Vacation Rentals by Owner

Living the Good Life

Guest: Di (United States)
Date of Stay: 05/04/12 Review Submitted: 05/25/12

Cetona is a beautiful, undiscovered gem and this apartment is so much more than what is described on this site. If you would like a great respite from all the crowds, this is a perfect base. The apartment is warm and spacious; the town is charming and there are two great restaurants. The train is a short cab ride (8K) away. There is easy access to both north and south. As if that's not enough, the owner was very generous in making great suggestions on day trips, restaurants, etc. Best of all the apartment has a well stocked library of Italian travel books. Linda, the property manager, is a terrific, outgoing person and she is also full of good suggestions. We're already planning our next trip.

Owner response:Jayne: Thanks for the lovely review. It is a thrill to share the joys of this unspoilt place. Glad you found our notes useful. Linda is the icing on the cake! Torna presto.

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

Ideal situation

Guest: steve (ohio)
Date of Stay: 09/29/11 Review Submitted: 10/08/11

Can't imagine how this apartment and its location could be improved upon. My wife and I and another couple were here in early fall and every aspect seemed perfect. 100 paces from two coffee shops, two great restaurants, across the street from a wine shop, etc. All in an elegant spacious apt overlooking a quiet, beautiful town square.. Loved it. Highly recommend.

Owner response:Thanks for taking the time to post your review. So glad you enjoyed the apartment and Cetona.

Recommended for:Age 55+, sightseeing.

The Dolce Vita of Life "on" the Piazza

Guest: MJB (Atlanta, Georgia)
Date of Stay: 09/10/11 Review Submitted: 09/26/11

Cetona is a very sweet town, full of energy, and very convenient to the Autostrada (A-1), Orvieto, Montepulciano, Cortona, and Lake Trasimeno. We've been to Italy (and Tuscany) numerous times, but have never been able to open all of our windows onto a Piazza that is so full of life! And for people who like to cook, the kitchen/great room combo is perfect to whip up some Italian classics, while listening to opera and enjoying some of the local "vino rosso." The unit is very fairly priced for what you get, and the owner's handbook listing local attractions and restaurants is dead-on. In particular, we liked Trattoria di Contadino as well as Ristorante da Nilo, which is practically around the corner from the villa.

Owner response:We couldn't agree more! In the fine weather, the piazza becomes a playground for young and old. Our perfect evening includes a stroll around town ice cream in hand. After every visit, we update our visitor's guide to include new finds.

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Itlay as it should/used to be.

Guest: Italophile (Madison, CT)
Date of Stay: 04/06/11 Review Submitted: 11/02/11

How about a spacious, comfortable and beautifully appointed apartment in a charming Tuscan village: Where most people speak very little English but manage to understand the language of ‘point and smile’; where you can shop for dinner without leaving the piazza; where you can amble downstairs and have an espresso with the locals and watch as families stroll the square; where the locals vastly outnumber the tourists; where you can find two world-class restaurants within 100 yards, and dozens nearby. This is the Italy of 20 years ago. No tour buses, no crowds. Vacation at the retail level, not wholesale; no duomos, Pietas nor long lines, though easily accessible to all the major attractions should you be so inclined.

Owner response:Very true. There is an unhurried, old fashioned feel to village life in Cetona which is very conducive to helping one unwind. There's the feeling that life goes on with or without tourists, unlike some parts of Tuscany which are overrun with visitors. Having said all that, the computer and phone are very useful for keeping in touch with the other side of the world if you so desire.

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

wonderful property - great service/owner

Guest: AB (Los Angeles, California, USA)
Date of Stay: 11/05/10 Review Submitted: 12/14/10

Needless to say, the town is perfect. Food, wine, groceries all within a block. Apartment location central. Easy driving distance to all the vineyards for day trips. The owner is very accommodating to special requests and goes out of her way to make the property work for you. On-site property manager is a gem and a great resource. We appreciated the kitchen and spaciousness and layout. Worked well for two couples to share space and maintain privacy.

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

A Month in Cetona

Guest: Norma (Guilford, CT USA)
Date of Stay: 09/18/10 Review Submitted: 10/29/10

Three friends and I just spent a month in this beautiful and spacious apartment overlooking Cetona's town square. Centrally located for touring the hill towns in Tuscany and Umbria, it offers all the amenities of home, and then some: a coffee bar, meat market, and bakery are all just a few doors away. We awakened each morning to the smell of bread baking and then ran downstairs to get cornettes to enjoy with our coffee. Best of all was Linda, an American who lives in Cetona and helps manage the property. She appeared with a big smile at our door regularly to inquire, "So what are you doing today and how can I help?" We miss her so much!

Recommended for:Age 55+, sightseeing.

September 2010

Guest: Danny and Cyndi (Georgia)
Date of Stay: 09/01/10 Review Submitted: 10/24/10

This was one of the best vacations my wife and I have ever taken. Starting with this remarkable apartment, the furnishing are very elegant but very comfortable. The apartment is very spacious and gave you a comfortable feeling of being at home with all of the conveniences. The location of the apartment was magnificent, it overlooked the Piazza and was directly above a bakery, a cafe, and only steps away from a great restaurant and wine shop(which was great). The central location of Cetona made it convenient for traveling to several surrounding towns. We will definitely be back!!

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Unforgettable vacation

Guest: Pam555 (Summerville, GA)
Date of Stay: 06/19/10 Review Submitted: 11/07/10

In June, my 3 friends and I spent a week in this wonderful apartment. I can not say enough about this lovely place! I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a true Tuscan getaway. I will be back & I hope I can stay longer the next time. You may feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Splendid Vacation

Guest: jonebu (Summerville, GA)
Date of Stay: 06/19/10 Review Submitted: 10/24/10

My friends and I had a wonderful week in Cetona and the surrounding area. The villa was charming and comfortable. I would love to do it all again.

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

Guest: Joanne DuBosque (Madison, CT)
Date of Stay: 12/31/09 Review Submitted: 12/31/09

I stayed in this delightful apartment last October. It has all the amenities one could hope for, and is beautifully appointed. The apartment overlooks the piazza, which was quiet during the week but came alive with the Saturday morning market. The central in-town location makes shopping and dining easily accessible. Cetona is a lovely town, and this apartment makes for a very enjoyable visit.

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A lovely stay in Tuscany

Guest: Susan (Texas)
Date of Stay: 11/20/09 Review Submitted: 11/04/11

My husband and I stayed here for a week along with another couple. It was a wonderful experience. The apartment was spacious, comfortable, and a great location for our day trips exploring Tuscany. Linda, the apartment manager, was so helpful! She made great suggestions for our day trips, made our dinner reservations, and was a great "go to" person for anything we needed. I highly recommend a stay here!

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

Guest: Ann Pluempe (Garmisch-PK, Germany)
Date of Stay: 11/05/09 Review Submitted: 11/05/09

We spent Christmas in this elegant, comfortable and very well equipped apartment. The location couldn't have been better because there was a winter festival in the square and dining and dancing took place in a large heated tent right in the square. The apartment was lovely and warm and everything we needed was close to hand. We will definitely go back!

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Guest: Anne 4 (Rome Italy)
Date of Stay: 11/03/09 Review Submitted: 11/03/09

Fabulous apartment and location in a stunning medieval town. I adored Cetona and this very chic apartment and can,t wait to return! Anne Rutherford, Rome, Italy

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Guest: Anita Stevenson (Melbourne, Australia)
Date of Stay: 11/01/09 Review Submitted: 11/01/09

The apartment was wonderful an an absolute highlight for us. It was beautifully furnished and well appointed. The apartment was perfectly situated overlooking the piazza and just upstairs from the cafe. It was very spacious and clean with all of our needs catered for - including a laptop and mobile phone. The owners showed great interest in ensuring we had a pleasant stay - with the cleaner dropping by to check everything was as it should be, and a welcome hamper on our arrival. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, and the apartment and Cetona was the highlight of our 4 weeks in Italy. I have recommended this place to friends already.

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Guest: Barbara Mulford (Madison, CT)
Date of Stay: 10/30/09 Review Submitted: 10/30/09

What a wonderful treat to stay in this most beautiful and yet comfortable apartment right in the center of town. Post card views from every window. Great shops and restuarants right in the piazza - as well as close proximity to Siena, Orvieto, San Casciano, etc. The setting is magical. I will definitely go again!!!

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Guest: Cindy Golbert (Puerto Rico)
Date of Stay: 12/05/08 Review Submitted: 12/05/08

Having rented in Italy over the past several years, I can honestly say, this has been one of the most wonderful experiences. The apartment is spacious, very situated, beautifully appointed but the best part are the owners who check to see is all is well even though they are an ocean away. I knew it would be a great two months when I walked through the apartment and notice all the beautiful details, even a welcome basket with a fine Tuscan wine, local goodies and a welcoming note. Grazie mille!!!!

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Guest: Charles Kidd (London)
Date of Stay: 06/18/08 Review Submitted: 06/18/08

I stayed in this lovely quiet apartment early in May, and would recommend it to anyone who loves the Tuscan countryside. The apartment is spacious, light and well furnished, and the piazza outside is lively and great for shops.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 05/29/08 Review Submitted: 05/29/08

This is a very comfortable, beautiful and spacious apt. in the charming town of Cetona. A great place to stay and explore nearby hill towns and sights. Exceptional restaurants and nice shops in town.

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