Vacation Rentals by Owner

Il Poggiolo/Fienile

Guest: Wordsmith (Cortlandt Manor, NY, USA)
Date of Stay: 10/08/11 Review Submitted: 01/09/12

We stayed at Il Poggiolo, renting Finiele for two weeks, one of which we shared with our daughter, her husband and three children, ages nine, seven and one. This was in mid October. In the beginning of our stay, the days were soft and warm and the evenings refreshingly cool. By the time we left, the weather had turned brisk to cold, with frost greeting us in the early mornings. Finiele was more than adequate for our brood. The kitchen is spacious and well appointed, and the pantry is stocked with some of the necessaries. We cooked many wonderful meals at the gas stove. The views are stunning for 360 degrees, vineyards, nearby hills complete with towers and farmsteads, and farther off mountains, but we most enjoyed the sunrise outside the entrance and the stunning sunsets from the small patio just off the sunroom. This bright airy space, including the patio, immediately became my “office.” The beds in the three sizable bedrooms are more than comfortable, and the bathrooms and showers spacious. Allen and Sara are wonderful hosts, attentive to every need and even anticipating several for the youngest of our travelers. An added bonus for those of you who are scholars of Renaissance topics, they are as well. The COOP in Levane became our go to source for foodstuffs, and there is a market in the parking lot on Tuesdays. Every site in Tuscany is accessible by auto or, many by our favorite, the train. We have been renting houses all over Europe for more than fifteen years, and this was our most pleasurable experience.

Owner response:Thank you for the kind words! We loved having you next door, and you certainly managed to live on this hilltop in all the different ways that Allen and I hope to experience when (someday?) we become grandparents. A bit of family chaos, trips to the ice-cream store, exploring historic hamlets, and when they are all gone, a peaceful glass of wine, watching the sunset behind the Galatrona tower. Your were a joy to have as next-door neighbours, may your lives always be as full and happy as were your days in Tuscany.

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

September Gold

Guest: Yukahey (Boston )
Date of Stay: 09/17/11 Review Submitted: 10/05/11

What a wonderful experience! Stayed in the Fienile for a week which Sara informed used to be a barn. Really! So we gorged and drank like the pigs that used to be housed there - Tuscan cheeses, meats, breads, olives and delicious wine, yet lost weight! Il Poggiolo is surrounded by vineyards in the hills, olive groves, chestnuts and wonderful people. Sara and Allen renovated the Fienile into a beautiful suite with all the modern conveniences. The finest 5 star barn I’ve slept in. The Tuscany region has much to offer especially the food and drink. Firenze (Florence) to the north, Montepulciano is 40 minutes south, Siena to the southwest. We took daytrips and many times headed into the hills just to get lost and find vineyards. You won’t find much on the Autostrata. Bring wine and cheese for a picnic on a hill overlooking the beauty. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot a wild boar. Wonderful. Thanks again Sara and Allen. We’ll be back!

Owner response:You are right about the Autostrada, nice views, but that is about it. To really see Tuscany, the secondary roads are best, winding through the Valdarno and the Senese, up to hilltowns and restaurants that only seat 20 people and serve food that deserves 5 stars in the Michelin rating! Glad you even got to see a wild boar.... Sara

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

Absolutely Delightful Country Farmhouse!

Guest: Jay (Denver)
Date of Stay: 09/03/11 Review Submitted: 09/29/11

The Il Poggiolo farmhouse was absolutely delightful. It was clean, comfortable and a lovely spot to relax and enjoy the beautiful Tuscan countryside. Sara’s guidance was spot-on and her recommendation for a cooking class was one of the highlights of our trip. I would truly go back and highly recommend Il Poggiolo as a delightful place to stay while visiting Tuscany.

Owner response:The success of Tuscan cooking lies, to my mind, in quality ingredients and very simple steps...with an amazing result! I am pleased you took time to enjoy Il Poggiolo and the countryside, in addition to your whirlwind schedule. You really covered all of the bases during your stay. Best, Sara

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

Fabulous Villa with Majestic views and the Perfect location

Guest: Lillian (Rockport, Texas, USA)
Date of Stay: 10/16/10 Review Submitted: 10/28/10

We are two couples who recently stayed at this Villa. It exceeded my expectations as it was extremely spacious and comfortable. A very beautiful and clean villa complete with a kitchen with every convenience at your fingertips. We slept so soundly as the countryside was so quiet and peaceful. The beds so comfortable that we slept late every morning! The two baths were clean, modern and roomy. The location was perfect for us, the super market with any and everything you could ask for was only 3 kilometers away. It was absolutely the best choice for day trips to nearby towns such as Arezzo, Cortona, Sienna, etc. When we traveled to Florence we decided to travel by train which was so convenient. We simply took the train from the station in Montevarchi and parked across the street from the station. The best way to go to Florence from the Villa. We were in the heart of the Wine Country and visited some fantastic wineries just a short distance from the Villa.The owners of the Villa gave us great suggestions for restaurants as well as marvelous cooking classes. This was one of the hi-lites of our trip and I would highly recommend participating in a cooking class while you are in this region. The chef was amazing and these are memories we will always cherish. I cannot say enough wonderful things about our experience from the spectacular views of this lovely villa to the immaculate and beautiful interiors to the most hospitable, helpful and knowledgeable owners. I know the weather is unpredictable but we certainly lucked out. Our stay was in mid October and it only rained one day which was a Sunday. That was fine with us as we had shopped on Saturday so we enjoyed a very relaxing day at the Villa. The remainder of our days at the Villa were sunny, crisp and cool. I hope to return one day as this is what Italy is truly about.

Owner response:It is always gratifying to have such praise from experienced travelers as you have grounds for comparison and notice the 'extras' that Il Poggiolo offers. I am so glad you enjoyed your cooking classes, and the wine tasting nearby. You did luck out with the October weather, which certainly is unpredictable, though never bad for very long. Wonderful that you had a relaxing day as well, it is good for the soul. Sara

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

Il Poggiolo

Guest: seattle travellers (United States)
Date of Stay: 08/15/10 Review Submitted: 09/05/10

We had a lovely stay at the Il Poggiolo villa cottage. Our host Sara was very warm and hospitable. She recommended a fantastic cooking class in the area (with Chef Claudio), and a fun pool for our children to visit. The location is beautiful - very serene and picturesque. We had very memorable runs through the vineyards each morning while our children were still sleeping. We stayed for one week at Il Poggiolo, and would have liked to stay longer. We would highly recommend this villa to our friends and relatives. Be sure to visit the restaurant in nearby Bucine - one of our favorite meals of the trip!

Owner response:I am so glad you enjoyed your holiday in Tuscany and that the Crocodile pool and cooking lessons (from garden to table) were a hit. Those dirt roads for runs do have stunning views, don't they? The Paguro Trattoria in Bucine has a view of the parking lot, but the food certainly compensates for any visual shortcomings. All best to the family for the Fall !! Sara

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.

Home away from home....

Guest: diane and joel and the kids (delray beach, florida)
Date of Stay: 06/10/10 Review Submitted: 07/05/10

This wonderful hilltop villa has breathtaking views, gracious and knowledgeable hosts and is completely stocked and organized for you to move in and enjoy! Sara was extremely helpful and a wonderful resource for all of our day trips to Florence, Siena, Assisi....all easy drives from the villa. She was able to give us great tips where to park, suggestions for restaurant reservations, and routes and times to travel to our destinations. The accommodations are very spacious, fully equipped and all the appliances are new and modern. The family room is filled with books, DVD's, and games. We will always remember fondly our Tuscan home and we would like to thank Sara and Allen again for sharing their villa with us!

Owner response:You were great neighbors to have next door, and I am so glad you felt that you had a home away from home. I think this little hilltop hamlet has something special to give everyone. The Feng Shui of rural Tuscany ??? (Maybe this is why we have never really contemplated living closer to Florence). Thanks for your kind words! Sara

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

Il Poggiolo

Guest: Jim and Emily (Boston)
Date of Stay: 03/20/10 Review Submitted: 04/08/10

We had an absolutely wonderful time at Il Poggiolo. The accommodations were clean, spacious, and comfortable, and there was more than enough room for the four of us. The location was absolutely beautiful, and we had a gorgeous view of the Tuscan countryside from every window. We cooked in most nights, which was possible because the kitchen was incredibly well stocked and user-friendly. However, the most impressive part of Il Poggiolo were the hosts. Sara went out of her way to make us feel comfortable and offered wonderful suggestions about places to eat and things to see. She was always there when we needed her, yet she gave us the perfect amount of space to make us feel at ease in the beautiful countryside. This is a gem of a place, and we would very highly recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing Tuscan vacation.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Allan and Sharon Kelly (Sherwood Park Alberta)
Date of Stay: 10/20/09 Review Submitted: 10/20/09

Il Poggiolo was everything you think Tuscany to be. From the views, informative hostess and wonderful accomodations made the holiday unforgetable. We stayed for a week at the clean and well equipped villa. We did day trips by car and train. Everything was convienent and accessesible. Sara was very informative and gave us alot of information of the area. We would recommend this accomadation for a Tuscany experience. Thanks Sara and family.

Owner response:You certainly managed to "do" Tuscany when you were here, and you lucked out in terms of weather, so your travel stars must have been right!

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Guest: Julia and Henry (New Jersey)
Date of Stay: 09/28/09 Review Submitted: 09/28/09

Absolutely beautiful, a magical place, a rare experience. It is very quiet and romantic. We traveled with three kids- ages fourteen, nine, and five- and everyone was very happy and ready to go back to Il Poggiolo any time. Sara’s house is beautiful, charming and very cozy. It is like a scene from a movie “Under the Tuscan Sun’. Our children loved the house and surroundings. For our little girl it was a perfect place for imaginary play, for the older one a peaceful and serene environment for reading and relaxing, and for our son-the nature and animal lover- it was a perfect place to explore. The house is located within a decent distance to Siena, Pisa and Florence. It is about an hour and a half from one of the beaches we visited. Our kids didn’t want to eat out they begged us to cook and eat dinner in the house (not typical for them, they always love to go out to eat when we home in NJ). Sara is very helpful, attentive, a very nice woman. She greeted us with a welcome basket and a smile. She made sure we had everything we needed during our stay. She had books for kids and adults, maps of Italy and attractions, dictionaries, toys, board games, and a fully equipped kitchen. Our stay was pleasurable, educational and relaxing. Thank you, Sara!

Owner response:You were wonderful guests, and the children a delight. I am so glad the little lizards let themselves be caught, and the hibiscus flowers were out in full bloom for your stay. Now we just have to figure out how to transport the Montevarchi gelateria to New Jersey...

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Guest: Jill and Gary Hill (Edmonton, Alberta)
Date of Stay: 09/28/09 Review Submitted: 09/28/09

We spent a week in Fienile and truly fell in love with Tuscany. The accomodations were very clean, modern, and spacious for 4 people. There were rooms we didn't even use. We did cook a lot and admired how well equipped the kitchen was. It was great having Sara next door. All of our questions were answered, drawing from her vast knowledge of the area. Our privacy was always respected. The location of the villa was excellent. We did many day trips and particularly enjoyed the smaller midieval villages. We will always remember and treasure our sun filled days in Tuscany.

Owner response:It was a joy to have you as next-door neighbours. Your appreciation of the smaller treasures in addition to the usual art centers was wonderful. Thank you for the kind words!! Sara

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Guest: Tuzzolino Family (Seattle)
Date of Stay: 04/26/09 Review Submitted: 04/26/09

Dave and I and my sister and her husband spent a fantastic week here and Sara was such a wonderful hostess. The bedrooms are spacious and very cozy. This place was just what we wanted. Peace and quite, with the sound of the distant trains at night, rolling through the valley below. THE WHOLE EXPERICNCE WAS ROMANTIC!! We think back to our stay and every so often write Sara with questions and to just say hello. The drive thru the farms and gardens to eventually reach the house was beautiful and so italian. Off the beaten track, away from the crowds. The kitchen was divine and we cooked and cooked and cooked. One night we were told to go to San Gusme for a special evening, and it was pure magic. We would have never discovered it if it was not for Sara and her lovely daughter's recommendation. From here, we easily drove to the most wonderful villages and vineyards. We speak of our time here often and hope to return one day soon. Ciao! S.Tuzzolino and family.

Owner response:You were a great group to have, full of energy and ready to try everything. Even your enthusiasm about the local Coop supermarket was heart-warming (admittedly, it is a very good little market). Do come back and go again to the thermal baths, and have dinner at San Giusmé! Sara & Kyra & Allen

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/01/08 Review Submitted: 07/22/08

Wonderful Stay! To say our stay at the Il Poggiolo Fienile was great is an understatement. Considering that Marie sprained her ankle badly before we even got to the place, we thought we were about to experience a boring staying-in vacation. But Sara was so nice and helped us arranged everything we needed for a comfortable and eventful stay (i.e. hospital visit, wheel chair, pain pills, and boxes full of movies). They really went above and beyond what's usually expected. The house itself was immaculate, and everything was so new. we stayed in for the first two days and found everything we needed (and loads more we could've used if we were more skilled in the kitchen). Sara suggested many great places to visit (the Uffizi in Florence, San Giovanni, Asiano) all were very wheel chair friendly. Without her, we couldn't have had as good of a vacation as we had. We will definitely go back as there are still so many things to see. The Piggiolo was very convenient to every place we wanted to go as Montevarchi is very central to florence, siena, and all the towns in Chianti. We are looking forward to many more relaxing, romatic vacations there in Tuscany.

Owner response:You two were troopers and it was your intrepid spirit as much as wheelchair-friendly itineraries that made your trip. Hope to see you some time in the future .... and for your sake without the crutches !!

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Guest: Profs Diane and Ron Reichertz
Date of Stay: 01/06/06 Review Submitted: 01/05/06

As we leave Tuscany we want to share some of our memories and impressions with others who might visit Il Poggiolo. Imagine a commodious half of very large casa colonica that welcomes you with flowers, the makings of a meal and a spacious kitchen as fully equipped as any North American home. But there is a big difference that constantly reminds you that you are in the hills of Tuscany. This lightsome house is filled with the richness of antiques against a background of arched windows and doors upstairs and down, all of which have views of treed hills, vineyards, olive groves and winding tiny roads. If you are on a writing mission your computer and other necessities are equally at home. If you are touring, you are within easy distance of endless sites of interest. Imagine that this house is up a country road and that it is surrounded by cypress trees and other beautiful vegetation through which you can see other colonicas spotted here and there across the hills. All this privacy and the vistas collaborate to create a quiet getaway from the hustle and bustle of the nearby tourist magnets such as Florence, Siena, Arezzo, Lucca and Pisa. The two very knowledgeable owners of Il Poggiolo will point you in the direction of nearby villages - Montevarchi, San Giovanni, Bucine, Torre - all of which offer little-known beauty and most of which offer Italian staples and luxuries. If you are willing to travel a bit further there are half-day adventures to beautiful areas like the Vallombrosa, which is a forest, topped by a beautiful monastery. Loro Ciuffenna is a small medieval town built on a ravine with cascading water rushing through it. In the central piazza you can sit with a coffee and eat some of the best gelato in the world while listening to the many sounds of the river. [...] A brief talk with the owners (both professional historians) will acquaint you with special itineraries, such as the route that connects seven Romanesque churches. After all this feasting on painting and architecture you then return to the wonderful house and its mixture of night sounds such as the hooting of owls, the singing of nightingales. Each morning the wonderful light of Tuscany is announced by a distant rooster's praise of dawn. And all this doesn't even constitute half of the area’s treats. Don't just imagine Il Poggiolo. Experience it, as our family has [as guests] over a period of 15 years. It has become a special place for all of us and remains in our minds as we go on

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