Vacation Rentals by Owner

The most amazing week of my life!

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/29/11 Review Submitted: 11/11/11

We spent a week at Villa Stefania (1 & 2) with our families, 7 adults and 4 kids ages 3-14. The property is perfectly situated in the hills across from the beautiful village of Cortona. It is a perfect location for a home base while exploring the beauty of Tuscany. We spent our days in the surrounding areas, whether walking through the hilly, picturesque streets of Cortona or taking the train from the easily accessible Camucia into Florence, and our evenings cooking meals for our family in the well-equipped kitchen. We were ecstatic to see that the dining table fit us all perfectly! While we were too late in the season to enjoy the swimming pool, it was still beautiful enough out to grab a book to read poolside and enjoy just being on the well-kept grounds. Luigi and Stefania were fantastic hosts. Luigi even came down from the house to lead us back up on the first night since we got there well after dark. We saw them a few times throughout the week as they were harvesting the olives from the trees (thank you so much for the AMAZING first press oil!). When we arrived, we were greeted by a bottle of Chianti and a wonderful recommendation for local pizza. The house is huge and charming. We spent hours sitting outside drinking wine and letting our children play on the grounds. Our daughter keeps asking to go back to the "Italy House": I look forward to the day that I can say "ok!" This was truly the most memorable trip of our lives.

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

fantastic familyvacation in Cortona (Belgian family)

Guest: Lidwine (Belgium)
Date of Stay: 08/13/11 Review Submitted: 08/24/11

We just returned from one week familyvacation (one mid-age couple and four young couples) in villa "Stefania" and it was even more beautiful then shown in VRBO...The villa was really comfortable: beautiful bedrooms , great kitchen(s) , a good terrace to sit and eat outside, the garden with the olive trees .....the pool is large and has a really astonishing view on the surrounding hills and on Cortona !!! We had a bit doubts going on with this contract via internet without having seen the house or having met the owners but the e-mailcontacts with Luigi gave us more confidence and the minute we met the friendly Luigi and Stefania and saw the house we were completely convinced that our first feeling was right.It was a dreamlocation and we had an unforgettable week ... Dear Luigi and Stefania , thank you for the olive oil , the crostata di frutti di bosco , the guiding to the coop when we arrived , the advices given ...everything ! Of the seven times we went to Tuscany , this was absolutely the best... We really hope to go back !! The location is really ideal, so many typical towns easy reachable, such a beatiful part of Tuscany... "excellent" is the only right rating!

Owner response:Many Thanks!

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

We are coming back!

Guest: Julian (St.John's, Newfoundland, Canada)
Date of Stay: 09/09/10 Review Submitted: 11/08/10

Trip of a lifetime! A mother and daughter's trip we want to make annually. Villa Stefania, a is a place to us that tugs at the heart strings and begs us to come back. There is not a day when being there is not on our minds.The Villa is in a perfect location to create the feeling of being immersed into Tuscan life and was everything we wished for and more. It was our own paradise, like waking up in a painting! From the wonderful people to the incredible food and wine, Cortona was full of unexpected, amazing moments and life long memories. Our villa hosts Luigi, Stefania and family, are beautiful people and were remarkably warm and gracious and they have endeared themselves to us. It was absolutely magical! We can not wait to return!

Owner response:Many Thanks!

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

Raue, Isnard, Lambert from France

Guest: Sophie (Paris)
Date of Stay: 08/07/10 Review Submitted: 08/30/10

We spent 2 wonderful weeks in Cortona. We were 6 adults and 7 children aged 5 to 11 in Villa Stefania 1 and 2. The houses are spacious and comfortable and above all located in a beautiful spot surrounded by olive trees and cypress. Everybody enjoyed the nice swimming pool and its view of Cortona and the valley. The home is in a great location for exploring: Cortona (don’t miss Le Celle where Saint Francis of Assisi spent a part of his monastic life, wonderful, 10 minutes from home), Peruggia, Assisi, Montalcino (don’t miss the Abbazia di Sant’Antimo placed in a perfect landscape), Sienna (we attended the last prova the day before the Palio, an excellent alternative with the kids and an incredible experience!), Firenze, etc. Luigi and Stefania are nice hosts trying to answer all your needs. Viva Tuscany, we will get back!

Owner response:Thank for all. Luigi

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.

Family holiday from UK, Netherlands and Australia

Guest: Glen (Melbourne, Victoria , Australia)
Date of Stay: 07/31/10 Review Submitted: 11/23/10

We had a wonderful family holiday with 5 adults (including Aussie grandparents) and 4 kids under 6. Everything was fantastic. Luigi and Stefania (and the family who kept the pool and the watering under control) were very generous with their help and advice with a small medical issue we had. The farmhouse was very comfortable, wonderfully appointed, very comfy beds, airconditioned in each room. Bathrooms all over the place, great outdoor eating and the pool was amazing. Our only comment is that Internet connection was spasmodic. When that is sorted out it will be perfect

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

Great Location

Guest: Clare (Malaysia)
Date of Stay: 07/03/10 Review Submitted: 08/31/10

We rented both villas for a week in July and it really was as lovely as it looks in the pictures. We had 4 children aged 2 to 8 and they had a fantastic time running around the grounds and of course, in the pool. We were two families so having two seperate apartments is great when you want some privacy or the kids need separating for some quiet time! There are some lovely restaurants nearby- i'd recommend IL Melone. The location was great as it's a few minutes drive to Cortona and easy access to some lovely (and very hilly) towns.

Owner response:Many Thanks!

Recommended for:Families with young children, sightseeing.

Guest: Grant Gilliland (Pittsburgh, PA)
Date of Stay: 01/14/10 Review Submitted: 01/14/10

Our Family stayed in this great old Italian Farm house for 17 days while my parents and in and out friends stayed there for 5 weeks in total. We all can to really enjoy the owners and have kept in touch with them often. Cortona is a great central point for day trips. I hope that we can return soon and relive the great memories of our first family trip to Italy. We brought our two children ages 18 months and 3 years old at the time (we now have 3). They loved all of Italy and the house was very kid friendly. We went to the markets in town and in the surrounding towns to shop for all of our food and get the local flair Luigi said that we were their first American family to rent the house and I see that many have followed since. Looking forward to see you again soon. Thank you for such a great trip. Grant and family

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Guest: Little Family1 (Toronto, Canada)
Date of Stay: 08/06/09 Review Submitted: 08/06/09

Our family of four stayed in Villa Stefania 1 for 2 weeks in July 2009, and we absolutely loved it. We were travelling with 2 small children (11 months and 5 years) and both the house and the grounds were well suited to children. The pool is simply stunning - happily, since we spent a lot of time there. Luigi and Stefania were very kind and went the extra mile - for example, organizing a lock for both the pool gate and the exterior door on my daughter's bedroom so that I could sleep at night and not worry! The cold beer and pizza welcoming us after our long journey from Canada was a lovely touch. The location near Cortona is rural, but also handy to services and within easy driving distance of lots of beautiful towns. We had a lovely stay.

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Guest: Jamie Miller (Denver, Colorado)
Date of Stay: 08/02/09 Review Submitted: 08/02/09

We rented both units for our family of 5 in July 2009. The pictures of the villa do not do it justice. It is one of the most beautiful places I've ever stayed. It was spacious and comfortable. The kitchen was modern and had everything you could want to cook an italian feast. The pool was very nice with comfortable lounge chairs. Perfect for hanging around reading book. We would definitely recommend this place.

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Guest: frederic D. (Paris/France)
Date of Stay: 09/01/08 Review Submitted: 09/01/08

We spent a fabulous fortnight in Villa Stefania 1 and 2 with our friends. It is everything one could expect to spend time in Tuscany. We felt that we were discovering a new country, but felt at home at the same time. The houses are very comfortable, perfectly equiped, and the setting is quite magical and so very calm. The pool is great, and the olive grove beautiful. The Villas are perfectly placed at the Tuscan/Umbrian border which make it the center place for numerous visits. It is ideal if you have kids, as you can easily mix pool side activities and cultural visits on the same day. Luigi and Stefania, our fantastic hosts, made our stay all the more perfect not only because of their warm kindness that made us feel that we were immediately "at home", but also by recommending great visits, great eateries, and even managed to organise a cooking class ! We hope to return to Villa Stefania in the near future, and we recommend this beautiful place with absolutely no hesitation.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/04/08 Review Submitted: 08/04/08

Our family and friends had a great time at Villa Stefania 2 this July 2008. The location, a 10 minute drive from the lovely hillside town of Cortona, is perfect for access both to Tuscany and Umbria. The villa itself is both historic and comfortable, a rare combination in Italy, with modern appliances including washer and dishwasher, a modern and well-supplied kitchen, air conditioning(useful in the July heat)and spacious bedrooms with comfortable beds and window screens. The pool is delightful, larger than most hotel pools, with comfortable sun beds and a wonderful view of Cortona in the distance. Luigi and Stefania were delightful and helpful. The town of Camucia and its stores and Coop supermarket are a 5 minute drive. Cortona has many wonderful restaurants, that are moderately priced for Italy. Anyone would be lucky to stay in this wonderful villa. Our grown kids called it "paradise".

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Guest: Dennis and Susanne Lambert (Minnesota, USA)
Date of Stay: 06/28/08 Review Submitted: 06/28/08

We just returned from a week's stay at Villa Stefania, inhabiting both units with our parents and our children. We were enchanted by the views on Cortona, the quietude and privacy of the location, and the beauty of the buildings and grounds: lush blooming gardens, shady olive grove, rosemary scenting the paths. We grilled meals and ate on the covered patio--delightful. The pool was refreshing (once the days warmed up). The beds were comfortable, and though we did not need the air conditioning (the thick walls and wooden shutters keep the interior quite cool and silent) it is a nice feature. Luigi was helpful and kind. We had good meals in Cortona and at Cantanapoli on the road into Camucia. Villa Stefania was an excellent home base for us. For full disclosure, we had trouble getting one of the TVs to work, and we had expected a computer to be on the premises (important to our fifteen-year-old). I'm sure our hosts would have redressed these minor complaints, had we asked them to, but we had plenty of other things to do. Rome and Florence are an easy train ride away, and Perugia, Assisi, Montepulciano and others are within an hour's drive. We would definitely recommend Villa Stefania!

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Guest: Alexander & Diane Berardi (New York)
Date of Stay: 08/27/07 Review Submitted: 08/27/07

Words are woefully inadequate to describe the beauty of the Tuscan hillside, and the picturesque and serene Villa Stefania could not be a more perfect and centralized venue. My wife and I use this wonderful and comfortable getaway—with it’s ultra-modern conveniences and ancient stone and wood charm, as our “base camp” when in Italy. The quiet little train station in Camucia (only a few kilometers away) connects us with Trenitalia and the rest of Italy. We take day trips and overnighters with the comfort and security of returning “home” and relaxing at the villa. Luigi and Stefania are wonderful and gracious hosts. The grounds and villa are always immaculately kept. The kitchen is well equipped. The clothes washer is a “life-saver.” Be sure to wander the countryside and visit the weekly markets at Camucia, Arezzo and Castiglion Fiorentino. When in Castiglion Fiorentino be sure to dine at La Bottega Del Vino 64 Corso Italia, the food is good, the prices are fair and the proprietor, Marco, is a great host. The best gelato in town is at Coco Palm, Viale Marconi, 7. For pasticceri visit, Le Dolcezze Di Muzzicone, Corso Italia 91. Also Canta Napoli on the right hand side of Rt. 71 headed toward Camucia has great seafood—Luigi can direct you. There are two supermarkets Eurospar (open Sundays later) and Coop, both in Camucia. But we tend to shop at the local merchants and the weekly markets (especially Arezzo). Tuscany is my ancestral home and I truly feel at home when I stay at Villa Stefania. Please feel free to email me for more hidden treasures. You’ll love villa Stefania!

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Guest: Jerry Garcia (Austin, Texas)
Date of Stay: 07/31/07 Review Submitted: 07/31/07

Near the end of a lonely road on a neighboring hillside to the northwest of Cortona we found the beautiful Villa Stefania. This enchanting villa has beautiful panoramic views of Cortona and its surrounding splendor. The same views are experienced at poolside above the olive grove. The pool area is separated from the villa by this beautiful olive grove; a grove that our children spent hours chasing butterflies with butterfly nets found on the premises. Down in the valley between Cortona and Villa Stefani is the Church of San Pietro. Here the ancient church bells toll every 30 minutes; a constant reminder to weary travelers of this unique place in this Tuscan paradise. In the summer of 2007 several families, including my own, made plans to converge on Villa Stefania over a 4 week period. Both units of the villa were rented for the 4 week duration. Upon arrival of the first family, preparations were made to receive the soon to arrive second family and subsequent guests. Requests were made of the proprietors Luigi and Stefani D'Elisiis to make the villa’s set up more conducive to our group’s specific needs for our lengthy stay. Their willing participation was instrumental in insuring that all preparations were properly carried out in order that everyone’s experience was truly memorable.Luigi, Stefani and their beautiful children are a generous and endearing family. The grounds were well maintained during our stay, the pool and surrounding areas were kept clean for us. Recommendations for nearby eateries were sound and satisfying. They were a very good resource for our day trips as well. Their English speaking skills are more than adequate.We plan to again visit Villa Stefania and bask in the cool breezes that surround Cortona and the warm tolling of the bells of San Pietro in the valley below.

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Guest: LarryHN (Pleasanton, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/09/07 Review Submitted: 07/09/07

We spent a glorious week at VIlla Stefania. It is a beautiful home in a beautiful spot set on a slight hill surrounded by olive trees with a view of the wonderful town of Cortona across the valley. The home is very well equipped with everything you might need for Italian living. It is just a couple of minutes from a nice supermarket, the Rome- Florence train line and other services and about 15 minutes from Cortona. It in near the Tuscan - Umbrian border and is in a great location for exploring. It is within about an hour and a half of Florence and Rome by car or train. Lake Trasimento is less than half an hour drive and in an hour or less you can get to most of the wonderful Italian hill towns that you want to visit -- Cortona, Montepulciano, Orvieto, Perugia, Assisi, Duruda, Todi, Montalcino, Siena, Aerzzo, San Gimignano, and the Chianti hills (Greve, Radda, Castellina, etc). Luigi and Stefania are very gracious hosts living within about 15 minutes in case they are needed and made outstanding restaurant suggestions. It was a wonderful week with our friends and family and we cannot wait to return.

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