Perfect Accomodations

Guest: Cathy (Richmond, VA USA)
Date of Stay: 09/24/11 Review Submitted: 12/02/11

Anna-Rita provided our first lodging in our two week Culinary Tour of Italy. What a wonderful way to start. When I asked for directions to the apartment, she told me she would pick us up at the airport. This ride made the perfect beginning for our Italian adventure . It reduced the hassle after flying overnight from the US. The apartment was amazing as it was so well stocked with every necessity, plus Anna-Rita's delicious ricotta cake. She spoiled us. Being foodies, we were especially impressed with how well the kitchen was stocked with the basics in food and equipment, plus there is a little market several doors down from the apartment. The walk to the main square is about 5 minutes with lots of great shopping and great place to get gelato. We rented apartments in Florence and Rome and Lavanda was the best stocked and equipped of all the rentals. Plus, Anna-Rita was a wonderful person to deal with arrangements and helpful tips. Thank you so much.

Recommended for:Age 55+, sightseeing, tourists without a car, girls getaway, families with young children.

wonderful

Guest: napalinda (Napa, Calif. USA)
Date of Stay: 07/16/11 Review Submitted: 07/22/11

I am sitting in my hime in Napa valley, we got home from Italy abut an hour ago, jet lag is here and I'm wide awake at 12:00 AM Napa time. I wanted to write about Lavanda and our experience. First of all we stayed for a week in Rome at an apartment, 5 days in Lucca in an apartment. Both of thes flats were in great locations and really beautiful. That being said Lavanda is a STAR. We were picked up by Anna Rita and Piero at the train station. They had obviously already been to the aprtment prior to picking us up, because when we arrived at the aprtment, it was cool becaus the AC was already on, the table was set for us to enjoy the wonderful (famous) ricotta cake, with a cloth tablecloth and napkins, a candle, placemats etc. The contrast between this experience and Rome and Lucca was stunning. Lavanda is wonderfully stocked with everything that you might need and the confort or a well designed apartment. We were only two but I believe tha the flat would accommodate maybe 6 to 8 depending on the mix of adults and children, not sure what they recommend. The bathroom is very well designed with enough cabinets and surfaces to be comfortable and efficient. There is always hot water and enough of it. If you choose to cook the kitchen is very well equipped, including olive oil, balsamic and spices. There is no detail or need.that isn't met. Bologna is a wonderful city and a great base for exploring. We spent most of our time in Bologna, with the exception of a day trip to Parma by train. . We had already spent time in Tuscany, Florence, Venice etc so we didn;t need to venture out to these areas but it would be easy from here. It is a beautiful small, walkable city, Bologna isn't a tourist destination (had trouble finding post cards and t-shirts).which makes it even more appealing. The shopping was amazing and the sales were as well. The restaurants are great and the neighborhood restaurants are probably the best and very reasonable. Trattoria Teddi, right out of the apartment, 1st right, next right. We ate there 3 times it was fabulous. Trattoria Della Santa, left out of the apartment, first right, 2nd left (Via Urbana) both of these great trattorias were full of locals. I could go on and on but I think that my review aliong with others should convince you that this is the place. Oh yes the location- perfect. Our hosts were wonderful and took great care of us. Thanks Anna Rita and Piero, Ciao

Recommended for:Age 55+, adventure seekers, sightseeing, tourists without a car, girls getaway, people with disabilities, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, families with young children.

a lovely apartment

Guest: RDB (USA)
Date of Stay: 06/22/11 Review Submitted: 07/15/11

We spent a week in Bologna this summer at the Lavanda apartment and felt instantly at home. Anna Rita and Piero picked us up at the train station and brought us to the coziest apartment we’d stayed in to date. Piero took great care in giving us a tour of the place and making suggestions for things to do in town. I was surprised at how spacious the apartment was—it was easily enough room for 4 or 5 people with two bedrooms, a large den/dining area, kitchen, and outside patio. The inside was warm and we felt instantly at home. Anna Rita’s art work and her delicious ricotta cake gave the apartment sweet personal touches that I haven’t found elsewhere. Located just a few minutes’ walk from Piazza Maggiore, the Lavanda apartment makes it easy to go in and out during the day without feeling like it’s a trek. We did a lot in town, but were just as happy staying right in the neighborhood were there were welcoming restaurants, bars, and cafés. Anna Rita and Piero are gracious hosts and the apartment is lovely. We loved staying here and would do so again.

Recommended for:Age 55+, sightseeing, girls getaway, people with disabilities, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, families with young children.

At home in Bologna

Guest: NovaScotiaMartin (Canada)
Date of Stay: 05/07/11 Review Submitted: 07/07/11

We stayed one week at the Lavanda. We were two couples, and we found room to spare. It was only a ten-minute walk to the Piazza Maggiore along either of the streets adjacent to Via delle Torvaglie, either the chic Via d'Azeglia to our left in the portico as we left the building, or the Via Garibaldi to the right. Both had plenty to make our walks down to the central square take longer at times. Still, it was the lure of Bologna's gigantesque major sights that deserves the honour of taking anyone to Bologna in the first place. We spent four days of the week exclusively in Bologna, with our car securely parked in the lot a five-minute walk from the apartment. Parking cost around 25 Euros per day, but it was well-supervised and more convenient than one just a bus ride away. On three days we made side-trips to the Adriatic, Ravenna, Ferrara, Venice, and Florence. We were tempted to return again to both Venice and Florence (only two hours away), but we also wanted to enjoy the comfort of our Lavanda "home". It is a beautiful gite, thoroughly pleasant, and so clean, secure, and convenient that we were quite at home there. Another thing special about the Lavanda is the friendliness of those at the pizza shops, convenience store, and small restaurant on Via delle Tovaglie, who were often more informative than those at any tourist bureau. Thanks to Lavanda, by the end of our week, we felt that we'd had a glimpse of the "real" Bologna, and that the dazzling and historical Bologna we had come for was more worthy of a longer visit than we had anticipated. What is described in this listing's website and in its photos is accurate. Lavanda is well-maintained by Anna Rita and Piero, who showed themselves ready to go out of their way to make sure our stay in Bologna was everything we hoped it would be. Thanks to them, it was, and, yes, we do gladly recommend it to others, especially to our friends and family.

Recommended for:Age 55+, adventure seekers, sightseeing, tourists without a car, girls getaway, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, families with young children.

Truly nice

Guest: Nelly (Moscow Russia)
Date of Stay: 02/23/11 Review Submitted: 03/04/11

Dear Piero and Anna Rita! Thank you very much for organizing our stay in Bologna. Tha apaprtment is truly nice, well-equipped (has ALL a tourist can need, even small details as adaptors, batteries, booklets, etc), clean and neat. The kind-hearted hosts picked us up in the airport and took to the apartment. Anna Rita cooked a DELICIOUS ricotta cake for us. Piero was ready to answer every question and explained ALL! Tha apartment is wonderfully located. 5 minutes and you are in the very heart of Bologna "centro storico" - Piazza Maggiore. There is a supermarket in a 2 minutes' walk. There is a vegetable market situated next to Piazza Maggiore. Fresh meet and fish are also available there. We recoomend this apartment to new visitors. Sincerely yours, Nelly, Ivan and our small baby Chris.

Recommended for:Age 55+, sightseeing, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, families with young children.

Great apartment in Bologna

Guest: Larry (Lancaster, Pennsylvania USA)
Date of Stay: 11/10/10 Review Submitted: 11/22/10

Our stay at Lavanda in Bologna was perfect in every way. Pier and Anna Rita were most helpful in arranging our stay and getting us situated. The apartment is comfortable, well equipped, nicely decorated with Anna Rita's paintings and well located. The neighborhood is quiet for sleeping but located almost perfectly. It is an easy walk to just about anything in Bologna, plus there are buses, stores and restaurants in the neighborhood. This was so much more pleasant than a hotel. I would definitely stay there again and recommend it highly.

Recommended for:Age 55+, sightseeing, tourists without a car, families with teenagers.

a real gem!

Guest: gabriela (yellowknife, NT, Canada)
Date of Stay: 10/09/10 Review Submitted: 10/16/10

My husband, sister and I spent three nights at the apartment and it was truly the best place we have ever found through VRBO; the location is amazing; the apartment has absolutely everything you would want, including every attention to detail: the bathroom even had basic medication, etc. The owners are lovely and welcomed us to a homemade ricotta cake that was out of this world; instructions for everything in the place were neatly gathered and well explained and all in all this was an amazing place; we all would come back to it in a heartbeat; Thanks to such wonderful hosts, Gabriela, Andrew and Monika

Recommended for:Age 55+, sightseeing, tourists without a car, girls getaway, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, families with young children.

Exceptional 8-week stay at Lavanda - family LOVED IT

Guest: laura (columbus ohio)
Date of Stay: 03/14/10 Review Submitted: 06/21/10

My family (two adults, 7-year-old, 3-year-old) just spent eight weeks in Lavanda. Our stay in Bologna was spectacular BECAUSE of the accomodations experrience. To start, the owners (Pier and Anna Rita) are the two most kind, thoughtful, caring people on the planet. They took great care of us from beginning to end of our stay. They greeted us with homemake cakes and toys for the kids (including Easter gifts, since we arrived right before Easter). When we left, we got caught in the volcanic ash and they invited us to stay at their farm. Really, you don't meet people like this too often. The apartment was also amazing and I get sad just writing this because we aren't there anymore. The apartment is perfectly located - within about 100 feet is a great little pizzeria, coffee shops, convenience store (and everyone was so nice to us). The 'downtown' is literally a 5-min stroll north -- and a great park is about 7 min south. Every day we strolled any direction from our apartment under the porticos - heading downtown to the main square or to any one of many cafes and gelaterias. I'm a runner and took off every day to run into the Bologna foothills. I was a Fellow at the University and this was about a 15 minute walk. We are already planning our next trip to Bologna for four weeks next summerr and I would never stay anywhere other than Lavanda. Also - an important point - is that the apartment is very very fully furnished - EVERYTHING you can need, from cutlery to basic cooking ingredients to a few beers in the fridge to towels and linen and shopping cart. This is important because two years ago we rented a similar flat in Croatia and it was EMPTY --- it cost a lot to buy all the basics, like toilet paper, salt shakers, detergent, clothes line, soap, vinegar, extra towels, etc -- all those things you need just a little bit of to be comfortable. Here there were even books to read, travel brochures, etc. We felt 'at home' the second we showed up and we never wanted to leave. I write thiis with deep sadness that we aren't in Lavanda right now but also with happiness that our sharing our experience might help lead people to finding a great place to stay. Enjoy!!!

Recommended for:Age 55+, adventure seekers, sightseeing, tourists without a car, girls getaway, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, families with young children.

Guest: Scottish family of four (Edinburgh, UK)
Date of Stay: 04/14/09 Review Submitted: 04/14/09

We spent 4 nights in Lavanda in April 2008, and are happy to confirm all the other positive comments. The apartment is very central and well-equipped. As we had a hire car due to spending time outside the city, the apartment was particularly well located between the very heart of the old city and the Staveco car park on the southern inner ring road (10 euros per day).

Recommended for:

Guest: Philippa1 (Cape Neddick ME)
Date of Stay: 04/05/09 Review Submitted: 04/05/09

My husband, sister, and I had a wonderful week at Lavanda in mid-March. Very central, quiet ( the apartment looks onto a courtyard)comfortable, and extremely well and thoughtfully equipped. We cooked in a couple of nights and enjoyed shopping for vegetables in the market, and wonderful pasta from Tamburini. I can thoroughly recommend Lavanda!

Recommended for: