Looking for a Unique Tuscan Villa for 6
Jan 8th, 2005, 11:24 AM
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Looking for a Unique Tuscan Villa for 6
We'll be in Tuscany for 4 nights and have not found anything really unique. Many are really nice, but looking for something different. Not necessarily the villa itself as much as what we can do there, or in the town, or tours etc. There are 3 couples, budget 1000 to 2000 euros.
Any suggestions<
Thank You
Janet M
Any suggestions<
Thank You
Janet M
Jan 8th, 2005, 01:50 PM
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Have you tried www.italyby.com? We rented the top floor of a castle in Stigliano about 20 km outside of Siena. The only service in town was a fantastic restaurant below. This particular property may not interest you because of the location, but it certainly qualifies as "unique." Italyby.com has other such properties available!
Jan 9th, 2005, 02:03 PM
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We have rented this villa for 6 of us in April. It is just outside of Siena and in my research it has gotten great reviews. It is self catering and for 4 nights we are paying 720E. Check it out!
http://www.inflorence.co.uk/tuscanyr...iavolaccio.php
http://www.inflorence.co.uk/tuscanyr...iavolaccio.php
Jan 11th, 2005, 05:25 AM
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Janet - I'm looking into this place too for April. When will you be there? We plan to visit 4/20-27. We'll have four adults and two children. Where did you find the reivews on it? I'm looking into the Tipo B or Tipo C.
Jan 11th, 2005, 05:39 AM
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Why not have a look at www.summerinitaly.com some of their Tuscan properties look fantastic.
Jan 11th, 2005, 05:41 AM
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A more detailed description of what would strike your fancy might help others a lot. Excuse my pedantry - - but isn't <i>every</i>villa offered for rent <i><b>unique</b></i>? There are no "cookie cutter" mass-produced villas for rent, that I know of.
And perhaps you mean "uniquely luxurious" (I don't think you will find one for 2000 euros); "uniquely quirky" (define?) or "uniquely isolated" - - or just the opposite!
Lastly, the "best" villa for 3 couples will depend on how picky you are on these three variables, perhaps more than anything else: price, "equality" of bedrooms and especially bathroom availability, and location (both within Tuscany, but also proximity to services, restaurants, etc).
Ten different traveling groups will often come up with ten different sets of answers to these three questions.
Best wishes,
Rex
And perhaps you mean "uniquely luxurious" (I don't think you will find one for 2000 euros); "uniquely quirky" (define?) or "uniquely isolated" - - or just the opposite!
Lastly, the "best" villa for 3 couples will depend on how picky you are on these three variables, perhaps more than anything else: price, "equality" of bedrooms and especially bathroom availability, and location (both within Tuscany, but also proximity to services, restaurants, etc).
Ten different traveling groups will often come up with ten different sets of answers to these three questions.
Best wishes,
Rex
Jan 11th, 2005, 12:54 PM
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Thanks for your input. By "unique" I meant a Villa that offers something that makes it stand out from all the rest. And I know I'm asking alot for 2000euros but I thought I might get lucky because #1 we're in low season. #2 were only staying 4 nights and some have prorated their prices. I have emailed quite a few Villas for availabilty and every Villa is available, so I'm wondering if things are a little slow there as well. But back to Unique-I probably mean an up close and personal time in Tuscany.
Maybe a place where the owners offer wine tasting or tours, to cook an authentic regional meal,or winery or oil making onsite etc.
Bed and Bath #'s are'nt an issue, we're family and we just need 6 beds and more than 1 bathroom.
I know you know that area Rex, so can you give me some suggestions. One of the couples will probably never get back to stay in Tuscany so I want to make the most out of this visit for them.
And while you have Tuscany on your mind, we will have a van and intend on
doing the usual city tours. Again can you pick out some places that you think are absolutely a MUST SEE/MUST EXPERIENCE. I'm not shouting- it's passion and excitment for a fabulous country.
Grazie
JanetM
Maybe a place where the owners offer wine tasting or tours, to cook an authentic regional meal,or winery or oil making onsite etc.
Bed and Bath #'s are'nt an issue, we're family and we just need 6 beds and more than 1 bathroom.
I know you know that area Rex, so can you give me some suggestions. One of the couples will probably never get back to stay in Tuscany so I want to make the most out of this visit for them.
And while you have Tuscany on your mind, we will have a van and intend on
doing the usual city tours. Again can you pick out some places that you think are absolutely a MUST SEE/MUST EXPERIENCE. I'm not shouting- it's passion and excitment for a fabulous country.
Grazie
JanetM
Jan 11th, 2005, 02:44 PM
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<<I know you know that area Rex>> - -
you flatter me. seriously. I have spent one week in a villa at Ambra (midweay between Siena and Arezzo), and that property would NOT be what you are seeking.
I have been to Florence for two nights one other time, and in Assisi (which is Umbria, not Tuscany) two other times for a total of three nights there.
So there are a dozen (or several dozen) individuals on this board that know 2-10 times as much as I do about Tuscany. And collectively, the "community" of information "providers" on www.slowtrav.com know twice as much as all of the gathered "wisdom" of this board put together.
Even a good, experienced and knowledgeable agent with some of the big companies would be a valuable source of info you may not have considered - - I can speak well of rentvillas.com or domani-usa.com or regencyintapts.com - - and you may or may not find a good experience talking to the people at theparkercompany.com (no personal experience other than drooling over their lovely brochures).
And describing over the phone what you mean by "unique" will continue to be worth your time, as I am still not sure I get what you mean by "unique". I reiterate - - they are all "unique" - - from uniquely junky furniture, to uniquely elegant to uniquely "creative" plumbing to uniquely beautiful grounds and landscaping (if you go in the right time of year!)
It sounds like you would place personal attention from a proprietor or nearby (quasi-?) host more valuable than say... a working dishwasher (the opposite of my outlook).
I am not 100% certain you wouldn't rather stay at an agriturismo. I would not, because I want separation from other travelers (walk around in a bathrobe, full run of the kitchen) and the ability to cook is important to me. but I do think that in some cases an agriturismo can provide that feeling at being "in a home" but with someone to look after you - - not maybe in the sense of making the beds, but in the sense of seeing that you have an extraordinary Italian rural experience.
Some assumptions that you may have wrong: pro rate for four nights' stay? don't count on it (I'm not saying impossible - - but would you do that if you were a proprietor? maybe. just as likely not). "more than one" bathroom? A villa "for six" will frequently mean a bedroom for the parents, and a "place to sleep" for four kids. And built 50-200 years ago. "More than one" bathroom is NOT a standard feature of a "villa for six". Three <i><b>couples</b></i> will often want a villa "for eight" (or even more) to get a second bathroom. So keep in mind that a "villa for eight" or a "villa for ten" will be priced as if eight or ten wallets are helping to pay for it.
I'm not trying to discourage you from your search - - by the way, what "low season" is it that you are looking to rent? after November 1? anytime between late February and early November has already been picked over somewhat (especially for the really good bargains).
You need slowtrav.com or a good agent, or two, and you need them now.
you flatter me. seriously. I have spent one week in a villa at Ambra (midweay between Siena and Arezzo), and that property would NOT be what you are seeking.
I have been to Florence for two nights one other time, and in Assisi (which is Umbria, not Tuscany) two other times for a total of three nights there.
So there are a dozen (or several dozen) individuals on this board that know 2-10 times as much as I do about Tuscany. And collectively, the "community" of information "providers" on www.slowtrav.com know twice as much as all of the gathered "wisdom" of this board put together.
Even a good, experienced and knowledgeable agent with some of the big companies would be a valuable source of info you may not have considered - - I can speak well of rentvillas.com or domani-usa.com or regencyintapts.com - - and you may or may not find a good experience talking to the people at theparkercompany.com (no personal experience other than drooling over their lovely brochures).
And describing over the phone what you mean by "unique" will continue to be worth your time, as I am still not sure I get what you mean by "unique". I reiterate - - they are all "unique" - - from uniquely junky furniture, to uniquely elegant to uniquely "creative" plumbing to uniquely beautiful grounds and landscaping (if you go in the right time of year!)
It sounds like you would place personal attention from a proprietor or nearby (quasi-?) host more valuable than say... a working dishwasher (the opposite of my outlook).
I am not 100% certain you wouldn't rather stay at an agriturismo. I would not, because I want separation from other travelers (walk around in a bathrobe, full run of the kitchen) and the ability to cook is important to me. but I do think that in some cases an agriturismo can provide that feeling at being "in a home" but with someone to look after you - - not maybe in the sense of making the beds, but in the sense of seeing that you have an extraordinary Italian rural experience.
Some assumptions that you may have wrong: pro rate for four nights' stay? don't count on it (I'm not saying impossible - - but would you do that if you were a proprietor? maybe. just as likely not). "more than one" bathroom? A villa "for six" will frequently mean a bedroom for the parents, and a "place to sleep" for four kids. And built 50-200 years ago. "More than one" bathroom is NOT a standard feature of a "villa for six". Three <i><b>couples</b></i> will often want a villa "for eight" (or even more) to get a second bathroom. So keep in mind that a "villa for eight" or a "villa for ten" will be priced as if eight or ten wallets are helping to pay for it.
I'm not trying to discourage you from your search - - by the way, what "low season" is it that you are looking to rent? after November 1? anytime between late February and early November has already been picked over somewhat (especially for the really good bargains).
You need slowtrav.com or a good agent, or two, and you need them now.
Jan 11th, 2005, 04:05 PM
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Rex offers some good food for thought. His best advice to spend time at slowtrav.com I will add that you should decide what is your defination of "Tuscany". It is a large place. What do you want to see?
Jan 11th, 2005, 04:27 PM
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I'm a little confused by your dinner with the hosts thing. Typically villas don't have hosts. While a few may be dual properties shared with hosts or have a local caretaker - most are strictly on your own.
Perhaps you really don;t want a villa at all - but something more like the French chateau experience in which the owners are resident and rent out rooms to various guests. They typically offer on site dinner experiences once or twice a week. But it's not a villa rental.
Perhaps the agriturismo idea is better for you.
Perhaps you really don;t want a villa at all - but something more like the French chateau experience in which the owners are resident and rent out rooms to various guests. They typically offer on site dinner experiences once or twice a week. But it's not a villa rental.
Perhaps the agriturismo idea is better for you.
Jan 12th, 2005, 08:24 AM
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Thank You soooo much MWM1. It looks fabulous and the price is great. Almost wonder why it's so cheap. It must be really slow there.(Tuscany)I'm waiting for them to confirm that it's available. Have you made any other plans while your there??. Love to hear about them if you have. [email protected]
I'm getting sort of brain dead- trying to plan this trip for 12 people to Rome-Florence-Tuscany-Venice
( 6 are leaving from Florence)so I have to concentrate on Rome first.
Thanks again
I'm getting sort of brain dead- trying to plan this trip for 12 people to Rome-Florence-Tuscany-Venice
( 6 are leaving from Florence)so I have to concentrate on Rome first.
Thanks again
Jan 12th, 2005, 10:20 AM
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Janet,
Try checking out Italy Farm Holidays...
www.italyfarmholidays.com
We rented an apartment at Molino Le Gualchiere. located just outside the lovely little village Loro Ciuffenna.
They also have a wonderful little house on property...with lots of privacy.
Italy Farm Holidays offer many properties...and not ALL of them are farms.
Ralph & Susa Levey, the owners of Italy Farm Holidays are located in Tarrytown NY....they make the rental transaction a snap!!
Try checking out Italy Farm Holidays...
www.italyfarmholidays.com
We rented an apartment at Molino Le Gualchiere. located just outside the lovely little village Loro Ciuffenna.
They also have a wonderful little house on property...with lots of privacy.
Italy Farm Holidays offer many properties...and not ALL of them are farms.
Ralph & Susa Levey, the owners of Italy Farm Holidays are located in Tarrytown NY....they make the rental transaction a snap!!
Jan 13th, 2005, 07:32 AM
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MWM1, I have also booked this villa (Diavolaccio), for the last week of September. Please do post a trip report/review with the name of the villa in the title when you return. I am very interested in your input as I am staying at the villa with my very! picky brother and I hope I have made the right choice.
Jan 13th, 2005, 12:47 PM
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Janet,
I did a lot of research on this subject about 6 months ago. We have reserved a 3/3 for 3 weeks this summer at Tenuta di Lupinari (www.lupinari.com) in Bucine (Arezzo). We also loved www.canonicacerreto.it (just east of Siena). We were looking for moderate/high price, charm and in central Tuscany.
Expect 7 day minimums (Sat to Sat).
Would also recommend you review:
www.ilborghettotuscanholidays.com
www.windowsontuscany.com
www.intuscany.net
www.ormanni.it
www.classictuscanhomes.com
www.cottagestocastle.com
www.villavacations.com
www.rentvillas.co
www.tuscany.net
www.toscanet.com
Hope I typed these correctly (and they still exist.) Have fun.
I did a lot of research on this subject about 6 months ago. We have reserved a 3/3 for 3 weeks this summer at Tenuta di Lupinari (www.lupinari.com) in Bucine (Arezzo). We also loved www.canonicacerreto.it (just east of Siena). We were looking for moderate/high price, charm and in central Tuscany.
Expect 7 day minimums (Sat to Sat).
Would also recommend you review:
www.ilborghettotuscanholidays.com
www.windowsontuscany.com
www.intuscany.net
www.ormanni.it
www.classictuscanhomes.com
www.cottagestocastle.com
www.villavacations.com
www.rentvillas.co
www.tuscany.net
www.toscanet.com
Hope I typed these correctly (and they still exist.) Have fun.
Jan 13th, 2005, 05:23 PM
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The San Pierino farmhouse on a hill with lovely views is part of the Villa Calcinaia estate in Greve, which has been owned by the Capponi family for centuries: http://www.conticapponi.com/
There are two apartments in the San Pierino farmhouse; each has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. They are attractively furnished and decorated.
They produce award winning wines on the estate and offer a tour and tasting to their guests. You can also hire a cook on an hourly basis to prepare an evening meal.
Greve is a great location for touring with many lovely villages close by and Siena about an hour along beautiful Rt. 222, the Chiantiagna Way. The estate is less than 2 miles from the center of Greve. Saturday morning is market day in Greve.
We have stayed here twice, once for a week in April and once for a week in September. The apartments are available for less than a week in low season, which they consider to be until June 25, except for Easter.
There are two apartments in the San Pierino farmhouse; each has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. They are attractively furnished and decorated.
They produce award winning wines on the estate and offer a tour and tasting to their guests. You can also hire a cook on an hourly basis to prepare an evening meal.
Greve is a great location for touring with many lovely villages close by and Siena about an hour along beautiful Rt. 222, the Chiantiagna Way. The estate is less than 2 miles from the center of Greve. Saturday morning is market day in Greve.
We have stayed here twice, once for a week in April and once for a week in September. The apartments are available for less than a week in low season, which they consider to be until June 25, except for Easter.
Jan 18th, 2005, 09:11 AM
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Because of the recommendations here and the beautiful pictures online we choose http://www.inflorence.co.uk/tuscanyr...iavolaccio.php
it looks beautiful and we love the location. Thank to everyone that took the time to answer- travelers are the nicest people!!
it looks beautiful and we love the location. Thank to everyone that took the time to answer- travelers are the nicest people!!
Jan 18th, 2005, 01:10 PM
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There's nothing like a happy ending (seemingly - - I guess the real test of the pudding will be in the eating, huh?) and this thread provides an interesting look-back at how information gets imparted here on this forum.
I intend <i><b>nothing</b></i> negative by this posting; no sour grapes (because I didn't provide info that was helpful to you, or at least perhaps that was the case), and I am not suggesting that you should reconsider. The property you have chosen evidently strikes a chord for you.
But the "conventional wisdom" did not prevail, and for reasons that I don't fully understand, MWM1 zeroed in on what you want, it seems. It all goes to show that it really does take a whole of "different strokes for different folks" to make for a good match in lodging in Tuscany (or anywhere else, for that matter).
It's interesting that neither "Catignano" nor "Diaviolaccio" can be found anywhere on slowtrav.com -- indeed, some might argue that this does not really fall into the category of a "villa rental" at all. It might just as aptly be called a "hotel" made up of 17 (or is it 15?) different units - - most being two bedroom apartments, with some having larger sleep capacity, up to as many as 7 (or is it 9?) - - with no traditional Saturday-Saturday stay requirement(s). Presumably each unit does have a kitchen, and thus is self-catering. There doesn't seem to be any mention of regular restaurant service, even though there clearly is a good sized "public" dining facility - - for weddings, for example - - which might seat as many as 100. I do wonder if it has a "front desk" or "bell staff", or other traditional hotel personnel; with its minimum two night stay (or three, for some units), there would be presumably be a handful of parties of guests arriving and departing every single day of the week. Equally surprising is no mention of a "final cleaning" fee, so typical of a conventional "villa". Makes me wonder if they provide some kind of daily service.
Let me reiterate. None of this is a negative characterization. I agree with you - - it looks lovely - - and the price seems very, very good (whether for a party of 4, or the entire capacity of 86 it can sleep - - hard to argue with less than 30 euro per person per night). It won't be the same experience I would seek from a "villa stay" - - but that doesn't mean it won't be great.
And I will be curious how well it meets your expectations of "what we can do there, or in the town, or tours etc" - - it looks like it could be less than a mile to walk to Geggiano, for example - - on this map: http://www.villarentalsintuscany.com...prop_404_5.jpg
There doesn't seem to be a single mention of Geggiano here on this forum, and I haven't been able to determine what services are there (restaurants? grocery? attractions?) - - but this did pop up in a quick Google search - - http://www.hipvillas.com/wine_tour.htm
It will be interesting to see if that fits into your interests or plans and would be eager to hear more about it , if it does ("Stealing Beauty" is certainly something of more than passing interest to many of the "Euro-dites" here).
Hope you have a great trip (again, when is it?) and that you report back here.
I intend <i><b>nothing</b></i> negative by this posting; no sour grapes (because I didn't provide info that was helpful to you, or at least perhaps that was the case), and I am not suggesting that you should reconsider. The property you have chosen evidently strikes a chord for you.
But the "conventional wisdom" did not prevail, and for reasons that I don't fully understand, MWM1 zeroed in on what you want, it seems. It all goes to show that it really does take a whole of "different strokes for different folks" to make for a good match in lodging in Tuscany (or anywhere else, for that matter).
It's interesting that neither "Catignano" nor "Diaviolaccio" can be found anywhere on slowtrav.com -- indeed, some might argue that this does not really fall into the category of a "villa rental" at all. It might just as aptly be called a "hotel" made up of 17 (or is it 15?) different units - - most being two bedroom apartments, with some having larger sleep capacity, up to as many as 7 (or is it 9?) - - with no traditional Saturday-Saturday stay requirement(s). Presumably each unit does have a kitchen, and thus is self-catering. There doesn't seem to be any mention of regular restaurant service, even though there clearly is a good sized "public" dining facility - - for weddings, for example - - which might seat as many as 100. I do wonder if it has a "front desk" or "bell staff", or other traditional hotel personnel; with its minimum two night stay (or three, for some units), there would be presumably be a handful of parties of guests arriving and departing every single day of the week. Equally surprising is no mention of a "final cleaning" fee, so typical of a conventional "villa". Makes me wonder if they provide some kind of daily service.
Let me reiterate. None of this is a negative characterization. I agree with you - - it looks lovely - - and the price seems very, very good (whether for a party of 4, or the entire capacity of 86 it can sleep - - hard to argue with less than 30 euro per person per night). It won't be the same experience I would seek from a "villa stay" - - but that doesn't mean it won't be great.
And I will be curious how well it meets your expectations of "what we can do there, or in the town, or tours etc" - - it looks like it could be less than a mile to walk to Geggiano, for example - - on this map: http://www.villarentalsintuscany.com...prop_404_5.jpg
There doesn't seem to be a single mention of Geggiano here on this forum, and I haven't been able to determine what services are there (restaurants? grocery? attractions?) - - but this did pop up in a quick Google search - - http://www.hipvillas.com/wine_tour.htm
It will be interesting to see if that fits into your interests or plans and would be eager to hear more about it , if it does ("Stealing Beauty" is certainly something of more than passing interest to many of the "Euro-dites" here).
Hope you have a great trip (again, when is it?) and that you report back here.
