Vacation Rentals by Owner

Cucule- a Jewel in Sienna

Guest: DWAYNE (CALGARY)
Date of Stay: 09/25/11 Review Submitted: 12/04/11

Cucule....many of us dream about building a way of life that expresses who we are and then sharing that with others, Sue has indeed accomplished that and more. Cucule is a wonderful expression of a very talented and sincere person. Her attention to detail from the very precise instructions on how to get to Cucule to having an unexpected basket of food waiting for you to help you settle in for your first day all speak of how she has fulfilled her dream of creating such a wonderful spot and her desire to share it with people. Nothing is left to chance, from the book on local restaurants and sites to visit, with her personal reviews so you know she has visited them all, to her willingness to make reservations for you or to explain where you might want to spend time in what areas in the Region. The photos on the web site are a true reflection of the actual appearance and amenities available. What is missing is the superb feeling of relaxation and privacy you get once you arrive at Cucule. This property is immaculately maintained and shows the pride in ownership that Sue and Ray have for it. I intend on recommending Cucule to family and friends who may find themselves in the Tuscany area. Once you are there you must see the photos of what Cucule looked like before the magic of Sue took over. With a little coaxing she will explain how her vision for the place came into being and the flamboyant discussions she had with the local tradesmen as they fulfilled her dream for Cucule. Even an explanation of the name for the location "Cucule" has its own local lore. Enjoy the area and the sincere hospitality of Sue and Ray.

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

Tuscan Paradise

Guest: kandj (Manitoba, Canada)
Date of Stay: 09/17/11 Review Submitted: 09/29/11

Excellent view, great wine and food country, and incredible hosts make Cucule a fantastic peaceful spot to either relax or use as a home base for seeing the Italian sites. One day, sit by the pool and relax watching the wildlife walk by. The next day head out to a winery and spend the day touring the small Tuscan towns close by. You choose how busy you want to be. The hosts are great with providing you privacy, helping with directions or making reservations, or sharing their experience of building paradise in Tuscany. Once again, you choose. Rely on their advice. The apartment is well stocked with everything you need for an enjoyable stay, including some starting food items to get you through your first day. The pictures are acurate but do not do it justice. I would recommend Cucule as a stop to anyone considering enjoying the many splendors Tuscany has to offer. Enjoy. Ciao

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Paradise in Tuscany July 2011

Guest: Shirley and Ian (Durham, United Kingdom)
Date of Stay: 07/09/11 Review Submitted: 07/20/11

We have just returned from our second visit to Cucule and have enjoyed it as much if not more than our first. Susan and Ray have transformed their home into a little bit of paradise. The garden is wonderful with lovely views of the Chianti Hills and Monte Benichi, with the smell of lavendar and pots of colourful flowers everywhere, not to mention the swimming pool with the comfy loungers. The apartment has a lovely patio with table and chairs and inside it is tastefuly furnished, with fresh flowers in the vase and a very generous welcome pack in the 'fridge. This makes you feel instantly at home. The kitchen is well equipped for cooking or there are lots of lovely restaurants nearby. Our favourite is the one at Monte Benichi. Susan and Ray are always on hand to help or give advise and to book restaurants etc. However they respect your privacy at the same time. They could not have made used feel more welcome. After many viists to Tuscany over the years we have at last found our goal, so perfect. Thank you Susan and Ray for your kindness and letting us share your home. Looking forward to seeing you next year. Shirley and Ian Richardson.

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

Love the people, love the place

Guest: Jean (Victoria)
Date of Stay: 06/26/10 Review Submitted: 01/12/11

Cucule is a relaxing getaway, both serene and spectacular. We spent three weeks traveling in Italy and our time at Cucule was definitely the highlight. Susan and Ray have the gift of attending to every detail while allowing guests both privacy and space. The location is central, affording easy day trips around Chianti and its seclusion is appealing at the end of a day exploring. The kitchen has everything you need to cook with local market fare and the apartment is both comfortable and well appointed. Susan and Ray are happy to make recommendations and reservations for restaurants, museums etc. We have recommended Cucule to many friends and hope someday to return to this beautiful place and reconnect with these talented, kind people.

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

Late June in Tuscany

Guest: Serge (Pacific Palisades California USA)
Date of Stay: 06/20/10 Review Submitted: 07/26/10

It was wonderful. My wife and I ended our five week holiday in Italy with two weeks at Cucule. While the "farmhouse" is perfect for a couple and satisfactory for a family with a teenager, a good friend joined us for this part of our holiday. She used the comfortable convertible bed in the main room, sharing the one bathroom with us, which worked out just fine for all. You definitely need a car, preferably with navigation. The "farmhouse" is well furnished and equipped. We cooked many meals there and enjoyed eating outdoors overlooking the wooded hills and valley. There are three bookcases filled with books in the main room. Two hold wonderful books on Italy, specific regions and towns, food, wine, history with accompanying maps and brochures – some carefully taped together. The third bookcase holds books that you can settle down and immerse yourself. I wrote down several titles. The garden is stunning with wonderful flourishes of colorful plants and flowers. I had never seen white lavender before. Or heard of a hummingbird moth let alone see one! The property is large with a number of places to explore and relax in chairs, lounges or a hammock. Susan and Ray attended to our every need and request performing admirable research. They made our stay an exceptional experience. There were so many thoughtful touches from our "welcome pack" to the beautiful sculpture garden and infinity pool. At our last breakfast before leaving, the three of us each talked about what staying at Cucule meant to each of us. We quickly came to agreement. Of all the pleasures we experienced at the Farmhouse Cucule, we valued the deep sense of place that Susan and Ray had created in this Italian countryside. The love for their land and their attention to detail everywhere on their property was obvious to us at every turn of path, patch of garden and vista view. The true gift for us was Susan and Ray sharing their place with us for a few days, which we remember and now carry with us. Susan and Ray, we celebrate and thank you for what you have made possible at Cucule and in our hearts. Pat, Karen and Serge

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

Guest: Katheryn Leszczynski (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)
Date of Stay: 10/28/09 Review Submitted: 10/28/09

We stayed at Casa Cucule from Sept.16-26, 2009 as the first part of our honeymoon and a 1 month stay in Italy. We stayed in a number of other bed and breakfasts and hotels after we left Casa Cucule and none of them even came close to what we experienced at Casa Cucule. The surroundings and accommodations are beautiful. The apartment is amazingly well furnished, much thought has gone into the decorating and needs of someone coming far from home. A very well equipped kitchen, made it possible to cook anything you like. The pool area is wonderful, along with all the plant life, like rosemary, sage, lavender and thyme bushes everywhere. There are olive trees, a persimmon tree,cypress trees and anything else you might dream to be part of the Tuscan landscape. An enormous cobblestone patio surrounds the renovated farmhouse with many potted plants and great teak furniture to laze around on. The weather was warm and sunny and we were able to spend a number of days by the pool and eat our dinners outside by candlelight. Because of the way Casa Cucule is situated you literally have 360 degree views of a valley including a vineyard and 2 medieval villages. Susan is an amazing and fun hostess. She gave us many invaluable tips regarding the area, which is super helpful when you are coming to a strange area. This part of our honeymoon turned out to be our very favorite part of our stay in Italy and we went to many places including Venice, Rome, Sorrento and Florence. Thank you so much Susan for your fantastic hospitality and that great bottle of wine, our stay with you was unforgettable.

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Guest: Alan & Jan
Date of Stay: 11/08/08 Review Submitted: 11/07/08

We had no idea of the peace and beauty of this sanctuary which we had booked largely by chance when we decided to holiday in Tuscany. This has been just the refuge we needed – a base to explore the hills and villages of Chianti- and a place to return each night to quiet and serenity. Thank you Susan & Ray for your warm welcome and generous hospitality

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Guest: Chris & Kath
Date of Stay: 10/04/08 Review Submitted: 10/03/08

Thanks for a peaceful & relaxing stay. Susan ‘s recommendations for places to eat were superb, and using Casa Cucule as a hub to explore Siena, Radda in Chianti, and the other beautiful places in this part of the world has been perfect.

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Guest: Cheryl & Craig
Date of Stay: 09/20/08 Review Submitted: 09/19/08

Where to start! After visiting the area 10 years ago I’d given my new(!) husband great expectations for our honeymoon and it exceeded all of them. Firstly thank you so much to Susan & Ray for their very warm welcome, the welcome pack was everything we needed and you made us feel right at home – even Leo, Nero et al [our shy and discreet family of cats] accepted us in the end.

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Guest: Tim & Jackie
Date of Stay: 08/23/08 Review Submitted: 08/22/08

Our second visit and having ventured out a bit on the first visit we learnt our lesson and barely left the place this time The magic is all here – peace tranquillity and an endless succession of wild life sound effects too good to miss. Never thought the only visits out would be to the Coop (and the Osteria in Montebenichi) but it worked for us. See you again.

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Guest: Marie & Simon
Date of Stay: 08/16/08 Review Submitted: 08/15/08

Our second visit and we wondered how it would live up to our 1st – it did. Your hospitality is charming, when we arrived we felt like we’d reached home. The peace and tranquillity have done us the world of good. Highlights were: a fox visiting us at lunch time at the pool side, Nero [our cheeky black cat ] retuning home after missing for 3 days, the Palio heats in Siena, drinks on your balcony sharing your Tuscan experiences, a spectacular thunderstorm on our penultimate day – all previous days had been glorious sunshine.

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Guest: London UK
Date of Stay: 07/26/08 Review Submitted: 07/25/08

2nd time here and we’re already looking forward to the third.

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Guest: Keith and Penny
Date of Stay: 06/07/08 Review Submitted: 06/06/08

What a wonderful welcome! D & T (friends from Yorkshire) were right – they felt very responsible suggesting a villa in Tuscany for friends – But – they really need not have worried – it has been everything they said – AND MORE! Thank you Susan for sending us to La Bottega in Volpaia. (If you go do book a table at the front of the terrace to admire the wonderful view.)

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Guest: Dan & Kathy
Date of Stay: 05/03/08 Review Submitted: 05/02/08

.....Most of all it was wonderful to have such a great host and hostess! Susan you thought of every detail, thanks for making our stay so wonderful.

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Guest: Pete & Lu
Date of Stay: 02/23/08 Review Submitted: 02/22/08

Well it is finally time to leave the delightful retreat of Casa Cucule … something we both do with fond memories of a great time that was had! Many many thanks Susan for making our stay so enjoyable and creating such a friendly inviting atmosphere in Tuscany. The touring advice and all the little extras (e.g. Welcome pack) helped to create the perfect Tuscan break; also for organising the golf in Florence – a great day was had…… The advice given by previous guests to read “Too much Tuscan Sun” at the beginning of your stay was excellent advice as it gives a great overview and ideas. We definitely hope to return to Casa Cucule in the future, next time perhaps in summer.

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Guest: bob S. (Denver, CO)
Date of Stay: 11/30/07 Review Submitted: 11/30/07

Our first trip to Europe to spend our 25th Anniversary, and we couldn’t have chosen a better place. The apartment was everything and more than we expected, Susan & Ray were perfect host and the setting was spectacular. We took an adventure everyday to a small village, drank incredible wine and the food was fantastic. I would highly recommend La Bottega for lunch early in your trip; you just may want to go back again. Plus that side of the Chianti region was absolutely beautiful. I would recommend staying a Casa Cucule, on a scale 1 – 10, we rate it a 12.CiaoBob & Lori

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Guest: Rochelle & Steve
Date of Stay: 08/11/07 Review Submitted: 08/10/07

We have had the most wonderful time - your personal touches have made this place a unique special hideaway - one that we would love to return to one day. Just not enought time!! We just soaked it all in and are leaving with so much more than we came with. Thank you for the comfort and fantastic easiness, even worrying about us like friends do!! Hope to see you one day soon.

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Guest: H & Kate
Date of Stay: 06/30/07 Review Submitted: 06/29/07

So good we are coming back next year, perfect in every way.

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Guest: Dave and Mickey (Princeton, NJ USA)
Date of Stay: 10/29/06 Review Submitted: 10/29/06

Our week at Casa Cucule truly felt like our home away from home. Susan's warm and artistic interior designs,the welcome basket of groceries, and Ray's hospitality during our week there combined with the spectacular mountain scenery to create a very special experience. The location was ideal for visiting the beautiful surrounding towns and for biking in the Chianti and Siena regions. The warm send off by Susan and Ray at the end of our week - as well as our transformative experience there for our second anniversary - guarantee that we'll be back to celebrate future anniversaries.

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Guest: Steve & Liz Lees (Toronto, Canada)
Date of Stay: 11/11/05 Review Submitted: 11/11/05

A beautiful haven nestled in the countryside of Tuscany, centrally located and providing access to many of the fabulous towns in the surrounding area. The location of Casa Cucule proved to be a welcome respite after a day of travelling, especially after contending with the winding roads of Tuscany. Being from North America, we greatly appreciated the spaciousness of the apartment with the large living, dining and kitchen area and the separate bedroom and bathroom, which, with being able to close the door between the areas, allowed for the ability to do things without disturbing someone who was still sleeping. In addition, as we enjoy preparing our own meals, it was nice to have a kitchen which provided the the wherewithal to do so. It allowed us to sit back and relax at the end of the travel day to partake of the wonderful food that Tuscany has to offer (especially the Porcini mushrooms) and the excellent local wines which were more than reasonably priced . After dinner we were able to enjoy the additional benefit of the beautiful night sky filled with stars and the absolute calm and serenity. When we return to Tuscany (which we now know would be impossible not to) we are hopeful Casa Cucule will be available.

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Guest: Tim & Eleri
Date of Stay: 09/11/04 Review Submitted: 09/10/04

I can’t remember who said it but it goes something like, “ Keep your face to the sun and the shadows will always be behind you”Everything Was wonderful and we go away chilled, relaxed……..job done. Many thanks.

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Guest: Galiya and Simon Farley
Date of Stay: 06/19/04 Review Submitted: 06/18/04

GREAT HONEY MOON, FANTASTIC SETTING, LOADS OF WILDLIFE, SUZY AND RAY VERY HOSPITABLE & FRIENDLY. A GREAT RELAXING STRESS FREE WEEK.

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Guest: Portia & Mark Williamson
Date of Stay: 05/29/04 Review Submitted: 05/28/04

Enjoyed a fab week here, think we did too much as slept too well every night (maybe it was the Chianti!)If nothing else go to Cortona, Siena & of course Florence – 08.34 train from Montevarchi & 15.09 return gets you a flavour of the place- hope to come back soon.

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Guest: Phillip and Gabrielle Crokatt
Date of Stay: 04/03/04 Review Submitted: 04/02/04

We have enjoyed our week tremendously, the setting of Casa Cucule, breakfast and drinks on the terrace, and have seen deer, buzzards jays…… and a friendly green tinged lizard that sat on the tree stump beside us, as well as Leo the friendly but timid ginger cat…. Gabrielle found the handbag of her dreams at the Prada factory outlet in Montevarchi, and the market (on Thursdays) was quite good for cheese, hopeless for bread and, brilliant for vegetables. We ate one evening at the local Osteria in Montebeniche which was brilliant & they were very friendly…..Gabrielle has read her way through many of Susan’s books about life in Tuscany

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Guest: Peter Williams
Date of Stay: 09/27/02 Review Submitted: 09/26/02

Casa Cucule was well beyond our expectations. Everything needed was there and we particularly appreciated “The Guide book”. The walking and eating book became our bible. The walks are very well described. Very great thanks to Sue and Ray for their warm hospitality.

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Guest: Daniella & Sophie Roet–
Date of Stay: 07/11/02 Review Submitted: 07/10/02

This little piece of Tuscan heaven is not only at the heart of all the splendours that Tuscany has to offer but, and more importantly, it is its own very special Tuscan Heart.The greatest pleasures during our 1 week ‘vacanza’ were the dinners we lavishly consumed on the terrace under the moon light as well as spectacular drives across vertiginous hills to such wonderful and impossible ‘villagi’ such as Volpaia, Montebeniche and that incomparable location of pure pleasure Siena. The local swimming pool, whilst crammed with excitable Italians, afforded a perfect glance into the ‘vita locale’ – and the swimming refreshment was worth the 8.50€ ……..Our last night we ate at the superb ‘Osteria di Rendola’ – a 20 minute spectacular drive over mountains in the direction of Montevarchi – the food was divine, the terrace along the edge of olive tree fields, a perfect end to a perfect Tuscan week. Daniela Roet – Australia Exquisite location, divine accommodation, Tuscany – pure bliss…! Pure Paradiso – will be back as soon as the pool’s in!! NOW IT IS ....2005

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Guest: Caroline & Norman Bull
Date of Stay: 06/03/02 Review Submitted: 06/02/02

Truly wonderful, we enjoyed our stay at ‘Casa Cucule’ so much, and feel you have created a paradise in this Tuscan heaven; it surely doesn’t get any better. Thanks Sue, and very much look forward to our return.

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Guest: Peggy & Arthur Somers
Date of Stay: 05/13/02 Review Submitted: 05/12/02

Proud and privileged to be the first in the book, we have enjoyed our Tuscan retreat and will remember its beauty and tranquillity. Questo e stato belissimo!Arriverderci Casa Cucule until the next time……

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