Overall this was a wonderful place for our family group of 15 to stay.
The owner Alessandra made contact before arrival and met us at spot in the nearest town, leading us to the property via the dusty country roads. She gave a thorough and useful introduction to the property and facilities.
The setting could not be better, with captivating views of the lush rolling hills, cypress trees, and the Castello di Valenzano in the distance. We enjoyed hot days chilling in the pool and long warm moonlit evenings outdoors sipping Chianti, listening to the cicadas. The keen runners amongst us explored the forested hills via numerous trails accessed from outside the gate.
The house was immaculately kept, with decent kitchen equipment. Plenty of towels for indoors and the pool. Large outdoor area with plenty of seating and loungers. Separate meadow area, good for football and boules! Handy utility area off the front porch with dishwasher, washing machine, toilet and shower (useful when you are in and out of the pool on those hot Tuscan days!).
Despite the idyllic isolated location, it is only 10 minutes' drive to the main SR71 road and 15 minutes to Subbiano with its supermarkets, petrol station and the excellent Stella gelateria.
Alessandra was contactable by phone and WhatsApp and responded quickly to our queries.
Negative points:
- 6 of the 7 bedrooms are linked, so you have to go through one or two other rooms to access your own. OK for close family if you don't need privacy!
- The kitchen water boiler was unreliable so that we often had no hot water for the sink.
- Likewise one of the upstairs immersion heaters didn't always work, therefore the odd cold shower.
- The living room is small, with seating for only 6 people. Fine for the summer when you will spend all day outside by the pool or in the covered dining area, but probably not great during the colder months?
- The pocket WiFi device provided would not connect to the internet despite us moving it around the inside and outside of the property. Fortunately your mobile can pick up signal next to certain windows, or outdoors.
- No air conditioning, but this is a big old stone-walled house so it will stay cool as long as windows and shutters are closed in the heat of the day.
- There was no tourist information within the property about local excursions, walking trails etc. Get a guidebook or look up the internet!
Despite the above, I would strongly recommend this for an unforgettable family holiday.
