Vacation Rentals by Owner

Magical place!

Guest: Lisa (Los Angeles, CA)
Date of Stay: 09/24/11 Review Submitted: 03/14/12

I am so sad to be leaving this magical place. It has been such a wonderful experience/journey to be here at Lo Stallino. Lots of beautiful moments which I will carry with me forever. Such a cozy, lovely place...

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What a slice of Heaven!

Guest: Andy (San Francisco, CA)
Date of Stay: 09/17/11 Review Submitted: 03/14/12

What a slice of heaven! We had a marvelous time staying here and will most definitely be back. You made us feel so welcome - we already feel like we're old friends. Looking forward to seeing you all again soon.

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We thoroughly enjoyed Lo Stallino!

Guest: Michael T.
Date of Stay: 09/13/11 Review Submitted: 03/14/12

We felt welcome the moment we drove up and Toby came bounding out to greet us. You have both been gracious hosts and we have thoroughly enjoyed Lo Stallino. Beautiful views, architecture, furnishings - a wonderful experience all around. We hope to return one day and we will most certainly tell all of our friends about Lo Stallino!

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Beautiful spot in Tuscany

Guest: Shirley & Jim (Illinois)
Date of Stay: 09/03/11 Review Submitted: 03/14/12

You have a beautiful spot in Tuscany. We are so happy we found you with VRBO. We have enjoyed every minute in your lovely, homey cottage. You are a great host and hostess. We shall hopefully see you at the same time next year.

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We loved everything both inside and out.

Guest: Dean (Milwaukee. Wisconsin)
Date of Stay: 06/01/11 Review Submitted: 03/14/12

From our experience it is more that a trip abroad has no downside (except perhaps my driving) but this is that rare trip. This is the first time we have spent nearly three weeks in one place and you and Lo Stallino made it the right decision. We loved everything, both inside and out, from your butterfly garden of lavender blossoms along the driveway to the animals, the dog (Toby) and the cat (Tosca). Thank you for your warmth, interest, information, and for top junior archaeologist, Addison!

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Thoroughly enjoyed our visit

Guest: Scott (Atlanta, GA, USA)
Date of Stay: 05/07/11 Review Submitted: 03/14/12

We thoroughly enjoyed our two weeks here at Lo Stallino. Thank you for creating a wonderfully relaxing space for your guests. Charles, the highlight so far of our trip was your guiding and explaining your dig at Cetamura! We hate to leave but we must go off and explore other places. We hope to return in the near future. Thank you Charles, Nancy, Addison, and Toby.

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Lo Stallino was fantastic!

Guest: Bruce and Carole (Prince Edward Island, Canada)
Date of Stay: 05/01/11 Review Submitted: 03/14/12

Lo Stallino was a fantastic visit for us. We thank you for your hospitality. If ever you should visit our area, we have a house on the ocean with a spare bedroom. Don't hesitate to contact us.

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Here is where our hearts lie.

Guest: Dennis and Ann (Tampa, Fl)
Date of Stay: 10/11/10 Review Submitted: 02/27/11

A sinistra to the market in Lecchi we go, A destra is San Sano - this much we know, Sempre diritto a bella Toscana e un pezzo di Lazio too. But, qui is where our hearts lie And ever shall so In the Borro al Fumo And il caro Stallino.

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Secondo visit by us - better than the first.

Guest: Nick and Kathie Ratcliffe (Waterford, VA)
Date of Stay: 09/04/10 Review Submitted: 02/27/11

Secondo visit by us - better than the first by double (2 weeks vs. 1 week). What a great location from which to see all parts of Tuscany. Access to Siena is so easy. Gracious hosts. Well-appointed, charming Lo Stallino lives up to all expectations! This was our Etruscan and abbey trip: Chiusi, S. Antimo, Abbadia S. Salvatore stand out. Eager now to explore Savona - Sorano on our way back to Rome. It has all gone by so quickly. Thanks for the gracious keeping of the Ratcliffes.

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Lo Stallino is a perfect get-away in every way!

Guest: Ivan and Margi (Zionsville, IN)
Date of Stay: 06/12/10 Review Submitted: 02/27/11

We are in awe of all you have done to create this beautiful place. We've had a wonderful two weeks exploring the Tuscan hills and loved every moment. Thank you for showing us your home. Next time we're here, our agenda will be entirely different...and hopefully you won't be in the middle of so many commitments...we'd love to spend more time togerther. Thank you for making us so very welcome on our first trip to Italy. Lo Stallino is a perfect get-away in every way! We will cherish our memories of our time here.

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Tuscany at it's best.

Guest: carol and jerry (Howey In The Hills, Florida)
Date of Stay: 05/17/10 Review Submitted: 06/02/10

To say we were impressed by the beauty, location for all of our day trips, accruracy of the description, cleanliness of accomadations, our host Nancy and Charles, would be beyond words can explain this rental. If you really want to experience Tuscany, this is the place. Food, fresh air, privacy yet close to all, such as grocery(Palmira), cafe (Palmira's son Palo), resturants and Simone the chef just minutes away with fantastic menu. You can also drive a short distance to San Sano or Gaiole where you will find several resturants,groceries. It was nice to drive to wineries, have lunch at different towns and then be able to come "home" relax and then cook out or go and have a fine meal with friendly people that made you feel as if you were family. The place was so nice, that one day we took the whole day off from the day trips. It was so nice to relax and then do nothing. This is Tuscany at it's best. Thanks Nancy, Charles and of course Toby, the most pleasant of labradoodles. We hope we can make it back again. It was nice meeting two very interesting and pleasant people, as yourselves Thanks or opening your home to us. Carol and Jerry

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Nick and Sterling Kulke (Monona, WI)
Date of Stay: 02/05/10 Review Submitted: 02/05/10

Oct. 11 - Nov. 1, 2009 In these lush gardens, steadied sandstone walls hold olive trees and more, as we follow the sun to solemn reading spots. in this tucked away valley, the sun rises just for us, making us aware we are not forgotten, only tucked away for a special handshake. In this town of Lecchi, the citizens purify life... We continue to be astonished that such meaningful intereaction can be born from the fragile Italian phrases that we prepare. In the company of such enlightened hosts, we find not only repair of body and mind, but inspiration of spirit. We have discovered strength and peace in this lush livelihood that is rooted in such a difficult landscape. Charles, Nancy, Addison, and Toby, thank you for the privilege to experience the strength of this place and a bit of your lives. This is how we shall remember Lo Stallino.

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Guest: Peggy and Jim Holland (Sylvania, OH)
Date of Stay: 02/05/10 Review Submitted: 02/05/10

October 11, 2009 Lo Stallino was wonderful in every way, comfortable, relaxing, views like no other. Thanks to you all for making our stay enjoyable. We'd love to return and see Tuscany in the spring.

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Guest: Kathy and A.J. Almaney (St. Joseph, MI)
Date of Stay: 02/03/10 Review Submitted: 02/03/10

Thank you for 8 wonderful days at Lo Stallino. It could not have been better. You have an absolutely beautiful spot and you've made the guest house so warm and comfortable - we loved it and felt very "at home." Your hospitality in so many ways was wonderful. Even Toby the dog made us feel welcome! This is the best rental experience that we've ever had. We will be back. Thank you so much.

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Guest: Nick and Kathie Ratcliffe (Waterford, VA)
Date of Stay: 02/03/10 Review Submitted: 02/03/10

September 12, 2009 What a wonderful stay in a beautiful place. Everything was perfecto. Kathie was a little wary of the dirt back roads to and from nowhere but that was great fun for me! Love to have another visit in the future - magari!

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Guest: Tom and Jane Earley (Alexandria, VA)
Date of Stay: 02/03/10 Review Submitted: 02/03/10

It has been a pleasure to have such delightful hosts for our week of relaxation in Chianti, in a cottage so lovingly cared for. We particularly enjoyed the gardens, the fiction, and the collection of gardening books. We'd love to eventually get back to another stay.

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Guest: Cathy and Alex Cikra (Hartsville, OH)
Date of Stay: 02/03/10 Review Submitted: 02/03/10

Thank you so much for all your helpful suggestions and thoughtful touches here at Lo Stallino. The New York Review of Books doesn't LIE, you know! Truly, everything was lovely. We are so glad we stayed in such a beautiful, quiet place. We hope to return!

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Guest: Lynn (Richmond, Virginia)
Date of Stay: 01/31/10 Review Submitted: 01/30/10

May 2009 We certainly enjoyed our stay in the beautiful Lo Stallino. Glorious views, most gracious hosts, fabulous weather. What more can one wish for! We look forward to a return visit and a longer stay.

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Stunned by the beauty of this place!

Guest: Roger and Sue (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Date of Stay: 05/29/09 Review Submitted: 02/27/11

Sue and I were absolutely stunned by the beauty of this place when we first arrived -- and the feeling has lasted all week. We'd just spent a week in Rome, and the contrast could not have been starker. Partly with the help of "Exploring Tuscany's Chianti Countryside," the wonderful little book by your friends, Nancy and Dick, we adjusted our plans for the week, favouring "easy-going outings" or "excursions" as Nancy puts in the book, over busy day trips to Lucca, Pisa, etc. And why not? The setting here is so wonderrful, so relaxing, and the small towns and villages within 30 minutes of your terrace are every bit the vacation destination! As I said to Sue, people staying in Florence and Siena are driving to see this, so why why don't we just stay here and enjoy it? What we appreciate more than everything, however, is the care and thought the two of you have put into this property, literally from the ground up. Every detail, large and small, seems excactly perfect! Congratulations -- qnd thank you! We wish you the best of luck, and we dearly hope to return not too many years from now. And from Sue: It was a perfect way to celebrate 25 years of marriage. As you know, we've been anticipating this trip for many months. Addison, Toby, and Tosca were like icing on the cake - standing in for our own boys, dog, and cat. We leave inspired by the landscape, food, and people and will enjoy dining al fresco this summer with lovely memories of your patio in mind. And we highly recommend a visit to Liese and her ceramics in Radda. Her artistry is amazing!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/09 Review Submitted: 03/03/09

What a wonderful place to stay! It is convenient, classy, cozy, and filled with books and paintings as well as having a fire place and mesmerizing views of the spectacular and unique landscape of Tuscany. And on top of this, it is located in the famous Chianti region close to Siena and Florence. I cannot even imagine a nicer environment for a holiday. It is peaceful and at the same time offers a myriad of intellectual, gastronomical, and spiritual pleasures. Thank you so much!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/01/09 Review Submitted: 02/17/09

What a wonderful place in which to hide away from the rest of the world. We've had a great fortnight here, whether exploring the local treasures or simply putting our feet up by the fire, and would love to come back some time. Thanks to you all for your hospitality, and to Toby for his particularly enthusiastic welcome. We recommend the restaurant in Lecchi, the cake from the food store down the road from it, and the place that makes giant pizzas, on the left when you come into the centre of Radda.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/01/09 Review Submitted: 02/17/09

This place was awesome! We loved our stay here and really envy you guys for being able to live here year round. Thank you so much for your hospitality; the help you gave us every day was very much appreciated. God bless you all and we will always treasure our stay here.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/01/09 Review Submitted: 02/17/09

Thank you so much for the wonderful opportunity to explore the authentic Tuscan countryside. We are so grateful that we stayed here at Lo Stallino. It was an elegant and comfortable house with exquisite vistas. The local restaurants were fantastic. Our vacation was a memory of a lifetime thanks to your kindness and hospitality. We hope to see you in Leelanau next summer 2009.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: viaggiatore2 (minneapolis, MN )
Date of Stay: 04/01/08 Review Submitted: 04/25/08

I have traveled many times throughout Tuscany (and a bit around the world) and have rarely found a place as charming, private, well-appointed and well-located as Lo Stallino. It is truly a wonderful retreat... easy to find and yet private in the Chianti hills, and it has so many lovely touches: the book collection, the English TV, and the REAL shower that are hard to find in so many other places! For a couple or two people traveling together looking for a nice private retreat and yet with wonderful hosts (Charles and Nancy do a wonderful job making sure your every need is attended to!!!), I would highly recommend it. Too much of Tuscany is commercialized, or worse - just shabby. This is DELIGHTFUL, a wonderful find in the Chianti hills. For the price, you'd be crazy not to stay here!

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