Vacation Rentals by Owner

Excellent Choice

Guest: Vic (Marietta , GA )
Date of Stay: 05/29/10 Review Submitted: 06/29/11

We stayed at the Villa in June 2010 with two other families. There were eight of us total. This was a great house with lots of room. It was easy to do day trips to Cortona, Florence etc. The fresh garden was at our disposal when we wanted to cook. Also, close to a great little restaurant down by the river. Todi is a very friendly , quiet town. We are looking forward to returning. The UGA crew.

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

Guest: Dorothy I.
Date of Stay: 05/15/10 Review Submitted: 05/20/10

Dear Grace and Michael, Each time it gets herder to leave. Viva Italia! Dorothy I., Maplewood, New Jersey

Recommended for:

Guest: Rosemarie I.
Date of Stay: 05/15/10 Review Submitted: 05/20/10

Dear Grace and Michael, Santa Cristina ~ a little piece of heaven here on earth. Even after the fifth time, it is still enchanting! Rosemarie I., South Orange, New Jersey

Recommended for:

Guest: Father Larry P.
Date of Stay: 05/14/10 Review Submitted: 05/20/10

Dear Grace and Michael, I thought I knew Italy, but spending two weeks here has enabled me to discover the uniqueness and beauty of Umbria in a way I never knew. You have a beautiful home and cottage. I loved hearing the horses whining in the coral next door. "Don Lorenzo," New Jersey

Recommended for:

Guest: Bridget O'B
Date of Stay: 08/25/09 Review Submitted: 08/24/09

Dear Grace, Thank you so much for sharing your astounding beautiful villa!!! Your website is beautiful and informative, but there is nothing that could have prepared us for how amazing it actually was. I was literally stunned for the first few days. I wish I had a video tape of the children when we drove up. My three year old screamed, "Oh...my... goodness!" I think that said it all. If even a three year old can appreciate the beauty of her surroundings, you know it has to be perfect. We all very much appreciated all the care and thought that went into every detail of your home. It made it a trip to remember without any worry or fuss. Giuseppina and Elena cooked every single night. After the first two nights, we were all "hooked." And frankly, I can't imagine that we could have had better food at any restaurant. It worked out perfectly. After the children ate, they swam in the pool and the adults enjoyed six perfectly relaxed evenings enjoying the fabulous views. We all had a fabulous time. I just can't stop telling everyone about it. It was a vacation to remember and one I very much hope we can repeat!! Thank you so much again for allowing us to be a part of it. Thank you for providing such a magical place for three generations of my family to be together and share such phenomenal experiences. Bridget, Summit, New Jersey, USA

Recommended for:

Guest: Frank and Carol O'B
Date of Stay: 08/22/09 Review Submitted: 05/20/10

Dear Mike and Grace, Mille grazie! Your villa is like a work of art! As we came down the driveway, we couldn't believe our eyes. The view from every corner of the property was magnificent. As we explored the villa, non of us could actually believe we were going to be in this paradise for a whole week. Thank you for so much attention to every detail with perfection and for sharing your beautiful villa with us. We had an experience to remember and will never forget!!! Fondly, Frank and Carol O'B and family (3 generations)

Recommended for:

Guest: Emma N. S.
Date of Stay: 06/28/09 Review Submitted: 05/20/10

Dear Grace and Michael, As Frances Mayes described, we felt as though we "succumbed totally to the magic of this place!" Thank you for creating and sharing your house and your land with us. We've been restored by the simple pleasure of being connected to nature under the Umbrian sun! Grazie. Emma, Silvana, Sandra, Dina, Elisabetta, Lukas, New Jersey

Recommended for:

Guest: Greg and Alison Campbell
Date of Stay: 06/28/09 Review Submitted: 06/27/09

Hello Grace and Michael, I wanted to let you know we had the most wonderful time at your beautiful villa - the property was truly stunning. Our family enjoyed it so much we are wondering when we can get back there. We arrived from Santa Margherita which was a great drive down to Todi. With much anticipation we arrived at the villa to be greeted by the magnificent view which is just breathtaking. Greg and I wandered around the garden for about half an hour before we could really speak. It was just so unbelievable! It is always a bit nerve wracking when you have booked somewhere sight unseen, but Santa Cristina exceeded all expectations. We were so comfortable. We all said we felt as if we had lived there. The furnishings and the warmth of the surroundings were just so fabulous. We drank, we ate, we ate and we ate!!! We cooked in that fabulous kitchen which was just wonderful. Giuseppina and Mario were just gorgeous and so helpful. We visited Spello, Orvieto, and our favorite was Montefalco where we had the most beautiful lunch in the piazza. We will treasure our time there, continue to live it all again through our photos and hope that we can make it back sometime soon. I still didn't get to see enough of Todi, so we will have to come back........ All the very best. Thank you again for having us all to stay. Regards, Alison, Greg, Tily and Scarlett Campbell, Australia

Recommended for:

Guest: Stewart and Nola Peters
Date of Stay: 06/02/09 Review Submitted: 05/20/10

Dear Grace and Michael, it is always wonderful to have your expectations exceeded. Turning off the road through the trees and everything opens up before you. Our first few hours at Santa Cristina were filled with soaking up the views, drinks on the lawn and talking in your beautiful villa. We spent the week exploring hill towns: Montefalco, Spello, Orvieto, and of course, Todi. The information you gave us helped us so much and made our stay so easy. Our children loved the pool, running around the garden and watching the zucchini grow! We loved your herb garden and put it to good use most evenings ~ the biggest sage leaves we have ever seen! Your beautiful house is so warm and inviting. We couldn't wait to get back each day after our travels. We would love to return. Grazie mille! Stewart and Nola P., Melbourne, Australia

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 12/16/07 Review Submitted: 12/16/07

After exhaustively searching the internet for a house near Todi we finally settled on Santa Cristina to celebrate our 25th anniversary with our two children this past July (2007). The pictures here, while nice, do not even come close to depicting the beauty of the setting and the home. And this is a home,not some "house" with rental furniture and the basics. Grace has the eye of a decorator but has put heart and soul into every piece and setting. The pool is gorgeous with a view to match. You cannot possibly want for anything for Grace has thought of it and made it available. All you have to do is shop for your food at one of the nearby markets, relax by the pool after a hard day 'on the cobblestones' of the local villages and soak up the Umbrian sun. Caretaker Mario and his daughter Elena were helpful and gracious. My only regret is that we can't enjoy Santa Cristina every year. Thank you Grace for your patience and extra help with my questions and reservations. Your parents couldn't have given you a better name. If you've gotten this far in the review your next step should be to reserve your week, or two, in one of the most wonderful places you will ever experience. Cheers and ciao, Steve and family

Recommended for:

Guest: Barbara & Michael Ridge (-)
Date of Stay: 06/29/07 Review Submitted: 06/29/07

We were given a week stay at your villa with friends for our honeymoon. 10 of us stayed. THe home is just beautiful, the view is breathtaking, the family that cooked and cleaned for us made our time there unforgettable. I would recommend your home to anyone and everyone. Thank you for sharing your home with us. Barbara and Michael Ridge.

Recommended for:

Guest: Chuck
Date of Stay: 05/29/06 Review Submitted: 05/28/06

Dear Grace, I am convinced that I now have a lifetime of indebtedness to Rob for the referral to you and your villa Santa Cristina. This has been our fourth trip to Italy, and by far, the most enjoyable. There are not enough adjectives to describe your villa and the view of Todi. We also had near perfect weather. Meeting Stefano Agostini (car rental company and chauffeur service) and his mother and father was an unexpected pleasure and benefit. I received your e-mail referring us to Roberto, Carlo, and their enoteche Properzio in Spello. Fate was on our side when we did meet Roberto. What a show he put on for us with his display of fine wines! That experience and our visit to Orvieto were maybe the highlights of our day trips. Again, many thanks for the use of your villa. It is a vacation we will always treasure! Very best regards, Chuck, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA

Recommended for:

Guest: Francesca
Date of Stay: 09/27/05 Review Submitted: 09/26/05

Dear Grace, We had two magical weeks in Todi. Santa Cristina is absolutely a gem, and we loved our time there. The view is incomparable. I have to compliment you on the wonderful decor, all the details, comforts, and the feel which the house itself communicated. Everybody, from family and visiting friends, enjoyed the stay and the loved property. We cannot praise it enough! Obviously it is a much loved house and we felt priviledged that you shared it with us. Last but not least, Signora Giuseppina and her family were wonderful, very helpful and solicitous. Again, we cannot praise them enough. And yes, we would definitely like to go back next year for the same weeks in August. We look forward to it. Grazie e a presto. P.S. Domus Gratia is as beautiful as Santa Cristina, but for our needs the latter is the perfect fit! Francesca, New York City, USA

Recommended for:

Guest: Sidney
Date of Stay: 01/04/05 Review Submitted: 01/03/05

Dear Grace, We so enjoyed spending time at Santa Cristina that we hope to purchase a home in Umbria. We have just returned from Todi. Would you mind sharing a little information with me? Thank you for allowing us to spend time in your lovely home. Sidney, Plano, Texas, USA

Recommended for:

Guest: Carmen & Charles
Date of Stay: 07/24/03 Review Submitted: 07/23/03

Dear Grace and Family, Mille grazie! Oh, we cannot express the joy we experienced while at Santa Cristina! It was as close to heaven as I am sure I will ever experience. As I am sure all of your guests say, we wish we could have stayed on forever!! Your gracious hospitality permeates every feature of the villa. We just could not have enjoyed ourselves more. Our memories will be ensconced in the beauty of the surroundings, the rustic appeal of the villa, the comforts of the furnishings and provisions, the gracious assistance of Mario, Giuseppina, and Elena, and, above all, the warmth and hospitality that you extended to us. Of course, not a day goes by that we don't dwell on the fabulous experiences we enjoyed while at Santa Cristina! It already feels that we have a wonderful connection through your gracious hospitality. We do thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Bella Italia and bella Santa Cristina! Con amore, Carmen & Charles, San Jose, CA

Recommended for:

Guest: Marilyn
Date of Stay: 09/28/02 Review Submitted: 09/27/02

Dear Grace, In every house where Love abides and Friendship is a guest is surely home and home-sweet-home for there the heart can rest. - Henry Van Dyke Thank you for sharing your home! Marilyn, Connecticut, USA

Recommended for: