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
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
The villa and location were everything we wanted them to be. Radicondoli is a beautiful place, full of character and charm and the villa is ideally placed to enjoy the local sights, shops and restaurants. Claudio was so helpful and we loved his generous gifts of wine, olive oil and tomatoes. We would definitely recommend staying here to anyone.
Mrs. B.Y., UK staying in Ragnana. Sep 2024Second time visiting Ragnana - perfect host, perfect location. central to explore Tuscany if you want to but if you crave the rest and relaxation this is the place for you.
As always Claudio is there to greet you along with home grown Olive Oil and Wine! if you are really good he will even let you have some Pomodoro for the best salad in the world!
Will always go back to Ragnana
Justin & family staying in Ragnana. Aug 2024Vidunderligt gensyn med fantastiske Villa Ragnana og charmerende Radicondoli. Vi var her også sidste år og kommer forhåbentlig igen.
Henriette from Denmark staying in Ragnana. Aug 2024Vi havde den skønneste uge i dette smukke gamle hus. Vi har boet 8 mennesker i huset og det er perfekt indrettet til en stor familie . Poolen og udeområderne er lækre og med masser af plads . Området er smukt og byen er virkelig hyggelig. Der er lidt langt til de større indkøb , men der er en lille butik oppe i byen som har et stort udvalg ( størrelsen taget i betragtning ) . Alt i alt en helt fantastisk uge .
Line from Denmark staying in Ragnana. Jul 2024Really lovely villa. The interior is rustic but very clean and comfortable. The pool and terrace are great with fabulous views over the valley, with raised external eating area with views. Claudio the caretaker is lovely and helpful. He tends the garden and pool regularly - the garden and plants are wonderful.
The village is a 5 minute walk away with 3 good restaurants and two bars. There is a COOP, bakery, butcher and pharmacy. Very sociable and welcoming village.
Roads in this area of Tuscany are quite windy, and so travel is slow and so the nearest supermarkets are 30 minutes away. Downsides (dependent on what you want) are poor wifi coverage and very limited TV.
Iolo and family staying in Ragnana. Jul 2024The house is located on at hill top in walking distance to charming small city with all necessities (market, bakery, butcher, gelato). The house is located with an idyllic view and Claudio, the owner, is the most helpful soul. We would love to return!
Frida & family from Denmark staying in Ragnana. Jun 2024We loved the farmhouse. The pool was great and the whole setting was kept immaculate by Claudia who was a star. He was discreet in keeping pool area and gardens clean and helpful with any other queries. Thanks for the olive oil and wine! The location was excellent and 5 mins from Radicondoli - easy walk- which had 3 good standard restaurants and a bar which had very reasonably priced drinks sitting amongst the locals. The farmhouse was very well equipped and although rustic was charming. Head out the back past the pool and you are amongst the olive groves and garden allotments and some nice quiet tracks around the countryside. Would definitely recommend. We didn’t have a car and that was fine as the village had everything. Would recommend one for access to other hilltop villages though.
Jennie & Stuart from UK staying in Ragnana. Jun 2024Fantastisk ferie i charmerende Villa Ragnana. Smukkeste udsigt. Tæt på dejlige Radicondoli med aktivt lokalmiljø og et par fine spisesteder. Signor Claudio sørgede dagligt for at alt udendørs incl pool var rent og indbydende. Forærede os et par flasker af hans egen dejlige vin og olivenolie. Har et stort ønske om at vende tilbage til dette vidunderlige sted.
Henriette & family from Denmark staying in Ragnana. Jul 2023We loved Ragana in Radicondoli. The villa is typical old style tuscany villa which adds to the charm was huge (4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms), clean and with all modern appliances. The grounds are large and maintained well by Claudio - the owner, who is a most helpful and pleasant host. The private pool was excellent and with many lounges and tables etc. The villa is situated on the outskirts of the village and adjacent to the owner's working olive farm.
Kevan B and family staying in Ragnana. Jun 2023Me and my family including six adults, one child and one baby stayed at Villa Ragnana for five nights and we couldn't have found a better place! Radicondoli is a beatiful village with a handful of nice eateries, a small supermarket and amazing panoramas - wherever you are. The kind and caring owner of Villa Ragnana was a lovely host and the house covered all our needs. The outside areas including the swimmingpool are wonderful too. The booking agency was extremely helpful and made us feel much welcome and well-prepared. All in all a sublime experience!
E. Isaksson staying in Ragnana. Sep 2022Claudio (owner) is a true gentleman. Location on the edge of Radicondoli is perfect. Villa is delightful along with the pool. Spacious and well equipped. We will be returning.
Justin K and family staying in Ragnana. Aug 2022Ragnana has the best views of the beautiful Tuscan hills. The clever aspect of the pool and terrace really gave us uninterrupted hills , fields and cypress trees. Claudio (the owner) welcomed us and proudly showed us around the property , leaving us some of his homemade wine and olive oil. He later dropped round some of his home grown tomatoes and cucumber... delicious. We had decided to opt for a villa within walking distance of a village so that we could pop in for an ice-cream and go to dinner without using the car. This worked really well and we sampled the food at all the three restaurants. Loved Pizza National and Agriteca in Piazza. We were also able to drive to Volterra, Siena and San Gimignano which were less than an hour away. The rooms were spacious and comfortable.
Liz staying in Ragnana. Jul 2022Cosy old house with a great pool area and a nice view to the Tuscan landscape. The children loved the huge pool. Only a short walking distance to the nearby village with great restaurants, bakery and coffee shops. Being a family of eight people, the kitchen area and the fridge is rather small but it worked out well with some simple cooking.
Charlotte staying in Ragnana. Jul 2022Excellent house, nice pool and surrondings with lots of room for kids and families. Only a short walk to Radicondoli, which is a very small and cosy town. But with restaurants, café and bakeries. Cafe Il Nationale is super nice with great coffee, ice cream and pizzas. Claudio - the owner of the house - is very nice and super helpfull. We are definetely thinking about going back.
Mette Lykke staying in Ragnana. Jul 2022We stayed in Ragnana Radicondoli, we took Dan's great advice and were not disappointed. The villa is absolutely perfect well stocked , lovely outdoor dining area with a beautiful well maintained pool . The owner Claudio could not have been more welcoming and discreet as he tended the beautiful garden surrounding the villa early every morning. The restaurants in Radicondoli are fantastic esp Cafe National which was our absolute favourite. It is so well positioned to visit many beautiful towns and one hour from the coast . I have to mention the backup and support we got from Daniel as we had a unexpected medical issue with one of the family and he was exceptional with help on the phone and contacting someone local to help us as well as contacting a the Dr and acting as translator . I would have no hesitation in recommending this travel company and Ragnana Villa . Superb !
June and family - from Ireland staying in Ragnana. Dec 2018Just wanted to say how much we enjoyed Ragnana and Radicondoli. The house was basic but lovely and our host was wonderful. Despite having problems with the hot water for the first 2 nights we thoroughly enjoyed living there and experiencing Tuscany. Claudio cleaned the pool every day and watered the plants but was very unintrusive and even cleaned the BBQ! It was such a great place for our party of eight. We would definitely like to return in 2020 and would like to stay somewhere nearer to Lucca and would not hesitate to use your company again. Thank you for your brilliant service that exceeded our expectations.
D.A. from NZ staying in Ragnana. Dec 2018Many thanks for your recommendation re Ragnana. Our group of six adults stayed there for a week and all thoroughly enjoyed it. Location was great: we loved the proximity to charming Radicondoli, and the view and access to countryside at the back easily made up for the initially off-putting approach through the modern housing development. The house was clean, well maintained, well equipped, and had comfortable beds. Claudio was friendly and helpful without being intrusive. All in all it was an excellent choice for us, and we’d certainly recommend it to others!
L.K. and friends staying in Ragnana. Jun 2017Some great local tips!
We have been in correspondence with Dan, mainly about the pool – but I do want to stress again how impressed we have been with you all at ItoT: thank you!
Restaurants: Agriteca is lovely and our favourite, notwithstanding the limited menu: service form the sweet Romanian couple front-of-house, is professional and impeccable and the food is excellent (the pork especially: I had it at least three times!) La Pergola was nearly as good: bigger and buzzing and with locals (always a good sign for me). We went there several times Golfo di Napoli: bizarre! A vast but empty ‘fish and steak’ restaurant that one night had no fish (we went twice, only when the others were full or closed) Fattoria Tegoni (part owners of Agriteca as I am sure you know) was wonderful for the cooking lesson from Andrea (and the result for those of us who joined the cooks to eat the result!
Places: Casole d’Elsa was a late discovery: go before 13.00 and get to the top of the tower : lunch at Il Porrino was lovely (we had the bruschetta/crostini, having seen them; wish I had gone for the salsiccie e fagiole after I saw them!
La Ragnana was a beautiful villa, lovingly cared for by the owner. The villa, outside patios, and swimming pool was clean and well maintained. The owner generously supplied us with his homemade wine, and produce from his garden. The villa was close enough to Radicondoli to allow us to walk in whenever we needed anything. (There are many small stores, including two grocery stores, a butcher, a pharmacy, etc.) We highly recommend Ristorante Trattoria La Pergola (Although note that reservations are helpful), and also recommend Il Granaio. Our only negative was that Siena, Firenze, etc. could only be visited by car.
Anonymous staying in Ragnana. Nov 2011Just as advertsed on Invitation to Tuscany. Close, easy walking distance ot lovely small old hil top town, ideal for family members to wander into town to the cafe or bars. Very tranquil, beautifully maintained, lovely pool and set in large private grounds with olive and fig trees to wander in. House quite dark inside but fine as most of life was outdoors.
Anonymous staying in Ragnana. Oct 2011The house was well kitted out and the pool and views were lovely. The town of Radicondoli is exceptionally welcoming and only 5 minutes walk away with a friendly bar for coffee and a restaurant for some of the best pizza we've ever had and great sunset views. We had a wonderful 2 weeks and are very keen to go back.
Anonymous staying in Ragnana. Feb 2014I had an idea of a romantic Tuscan villa set in a beautiful surroundings and I wasn't disappointed. Everyone loved it! The pool is fantastic, it's private and has a great view of the surrounding countryside. The owner was very hospitable and brought over several bottles of home made vino and a stack of tomatoes, which we enjoyed. The village of Radicondoli is quaint, there are a few good restaurants to eat in, the villagers were friendly and helpful. There are also some great walks around the village. I would thoroughly recommend a visit.
Ms. K.W. and family, UK staying in Ragnana. Sep 2019The Villa was perfect for our family of eight including two children ages three and six. The owner was a wonderfull host working every day to clean the pool, work in the yard, and empty all the outside trash. He would arrive early and be gone by the time we were getting out of bed. This is truly the best family vacation we have ever experienced due largely to the quality of the Villa and the hosts hospitality. The town of Radicondoli is a delight, not too big, not too small with a couple of great restaurants and a few small shops to help stock the kitchen in the Villa. Anyone planning to tour Tuscany by car will find this location makes it easy to get to all the great locations in Tuscany and return home at the end of the day. We can't wait to return to La Ragnana.
Mr. B.I. and family, USA staying in Ragnana. Dec 2009We shared this with another family and it was a fantastic base to experience tuscany at its best. The villa has a lot a charm and a few quirks (electrics and water) but the location and extensive grounds were a delight. The owner was exceptionally helpful. The town is great and is wonderful for simple local shops - great on foot.Easy reach of San Giminiano and Siena. The proprty has stacks of charater and charm. Would recommend for a large family- our children really enjoyed the freedom and the local restaurants. Brilliant.
Anonymous staying in Ragnana. Dec 2009Folks, if you want a lovely home, steeped in Italian tradition with a worldclass location/view and wonderful owners, this is it! The property, surrounded by Olive trees and vineyards is wonderfully relaxing and soulful. An easy 1000 meter walk takes you into the village which features superb architecture, food, great cafe's and incredible views of the rolling hills and valleys below. We plan on returning in 2010 and can't wait.Enjoy!
Anon staying in Ragnana. Feb 2009We spent two weeks at La Ragnana with our son and his family and we all agreed that it was the best vacation we had ever had. A large part was due to the ambience of La Ragnana and to Gigi, our thoughtful landlord. Also, Radicondoli is a delightful small village with enough shops and restaurants to satisfy all our needs. The swimming pool at La Ragnana is perfect, with its view across the valley towards Belforte. The olive groves, spring house and vegetable gardens on the grounds were also very appealing. The house was surrounded by beautiful flowers blooming in large planters, tended by our landlord, Gigi. We also enjoyed the outdoor woodfire grill for several meals. Daytrips to Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra, San Golgano, Montepulciano were easy by car, and to Florence by train from Poggibonsi (where we did our major shopping).
Anonymous staying in Ragnana. Dec 2009House and location lived up to all expectations. Lovely pool. Close to village. The owner was attentive but not obtrusive and his gifts of his own produce were much appreciated.
Anonymous staying in Ragnana. Dec 2011We just returned from a week radicondoli. The cottage was excellent (especially the swimming pool) for 2 families with a very friendly Mr Lastrucci who managed the place. What makes Ragnana a perfect place to stay is the fact that it is very close to the radicondoli village, which is a village where you can live the tuscan live at its best. (no touristic but all the shops and services you need). To improve -> quality of the beds (matrasses)
Anonymous staying in Ragnana. Dec 2012Wonderful holiday enjoyed by 3 generations of our family. Lovely farmhouse - great mix of rustic original features, but with all the modern facilities that you would want. Beautiful pool and patio areas - very well looked after. Views to die for. Fantastic owner who left his own red wine and olive oil for us to sample. He also dropped off some tomatoes, courgettes, fresh herbs and peaches from his farm during the week. Radicondoli is a lovely village with 3 great restaurants - especially La Nazionale. Ideal for day trips to Volterra, San Gimiginano and Siena. We would love to stay here again.
Anonymous staying in Ragnano. Dec 2012We (5 adults, 2 kids) stayed here for two weeks and had the time of our lives. The setting--house, grounds, pool, was exquisite and the owner could not have been more gracious and accommodating. Every day he left us gifts from his farm: wine, olive oil, lettuce, basil, etc. We based out of the house and did day trips all over Tuscany. It was a magical vacation and I cannot recommend it highly enough. The town of Radiccondoli (just a short walk up the hillside) boasts 3 excellent restaurants and a warm community.
Anonymous staying in Ragnana. Mar 2011Our third stay at this farmhouse,what can I say?, except it was fantastic, lovely house, patio areas, bbq and pool. Claudio, the owner,arrives every day, very early to sweep and tidy the area around the house and pool. Left us his superb home grown produce and wine, very much appreciated. Cannot wait to return again very soon.
Mrs. A.H. and friends, UK staying in Ragnana. Dec 2013Ragnana was exactly as expected and described to me by Laura at Invitation to Tuscany. It is a lovely farmhhouse which is large enough for an extended family such as ours, comfortable and welcoming. The outside spaces are particularly lovely - the pool is very clean and surrounded by tables and chairs, and there are various other patios and tables where you can sit and enjoy the quite fabulous views. We particularly liked the quick walk into Radicondoli and ate in a couple of the village restaurants, strolling home afterwards which was a joy! Claudio was the perfect host, leaving us his own wine and olive oil which was delicious. I can thoroughly recommend the villa and we hope to return
Anonymous staying in Ragnana. Oct 2013Lovely setting at Radicondoli - about 30 minutes drive to Siena, 90 minutes to Firenze and beautiful scenery all around. A lot of space in Ragnana, nice swimming pool and most everything one could ask for. 5 stars also to Claudio, the perfect host, who surprised us by providing us with a case of his good wine, olive oil, and even fresh vegetables from his own garden. The perfect place for a family reunion. The use of a GPS recommended for first arrival.
Anonymous staying in Ragnana. Dec 2014Our family group thoroughly enjoyed our stay at La Ragnana. The accommodation and grounds fully lived up to expectations. The host was attemtive but not intrusive and made us feel at home with a generous gift of his own wine and olive oil.The village of Radicondoli is quiet but very picturesque and day trips to Florence, Sienna and San Gimigniano easiliy accessible treats..
Mr. P.P. and family, Ireland staying in Ragnana. Dec 2010We had a lovely week at Ragnana. It was exactly as you described, and felt very much like home. The swimming pool, grounds and views were all wonderful and it was a pleasure to see Claudio every day - his wine and olive oil were greatly appreciated.
We loved the pizzas at the Nationale and had a nice meal at La Pergola on the stunning balcony. Siena was a lovely town to visit, and some of the family went over to Elba for the day which was very interesting, if a lot of driving.
A lovely holiday home and we hope to return.
Mrs C.H. and family, UK staying in Ragnana. Jul 2013My husband and I wanted a villa in Tuscany that was not too large, which was not part of a multi-tenanted property, that had great views, and which was close to a town. Ragnana had it all. It is a wonderful villa outside the fabulous small town of Radicondoli, which was a short (steep) walk for groceries and dining. The villa grounds are lovely and have expansive views of the valley below – great beds, lots of hot water (there were only two of us) and a relatively well equipped kitchen. The owner Claudio lives in town and is happy to help with questions etc. His home made wine was excellent. The restaurants in town were very good – La Pergola has terrific pizzas and a beautiful patio overlooking the other side of the valley (a must for sunset); La Nationale is run by three local women and has very good pastas; La Pizzeria Granaio also had excellent pizza and a wonderful chef who also sings beautifully (lots of fun k- not clear to me why La Pergola is crowded and this wonderful place is less so). In short, it was a perfect place and we would return if we can.
Mrs A.M. and family, Canada staying in Ragnana. Dec 2013We've known Ragnana and rented it for the past 36 years; in all that time the house has been consistently popular with all our clients. It started out without a swimming pool and a number of other things, like the barbecue and pergola, but has always retained its simple charm. This is a house for living in and enjoying; the decor will win no interior design prizes but is eminently usable. Most of the living goes on outside anyway, on the large terrace area with a pergola, or around the pool. And with the lively village of Radicondoli within walking distance, many evenings will be spent in one of the local restaurants. A firm favourite, helped also by Claudio's charm. He often drops by with home produced wine, olive oil and vegetables for guests.
Dan staying in Ragnana. Jan 0017I have arranged holidays for groups of friends for the last 10 years and I think La Ragnana has been the best appointed house we have had. They have all been good but the thought behind the arrangements and the quality of the equipment was superb. The various outside terraces and poolside were furnished with top quality loungers, umbrellas and even a shower by the pool. We have stayed in places where there has been a state of the art cooker that you needed a degree in practical engineering to use, here it was good basic turn on and go. The utensils looked new. The bottles of wine and the virgin olive oil left by Claudio the proprietor from his own fattoria was also welcoming and excellent. While a younger group would have found the terrain much easier and been able to do the short walk into town easily, we did eat at La Pergola, which outside has views to die for, and Agriteca which is in the town both busy in season and food cooked to order. My daughter and I both speak a bit of Italian and that went down quite well - everyone was very helpful.
Mrs. B.N. family and friends, UK staying in Ragnana. Dec 2015We had a lovely lovely time - Lovely villa. Fabulous pool and Radicondoli was excellent. Claudio provided a very discreet service and the wine and olive oil he gave us was delicious. What a lovely man
Lovely villa and Claudio kept the pool and garden areas immaculate and was very discrete. The inside of the villa is great and the bedrooms were lovely.
All in all, a lovely place and Radicondoli is perfect. The cafe nationale was great great value and served delicious meals. Agriteco in piazza was lovely too. We liked La Pergola too for the views.
Mrs W.D and Family staying in Ragnana. Dec 2013
Die Villa ist unfassbar schön, toll eingerichtet, ein riesiges Grundstück, rundherum Olivenbäume und Weinberge, alles super sauber, gepflegt und toll in Schuß, der Pool schön groß und wird jeden Tag gereinigt, man kommt an und entspannt sich sofort, wird sehr nett empfangen und wenn man während des Aufenthalts Fragen zu Restaurants, Ausflügen oder was auch immer hat, werden diese prompt beantwortet. Absolut empfehlenswert! Unbedingt bei Savini Tartufi Trüffel kaufen, nur 3 Kilometer entfernt
Translation
The villa is incredibly beautiful, beautifully furnished, with a huge property surrounded by olive trees and vineyards. Everything is super clean, well-maintained, and in great condition. The pool is a lovely size and is cleaned every day. You arrive and immediately relax. You receive a very warm welcome, and any questions you have about restaurants, excursions, or anything else during your stay are answered promptly. Highly recommended! Be sure to buy truffles at Savini Tartufi, just 3 kilometers away
A, Germany staying in Leccio. Aug 2020
The property was exactly what is advertised. It provided six excellently appointed bedrooms and comfortable bathrooms. The dining options inside and outside provided a setting for memorable lunches and dinners with stupendous views. The kitchen was adequately equipped to provided us with an assortment of meals that extended long past sunset.
The pool and grounds were immaculately maintained.
The little village of Iano provided an outlet for dinners, coffees, emergency supplies of wine and a departure and destination point for walks into the Tuscan countryside.
The site provided stupendous sunset views across the Tuscan fields and hills. Famous towns like Volterra and San Gimignano proved to be only about 30 min away. The routes were studded with wine tasting opportunities. Supplies of food and drink were available from the local town of Montaione.
The support by the owners and the team at Invitation to Tuscany was always immediate thoughtful and informative. We spent an incredible week that met all our expectations.
Philip and family, from Trinidad and Tobago staying in Valdera. Aug 2025
We stayed at Valdera for a family celebration and had a wonderful time. Nothing was too much trouble for Cinzia the owner who was delightful. The villa is well equipped and in a beautiful setting. The local village shop is great for basic supplies, coffees and pastries. And the local restaurant is GREAT DEFINITELY RECOMMEND A STAY HERE
Sally and family staying in Valdera. Jul 2025
We had brilliant week at Villa Valdera. Laura was extremely helpful before we left in organising a walking tour of Florence and advising on the best way to get there. She also booked a couple of meals for us in the villa. The first of these meals was not quite what we had hoped for so Laura was very happy to cancel the remaining meals for us. The villa was very clean, well equipped and in the perfect location. The many outside spaces were used by all and allowed privacy for all of our travelling group. We loved the views, close by restaurants and coffee shop. A hire car is a must to explore this beautiful area. Thank you for a wonderful week.
Rachel and family, UK staying in Valdera. Jul 2025
Excellent location. Great pool. Kitchen equipment rather dated apart from washing machine which appeared fairly new. Some quirky furnishing which added to charm. Air-con inadequate to 40 degree heat but provided some relief A comfortable villa with stunning views.
Penny and family from UK staying in Valdera. Aug 2024
Lovely villa which we thoroughly enjoyed and can not fault at all! The location was fantastic, and the shop/cafe up the road was incredible - every day for perfect ice cream and coffee!
We did really miss having a tour of the villa, and there was no cleaning facilities like a dustpan and brush, enough bin bags, basic kitchen cleaning equipment - with a baby it was needed! There should have been changing of towels during the week, but we didn't have this either - so that was a bit of a disappointment.
Katie from the UK staying in Valdera. Jun 2024
Our family of 7 had the chance to stay in this villa for a week and had a wonderful time. The villa is spacious and well stocked in the kitchen. The beds were comfortable and the ample outside seating is picturesque. The owner of the the villa lives just a few minutes away and she was always available to answer and questions and assist when necessary. Villa is in a great location to explore Tuscany.
Juli & family staying in Valdera. May 2024
The pictures do not do justice to the beautiful villa and surroundings. Everything is well maintained, and comfortable for all guests with en suite bathtooms. The owner is charming and easily accessible for questions or help. Walking distance to a small shop for fresh meats/cheeses/fruit etc and a small restaurant. 35 minutes drive to San Gimignano, 1 hour to Siena and take the train from Empoli station (40 minutes) for a stress free journey to florence. It was perfect.
Ian from UK staying in Valdera. Jun 2024
We had a fantastic time at Valdera. The people we met in association with the villa were so friendly and helpful. Any contact we made always had a quick response with a smile.
Valdera was spotless and the bedding and towels were of a good standard. An expected nice touch was the offer of a change of towels mid week. The sun towels were also really lovely to use.
It was great to be able to walk to the village shop and the restaurant was of a much better standard than I imagined it would be, which is lovely if you return a few times. The chef was also really friendly.
The location of Valdera is brilliant. We had a great time visiting the towns and cities (this is our first time to Tuscany and the first time in a private villa).
Dan kindly recommended a restaurant for us to go to on our route from Arrezzo to Iano which we couldn't access as there was an old car rally taking place in the village of the restaurant. Unsure of where to eat, we carried on and ended up asking in the Tourist Office at Gambassi for a recommendation. I don't know whether it was the relief of finding somewhere pleasant to eat with extreme hunger 😊 but we all really enjoyed sitting in and eating in Beltempo Ristorante www.beltemporistorante.com. It is a new modern restaurant in the town and it was extremely pleasant. I would say it is great for lunch and is informal. It was one of those places where you hope they succeed as the service, enthusiasm, food and atmosphere was lovely.
C.B. and family staying in Valdera. Feb 2017
Wonderful views, fantastic facilities A perfect Tuscan Villa capable of sleeping 8 people, even though we are only 4! Very comfortable beds, great bathrooms, kitchen fully equipped and washing facilities. Swimming pool, although too cold to use it! Situated in the heart of the Tuscan hills with so Kant interesting places to visit close by. Train to Florence, Siena very easy too.
Paul and Guest staying in Valdera. Aug 2017
We had a wonderful time at Valdera. It's a lovely house in such a beautiful place! The house was great and we were impressed with how well the gardens and pool were tended. It felt remote enough but great to be able to walk to a shop and restaurant. My only comment would be that it could be better equipped with 'basics' - bin liners, food storage bags or boxes, matches etc. Also non-breakable stuff to take down to the pool.
We ate at Antico Borgo in the village. It was nice to be able to walk and it's a straightforward restaurant with pizza and pasta. Lovely views from the outside area. We made the mistake of not booking on the last night so had to eat inside - it seems to get busy at weekends. We had breakfast in the other cafe - La Chicca, which was nice. The village shop is really good and well stocked, although expensive compared with the supermarket.
Dan asked for comments about our hotel in Lucca. We stayed in L'Antica Bifore which we loved. It is a four room b&b in the centre and our room was in part of a medieval tower. It was very relaxed, a friendly couple and lovely breakfast. Parking not very convenient if you had lots of luggage. We had dinner at da Pasquale which was the best meal of our trip. Pasquale was the most amazing, enthusiastic and knowledgeable host who looked after his guests so well. He gave us a bottle of olive oil which we enjoyed through our holiday!
J.S. staying in Valdera. Feb 2017
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
We had a wonderful stay in your beautiful Villa Ludoviuca. I love the bedrooms, bathrooms, the windows, the garden, the pool, the terrace. We love going to Da Luciano, and I personally love to go to the little pasticceria to get my daily beignet di chocolato. We also love the boat trip with Giorgio, the swim at the Comacina was the best. Thank you for your hospitality, for your assistance and for the bread.
Mark staying in Villa Ludovica. Jul 2022
We had an amazing week at Villa Fobbia. The Villa is in the hills and you should expect a bit of narrow, steep windy roads to get there. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the Owners who showed us around their great home. The views are amazing.
The villa was clean, in great condition, well stocked, secure, and had ample space for our crew of 8 (including two young teens). Note there is no air conditioning, and we had a heat wave during our week, so the days were a bit warm in the house.... nights were not an issue as the air cooled down at night, and the fans in every bedroom helped too.
The pool was a great amenity during the warm days. We scheduled two chef dinners and one cooking class during the week, and the kitchen with the adjacent al fresco dining area worked great.
Note - it can get a little buggy in the evenings if eating outside. Local wineries and restaurants are within a 20 to 30 minute drive, and don't miss out on visiting Lucca. Our hosts and Invitation to Tuscany representatives were always available and very helpful. I highly recommend a stay at Villa Fobbia.
Gregory and family staying in Villa Fobbia. Aug 2025
We had a fantastic stay at Villa Fobbia and would thoroughly recommend. The house in the mountains makes the most of the enviable views and was very comfortable for our group of 10 (adults and teens), with lots of different areas to relax and unwind. The owners are generously sharing their home and this comes across in all the thoughtful touches across the whole property. We look forward to returning.
Rowena and Family staying in Villa Fobbia. Aug 2024
We loved Fobbia and had a very relaxing holiday, largely by the pool. The villa itself is beautiful, really stylish, and every room is lovely! More accessible to shops etc this time which is a bonus. I’m sure you’ll have very satisfied guests staying there in the future.
Sarah and family from UK staying in Villa Fobbia. Sep 2023
I had first visited this house in early 2023, but in June I finally had the chance to take our Danish Agents (Ponti&Sofia), our London Agent Laura and our Australian agent Marian to see Villa Fobbia. We stopped for a meal at Valentino's, in nearby Fiano, as we always like to test local restaurants whenever possible. Valentino's did not disappoint, with course after course of delicious Tuscan locally produced food brought out to us as we all surreptitiously loosened our belts. After our coffees, having refused the proffered Amaro Digestivo, we headed up to Fobbia where I was delighted to see everybody as bowled over as I was by the elegance of the interiors, the quality of the furniture and the generosity of the outdoor spaces. Villa Fobbia really is a very special place and I hope you all enjoy it! Dan.
Agency Visit staying in Villa Fobbia . Jun 2023
Thank you for the lovely stay! The view is amazing, we saw the best sunset from across the villa. The villa was easy to find and the restaurant nearby is an absolute must-try, the pasta and steak are delicious. Flavia was very helpful and friendly, she even helped us find a place for dinner and offered great suggestions, thank you!
Victoria staying in Alta. Dec 2024
Perched atop a mountain overlooking numerous cities and rolling terrain, it is hard to imagine anyone being disappointed. This villa estate has been owned by the same caring and dedicated family for many, many years. Their efforts to ensure all our needs were accommodated were Herculean. Would we stay there again ... absolutely! Rent a car or minibus within walking distance of of the Montecatini-Monsummano train station, because timely service from taxis down and back up the mountain could be challenging. Our group of 6 loved the remoteness, with convenient access to nearby small cities and wineries. The onsite restaurant (open Thurs-Sunday) is a "must do" experience. Special thanks to family owners Flavia and Julio for tending to our unique needs. mark
Mark, Ohio staying in Alts. Oct 2024
We had a wonderful week at Faro. The location was perfect, privately hidden away in the trees on the peninsula of Portofino. The villa is peacefully relaxed with everything that you need and has private access to the sea which is perfect. Tastefully decorated with beautiful art work and iconic furniture pieces. The house keeper, Karina was kind, helpful and discreet. We truly loved it and wouldn't hesitate to recommend and/or return. Thank you so much X
Sara staying in Faro. Sep 2024
Stunning villa. Incredible view of portofino bay, with different yachts on the horizon every day. Very close to the lighthouse. Loved the furniture and decoration of the house.
Elliott, Switzerland staying in Faro. Aug 2024
Fantastic place for family. Excelent service and great standard. Perfect pool for families with kids. Great basecamp for visiting Pisa, Lucca, Firenze and Siena. The place is on a hill top and even in high temperatures there is slways a chilling wind.
Morten from Norway staying in Argentum. Jul 2023
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
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.
We stayed a week at Rapoli Sopra. We loved its location, peace and quiet. We enjoyed recommendations for dinner venues and attended their own Pizza night which was a fabulous evening out. We were treated like we were the first guests of the season and nothing was too much trouble. It’s a truly authentic experience to stay in a Villa in the midst of a hamlet on a hill in the middle of olive groves. 💚💚💚
Renee, Australia staying in Ropoli Sopra. Oct 2024
The stay at Ropoli was wonderful. The house was absolutly perfect for our family of 4. It was cosy and tastefull. We had lovely walks in Montestigliano, and we enjoyed delicious restaurants around thanks to Francesco.The team at Mostestigliano was very hepful with all sort of questions and always ready to help. The autumn in the region is very beautiful and quiet. We are planing to be back and already spotted some other property on Invitation To Tuscany website!
Juliette & Jeremie staying in Ropoli Sopra. Oct 2021
Vi havde et meget dejligt ophold. Vi vil især fremhæve:
• Borgo'en er virkelig smuk, herunder grøntsagshaven, som vi fik lov at købe lidt fra • Det er genialt med både en familie- og rolig pool. Ingen af dem var overrendte, så det var virkelig fint • Personalet, Ifrat og Francesco, er meget søde og imødekommende værter • Køkkenet i huset er hæderligt til egen madlavning • Fællesspisning og pizzaaften var virkeligt skønne og stemningsfulde • Deres eget kokkekursus er billigt (sammenlignet med andre), og vældig hyggeligt i deres smukke køkken, men det er ikke det helt store, man lærer (vi blev overtalt af en anden gruppe til at deltage) • Der er roligt om natten
På minussiden vil vi kun nævne, at der var meget varmt, og vi forelog, at de får installeret aircon i soveværelserne. Varmen var overraskende også for værterne, og flere havde sagt det samme, og de ville se på det.
Vi kan i høj grad anbefale et ophold. Vi har tidligere været på Montalbino om efteråret – som har den fordel at de også driver en meget lækker restaurant med egne råvarer. Men Montestigliano er lige så godt, samlet set.
Morten from Denmark staying in Ropoli Sopra. Jul 2022
We had a very nice stay. In particular, we would like to emphasize:
• The Borgo is really beautiful, including the vegetable garden, which we were allowed to buy some from • It is brilliant to have both a family and quiet pool. None of them were overrun, so that was really nice • The staff, Ifrat and Francesco, are very nice and welcoming hosts • The kitchen in the house is suitable for your own cooking • Common dining and the pizza evening were really wonderful and atmospheric • Their own cooking course is cheap (compared to others), and very cozy in their beautiful kitchen, but it's not that much you learn (we were persuaded by another group to join) • It is quiet at night
On the minus side, we would only mention that it was very hot, and we suggested that they install air conditioning in the bedrooms. The heat was surprising for the hosts as well, and several had said the same, and they wanted to watch it.
We can highly recommend a stay. We have previously been to Montalbino in the autumn - which has the advantage that they also run a very delicious restaurant with their own ingredients. But Montestigliano is just as good, overall.
Morten from Denmark staying in Ropoli Sopra. Jul 2022
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
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 Portico. Sep 2024
Located in the beautiful Tuscan hills of Morre, Todi, Casa Umbra is an amazing retreat. We visited in October so spent much of our time walking the local area of Collelungo, Izzalini and Todi and enjoying the views from the villa in the evenings with a glass of wine, before settling in by the fire. The villa does also have an amazing outdoor pool and we will definitely be back to visit in the summer months when we can take advantage of this too. Mario and Valentina are amazing hosts and very kind, thoughtful people. They were so helpful in suggesting things for us to do, as well as giving us lifts to places and delivering groceries to the villa, whilst also allowing us all the space we needed to enjoy the villa. We had a hire car so were wary of driving too much on the paths leading up to the villa (which are very steep and gravelled) so we were very grateful for their help. We can’t wait to return to Casa Umbra again, it is a truly special place!
Connor and family from UK staying in Casa Umbra. Oct 2025
This house is so beautiful and serene, surrounded by trees and the sound of cicadas and with a lovely view of rolling Umbrian hills. With thick stone walls it remains fairly cool irrespective of the surrounding temperature, and there is a good air flow through the house once doors and windows are open. The large pool is fabulous and warms nicely in the sun, but has the benefit of being increasingly shaded as the afternoon wears on. It is easy to spend the day lolling around the house without the need to go anywhere. But there are things to do: the area is very rural and sparsely populated, but the stunning hill towns of Todi and Orvieto are in relatively easy reach and there are numerous other places a bit further away.
Mario, the host, is very kind and helpful. He is able to offer recommendations of all kinds, and attends quickly to any questions or issues.
The road to the house is indeed a genuine challenge - I expected it to be a minor issue, but the steep and unpaved sections would likely be beyond the capability of smaller cars. I think Mario is working to pave the whole road (in which case it will be steep but otherwise perfectly fine) but is awaiting relevant permissions. The access road and other potholed roads around Umbria somewhat shredded our car's front tyres, which needed replacing in a Norauto garage before driving back to the UK.
David & family from UK staying in Casa Umbra. Jul 2023
We loved our stay at Casa Umbra, a wonderful spacious rustic house and fabulous clean large pool, surrounded by wonderful countryside, wild flowers, butterflies and birds. Lovely walk up behind the house.
Our host Mario went out of his way to ensure all our needs were met, provided recommendations for local events/places, introduced ours kids to his horses and helped arrange a private yoga instructor/masseur visit. Yet at the same time did not intrude at all.
The area of umbria also proved very enjoyable with trips to Todi, Asissi & Spello, Orvieto and Marmore Falls by Terni. Plenty options for vineyard, olive farm, horse riding visits also.
Highly recommend Kairos restaurant in Izzalini, just short drive away.
When booking you are warned about the road and type of car to use to get to the house, this is genuine advice and should be heeded. The house is off the beaten track but 100% worth it !
Carmel & family staying in Casa Umbra. Jun 2023
Casa Umbra is the perfect setting for a peaceful and relaxing break. Nestled in the hillside, surrounded by nature and incredible views, it really does offer a everything you need for a complete getaway. We could not have asked for a better place to enjoy Southern Umbria. The access road is steep, so a larger car (4X4) is recommended.
Anonymous from UK staying in Casa Umbra. Sep 2022
You will need to take care with the road leading to the accommodation as it can be steep and narrow in parts. But the villa is in an enviable location with excellent views of the surrounding hills and villages. We had a very relaxing stay. The kitchen is excellent, well equipped and very convenient for cooking. Bedroom very comfortable. The swimming pool is wonderful, with good sun-beds, and we liked very much the hammocks on the lawn at the front of the villa. There are a number of places outside to eat, so you can choose depending upon the time of day. Mario is a very welcoming, helpful and generous host, always available but also very conscious for the privacy of the guests.
D.C. staying in Casa Umbra. Dec 2018
It is just a wonderfull place, beautifull villa with a very nice, romantic view of the small walley and surrounding hills. Ideal for families looking for silent place in umbrian nature. We spent there 1 week which was not enough for us. I would recommend to stay for 2 or even more weeks so you can discover the whole area and enjoy umbrian food, nature, history...one thing should be highlighted here, the owner - Mario Santoro. His helpfull attitude and personlity made our stay much more pleasant. Thank you
M.O. staying in Casa Umbra. Oct 2017
Located on a remote hill with a stunning view of the breathtaking landscape of Umbria, the Casa Umbra is the perfect hideaway in Italy's heartland. The elegant and luxurious residence is fully equipped with everything one needs for a perfect vacation. One can relax by the pool or read in one of the hammocks overlooking the hillside. The three bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms are spacious and provide perfect privacy even when sharing the house. The kitchen is fully equipped and even though one is fully surrounded by nature there is a fast internet connection, a TV and telephone. While it could be easy to loose oneself in the serenity of the place and just never leave the villa, one is still very close to the gems of Italian art and culture. Beautiful must see towns such as Todi, Orvieto, Perugia, and Assisi are just a short drive away and offer fantastic dining and outstanding cultural experiences. Me and my family would have loved to stay the whole summer and hope to come back soon.
N.D. staying in Casa Umbra. May 2017
Time at this Villa is simply remarkable. The food, the staff, the hospitality, the comfort and the view are simply unmatched
C.T. staying in Casa Umbra. Aug 2017
One of the most beautiful places in the world! Peaceful surrounding, ideally arranged villa with exceptionally good taste, never ending visual and physical pleasure. To come back and experience again and again
K.I. staying in Casa Umbra. Dec 2017
A marvellously tranquil part of Umbria, and a great house high on a hill. I have spent happy days there, and highly recommend it. Day trips to great places are to be found in every direction. I only hesitate to recommend it because I want to keep it to myself!
W.A.E. staying in Casa Umbra. Dec 2017