103 entries.
“Perfetto”
Our vacation in July 2014
This is the third year in a row that we've spent our summer holiday in Londa, and the second in Valpiana. The location is amazing and the views are simply breath-taking. We have stayed there with family and friends, with children up to the age of ten. The setting is perfect if you just want to laze by the pool and the house has everything you need to cook up a feast. With six spacious bedrooms, a large dining room and large lounge (not to mention the garden and surrounding countryside) there is more than enough space for everyone to do what they want.
If you can tear yourself away from the tranquillity of Valpiana, you are only 40 minutes by train from the bustling and beautiful centre of the city of Florence. In my opinion one of the most beautiful cities in the world. You are also well placed for day trips to Bologna, Siena, San Gimignano, Arezzo, and Cortona. We even managed a day trip to Lake Trasimeno and Perugia this year (2hrs drive), and have been reliably informed that Rome is only a little over 3 hours drive. The owners are unbelievably friendly, and very helpful. They will answer any questions you may have and have a wealth of knowledge about the local area. I can also recommend the wine made from their vineyard as I drank my fair share!
There are a number of good restaurants in the local area, and the nearby restaurant "IL COLONNELLO" was amazing food at good value. If I'm honest
I feel more at home in Valpiana than I do back in the UK, and I would recommend this villa to anyone. I'm already planning next years trip!
Our vacation in July 2014
This is the third year in a row that we've spent our summer holiday in Londa, and the second in Valpiana. The location is amazing and the views are simply breath-taking. We have stayed there with family and friends, with children up to the age of ten. The setting is perfect if you just want to laze by the pool and the house has everything you need to cook up a feast. With six spacious bedrooms, a large dining room and large lounge (not to mention the garden and surrounding countryside) there is more than enough space for everyone to do what they want.
If you can tear yourself away from the tranquillity of Valpiana, you are only 40 minutes by train from the bustling and beautiful centre of the city of Florence. In my opinion one of the most beautiful cities in the world. You are also well placed for day trips to Bologna, Siena, San Gimignano, Arezzo, and Cortona. We even managed a day trip to Lake Trasimeno and Perugia this year (2hrs drive), and have been reliably informed that Rome is only a little over 3 hours drive. The owners are unbelievably friendly, and very helpful. They will answer any questions you may have and have a wealth of knowledge about the local area. I can also recommend the wine made from their vineyard as I drank my fair share!
There are a number of good restaurants in the local area, and the nearby restaurant "IL COLONNELLO" was amazing food at good value. If I'm honest
I feel more at home in Valpiana than I do back in the UK, and I would recommend this villa to anyone. I'm already planning next years trip!
"Spectacular"
Valpiana is truly relaxing even if there is nothing to do. All we did all day long was drinking wine, chill, had family quality time, picking cherries and strawberries, sitting by the pool, enjoying the cool weather, BBQ etc. The road to Valpiana was narrow and it was my first time driving on the left side of the car. Everything was opposite but after seeing Valpiana, it was all worth it. The town of Londa was really small but friendly people. I still very much prefer the people in Londa compared to Rome or Venice. People just say hi and smile at you by the streets while in Rome and Venice, we are just so used to getting the “No” treatment. It seemed that although language is a barrier, but the people in Londa still find ways to help you happily with smiley faces. Nanette and family were one of the most accommodating families we have met. Nanette teaches us about the herbs around the wonderful house and used them as well in our cooking. Almost everything around the house has a purpose-medication..food..spices…aroma… Nanette kids were friendly too. It was a surprise that her lil girl could speak good English and she too taught us about herbs around the house. My son and I were sick the moment we arrived Italy (probably due to change of weather) and Nanette gave us their cough syrups (really sorry didn't had the time to replace them!). I have to say that the only place I love staying during our 2 weeks stay in Italy was Valpiana. My folks and kids enjoyed the place. My kids were running around the place freely.
I did not really enjoy Rome and Venice. Probably because we keep on encountering unfriendly and rude people (not everyone!), got a ticket for doing right, very hot and crowd everywhere and probably almost ruined our holiday mood.
Esther, Malaysia Tuesday, 29 July 2014
from:
http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/accommodation/p8066976?version=desktop#reviews
Recommended for: Adventure seekers, sightseeing, families with young children and romantic getaway, Age 55+
Valpiana is truly relaxing even if there is nothing to do. All we did all day long was drinking wine, chill, had family quality time, picking cherries and strawberries, sitting by the pool, enjoying the cool weather, BBQ etc. The road to Valpiana was narrow and it was my first time driving on the left side of the car. Everything was opposite but after seeing Valpiana, it was all worth it. The town of Londa was really small but friendly people. I still very much prefer the people in Londa compared to Rome or Venice. People just say hi and smile at you by the streets while in Rome and Venice, we are just so used to getting the “No” treatment. It seemed that although language is a barrier, but the people in Londa still find ways to help you happily with smiley faces. Nanette and family were one of the most accommodating families we have met. Nanette teaches us about the herbs around the wonderful house and used them as well in our cooking. Almost everything around the house has a purpose-medication..food..spices…aroma… Nanette kids were friendly too. It was a surprise that her lil girl could speak good English and she too taught us about herbs around the house. My son and I were sick the moment we arrived Italy (probably due to change of weather) and Nanette gave us their cough syrups (really sorry didn't had the time to replace them!). I have to say that the only place I love staying during our 2 weeks stay in Italy was Valpiana. My folks and kids enjoyed the place. My kids were running around the place freely.
I did not really enjoy Rome and Venice. Probably because we keep on encountering unfriendly and rude people (not everyone!), got a ticket for doing right, very hot and crowd everywhere and probably almost ruined our holiday mood.
Esther, Malaysia Tuesday, 29 July 2014
from:
http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/accommodation/p8066976?version=desktop#reviews
Recommended for: Adventure seekers, sightseeing, families with young children and romantic getaway, Age 55+
"I really recommend"
We had a wonderful stay in Valpiana with our friend family. There was four adults and five children (age 14, 13, 9, 8, 6) of us. The house was really nice old stone house in between the wine yards. View was wonderful. It was great to wake up in the morning, open the windows and look at all the nice Tuscany hills and down to valley. Life was very peaceful all the time. Nanette and Tommaso is a brilliant couple with wonderful kids and kind dogs. Nanette and Tommaso helped us very kindly, if we needed any advices or whatever.
We had so great time that we did not move quite much. Children swam and we brought good food ( for example great meat from the butler) from Londa village and had a good barbeque parties almost every night. Thank you for the relaxing vacation! I really recommed the place to everyone. (Only notice that the fenced pool is 120 cm deep, so little children can´t swim there without adults.)
Recommended for: Adventure seekers, sightseeing, families with teenagers, families with young children and romantic getaway
We had a wonderful stay in Valpiana with our friend family. There was four adults and five children (age 14, 13, 9, 8, 6) of us. The house was really nice old stone house in between the wine yards. View was wonderful. It was great to wake up in the morning, open the windows and look at all the nice Tuscany hills and down to valley. Life was very peaceful all the time. Nanette and Tommaso is a brilliant couple with wonderful kids and kind dogs. Nanette and Tommaso helped us very kindly, if we needed any advices or whatever.
We had so great time that we did not move quite much. Children swam and we brought good food ( for example great meat from the butler) from Londa village and had a good barbeque parties almost every night. Thank you for the relaxing vacation! I really recommed the place to everyone. (Only notice that the fenced pool is 120 cm deep, so little children can´t swim there without adults.)
Recommended for: Adventure seekers, sightseeing, families with teenagers, families with young children and romantic getaway
Great for family and friends.
I stopped here last year (2013) having motorbiked accross France. Despite rain on the way (France) Italy was warm and dry. The ride up to the farm house from Londa is beautiful. Once there I was struck by the lush and varied green hues, contrasting the blue skies. It must be *** in the winter too. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone. A real jewel. The olive oil is like nothing I have tasted before, the rooms are m***ve and everything clean and tidy. I dried out just in time to go again but hope to go again soon.
Great for family and friends.
I stopped here last year (2013) having motorbiked accross France. Despite rain on the way (France) Italy was warm and dry. The ride up to the farm house from Londa is beautiful. Once there I was struck by the lush and varied green hues, contrasting the blue skies. It must be *** in the winter too. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone. A real jewel. The olive oil is like nothing I have tasted before, the rooms are m***ve and everything clean and tidy. I dried out just in time to go again but hope to go again soon.
Great for family and friends.
A lovely stay at Valpiana
Dear Nanette and Tommaso,
I just wanted to thank you both for such a lovely stay at Valpiana last week. All of us had a great time and really enjoyed spending time in the house and sitting in the garden. You made us feel very welcome. I loved all the furniture, pictures and the way that you have decorated the house. I hope that you have a busy year with the house and many more people get to enjoy Valpiana! Thanks again, Sharon.
(Sharon W. from London was with 12 adults and one toddler at Valpiana from 12 to 19 april 2014)
Dear Nanette and Tommaso,
I just wanted to thank you both for such a lovely stay at Valpiana last week. All of us had a great time and really enjoyed spending time in the house and sitting in the garden. You made us feel very welcome. I loved all the furniture, pictures and the way that you have decorated the house. I hope that you have a busy year with the house and many more people get to enjoy Valpiana! Thanks again, Sharon.
(Sharon W. from London was with 12 adults and one toddler at Valpiana from 12 to 19 april 2014)
Topwijntjes...
Wij hebben van jullie Brulino wijn genoten dit jaar, 5 liter was dan ook natuurlijk veel te weinig volgend jaar bestel ik minimaal 2 x 5 liter. Helemaal geweldig, ga zo door met het maken van al dat lekkers. Wij zijn fan, dat waren we natuurlijk al want Valpiana en ook de Rosse is top!! Groetjes vanuit Nederland.
In english:
We very much have enjoyed your Brulino wine this year, 5 liters was also far too little. Next year I'll order a minimum of 2 x 5 liters. Totally awesome, keep making all the goodies. We are fans, we were obviously allready because Valpiana and the Rose are also top!
Greetings from the Netherlands.
Mw. K. Vermeers
Wij hebben van jullie Brulino wijn genoten dit jaar, 5 liter was dan ook natuurlijk veel te weinig volgend jaar bestel ik minimaal 2 x 5 liter. Helemaal geweldig, ga zo door met het maken van al dat lekkers. Wij zijn fan, dat waren we natuurlijk al want Valpiana en ook de Rosse is top!! Groetjes vanuit Nederland.
In english:
We very much have enjoyed your Brulino wine this year, 5 liters was also far too little. Next year I'll order a minimum of 2 x 5 liters. Totally awesome, keep making all the goodies. We are fans, we were obviously allready because Valpiana and the Rose are also top!
Greetings from the Netherlands.
Mw. K. Vermeers
The perfect setting
For the first time, we decided to go on vacation, all the family at once, a big family of 11 (9 adults and two teenagers). The highlight of our trip was definitely where we had chosen to stay, the lovely house kept by Nanette and Tommaso. The house is a real beauty with it's ancestral charm. We were worried that it would be cold inside, because both the walls and floors are made of stone, but it was never a problem. Every bed is provided with a most comfortable duvet. Plus there are a couple stoves in the house if it gets chilly. The living room's fireplace is very impressive. I have never seen anything like it. We had lots of fun playing card at night in front of the fire. The two bathrooms are modern, very clean and functional, both with a shower, and one has a washing machine. We were pleased to find racks in the yard for our laundry. Although the kitchen looks small, it was never a problem to be at least two people cooking together. It was equipped with everything we needed, including big cooking pots, which was perfect for a large group. The garden is lovely. The large table was one of our favourite gathering spots. There are also four lounging chairs to relax in the sun. My favourite part was the herb garden. Nanette kindly gave us a tour so we could recognize each herb.
There are lots, even laurel, which in Canada I had never even seen fresh! As for the parking space, we had two vey large vans and the space was plentiful. We had a stunning view of the surrounding mountains, and of course, of the vineyard. We found it very pleasant to have a walk around, either up through the to vineyard, or by the olive grove. Walking to the village is a good walk, very feasable, but the return can be harder since it's like climbing a mountain! Londa has grocery shops, pharmacy, bank... We were the luckiest people on earth to get the chance to help with the harvest of the grapes; it was one of my dad's dream. It was a wonderful experience and we love that we got to share this with Nanette and Tommaso. They are honestly the kindest!
We also got to visit the family's Olive oil mill in Londa. It was a quite interesting tour and we had lots of fun! A short drive away, we loved the Castle of Poppi. Another highlight is that you can take the train from Contea (10 min drive) straight to Florence, at walking distance of the Duomo. I would highly recommend staying at Valpiana. Everybody loved it! We were so kindly welcomed and we would love to go back someday.
(our stay was from 24 september to 8 october)
For the first time, we decided to go on vacation, all the family at once, a big family of 11 (9 adults and two teenagers). The highlight of our trip was definitely where we had chosen to stay, the lovely house kept by Nanette and Tommaso. The house is a real beauty with it's ancestral charm. We were worried that it would be cold inside, because both the walls and floors are made of stone, but it was never a problem. Every bed is provided with a most comfortable duvet. Plus there are a couple stoves in the house if it gets chilly. The living room's fireplace is very impressive. I have never seen anything like it. We had lots of fun playing card at night in front of the fire. The two bathrooms are modern, very clean and functional, both with a shower, and one has a washing machine. We were pleased to find racks in the yard for our laundry. Although the kitchen looks small, it was never a problem to be at least two people cooking together. It was equipped with everything we needed, including big cooking pots, which was perfect for a large group. The garden is lovely. The large table was one of our favourite gathering spots. There are also four lounging chairs to relax in the sun. My favourite part was the herb garden. Nanette kindly gave us a tour so we could recognize each herb.
There are lots, even laurel, which in Canada I had never even seen fresh! As for the parking space, we had two vey large vans and the space was plentiful. We had a stunning view of the surrounding mountains, and of course, of the vineyard. We found it very pleasant to have a walk around, either up through the to vineyard, or by the olive grove. Walking to the village is a good walk, very feasable, but the return can be harder since it's like climbing a mountain! Londa has grocery shops, pharmacy, bank... We were the luckiest people on earth to get the chance to help with the harvest of the grapes; it was one of my dad's dream. It was a wonderful experience and we love that we got to share this with Nanette and Tommaso. They are honestly the kindest!
We also got to visit the family's Olive oil mill in Londa. It was a quite interesting tour and we had lots of fun! A short drive away, we loved the Castle of Poppi. Another highlight is that you can take the train from Contea (10 min drive) straight to Florence, at walking distance of the Duomo. I would highly recommend staying at Valpiana. Everybody loved it! We were so kindly welcomed and we would love to go back someday.
(our stay was from 24 september to 8 october)
Gorgeous house...
This is a Tuscan hilltop home on the outskirts of Florence whose warm embrace will bring us back again and again. A gorgeous almost too-good-to-be-true (but it is really true) cottage nestling in intense green. My biggest impression is of the verdure, from the well tended garden, to the densely wooded hills in all directions. The holiday home is on an olive and wine farm run by a charming and beautiful Italian-Dutch family.
We did not even get to see Florence, how could it compete? But a the biggest PRADA outlet was not far away and this was worth a visit. Looking forward to our next dose, soon.
This is a Tuscan hilltop home on the outskirts of Florence whose warm embrace will bring us back again and again. A gorgeous almost too-good-to-be-true (but it is really true) cottage nestling in intense green. My biggest impression is of the verdure, from the well tended garden, to the densely wooded hills in all directions. The holiday home is on an olive and wine farm run by a charming and beautiful Italian-Dutch family.
We did not even get to see Florence, how could it compete? But a the biggest PRADA outlet was not far away and this was worth a visit. Looking forward to our next dose, soon.
Lovely Tuscan Villa
Relaxing Tuscan Location
This was our 2nd visit to this lovely Tuscan Villa and we were not disappointed. The owners Tommaso and Nanette warmly welcomed us back with homemade jam and a bottle of their outstanding organic wine. Set in beautiful gardens and next to the vineyard Valpiana is a large traditional style old farmhouse which has been tastefully restored and decorated. The kitchen is very well equipped but I must say we chose to eat out every night . Londa the small town down the road has good restaurants that all offer reasonably priced menu's with great pasta and meat dishes . ( fabulous pizza's too ) Further down from Londa is Contea where it is easy to catch the train to Florence where there are further opportunities to dine out and visit outstanding museums and of course fantastic shops. However you may find it difficult to leave the beauty of Valpiana as we did and prefer to chill by the pool and take in the gorgeous views whilst sipping on a small glass of someth ing! I would recommend Valpiana to anyone who wants to have a true relaxing Tuscan experience.
Here's hoping for another visit soon,
Jo & Bob
Relaxing Tuscan Location
This was our 2nd visit to this lovely Tuscan Villa and we were not disappointed. The owners Tommaso and Nanette warmly welcomed us back with homemade jam and a bottle of their outstanding organic wine. Set in beautiful gardens and next to the vineyard Valpiana is a large traditional style old farmhouse which has been tastefully restored and decorated. The kitchen is very well equipped but I must say we chose to eat out every night . Londa the small town down the road has good restaurants that all offer reasonably priced menu's with great pasta and meat dishes . ( fabulous pizza's too ) Further down from Londa is Contea where it is easy to catch the train to Florence where there are further opportunities to dine out and visit outstanding museums and of course fantastic shops. However you may find it difficult to leave the beauty of Valpiana as we did and prefer to chill by the pool and take in the gorgeous views whilst sipping on a small glass of someth ing! I would recommend Valpiana to anyone who wants to have a true relaxing Tuscan experience.
Here's hoping for another visit soon,
Jo & Bob
'Valpiana was above everything that I expected'
We booked 'Vapliana' for a one week holiday for me, my wife, 8 year old daughter, my friends and their 20 month old son thinking it was brilliant value for 6 people. After making the enquiry we then realised it was for 6 bedrooms! So ended up having more friends and family join us. It was unbelievable value. Having booked online you are never quite sure what you will find, but 'Valpiana' was above everything that I expected. It has spectacular and breathtaking views, a large living space, and is well placed for visiting Florence and many other of Tuscany's sights. Not to mention the warm welcome we received from the owners and their family. We were invited to a small festa in nearby Londa, and also experienced the olive oil tour and tasting session. When not seeing the sights, we spent time relaxing in the swimming pool and spent the glorious evenings eating and drinking before taking our 8 year old daughter wild boar spotting. We enjoyed it so much that we have already enquired about spending two weeks here for our 2014 holiday.
I can't wait,
Fam. Coggs
We booked 'Vapliana' for a one week holiday for me, my wife, 8 year old daughter, my friends and their 20 month old son thinking it was brilliant value for 6 people. After making the enquiry we then realised it was for 6 bedrooms! So ended up having more friends and family join us. It was unbelievable value. Having booked online you are never quite sure what you will find, but 'Valpiana' was above everything that I expected. It has spectacular and breathtaking views, a large living space, and is well placed for visiting Florence and many other of Tuscany's sights. Not to mention the warm welcome we received from the owners and their family. We were invited to a small festa in nearby Londa, and also experienced the olive oil tour and tasting session. When not seeing the sights, we spent time relaxing in the swimming pool and spent the glorious evenings eating and drinking before taking our 8 year old daughter wild boar spotting. We enjoyed it so much that we have already enquired about spending two weeks here for our 2014 holiday.
I can't wait,
Fam. Coggs