Vacation Rentals by Owner

Delicioso!

Guest: Mary and Don
Date of Stay: 04/07/12 Review Submitted: 05/15/12

Italy has been on our “bucket list” for many years. How wonderful for us that when we finally got around to visiting in April, 2012, we knew that Casa bel Posto would fit our needs exactly. We find great joy in sharing our travel experiences with friends and family, and here in Cortona, we had room to spare. The little girls loved romping with Murphy, and the grown-ups loved sitting out in the late afternoon sun with a glass of wine, looking up toward the beautiful ancient town on the hill. My husband, Don (who speaks no Italian) described his favorite moment -- he took a walk and ended up having a delightful conversation with a local man who spoke no English. Yet they talked for 40 minutes! I don’t think any of us imagined how very friendly and open this beautiful place would be. Keith and Tania made great suggestions for shopping, dining, and wine tasting, and made us feel so much a part of this lovely home. The kitchen is beautifully equipped, and that grand, large, family-style table was home to many meals cooked with all the fresh bounty of Tuscany, including Keith and Tania’s own olive oil brand – “L’Arte”. Delicioso! There was something for everyone; a delightful Etruscan museum for me, an outdoor restaurant for our son and his wife, infinite photo opportunities for the shutter bugs, and the “world’s best” gelato for the girls. We were conveniently situated within comfortable drives of many of the lovely old cities and towns, and we even took a drive to the coast for a day. Happily, we have NOT crossed Italy off our bucket list; we hope to visit again and again. Only next time, we will feel like we are “coming home” – to Casa bel Posto! Springfield, Vermont, USA May, 2012

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Relaxing stay in a welcoming environment

Guest: Travelmom (Orange, CA)
Date of Stay: 03/24/12 Review Submitted: 05/21/12

This rental is a great opportuntiy to stay in the relaxing Tuscan countryside and still be just a quick drive from several great sights and experiences. The old hill town of Cortona is minutes away, and it's great to come "home" at the end of the day and see it up on the hill from the rental, with a glass of wine, at sunset. The owners and their dog made us feel like family, and made sure we had everything we needed to enjoy our visit to the region. They can arrange wine tours or a cooking class, and are happy to recommend restaurants. The property itself is great for a family, or for friends or couples wanting to share. Had a great time!

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

Wonderful place to stay in Tuscany

Guest: Ginny (Little Suamico, WI)
Date of Stay: 10/09/11 Review Submitted: 11/02/11

My husband & I had planned to celebrate our 50th anniversay in Tuscany with our children. After MUCH research we decided on Casa Bel Posto. We absolutely loved our stay there. It was relaxing, close to many small hilltowns and our hosts were so welcoming and helpful. We highly recommend it!

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

Completely Comfortable - Tuscan Home Away From Home

Guest: Laurie (California)
Date of Stay: 10/09/11 Review Submitted: 10/27/11

This was our first trip to Italy and we were met with a warm welcome, impromptu ingredients to throw together a late dinner, stocked wine rack for purchase and use at our convenience, and a wonderful, comfortable property. We had a great week in the Cortona area and fell in love with the laid back, convenient location (and Murphy the dog). Tania and Keith became fast friends and we look forward to seeing them state-side in California!

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

Casa Bel Posto, our trip highlight.

Guest: Golden (Victoria, British Columbia)
Date of Stay: 08/06/11 Review Submitted: 09/17/11

Our stay at Casa Bel Posto was the highlight of our month long trip to Europe. The property was situated close to Cortona in the midst of the local farms at the end of a stately umbrella pine lined driveway. It was a relaxing, beautiful place with a great pool, good garden with fresh veggies and herbs for our use, and a wonderful yellow lab, Murphy, for our kids to play with. Our hosts Tania and Keith greeted us with a glass of nice white wine which we reciprocated with some of our recently purchased red wine. Nothing like good wine to establish a friendly rapport! Keith and Tania could not do enough for us. In addition to being very helpful with information, Tania brought us on the best wine tasting tour we have ever experienced. Tania arranges these and other tours and judging from ours, we are sure the others would be fantastic also. The accommodation was very comfortable with the best beds we had in Europe. They also provided a stocked, at cost, wine rack with their recommended favourites and from our experience they were very good choices. The cost of the accommodation was very reasonable compared to the other places we stayed but in terms of quality and experience, it was our favourite and we plan on returning asap. Our stay was most rewarding and we left feeling that we had just made two new friends.

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

Perfect!

Guest: BrenJab (Squamish, BC Canada)
Date of Stay: 06/11/11 Review Submitted: 07/07/11

Casa bel Posto was just what we needed after doing a 9 day Rick Steeves tour. We were welcomed late in the day by Tania and Keith with a basket full of food and a fully stocked wine rack. Since we arrived late this was very much appreciated. There was enough to throw together a great pasta dish and enjoy some wine. The house had everything you needed. The pool was great as was Murphy the dog. We loved to sit under the pergola in the mornings. The location was great for us. You could easily do lots of day trips from here.It was really convenient having Tania & Keith upstairs to help with any questions or problems. We really loved our stay here and would happily return.

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

Perfect

Guest: Irene (Long Beach, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/18/11 Review Submitted: 05/02/11

What should I say - "we had a good time", "everything was amazing"? Boring. Words cannot describe how much we enjoyed our stay at Casa Bel Posto. Tuscany was everything we expected and more. We visited Siena, Arezzo, Rome, Montepulciano, Camuchia - but Cortona was the crowning jewel. Quaint, ancient, and inviting. Besides the fact that the farmhouse was perfect with an amazing view of the countryside and Cortona, Tania and Keith were more than accomodating. It was obvious their goal was to make our stay as memorable as possible. I highly recommend booking a wine tour with Tania. Ours was a perfect blend of wineries, each with their own character, giving a very balanced glimpse into thew industry within the region. Our lunch the day of the tour at Taverna Roberto was in itself an occasion. Between wineries, we would drive through the countryside of Montepulciano, and, I can honestly say, having grown up in the midwestern section of the USA (Wisconsin) I have never seen so many ring-tailed pheasants in my life! The food, the wine, the people, and our hosts were beyond expectations. Tania and Keith made us feel like house guests, rather than tenants. We enjoyed every moment. Its nice knowing we've made a strong 'Italian connection,' but, it's even better knowing we've gained some great friends. We can't wait to visit again.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Excellent Stay

Guest: Andrew (Morton Grove, IL )
Date of Stay: 09/25/10 Review Submitted: 10/18/10

We stayed for about 12 days at Casa bel Posto. We greatly enjoyed our time there. The villa was clean and comfortable, and Keith and Tanya were very helpful in giving us recommendations on places to visit, food shop, and eat at. Murphy, their dog, was and added bonus, a happy guy who loves to play. It was close to Cortona and Camucia, but far enough away to enjoy the quiet countryside.

Recommended for:Families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

We Love Tuscany (and the von Barkenhagens)

Guest: Cortona Rocks (Orange County California)
Date of Stay: 09/17/10 Review Submitted: 09/19/10

My wife and I are about to conclude our third visit to Casa Bel Posto, each visit better than the last. You won't find a more beautiful location or better hosts. Cortona is one of the best little cities in the world. So sad to leave, can not wait to return.

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

Wonderful Tuscan Villa!

Guest: Family Travelers (Atlanta, GA)
Date of Stay: 07/31/10 Review Submitted: 09/11/10

This was our first trip to Italy and Casa Bel Posto was perfect for our family of 6 (4 adults and 2 children) The bedrooms are spacious and the indoor/outdoor living areas are delightful. The pool is wonderful and our kids especially loved playing and swimming with Murphy the dog :) The location is great for traveling to all the hill towns around Tuscany. Keith and Tania are wonderful hosts with many great suggestions for dining (Keith was kind enough to make reservations for us on several occasions) They also shared fresh vegetables from their garden for the nights that we cooked at home and dined al fresco in the pergola enjoying the beautiful Tuscan sunsets!

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

La Toscane comme nous la revions !

Guest: Ben (Larmor-Plage, France)
Date of Stay: 07/10/10 Review Submitted: 07/30/10

Casa bel Posto est vraiment une excellente adresse. Parmi le grand nombre de villas proposées en Toscane, nous avions choisi celle-ci en raison tout d'abord de sa piscine, inhabituellement grande, et nous en avons vraiment beaucoup profité ! Mais nous avons également beaucoup apprécié la villa, très propre et bien équipé (attention : pas de clim mais des ventilateurs), son emplacement idéal à quelques minutes de la ville de Cortona, magnifique cité historique. Pour les accros de shopping, il y a un "outlet village" à 15 mn avec une centaine de boutique avec des prix vraiment intéressants. Enfin, les propriétaires Tania et Keith (et le labrador Murphy) sont très sympathiques, très serviables tout en restant tout à fait discrets. Une adresse que nous recommandons vraiment.

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

Perfect Family Home-Away-from-Home

Guest: Graciano (Sacramento, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/03/10 Review Submitted: 07/19/10

We had four adults and three small children in our party, and Casa Bel Posto proved to be the perfect home-away-from-home for us! I am in complete agreement with all of the previous reviews in that the property is beautiful, the home is spotless and better equipped than any place we've stayed prior, and Keith, Tania and Murphy are the perfect hosts. Some of the unique features/benefits not often found in rentals that we most enjoyed were the fantastic wine selection they provided, the GPS they offered for our use, the maps and reference books at our disposal, and the American style coffee maker! After spending a month in Italy, my six year old tells me the two favorite parts of our trip were the swimming pool at Casa Bel Posto, and the dog Murphy! I highly recommend Casa Bel Posto to anyone considering a stay in Tuscany. Our family will most certainly be back at some point now that we've fallen in love with Cortona and made new friends in Keith and Tania.

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

Best Italian vacation ever

Guest: Vincent (Bridgewater NJ USA)
Date of Stay: 05/29/10 Review Submitted: 07/04/10

My wife and I recently spent a month at Casa bel Posto, and it was one of the best trips we have ever taken. The location was perfect for us, being central to the areas that we wanted to visit without the noise and bustle of a city. The accomodations were large, clean, and comfortable. Keith and Tania were extremely helpful and friendly hosts, as was Murphy, their yellow Lab and my new best friend. The area restaurants were ALL excellent. Two of our adult children came to visit, and enjoyed it so much that they are expecting this to become an annual event. We are all looking forward to our return to Casa bel Posto!

Recommended for:Age 55+, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Perfect Vacation! We Lived in a Tuscan Postcard for a week!

Guest: JustRetired (Stuttgart, Germany)
Date of Stay: 04/10/10 Review Submitted: 04/27/10

During this vacation I felt liked we were living in a postcard! The property is beautiful and perfectly appointed! The owners have thought of everything you might need for your stay. Tania & Keith have amazing knowledge of the area, were gracious hosts, and answered every question we had.They are able to provide you with information about local stores, restaurants, and points of interest. It's a perfect location to visit Florence, Siena, Assisi, and many other Tuscan cities! We wish everyone the same outstanding Tuscan vacation!

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

Guest: Jane Martin (Edinburg, Virginia)
Date of Stay: 11/17/09 Review Submitted: 11/17/09

Absolutely delightful Italian adventure! Casa Bel Posto was just as described, complete with mountain views of Cortona, lovely Farmhouse with two adorable dogs, and two adorable owners. Tania and Keith were helpful before we arrived with advice on the weather, etc. and perfect hosts while we were there. Great location for day trips to all the Tuscan and Umbrian Hill Towns. We stayed 11 nights, and when I mentioned that it was time to leave, Keith asked what that meant... 11 nights was just long enough, and I would have regretted leaving any sooner! Next time we will have to stay longer!! I miss it already! Our trip ended with several days in Florence, and as lovely as that was, I'd take the pace and flavor of the countryside!!

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Guest: Linda163 (Chicago)
Date of Stay: 10/01/09 Review Submitted: 10/01/09

We recently spent a week at beautiful Casa bel Posta and I am delighted to highly recommend this vacation rental property. The knowledgeable and experienced owners were a great resource for recommendations on top restaurants, wineries, and site seeing. The spacious king sized master bedroom has an in-suite bath and the bedding was oh so comfortable. The other bedrooms were spacious and comfortable as well. It is evident that the owners take pride in keeping the property in immaculate condition. The entire property is exquisitely decorated in warm Tuscan style. The sunny kitchen is complete with dishes, utensils, pots and pans. They even provided an honor bar stocked with fine local wines at bargain prices. I would like to keep their property a secret as I fear that I will never get to book here again once others find out what a wonderful, relaxing and incredible value this property affords. Most of all the owners, Tania and Keith are warm, friendly and helpful. I will never forget my vacation of a lifetime at Casa bel Posta!

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Guest: Carol W. (Austin, TX)
Date of Stay: 09/24/09 Review Submitted: 09/24/09

We recently stayed at Casa Bel Posto a second time. Yes, once you stay here, you want to return! Our favorite things about CBP: - The casa: it's roomy, nicely appointed and the beds are comfy. Plus, having a pool came in handy during the hot weather we had when we were there. - The friendly and informative hosts: Tania and Keith are a great source of information on the area. The dogs are a blast to play with as well. - The great location: the casa is just down the hill from Cortona -- you get the quiet countryside to enjoy plus you're only a 3 minute drive up the hill to enjoy all that Cortona has to offer. - The tours: I'm a photographer and Tania took me on a customized tour through scenic areas via backroads. She knew just what I wanted to photograph! The places where we ate and tasted wine were marvelous too! I got addicted to Pici with Cinghiale Sauce. All in all, both experiences were amazing. Will we be back? Oh yes, of course!

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Guest: Dr. James and Linda VanHoose (Paducah, KY)
Date of Stay: 09/07/09 Review Submitted: 09/07/09

Even before we traveled to Italy, the owners were in constant contact with us, giving appropriate information to make our upcoming stay more enjoyable. We had no problems finding the house because of Tania's explicit directions. Our family of four enjoyed the spacious accommodations and had plenty of room to spread out. The owners make every effort to ensure you are comfortable and will provide as much, or as little direction, as you want in visiting Cortona and the numerous other sites of interest. The apartment was exactly as described on their website. What wonderful memories we took away with us. Hope to visit again.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/20/09 Review Submitted: 08/20/09

My wife, our 3 daughters and I spent great 2 weeks in August at this beautiful property. Tania and Keith were wonderful hosts. If you want to explore Toscany or Umbria this is an ideal place! Simply unforgetable! Would recommend it to all of my friends.

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Guest: Bernie M. (-)
Date of Stay: 06/17/09 Review Submitted: 06/17/09

We stayed at Casa Bel Posto in May 2009. The house and area were terrific. There were a total of 4 people (2 couples) and we had plenty of room in the house. Tania and Keith were very gracious hosts and were very helpful with giving advice about the local area. We would definitely stay here again.

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Guest: viaggiatore2
Date of Stay: 04/20/09 Review Submitted: 04/19/09

Casa Bel Posto is just that -- a house in a beautiful place! It seems removed from everything in its tranquility and yet so close to downtown Cortona and all its attractions. If you have a car and a sense of adventure, you can't go wrong -- the owners have explored every ounce of the historic relics and stores and restaurants and wineries nearby and can point you in the right direction with confidence. I'm looking forward to my next visit back in June, hopefully to spend long hours lounging in the gorgeous pool staring at the hilltop of Cortona!

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Guest: Beccaboo (Seattle, WA USA)
Date of Stay: 04/11/09 Review Submitted: 04/11/09

What an UNBELIEVABLY Positive experience at this beautiful estate. Tania and Keith were the most gracious and loving of hosts. I stayed at this beautiful property for 5 weeks in November/December 2008 enjoying the beautiful views Cortona, biking the vineyards and olive groves in my backyard, noshing on the outstanding fruits of the neighbors and watching the season colors change before my very eyes. I was in Italy to work on a book I needed to finish and Tania and Keith gave me great peace to do so, offering me distracting adventures in between. They introduced me to the olive oils of their neighbors and the fiestas of fall. This was such a productive yet laid back work vacation thanks to the fantastic wireless connection, lack of TV and bicycling to break up the day. I would highly recommend this peaceful yet centrally located Tuscan home for anyone who wants to play or write, explore or dream, eat or drink, or just to be. Please feel free to call or email me with your questions, I am happy to help. Thank you sooooooo much Tania and Keith for a life changing experience and I can’t wait to see you again sooner rather than later!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Beccaboo (Seattle, WA USA)
Date of Stay: 04/01/09 Review Submitted: 04/10/09

What an UNBELIEVABLY Positive experience at this beautiful estate. Tania and Keith were the most gracious and loving of hosts. I stayed at this beautiful property for 5 weeks in November/December 2008 enjoying the beautiful views Cortona, biking the vineyards and olive groves in my backyard, noshing on the outstanding fruits of the neighbors and watching the season colors change before my very eyes. I was in Italy to work on a book I needed to finish and Tania and Keith gave me great peace to do so, offering me distracting adventures in between. They introduced me to the olive oils of their neighbors and the fiestas of fall. This was such a productive yet laid back work vacation thanks to the fantastic wireless connection, lack of TV and bicycling to break up the day. I would highly recommend this peaceful yet centrally located Tuscan home for anyone who wants to play or write, explore or dream, eat or drink, or just to be. Please feel free to call or email me with your questions, I am happy to help. Thank you sooooooo much Tania and Keith for a life changing experience and I can’t wait to see you again sooner rather than later!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: quailhollow (Newnan, GA)
Date of Stay: 02/01/09 Review Submitted: 02/02/09

If you are looking for a wonderful place to spend your Tuscan vacation, try Casa bel Posto. Keith and Tania are wonderful hosts and will provide you with all you need to make your stay enjoyable. The apartment is attractive and clean and is in a great location for exploring the beautiful Italian countryside.

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Outstanding Work-Vacation

Guest: Beccaboo (Seattle, WA USA)
Date of Stay: 11/05/08 Review Submitted: 04/11/09

What an UNBELIEVABLY Positive experience at this beautiful estate. Tania and Keith were the most gracious and loving of hosts. I stayed at this beautiful property for 5 weeks in November/December 2008 enjoying the beautiful views Cortona, biking the vineyards and olive groves in my backyard, noshing on the outstanding fruits of the neighbors and watching the season colors change before my very eyes. I was in Italy to work on a book I needed to finish and Tania and Keith gave me great peace to do so, offering me distracting adventures in between. They introduced me to the olive oils of their neighbors and the fiestas of fall. This was such a productive yet laid back work vacation thanks to the fantastic wireless connection, lack of TV and bicycling to break up the day. I would highly recommend this peaceful yet centrally located Tuscan home for anyone who wants to play or write, explore or dream, eat or drink, or just to be. Please feel free to call or email me with your questions, I am happy to help. Thank you sooooooo much Tania and Keith for a life changing experience and I can’t wait to see you again sooner rather than later!

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

A Serene Stay in Italy

Guest: quailhollow (Newnan, GA)
Date of Stay: 11/03/08 Review Submitted: 11/04/08

If you are looking for a wonderful place to spend your Tuscan vacation, try Casa bel Posto. Keith and Tania are wonderful hosts and will provide you with all you need to make your stay enjoyable. The apartment is attractive and clean and is in a great location for exploring the beautiful Italian countryside.

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

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/01/08 Review Submitted: 09/28/08

We stayed in this beautiful home in September and had an absolutely wonderful time and would go again and and again. A beautiful property! The owners were wonderful and gave us a great tour of the food, wine and festivities in Cortona. I would highly recommend this property

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gorgeous countryside!

Guest: viaggiatore2 (minneapolis, MN )
Date of Stay: 04/23/08 Review Submitted: 04/20/09

Casa Bel Posto is just that -- a house in a beautiful place! It seems removed from everything in its tranquility and yet so close to downtown Cortona and all its attractions. If you have a car and a sense of adventure, you can't go wrong -- the owners have explored every ounce of the historic relics and stores and restaurants and wineries nearby and can poitn you in the right direction with confidence. I'm looking forward to my next visit back in June, hopefully to spend long hours lounging in the gorgeous pool staring at the hilltop of Cortona!

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