Romantic Tuscan Riverside Cottage Close to Shops/Restaurants

• Our first time in Italy....

  Our first time in Italy....

  • Guest Char
  • Date of stay 10/06/12
  • Review Submitted 11/14/12
  Not only was it thrilling to travel to Europe for the first time, but to 'step back in time' in Tuscany was an incredible experience. As a surprise birthday present for my husband, I started on my search with Tuscany.. a place I had envisioned visiting at some point in my life. I happened upon VRBO and Il Mulinello, literally having no direction whatsoever where this would take me. When I read the description of the villa (Il Mulinello), I stopped my search, knowing that I found the perfect place for me and my husband. I must admit.... I did a very good job! Il Mulinello was clean, charming, and very functional. We found everything we needed in order to cook, shower, or just relax. There were great CD's to listen to, exercise equipment to work out on, incredible views of the mountain, the white capped river that rambled alongside the villa, and the aesthetically appealing landscape surrounding us that included beautiful flowers, tropical plants, etc., all lending to the natural beauty of this amazing villa nestled in the most seductive region of Tuscany. Thank goodness for the navigation system we picked up at Pisa airport when we rented a car for the 9 days we stayed. It was easy to use and helped us in our travels throughout Tuscany and the surrounding areas.... we drove 1200+ miles!! From the villa, it's simple to get to so many interesting places.... Lucca, Parma, Massa, Pisa, Florence as well as our favorite trips to the local villages along the way. This area of Italy is so mind blowing.... the landscape is not to be missed!! If we are to ever travel to Italy again, Tuscany and Il Mulinello will be on the top of our list! I can't say enough about the pleasure of staying in a beautiful villa as well as in a breathtaking area of Italy!

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, age 55+, adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

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• Quiet retreat

  Quiet retreat

  • Guest karog
  • Date of stay 09/29/12
  • Review Submitted 11/12/12
  If you are looking for the real "Italian" experience, Monzone is a perfect locale. Far from the madding crowd this home is away from tourists, within an easy distance of the bakery for breakfast and town for a wonderful antipasti at Da Remo Ristorante. Walking down the steps to Il Mullinello you will find a countryside oasis where the only sound at night is the roar of the river.

  Recommended for: Tourists without a car, adventure seekers.

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• The Perfect Tuscany Vacation

  The Perfect Tuscany Vacation

  • Guest Boyd
  • Date of stay 07/01/12
  • Review Submitted 08/30/12
  July 2012 was my second visit to Il Mulinello. My previous visit during February and March was wonderful, but the July visit was divine. I am a writer and went by myself. Whether you want to use Il Mulinello as a base to visit the wonders of Northern Tuscany, or a hideaway to relax and read or whatever you do for relaxation, Il Mulinello is perfect. It is within a short drive from the Cinque Terre Coast to the west and Lucca to the south, both delightful, beautiful places. But Il Mulinello itself is gorgeous––a gurgling stream next to the house, a beautiful garden to sit and read in or contemplate whatever you like. Walking trails are nearby, or you can even climb a mountain. The house is comfortable––a nice kitchen, a lovely living room with beautiful views out all the windows, and a large bedroom upstairs. The downstairs has a second bathroom, washer and another bed. Within a mile are a couple of outstanding Italian restaurants (be sure to have the assorted ante pasta), and within a short driving distance are several other amazing restaurants. The owners, Art and Lynn, provide a notebook describing the restaurants with directions. You won't find a more beautiful, serene location or a more lovely home to stay in.

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• a quiet retreat

  a quiet retreat

  • Guest corrine
  • Date of stay 06/01/12
  • Review Submitted 06/18/12
  My husband and I spent a month in Italy, and Il Mullinello was reserved for our final week. We arrived exhuasted and overstimulated. Fortunately for us, we had found a very quiet retreat (except for the enchanting river, of course.) The home has a lovely collection of books and CDs and we enjoyed both. It was lovely to have the windows open and to sit in the garden which is really like something out of a fairy tale with a stone fence and the clear stream running in nice little falls and rapids, bamboo, tropical plants, flowers, little gates, statues, nooks and crannies, all there to be explored at your leisure. There are many choices in outdoor seating and tons of privacy. We felt like kids exploring the stream looking for rocks--imagine being fifty and hunting for cool rocks! We enjoyed walking to Monzone and Equi Terme and we really did meet friendly, warm people in both towns. Roberto, the caretaker, was a joy to work with even though we finally resorted to hand motions after my Italian ran out. He brought us not one, but two bottles of his homemade wine. We loved being able to walk to the breadstore along a country road lined with wildflowers; we always began eating our fresh bread on the way back. We went to the coast twice that week. We loved Portovenere so much that we went back two days later. We really preferred it to Cinque Terre which we had seen earlier in the month. (The hikes are great at 5 Terre, though!) We were sad to leave Il Mullinello and Italy. But we'll be back--hopefully to both!

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, age 55+, adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

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• An unforgettable vacation

  An unforgettable vacation

  • Guest Linda and Andy
  • Date of stay 09/08/11
  • Review Submitted 02/18/12
  To say we spent a relaxing week at Il Mulinello is an understatement indeed.Your home away from home had every convenience we could have possibly needed.Every day, every view,every meal in this NorthernTuscany region was more memorable than we could have ever hoped for.We travelled to the lovely town of Pontremoli (one of the lovely towns in the many informative booklets left by Lynn and Art) . Of course we travelled the gorgeous towns of Cinque Terre form Portofino ,along the coast stopping for lunch in Portovenere,a lovely fishing village with scrumptious fresh seafood.Lucca,Carrara,Sarzano and the trip through the rugged mountains to Reggio Nell Emilia just to visit market day for our balsamic,oil and cheese to bring home were all trips we shall never forget.The local restaurants Da Remo,Da Felice,Paradiso mmmm they were all delicious, the evening under the full moon at Al Veccio Tino we thought we had entered heaven,but oh no the next night we discovered Agriturismo Pretola in nearby Gragnola which was an evening of heavenly tastes. Our week came to an end far too quickly and we wished our goodbyes to Roberto and his happy Ciao's whilst he visited us to ensure we were well. thank you Lynn and Art,we are so happy we came across your listing. We will have happy memories when we are sitting in our rocking chairs reminiscing!!

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• Early November in Il mulinello

  Early November in Il mulinello

  • Guest Anonymous
  • Date of stay 11/07/11
  • Review Submitted 11/30/11
  My wife and I had the pleasure of staying in this beautiful village as part our 25th anniversary trip. A more ideal location for this amazing cottage could not be imagined. The setting, the home itself are idyllic and more than we could have hoped for. And to think this was a last minute fill-in, as our previous booking was in the recently flooded Cinque de Terre region, and had to be canceled. We are lucky indeed. Many pictures, many memories. The food at De Remo, outstanding! I own a restaurant in the Niagara Region of ontario, a regional cuisine bistro, and this was some of the freshest and best I ever had. I was almost embarassed when I saw how small the tab was. The pizza at (I think) Paradiso was oustanding as well. Stone fired oven action in the open kitchen makes this place special. Thanks to Art and Lynn for helping us out with this (fortunate indeed) booking. We hope to return.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, age 55+, adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• July 2011

  July 2011

  • Guest Donald T.
  • Date of stay 07/25/11
  • Review Submitted 09/23/11
  The other reviews capture it all. This is a great place for a quiet get away. The setting is beautiful and there are many easy day trips to villages, beaches, small and large cities, etc. The food in the area and the wine are just excellent. Roberto is a treasure and makes one feel most welcome. If you are looking for an informal setting in Northern Tuscany, this is a great place.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• Paradiso Toscana

  Paradiso Toscana

  • Guest Endless Summer
  • Date of stay 05/09/11
  • Review Submitted 06/14/11
  We spent an enchanting, restorative week at Il Mulinello. May is a great time to visit Italy--perfect weather. Our trip was an exploration on every level--visual (amazing landscapes abound), mental (downshifting to the relaxing sounds of the river), physical (invigorating hikes into the Apuane Alps start from your doorstep), gastronomic (best meal in our lifetime at Al Vecchio Tino), culinary (cooking for ourselves with the freshest ingredients--the local cheese shop is a must!), enological (from homemade wine to super Tuscan). Il Mulinello is great starting point for many trips throughout the region--Lucca, Lerici, Cinque Terra, Parma, and beyond. Or, you can just spend a week enjoying this Tuscan retreat, exploring Monzone and trekking through the surrounding villages. We can't wait to return!

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• relax in Old Italy

  relax in Old Italy

  • Guest John
  • Date of stay 10/06/09
  • Review Submitted 06/13/11
  Il mulinello takes you back to true Italy, the house has all the modern conveniences, The stream puts you to sleep at night after a home cooked meal of Fresh pasta,produce and magnificent bread and plenty of local Wine and cheese. Most people speak only Italian but are very warm and accepting if you try, if not, no problem at all. Spend a day exploring the local area,the next day hike the Cinque Terra , Lucca for Olive oil, Carrera for marble, day three up in the morning walk 1 kilometer to bakery for fresh bread hot from the oven sit by the stream read a book unwind and relax. TRUE VACATION UNWIND RELAX SEE THE SIGHTS IF YOU WANT, BEST WE HAVE EVER HAD AND LOOK FORWARD TO OUR NEXT TRIP. Local restaurants wonderful, a treat to behold. I could go on for ever this true old Italy at it's best. Cannot go wrong with a week in Northern Tuscany at Il Mulinello

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, age 55+, adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• Serenity in Tuscany

  Serenity in Tuscany

  • Guest Cass
  • Date of stay 05/22/10
  • Review Submitted 05/09/11
  Il Mulinello is a slice of heaven on earth. The home is perched on the side of a singing stream, surrounded by garderns, greenery and situated between two friendly villages. Our week here was the highlight of our trip in Tuscany. The house itself is very comfortable and charming. We appreciated the books with Italy info left for us to read, a kitchen with everything we needed to cook some delicious dinners, the patio furniture to enjoy river and the gracious help of the caretaker Roberto. Il Mullinello is also a great base for day trips to Lucca, Cinque Terre, Carrara... to name a few. The owners are exceptionally communicative and helpful and generous in sharing their knowlege of the surrounding area. I can only hope to have the good fortune to visit again.

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

$500-$800/week, depending on the season.

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.