Home away from Home!

Guest: Stuart (Fairfax, CA USA)
Date of Stay: 07/20/11 Review Submitted: 01/16/12

Our first words when we arrived was "This is Perfect" and boy was it. There wasn't one detail missed, this home felt magical, authentic and beautiful. This was our families first trip to Italy and we picked a winner! The only thing wrong was that we should have booked two weeks we would have loved that. One week wasn't enough. We fell in love with Lella and her family. They are so kind and very special good people. We enjoyed our hot cappuccino and breakfast each day delicious home made yogurt. The views are breathe taking out the bedroom windows. We were lead by the giant black love dog "Tino" on many wonderful hikes. Our two teenage children enjoyed there newly found family friends. The cooking class was priceless! So special and tasty! We enjoy making semi-frado for dessert now that we are home in California. We even make homemade pasta, thanks to Lella's receipt and great lesson. Be sure to ask for restaurant suggestions "Erasmo'" We did lots of day trips and always looked forward to our return to our home away from home. We even got to enjoy a family dinner in the authentic Italian kitchen with the whole family very special memories.

Owner response:Dear Michelle, thank you so much for your kind review! you know that your new "Italian family" is waiting for next stay....

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

True Tuscan experience and Bonus: we adopted another sister!

Guest: linda d5 (NJ)
Date of Stay: 09/23/11 Review Submitted: 12/12/11

My pretrip visions of what I hoped Tuscany to be were far exceeded by our experience at Abbacca-la the last week of September--rolling hills with beautiful vineyards & olive groves. wineries, quaint villages, ancient cities, amazing art in Fierenze & in the cathedrals we visited, mountains in the distance, clean air, fantastic food. The apartments provided plenty of room for 4 adult "girls" (not one argument between 2 sets of sisters!) & adequate (not modern), very clean facilities. Lella became our little "sister", driving us anywhere we wanted, showing immense patience when we couldn't make decisions, helping us really see & experience Tuscany, and her proud heritage. I can't say enough to praise her cooking, driving skills, pleasant personality and English language communication. We saw so much more with Lella as our guide, than we ever could have done on our own. She truly made "our" Tuscany the best! The only drawback I can think of--you must be prepared for a 20 min drive to & from the highway (beautiful scenery on the way) every time you go anywhere & you will need God to find Abbacca-la in the dark. Would also suggest a few more towels be provided. Very minor criticisms, considering the wonderful week we had. If I could give 10 stars, I would!

Owner response:Thank you so much Susan, hoping to see you again very soon

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children, age 55+, families with teenagers.

B from Wisconsin,USA

Guest: B from Wisconsin (West Bend, WI, USA)
Date of Stay: 09/13/11 Review Submitted: 11/30/11

We spent a delightful week in mid-September at Abbaccala farm house. Lella was extremely helpful with her excellant English skills. She gave us wonderful suggestions for local eating establisments and our pizzia-making experience was great fun. She also helped us with reservations for a winery not too far away and suggested a visit to a local Villa. A hike up the mountain above the farm to the Roman catheral bombed out during W.W. II was one of the highlights of our stay. By the time we left we also were beginning to figure out the road signs and felt quite accomplished making the hairpin turns up the mountain to the farm. It was a perfect Tuscany experience.

Owner response:Thank you for staying with us Lella

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+.

Sisters Forever!

Guest: New Yorkers having fun in Phoenix (Western NY)
Date of Stay: 09/23/10 Review Submitted: 11/29/11

2 sets of sisters began our European vacation with a week stay at Abbacca-la September 23-30, 2011 - and what a wonderful week! From the moment she picked us up at the train station, our hostess, Lella, couldn't have been more gracious and accommodating. We rented both apartments and had way more than enough room - so pretty and quaint!! The views from the property and the surrounding areas were amazing! Lella also acted as our guide and driver for the week, and her service was worth every penny! We were able to relax without worrying about directions, train schedules,traffic, etc. Lella took us wherever we wanted to go and made great suggestions about our itinerary. Another bonus is Lella's cooking. DELICIOUS and convenient. We ate breakfast every day (yummy homemade yogurt, jams, bread - soooo good!) and Lella cooked us two wonderful dinners. We wanted to have a cooking lesson, but we simply ran out of time. The week went by so fast. We all want to go back sometime soon. After our stay in Tuscany, we went on a 12 day cruise to the Greek Isles. But, my favorite part of the journey was Abbacca-la. We would highly recommend this wonderful paradise, and you cannot go wrong with the driver-guide service. Lella, you are the best and you will be our sister forever! We love you! Your friends from Batavia & Syracuse, NY P.S. I wrote a review a year or so ago about a property we rented in Phoenix. Thus, the "nickname" referencing Phoenix. I was unable to change it. This property is near Lucca, Italy and it is fantastic!

Recommended for:Girls getaway, sightseeing, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Our stay

Guest: katie (australia)
Date of Stay: 10/01/11 Review Submitted: 11/20/11

We were fortunate to stay with Lella and her family at this magnificent farm house. Our stay was from 1st Oct - 6th Oct 2011. Our family of 4 had a lovely time and we cannot recommend this property highly enough. My daughter is in a wheelchair so we had both apartments for accessibility. For anyone considering staying who is in a wheelchair you will be pleasantly surprised by the trouble Lella has gone to for making your stay easy and memorable. The beautiful scenery, the lovely ambience and the property as a whole was remarkable. The highlight of my children's whole time in Italy was the night we had a cooking lesson with Lella and Tino ( the dog!!)

Owner response:Thank you Kate, I hope to see you, Emma and the rest of the family again at our farmhouse ! ciao Lella

Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with young children, people with disabilities, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Lovely Farm House in Tuscany

Guest: MM (Wisconsin)
Date of Stay: 09/13/10 Review Submitted: 11/15/11

Our stay at the farm house was delightful. fantastic views,very nice accommodations And Lilla's cooking is not to be missed. MM Wisconsin

Recommended for:Families with young children, age 55+.

gluten free cooking lessons with very friendly cook

Guest: Sira (Holland)
Date of Stay: 08/01/11 Review Submitted: 11/14/11

I had a lovely week near Lucca with Lella. She is very friendly and helpful. I stayed there on my own and can really recommend it if you are a solo traveler and like time on your own. When she organized a cooking class for the other guests, she invited to join in. I have a strict gluten free and lactose free diet and that was no problem at all,... in Italy! We made a perfect pizza and baked foccacio's and roasted vegetables in her wonderfull wood heated outdoor pizza oven. Also the chestnut pie was lovely. It was a great experience in a very peaceful place.

Owner response:thank you Sietske ! Lella

Recommended for:Sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+.

Beautiful Italian country retreat

Guest: Dave (Rhode-saint-Genese, belgium)
Date of Stay: 08/20/11 Review Submitted: 11/14/11

My wife and I visited with our 3 young sons (10, 7 and 4). We were a bit nervous with activites for the boys, but we ended up having a fabulous time. Lella was great and the cooking lessons were fabulous. The whole family enjoyed making the pasta, but enjoyed eating it even more. It was a fabulous location and we could not have asked for a better hostess. Thank you Lella!!! Very convenient location to see the beauty of Tuscany. Don't hesitate to ask Lella for suggestions and recommendations. The Johnson's

Owner response:Thank you so much, and I ant to let you know next time you'llfind a new puppy at the farmhouse because Tino is now a dad ! ciao Lella

Recommended for:Sightseeing, families with young children.

Abbacca - la is a great place to stay when visiting all around the area.

Guest: Matt (Minneapolis, Minnesota USA)
Date of Stay: 08/29/11 Review Submitted: 11/13/11

We enjoyed the peaceful and beautiful area surrounding Abbacca - la during a weeklong stay. We visited Florence, Tuscany and the beaches - it's a great place to base from. The location is among hillside vineyards that produce tasty table wine. It's high enough on the hillside to be cool at night throughout the summer months. Ask for dinner and a cooking class of any type. Their dog, Tino, is wonderful. We'd go back to stay again.

Owner response:Thank you so much, and I ant to let you know next time you'llfind a new puppy at the farmhouse because Tino is now a dad ! ciao Lella

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Two weeks of real life

Guest: Olga (USA)
Date of Stay: 08/15/11 Review Submitted: 11/13/11

My seven-year-old daughter and I spent two wonderful weeks at Lella's house. I love to travel but this was the first time I dared to take a kid with me. It was certainly a different type of vacation compared to the ones I am used to while traveling with adult friends if mine. However, Lella's place was the ideal property for this kind of adventure. Plenty of easy to reach day-trip destinations intertwined with just slow and relaxed days at Abbacca-la. We are so fond of our memories of Lella's cooking classes! I got my kid to eat tomatoes after all!! I thought that was an impossible task!! Biking Lucca's ramparts was another favorite. She learned how to handle a two-wheel bike as a result of this trip. Tuscany with its charming villages, thermal baths at Bagni di Lucca, Pisa, seashore, peaceful vineyards are all within reach. And please, don't be scared of the road that leads to the house. Look at it as a part of adventure.It only seems bad the first couple of days. At the end of our first week I could have a glass of wine and get up there in no time. Pay for automatic transmission if you are not comfortable with a stick and you will be fine. Thank you Lella for the wonderful time we've had, you attention, and genuine warmth we felt while at Abbacca-la. And yes, looking at the pictures, I can't help but think - "It is time to learn how to work to live, not live to work" :)

Owner response:Dear Olga and Taya,thank you for your nice review. I'm happy if you could appreciate "It is time to learn how to work to live, not live to work" staying at "Abbacca-là"...... hoping to see you soon again Lella

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, families with teenagers.