
The rocky road was a great adventure!!
Neil Williams staying in Casa Andrea. Sep 2026
Casa Andrea
“ The views from the villa are breathtaking! ”
Casa Andrea is a beautiful 2 bedroom/2 bath villa with plenty of space for two couples or a family with children. The location is perfect, very close to the beautiful medieval town San Gimignano. The views from the villa are breathtaking! The owners are amazing and were very helpful. Exceeded our expectations and we highly recommend this villa.
We also highly recommend the Montese cooking class and the private chef dinner/wine tasting right down the road at Arrigoni.
Tanya and Gaet from the US staying in Casa Andrea. Mar 2025
San Romito
“ Full of charm ”
Our introduction to San Romito was full of charm. The approach is through a private gate, with a short drive to an intriguing cluster of stone buildings. We were delighted by roses and spring flowers, glimpses of olive trees and water, and the genial welcome of our host, Emy. The apartment is on the first floor, with a comfortable living room, a small but useful kitchen, and a pleasant bedroom with shuttered windows. A large candle lit the downstairs entrance; roses and a complimentary bottle of wine greeted us in the apartment. There are pleasant walks around the extensive grounds of Pieve di Caminino, a working olive farm, and we were impressed by the tranquillity and harmony of the surroundings. We enjoyed Emy’s family museum, a fascinating collection of books, paintings (there were distinguished artists in the family), photographs and china, and of course, samples of the delicious olive oil, housed in what had once been a private chapel.
There is much to explore in the vicinity. Our all-too-brief stay included a visit to Roccastrada, like many hill towns apparently in decline, but with welcome signs of renovation and a panoramic view. Massa Marittima has a spectacular cathedral (look out for the wonderful fresco of the Adoration of the Magi), absorbing museums, and enticing shops and cafes. We discovered schiaccia olive and dolce in La Panetteria bread shop, and stocked up on herbal fragrances in Erboristeria del Corso. Nearer home, the excellent Co-op in Ribolla provided a range of domestic and gastronomic necessities.
Information about places to visit in the Maremma was available in the apartment and in Emy’s museum, along with details of local restaurants. Busy as he was with the farm and other guests, Emy was on hand to give help and advice as needed, and eager to make our stay as trouble-free as possible. A very big thank you, Emy, and Ci vediamo!
Pamela and John staying in San Romito. May 2023
Massimo
“ Montestigliano villa Massimo ”
The setting is beautiful, very picturesque.
We stayed in Villa Massimo, clean and well appointed, there were four of us, myself my wife and our two boys; two in each bedroom, the boys beds were to be made up as singles but were set up as a double; this worked in our favour as we took the room without en-suite as the views were fantastic from the back bedroom.
When we booked the villa we looked at a large number of properties in the area, one of the reasons we chose Montestigliano was the listed activities, shown on their website. Unfortunately there was a large party celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary and as such only one of the two listed themed nights took place and no other activities were scheduled for our week, this was very disappointing and took the shine off of our stay, this would be a five star review if this had not happened.
We should have been notified that this was the case thus managing our expectations or allowing us to choose another location.
If we were going back to Tuscany I would definitely consider going back to Montestigliano, but I would check prior to booking; ensuring that there was nothing organised such as a wedding, anniversary or reunion to avoid disappointment
Would I recommend Montestigliano- yes, I would also recommend checking what’s on with them first , beautiful location, lovely setting nice accommodation and the one night that was organised was great fun
Julie and family staying in Massimo. Jun 2025
Massimo
“ Our experience was magical ”
We stayed 5 weeks at Montestigliano this Fall. Our experience was magical. Our villa, Casa Massimo, was a delight - modern, spacious, well-equipped and comfortable. The grounds were beautiful, quiet and allowed spectacular views. Francisco, the manager/concierge could not have been more helpful. The location is convenient to Siena and there are nearby villages with outstanding restaurants and all the essentials one might need. We will be staying at Montestigliano again, without doubt!!
Mike staying in Casa Massimo. Sep 2023
Massimo
“ Highly recommend this estate ”
Montestigliano was recommended to me by a friend, who said great things about her stay there in 2010. I looked at other sites in the general area, but nothing seemed better than her recommendation. The villa had everything we needed for a very comfortable week's stay in the Tuscan countryside, and bucket-loads of charm as well. The whole estate is picture-book perfect. There are numerous walking trails, including one to the nearest village where good coffee can be had. 2 pools (one designated for families) operate in the warmer months. We did not miss having a TV. Good WiFi kept us connected with the world (when we wanted to be). The estate is a short drive from the nearest small town for essential supplies, and less than 30 minutes' drive from Siena - a magical place that we went back to a number of times over the week. The opportunity to join other guests for a traditional Sienese dinner was fantastic. The estate's own olive oil is a wonderful product, which we made use of while we were there (and would have liked to take home, except our baggae limits wouldn't allow it!). Highly recommend this estate - I doubt you will have a better experience, and staff will do everything they can to make your stay memorable!
Anonymous guests, Australia staying in Massimo. Dec 2012
Trullo Olievo
“ Beautiful ”
The trullo was not just an accomodation, but a whole experience thanks to the attention for each little detail! Beautiful interiors equipped with all the facilities we needed for our group of 7 and a gorgeous outdoor space with pool and olives. It was a great base for us to explore some key destinations in the area: Alberobello, Polignano, Monopoli and Ostuni (by car). We also appreciated the excellent communication with our hosts and the additional support they offered us - as our plane landed really late, they supported with groceries shopping, so in the moment we arrived at the trullo everything was waiting for us.
Ana-Maria, Romania staying in Trullo Olievo. Sep 2023
Pagliaio
“ Our stay at Pagliaio was wonderful ”
Our stay at Pagliaio was wonderful. The accommodation was clean, spacious, the grounds and pool areas were beautiful and the visit of the wild boar in the late eveninga made it even more magical. The host, Annmarie was on hand at all times, and her knowledge of the area was really helpful. The information and support before the trip from ‘Invitation to Tuscany’ was perfect and we look forward to booking with them again in the future.
Andrew & family from UK staying in Pagliaio. Aug 2024
Pagliaio
“ A wonderful week at Pagliaio ”
We stayed for one week during August and we had a wonderful time. We were so lucky to have the whole property to ourselves and made the most of days relaxing by the pool alternating with trips out to some of the beautiful nearby towns including Arezzo which is stunning. Ann Marie is really helpful and made lots of excellent recommendations and restaurant bookings which we really enjoyed. The property was very clean and the kitchen was well equipped for cooking when we decided to eat in. We found the property perfect for a relaxing stay with lots to explore nearby.
Alison & family, UK staying in Pagliaio. Aug 2023
Pagliaio
“ A wonderful getaway ”
We loved our stay at Annemarie's villa, even though it was rainier than we'd prefer! The location is beautiful, tucked away in the Tuscan countryside, very private and peaceful. The villa itself was clean and lovely; it looked exactly like the provided photos. One thing to note, the wifi does not work in the villa itself. You have to be closer to the main house and sit outside in the "wifi chair." This wasn't an issue for us, but would be good to note for future guests. Another thing to note is that the kitchen had only the bare essentials--we had to buy salt and pepper, cooking oil, etc.
The extras we booked through Invitation to Tuscany were great as well. We very easily rented bikes, signed up for a wine tasting, and found restaurants (Annemarie was a great help with those!). One of the highlights of the trip, perhaps even THE highlight, was our cooking class with Martina. She and her cousin brought food and supplies to the villa and taught us the best way to make pasta, sauce, eggplant Parmesan, and tiramisu. It was spectacular! Overall, the villa suited us perfectly and we would love to return--maybe when it's sunnier!
Caroline staying in Pagliaio. May 2023
Pagliaio
“ Wonderful Break in Tuscany ”
Annemarie was very friendly and hospitable. The location is stunning, very rural yet within easy commute to Florence, Sienna and all the wonderful little towns and villages around about. Loved having the pool. Plenty of lovely places to eat, especially recommend the little fish restaurant that Annemarie took us too that is open Friday/Sat/Sunday only. Will definitely return one day.
Louise and family from UK staying in Pagliaio. Aug 2022
Pagliaio
“ Overall we had a splendid time ”
The property is excellent and we really enjoyed our stay. Very comfortable rooms and bathrooms. Annemarie was very welcoming and helpful with much information to share about the house and locality. The pool is splendid and we would have made more use had the weather been a little brighter. Kitchen is well equipped (once we had traced a coffee maker and some adapters for the plugs - thank you Annemarie!). Could do with a knife sharpener and a decent cook’s knife. We were not troubled as we brought our own. Another chopping board or two would also help. We would definitely revisit - the property lends itself easily to a small group or indeed a large family group. I don’t know how you would broach my final point but the road/drive leading to the property is not well maintained and the actual entrance to the property through the gates can be a little tricky to negotiate due to a poor surface and much gravel. Our large car with low profile tyres found that the surface was catching on the underside at times. This is a minor point but other visitors may find it a problem. Overall we had a splendid time - beds are very comfortable and we all slept very well. Location is great for trips around Tuscany with easy access to Siena and Florence by train.
A.M. staying in Pagliaio. Feb 2017
Pagliaio
“ Such a pretty setting and such a pretty house ”
Such a pretty setting and such a pretty house. The estate is very well cared for by Annmarie its welcoming British owner and wandering around the extensive grounds and sitting by the pool, we felt such peace and tranquility. We loved the style, for though the furniture is not typically Tuscan, it all works so well.
L & L. staying in Pagliaio. Dec 2014
Pagliaio
“ ...a lovely stay at Pagliao ”
We had a lovely stay at Pagliao in August. The 2-bedroom, 2-storey converted barn was absolutely lovely. The pool was an excellent size, all of us enjoyed it immensely. The owner was very pleasant and friendly and provided us with helpful information about the local area.
Mrs. K.M. and family, UK staying in Pagliaio. Aug 2015
Pagliaio
“ We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Pagliaio ”
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Pagliaio and Tuscany overall. Anne-Marie was such a lovely person, very welcoming and incredibly helpful with any questions we had about the property, things to do and general logistics. A couple of minor issues with a few pieces of missing kitchen equipment were quickly sorted out. Anne-Marie was always around but also discreet so we could fully relax. We thought the accommodation was very high quality – very clean and stylish – lovely to have hand soap and kitchen cleaning items included. Also the grounds of the property were beautiful and very well looked after. A lovely place to chill out and get away from the humdrum of London. 2 minor points for improvement · Unfortunately we didn’t have the best of weather and so it was rather chilly in the evenings in the property so we would have appreciated some kind of heating option we could have controlled ourselves. · I would have appreciated an information folder in the “barn” as I like to hear what other guests have to say about the area and read about things to do. Although that said Anne-Marie did help a lot with this – she supplied us with a good road map, a Tuscany guide book (which supplemented the one we had already) and plenty of recommendations about where to go. Thank you for a lovely week – and for sorting this out so quickly for us.
Mrs. S.C. and family, UK staying in Pagliaio. Feb 2014
Villa Cosimo
“ Truly memorable ”
Stayed with kids. The setting and accommodations were beautiful but it was the people involved who each made the trip truly memorable. Their timely responses to our multiple enquiries and requests made the planning and execution of this once in a lifetime trip for 25 family members (ages 4 to 80) seamless. There were plenty of opportunities for group activities in the various luxurious rooms, that easily accommodated the entertainment, dance parties, workouts, Easter hunts, trivia events that we had planned. There were also many quiet locations, both inside and outdoors for some "alone time". All in all, we couldn't have asked for a more perfect experience.
Lesley staying in Villa Cosimo. Apr 2024
Villa Cosimo
“ Our whole experience was fantastic ”
Here is what my husband and I, and all of our friends and family who joined us, loved about this experience.
- The attention to detail.
- The staff and rooms being made up daily.
- Barbara ( the women who was our contact and incredible helpful friendly guide for our experience in the villa. Start to finish. )
- David the owner. Helpful, kind, and willing to go above and beyond to meet our requests.
- Isabella the chef and her staff. - beautiful meals, homemade, and every single request met with ease. We loved her.
- The villa. Oh the villa. What we imagine heaven to be like. Visually from a storybook. Well laid out. Tons of privacy. Quite and spotless.
- The pool and surroundings clean, well laid out and accommodated our party of 15 with ease. I could go on but I won’t….. The villa, the staff and our whole experience was fantastic. We highly recommend it - you will not be disappointed!
Torrevista
“ Ideal stay for groups ”
Ideal stay for groups, to getting around in Tuscany, quite close to many attractions in the regionThe neighborhood was fantastic. The mansion is perfectly equipped, even with basic spices, oil, vinegar, for first day cooking. The owner was really helpful
Andras and family from Hungart staying in Torrevista. Oct 2024
Torrevista
“ Relaxing family holiday in a fantastic environment ”
Great location with a great view. The house was what you would imagine a villa in the middle of a winery in Tuscany. We were thrilled!
Eva and family from Austria staying in Torrevista. Jun 2023
Torrevista
“ We really enjoyed our stay at Torrevista ”
We really enjoyed our stay at Torrevista. The weather was great and the property just what we expected. I have to also say how satisfied I was with our overall experience using Invitation to Tuscany for our booking. Lyn was a great help and the whole process from making the initial reservations, being able to make them in English, making payments, getting information on the property and area in advance. The Internet is an amazing tool for this. I really appreciated how Lyn tried contacting us before our arrive to make sure we knew how to get to Torrevista as the address does not show up on GPS navigation. We would like to go back sometime.
We will highly recommend Invitation to Tuscany to anyone we know interested in traveling to Tuscany. Thanks for helping us have such a great vacation/holiday.
Mr. R.M. and family, USA staying in Torrevista.
Torrevista
“ Great value here! ”
Great value here! The hosts were fantastic and personable. The complimentary wine tasting is not to be missed - definitely a highlight of the trip. It's your own piece of heaven - very close to San Gimignano!I would definitely stay here again!
Mr. J.R. with family and friends, USA staying in Torrevista.
La Ronda
“ It was all that we could have hoped for ”
We had a wonderful time. It is indeed a lovely spot. It was all that we could have hoped for. The views and location were beautiful. Quiet, relaxing and comfortable. Antonella was so friendly, kind and helpful. Luciano , the chef, was wonderful and our meal was delicious and our cooking lesson was superb! We also enjoyed our tour of the cellars and wine tasting. Elena was great. The train to Florence was easy to get and Florence was everything we thought it would be. We were lucky enough to get a lift back up from Pontassieve to our accommodation. That would be the only drawback if you don’t have a car and have spent a whole day walking around Florence. We lucked out though! It was a perfect few days so thank you.
Laura & Emma from UK staying in La Ronda. Apr 2024
Virginia B
“ Everything we had hoped for. ”
The host could not be more gracious and accommodating. Doing the on site dinners is a must as they are fun interaction and the food is great. Dinner night the sell the wine pizza night you can bring your own. The villas are spacious and clean with a rustic feel.
An amazing property!!!!
Virginia B
“ Fantastic stay ”
We had a fantastic stay - such a beautiful setting and really friendly, helpful people - many thanks!
Mrs. A.B. and family, UK staying in Virginia B. Dec 2015
Guardiano
“ my personal favourite so far ”
A very lovely house and garden- my personal favourite so far after many years visiting Umbria and Tuscany. Travel books etc now out of date but most people will bring their own maps, guidebooks etc. Also it would be useful to update the informationm on local trattorias/gelaterias, etc- with accurate closing days/times - e.g., the nice piazzeria/gelateria/trattoria in Civitella was closed several days in the week but we had to work this out by trial and error. Some personal recommendations on 'basic' and more 'sophisicated' places to eat would be helpful!
Nigel & family, UK staying in Guardiano. Jul 2022
Guardiano
“ Wonderful Holiday ”
We couldn’t fault the house or location. Everything was wonderful. The views from the house and the pool are spectacular. It was so hot that air conditioning would have been nice but I think it was unusually hot. We’d come back but maybe earlier in the year when it is sub 40 dc
Tim and family, UK staying in Guardiano. Jul 2022
Guardiano
“ ..the property was fantastic ”
we had a great time at Guardiano thanks.
We thought the property was fantastic – the location, pool and gardens are absolutely beautiful. The beds were comfortable and the living area worked really well for us. It was very good value for money. The following are not complaints just what they could add for very little cost (with the exception of replacing the sun loungers – that would be costly) and would make a big difference.
Nice big glass tumblers for Gin and Tonic (we are British after all 😉 ) we ended up buying some large wine glasses that we left there. Bottle of wine in fridge on arrival – nothing fancy – we arrived at 7 on Saturday evening and would have loved a drink before going out for dinner and didn’t fancy going to the supermarket immediately. Pasta machine! (I cook on holiday 😉) I should have asked beforehand – I bet Luciana and John would have been happy to lend me theirs. Pool loungers that you can turn over on – the ones there you can only tan your front – failing that, cushions to put behind your head on the sun loungers to make it easier to read a book whilst reclining. Small soaps in the bathrooms would be nice.
We loved all 3 of the restaurants we went to in Civitella. Antico Borgo on the one night it rained.
Enoteca Ristorante il Vicolo was great, bit more expensive than it’s cheap and cheerful neighbour that was also great but can’t remember the name of it so that’s not very helpful – they’re both in the same little piazza at the top of the steps when you first park and walk up to Civitella.
Luciana and John were great – very welcoming.
Definitely a property I would recommend to friends – even without any of the above additions.
Staff Comment: "Thanks Penny, I'll let Luciana know about your comments, I'm sure they can find some larger glasses for the G&Ts and I agree a bottle of wine on arrival would be welcome. Thanks again and we're delighted you enjoyed it!"
P.C. staying in Guardiano. Nov 2017
Guardiano
“ A thoroughly amazing place and two lovely owners ”
Luciana and John were fantastic, as was Guardiano! Both the house and especially the pool area left for nothing, we were so delighted all round that we have done a very rare thing, in regards to promising to return there again in some future year (we never go to the same place twice 😉).
Positive constructive feedback is hard to suggest! The only things I can offer are:
A larger draining board area (being only two of us we did not want to waste water using the dishwasher) The mattress in the blue/green room was not as high quality as in the master bedroom (noisy springs) Unfortunately some rather large and persistent wasps had nested in the watchtower so we were unable to use that during our stay (but to be expected in the country)
A thoroughly amazing place and two lovely owners!
from Dan: "Thank you for your comments - we will pass the advice on to the owners so they can act on it. Particularly getting rid of the wasps!"
S.F. staying in Guardiano. Nov 2017
Guardiano
“ ....suited us very well indeed ”
Guardiano and its gardens and view are beautiful and suited us very well indeed. We loved the historic and rustic nature of the building and some of the quirkier restorations. The pool, the gardens and the chance encounters with wild boar and deer made it quite an experience for us Londoners.
We fell in love with Civitella although it really wasn't walkable because it was on road but once there it is very magical and Il Vicciolo restaurant was superb.
JoAnn Warren was brilliant at helping get us to a vet in Arezzo when one of our dogs injured her paws and giving us a heads up about a national holiday on the Friday when we were there.
There was no information in the house about recommended local restaurants or places of interest and markets/festivals etc. although lots of maps and brochures and some recommendations could be taken from the visitors book. It would be good to provide more!
J.D. and family (and dogs!) staying in Guardiano.
Guardiano
“ The cottage was idyllic ”
The cottage was idyllic, absolutely perfect, the peace, the quiet, the view, the beautiful tower where we ate every day. The swimming pool was probably the best we've ever had anywhere. I would recommend it to anyone who just wants to get away from it all. We will be back.
Mr. I.G. and family, UK staying in Guardiano. Dec 2015
Guardiano
“ ...a great stay at Guardiano ”
We had a great stay at Guardiano recently. The house has been beautifully restored and the peaceful surroundings of the gardens and immediate area was just what we were looking for. The salt water swimming pool was lovely as was the pool area. The various eating areas were excellent especially the converted loft away from the house. We had a lovely relaxing quiet stay.
Mrs. R.H. and family, UK staying in Guardiano. Apr 2015
Villa Bianca
“ Memories to last a lifetime ”
What an amazing stay at this beautiful Villa. We are so grateful! Memories to last a lifetime!
Bennett Family staying in Villa Bianca. Aug 2024
Villa Bianca
“ Fantastic week ”
Thank you so much for a fantastic week with our big family from 2 to 80 years. We've been 21 very happy people with this week.
R.S staying in Villa Bianca.
Podere Sant'Adele
“ Coming up short of our expectations ”
If you are looking for a "classic Tuscan farmhouse" in a beautiful setting in Tuscany and perfectly situated to visit other parts of Tuscany, this villa would be a good match for you. It is well taken care of by the caretaker, Angela, who is a lovely person. It is a good villa for a group bc each bedroom has an ensuite bathroom.
However, the brochure describes it as "a stylish and elegant villa." It is not. All of the fixtures in the bathrooms and the kitchen are antiquated. All of the showers but one are European style meaning they are handheld. Europeans may be accustomed to these showers but Americans are not. There is only one shower where the shower head is attached to the wall. The hot water situation was problematic: some days we had none, some days we had enough for a few showers and in both cases, it was necessary to wait 5-10 minutes for the hot water to make an appearance.
The living room which should have been an inviting place to sit and chat, read, have drinks and appetizers, etc was severely compromised by the overly worn and uncomfortable furniture. And last, but not least, the lighting throughout the villa is completely inadequate. When we came home after dark, we turned on every light in order to feel at home there. It is close to impossible to apply make up in the bathrooms due to the inadequate lighting.
Bottom line: if these shortcomings don't dissuade you, then this is a good rental property for the price.
Dan says: "Thank you for this balanced review. You've fairly captured both the property's charms and its traditional (rather than modernised) character. I've added a note about the showers to our description and discussed the hot water with the owner. Glad you enjoyed your week and found Angela so helpful."
Andrea from US staying in Podere Sant'Adele. Oct 2025
Villa Cortona
“ An experience we will cherish forever ”
Our stay at Villa Cortona was nothing short of magical. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with open arms by the most wonderful hosts, Alessandra and Federico. Their hospitality and attention to detail made our week-long stay an unforgettable experience for our entire family. Alessandra went above and beyond in helping us plan our wedding, ensuring that every detail was perfect. Her dedication and passion for her work shone through in every aspect of the event. She also organized other delightful activities, such as a pasta-making class, which added a unique and authentic touch to our Italian adventure. Alessandra's meticulous planning and warm personality truly made our wedding an absolute dream come true. Federico was equally fantastic, always available to assist with any request and ensuring that we felt at home. Together, Alessandra and Federico created an atmosphere of warmth and joy that made our stay at Villa Ivana truly special. The villa itself is stunning, with breathtaking views and luxurious amenities. Every corner of the property exudes charm and elegance, making it the perfect setting for a memorable celebration. Thank you, Alessandra and Federico, for making our stay at Villa an experience we will cherish forever. Your kindness, professionalism, and dedication made our time in Cortona an absolute highlight of our lives. We cannot recommend this Villa highly enough and look forward to returning one day to relive the wonderful memories.
Taylor staying in Villa Cortona. Jul 2024
Villa Cortona
“ Fairy Tale Family Experience ”
A magical two weeks at Villa Cortona. My wife and I celebrated our 70th birthdays by taking our children and grandchildren to Tuscany for two weeks. My grandson thought we were living in a palace and asked if there was a moat! Alessandra and Federico are without exception, the warmest most attentive hosts we've ever experienced among the dozens of rental properties we've engaged over the years. We asked many questions and made a few requests during our stay and they responded every time immediately, fulfilling each one. The housekeeping is immaculate. Each bedroom is unique and amazing as are the bathrooms. Complete privacy on this large estate yet close enough that some of our adult children walked into Cortona one day. The outdoor canopied patio is spectacular and we enjoyed most of our meals there. The pool is huge and perfectly maintained. This was a bucket list trip for my family and this Villa met and exceeded our high expectations.
Steven staying in Villa Cortona. Jun 2023
Villa Cortona
“ Dream vacation in Tuscany! ”
Wow! Dream vacation in Tuscany! The entire family spent the entire week in this amazing Tuscan Villa and enjoyed every minute of it. We were a total of 15 people of all ages and everyone just loved it. The villa is very clean and fit well with the surrounding. The pool is big and fun and the area around the Villa was great for a walk or a jog. The Owners are fantastic! I definitely recommend this place!
William S. staying in Villa Cortona. Jul 2018
Erno
“ Great location ”
The property is exactly as advertised. Great location, beautiful property, everything was in perfect conditions. The owner is fantastic, always ready to help out with any requests. He helped organize a fantastic party (catering, tent, music etc.). Although his own house is very near, he always leaves you your privat space, while at the same time always being available to fulfil your requests. We had a great time and highly recommend this property. The region around the property (lago maggiore) is beautiful, the nearby village Arona is picturesque and offers nice cafes and restaurants. The owner is able to provide many recommendations.
Manuel staying in Erno. Sep 2013
Torretta
“ Right size, right layout and the right distance from town. ”
We had a great time at the villa. It was perfect for us. Right size, right layout and the right distance from town. All super clean and tidy.
Supplies when we arrived was a nice touch.
A particular standout point was the local team all of whom were really good, they did everything we asked in terms of restaurant bookings, bike hire etc.
The pool was perfect.
It’s a great location.
David and Family, UK staying in Torretta. Aug 2023
Stalla
“ Wonderful property and location to explore Tuscany. Much needed and enjoyed pool given heatwave. ”
This property was great for a family stay. Although no air-conditioning, the shuttered and meshed windows kept bedrooms cool and mozzie free so no trouble sleeping despite the heatwave.
The living area is spacious and all windows/foors shuttered to kept cool. The pool was well maintained well-used.
Annemarie was really helpful and entertaining, with local interest/ practical recommendations and reservations.
Shona and family, UK staying in Stalla. Jul 2026
Stalla
“ An excellent week in a beautiful location with a caring host. ”
Anne Marie was an excellent host who was there when we needed her, provided extensive local knowledge on places to visit and restaurants and could not have been more helpful and welcoming.
The property was very well located for visiting Florence, Siena, Arezzo and many other small and beautiful local towns and villages.
The facilities were excellent, well thought through and with a lovely pool to cool off in.
Would very much recommend this to others and am sure we may be back in the future.
Stuart and family staying in Stalla. Jul 2023
Stalla
“ We enjoyed Stalla ”
We enjoyed our stay at Stalla. The pool area is a lovely and tranquil setting with perfect weather an added bonus. Nice quality poolside furniture too and large swimming pool. Anne Marie was very accommodating and helpful giving suggestions for good restaurants and places to visit. She also showed us the other apartments which looked very good. The isolated location suited us and would recommend to anyone wanting a peaceful getaway.
Adrian and family from UK staying in Stalla. Jun 2023
Stalla
“ We loved stalla! ”
We loved Stalla! It exceeded our expectations in every respect and was very good value. It is in such a lovely setting and seemed more spacious than in the pictures. We also appreciated the high standard of fittings and good quality bed linen. The kitchen and large dining table were fantastic as we cooked most evenings. There was a "proper", clean pool, which we all enjoyed. Anne Marie was fabulous and an amazingly kind and knowledgeable host, recommending the antiques market in Arezzo, which was fascinating, and giving very useful tips for our day trip to Florence.
We were due to be terribly early on our arrival day, so stopped for lunch in Civitella, which is stunning, but not mentioned in our guidebooks. We were so pleased we'd not missed out on seeing it. The day out we all loved most was to the Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore. Quite a long journey but it had been my favourite place when I went 30 years ago, when staying in an Invitation to Tuscany property with my own parents. It was wonderful to take my family and find they loved it too. from the stunning frescoes and marquetry to the delicious wine and olive oil. Such a peaceful spot.
We had a fabulous time and want to come back to Tuscany soon, possibly with my sisters and their families if we can find a time when we can all make it. Thank you so much for your personal attention in helping us choose a property and with all the details of the booking. It made such a difference. We hope to book with you again. I would certainly recommend Invitation to Tuscany very highly to anyone.
M.B. family from UK staying in Stalla. Dec 2018
Stalla
“ Really recommend this location... ”
Stayed at Stalla and Arcata together with another family and our children. The estate is beautiful, comfortable with high standard and very nice interior. Great pool and possibilities for relaxation or do sports if you prefer that. Cooked our food but also went to nearby villages to visit trattorias, restaurants and Osterias. The owner is an energetic wonderful lady always ready to help out to make the stay as pleasant as possible. Really recommend this location and especially if you go with friends or family but there is enough space even if there are other families around. Great location to visit Siena, Montepulciano, Arezzo, Florence etc. Just perfect vacation!!
Mrs. A.L. and family, Poland staying in Stalla. May 2015
Stalla
“ We would return without any hesitation! ”
Conveniently located for Arezzo, Sienna, Florence and the Arno valley. Plenty of restaurants in the area and the nearest small supermarket 10 minutes drive away, is open Sunday morning until 12.30, during the summer. Good large Ipercoop on outskirts of Arezzo about 30 mins drive. We found it useful to stock up here at the beginning of the holiday. Valdambra estate- large extensive grounds-plenty of space for children to play and have adventures! Doesn’t feel crowded with all 3 properties occupied. Lovely pool and terrace with plenty of loungers, tables and sun shades. Property clean, tidy and well maintained, well furnished and well equipped with good internet connection. Annemarie is a friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and welcoming host and is willing to make phone calls to book restaurants or tickets for visits to museums etc. An information pack (rubbish collection, restaurants, shopping etc) would have been useful, but Annemarie is aware of this and is in process of providing one. If 6 people using property, only having the use of one shower may become a problem, especially as it is off the master bedroom. Location-secluded-not in walking distance to anywhere -a car is needed for shops and restaurants (but we were aware of this when booking the property) and is not a problem. We would return without any hesitation!
Mrs. A.R. and family, Switzerland staying in Stalla. Feb 2013
Stalla
“ We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Stalla! ”
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Stalla! Anne-Marie was a wonderful help and the fact that she spoke both English and Italian was especially useful when we needed to make a trip to the pharmacy! My two daughters (8 and 11 years old) loved everything that the property had to offer. The large pool, the ping pong table and lounging hammocks were enjoyed each day. The girls also loved playing bocce each evening on the grassy space outside our villa.
We loved the fully stocked kitchen and we were especially happy with the option to arrive with groceries in the kitchen! Thanks Anne-Marie! The villa was clean and spacious and fully equipped. We had so much to do that we didn't turn the television on for the entire week!
We found it helpful when our host was able to make restaurant and gallery reservations for us. That was very useful and made our experience less stressful.
We really enjoyed our experience with Invitation to Tuscany as well as our stay at Stalla. We would return and recommend both services! The Canadian reps for Invitation to Tuscany were superb in answering all my questions!
Ms S.S. and family, Canada staying in Stalla. Dec 2013
Stalla
“ Stalla lived up to our expectations and more ”
Stalla lived up to our expectations and more. Beautiful grounds and location, lovely swimming pool in idyllic setting, it is a tastefully furnished apartment with everything you need. We took our two very young granddaughters with us on holiday and Stalla was perfect for our needs. The apartment is spacious and really well equipped. The vast kitchen table with comfortable upholstered chairs is quite luxurious. Wonderful comfortable beds with fine bed linen made for a good night's sleep. The gardens are vast, & we loved sitting out at night with the trees and pool illuminated - it is a magical place. Annemarie is friendly and helpful, a great font of knowledge about places to eat and nearby towns and villages to visit. We took her advice and ate at two great restaurants. Her recommendations are spot on. Annemarie intends to put together an information pack for the house - a book of tips and recommendations, and this will be a real plus. We would not have stumbled upon the restaurants she recommended, and would have hated to miss out on them. Because of having a 2 and 4 year old with us, we did not do very much sightseeing and didn't go too far afield. This was fine as we have visited Italy and Tuscany many times, and Stalla is such a delightful place to be. The places we did visit were Monte San Savino - a delightful walled hill town, Cortona and nearby Civitella. All very lovely, well preserved towns with lots of history and good places to eat. We can't recommend it highly enough.
Manager response: I'm delighted! We think it's great but as it's the first year it's always good to hear you were as happy as we had hoped you would be - and AnneMarie is the perfect host! Dan W.
Ms. S.C. and family, UK staying in Stalla. Oct 2013