The most stunning views in Italy

Guest: Mary (Denmark)
Date of Stay: 06/28/08 Review Submitted: 05/06/11

It's been three years since we visited Ruffignano. We were a group of 5 families traveling together and we all agreed that the holiday/destination was perfect. The house is wonderful. It's large, with room for everyone. The kitchen is huge, so we could be a hole group of people making dinner together. The rooms all have private bathroom and the most stunning views over the green valley. The pool is fantastic also with stunning view. Flowers all over and authentical paths behind the house leading in to wild landscape and again stunning views. The owners mama live up the road and we booked her a couple of evenings to come cook italian specialities for us. Can you image the joy of two italian women entering your kitchen in the afternoon with fresh herbs and all the good stuff, ready to prepare your evening dinner. We were in heaven.

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children.

We keep coming back, 4 years in a row

Guest: Nathan (Providence, Rhode Island, USA)
Date of Stay: 09/25/10 Review Submitted: 11/01/10

This is the 4th year we have rented this villa since 2007 and most recently in September 2010. It has taken me this long to write a review because I have been hesitant to let the world in on a perfect gem. It is time to finally express how much we enjoy this lovely home, the warm hospitable owners, and perfect Tuscan charm of the area. I will do my best to describe and share our feelings about it. The home is large and extremely comfortable. 6 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. Each room has a comfortable queen size bed, 4 of the rooms also have an additional single bed in them. Each year we bring groups between 9 and 12 people. Every person gets their own room and bathroom, which is very important to us. Bathrooms are very large, modern and spotless. Year after year the beds and linens are always pristine and comfortable. There are two small kitchens and one very large kitchen in the home. The large pool refreshing and inviting. The villa is exactly 20 minutes into the mountains from Cortona, the perfect tuscan hilltop town. Restaurants, cafes, markets, and shops are fantastic here without being too touristy. The villa is very remote and sits on several hundred acres of hillside, forests, and old farmland. If peace, quiet, and a beautiful setting are what you are looking for, it is the perfect home. We find Ruffignano refreshing in its solitude away from the heavy tourist area. The owner Andrea and his wife Kirsten are the perfect hosts. They are not bothersome or overly doting, yet have provided our groups with excellent tour arrangements, tastings, and dinners. Each year we arrange for his mother to cook us dinner at least one evening during the week. Her meals are simply amazing. We have also stayed at their apartments in downtown Cortona. They are a comfortable and fantastic alternative to hotels. From the villa, day trips to Sienna, Florence, Montepulciano, and Chianti are very easy. The town of Cumucia has a large grocery store to stock up on supplies and items not available at markets. The cortona market on Saturday mornings are our favorite to get fresh ingredients, produce and cheeses. There is an amazing fresh pasta shop in Cortona and of course you must get your wines from Marco at Anoteca Molesini. He is incredibly personable and as knowledgeable about local wines as he is charming. In all, Villa Ruffignano has truly become a second home in Tuscany. Andrea and his entire family have become just that to us...family.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, girls getaway, families with young children.

A hidden oasis

Guest: Mark & Spencer (Toronto, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/17/09 Review Submitted: 06/12/10

Villa Ruffignano was terrific. The pool was the best feature, especially during hot summer days. Andrea is an extraordinary host and tour organizer. The location is private and away from the bustle of any town or city. Yes, it is a drive into the country, but that is a bonus. It is a true oasis to relax and re-charge. Can't wait to return.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children.

Guest: Laurie Jago (Burlington, Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 09/27/09 Review Submitted: 09/27/09

The villa was spectacular and it was so clean. The pool was immaculate. The view was breathtaking. Andrea was very helpful and informative about Cortona and the region. The winery tour he organized for our group of 14 was amazing. Marcella's cooking was mouth watering. We loved Villa Ruffignano and hope to return soon for another fabulous vacation. We enjoyed every minute of our stay.

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Guest: bob/colleen petrosky (reno,nevada,usa)
Date of Stay: 04/07/09 Review Submitted: 04/07/09

excellent villa. we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. the villa is a little out of the way, but we would not have wanted to stay anywhere else. cortona is a great city! andrea was accomodating/helpful/great!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/31/07 Review Submitted: 08/31/07

Of the many rental houses we had in Italy, this exceptional casale was by far the cleanest and most tastefully restored! The 16th century villa has excellent furniture and lots of space. The large main kitchen invites to cook your own meals, instead of going to touristic restaurants. The owners/caretakers are the most lovely and friendly people. We enjoyed each others Italian meals and had very pleasant contacts with all family members, included grandma who treated us with produce from her garden; however, nobody was ever obtrusive. I loved the tranquillity and the breeze, which made hot days pleasantly warm. The gardens and the pool are constantly very very well kept. Twenty minutes drive from Cortona (which, by the way, is becoming more and more touristic): so, far enough from the madding crowd. Grazie tante, Marcella, Giancarlo, Andrea e nonna.

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Guest: Leanne Anderson (Durban, South Africa)
Date of Stay: 08/09/06 Review Submitted: 08/09/06

No photo could ever do justice to this AMAZING place, many thanks to you all for making this an unforgettable memory for us! We will be back and we will send our friends. PS thanks for the best food in the world and the bottomless wine - it sure was a challenge!

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