Villas in Tuscany & Umbria Since 1998

Hi Linda,  It seems like only yesterday that we were emailing backwards and forwards about our Tuscan escape and now it’s over and we all have the memories to treasure.
Well what can I say other than Casa al Vento was fantastico, meravigliso and even far better than we could have imagined.
Where do I begin – the views were absolutely amazing, the villa was grand and so very comfortable.  Beatrice (the housekeeper) was unable to greet us as she was in Paris .... which we discovered on the day we arrived.  But a lovely young lady, Guilia was there to look after us.
Franca (the cook/housekeeper/local knowledge marvel, etc.) was a typical Italian Mum.  I can say this because I have one just like her!  She was available when we needed and certainly could cook!!!!!  The meal she made for the anniversary was unbelievable.  She had to feed 12 of us in the end and she didn’t bat an eyelid.  We discussed the menu and she decided to cook “typically” Tuscan cuisine and this included pasta with a “wild boar” sauce (mmm mouth-watering)!  I think we had 5 courses in total – a real banquet.  She is an absolute treasure and I must say, she did enjoy our company and chatting to us (without being too intrusive).
The location was perfect for our party and we felt like we were on top of the Tuscan hills (which infact is true).  The town of Pieve a Presciano which was a short drive or nice walk away, was so beautiful and the local grocery shops and restaurants which were part of this were something out of a story book.  Quaint and just as you’d imagine them to be.  The local people were so friendly, welcoming and extremely accommodating, even to the point of opening their doors when the shop was supposed to be closed.  We got to know the local shop owners  who also ran the Perbacco restaurant (attached to the grocery store).  By the end of the week, we were like old friends.  They loved chatting to us (as best they could).  The whole family was on site at some stage – Nonno, Nonna, Mum, Dad, son, daughter-in-law, etc. 
It was a great time to be in Tuscany as it wasn’t high season and the locals revelled in having us around so they actually had time to get to know us.   So much so that they invited one of our group to a cooking lesson at their restaurant.  He was instructed by the chef (who was gorgeous might I add) on how to make spinach and ricotta ravioli (hands on from start to finish).  After all this, he gave us the ravioli to take home to cook and eat – “free of charge”!  How very generous.  This is one of the highlights that will be told over and over as it was a chance in a lifetime.
The resident cat (as was mentioned on the website) didn’t appear at all.  Yes, the heating was expensive but we only turned it on for the first day we arrived and then the day before we were leaving.  There was an endless supply of wood for the fire and this was more than enough to keep us toasty warm.
All the furniture, linen, crockery and facilities were “top-notch”.  We all slept very comfortably and the layout of the villa allowed everyone to have space if they needed it.
We spent many hours out on the terrazzo gazing at the towns below us.  The panorama was breathtaking – day and night. 
There is so much more but I just wanted to let you know that we had an incredible time and that we are all home safely and missing Tuscany terribly!   More on our Tuscan adventure later.
Thank you again for your wealth of knowledge on the region and all it had to offer.  The immense guidance and advice you gave us when planning this holiday was so valuable.
Ciao and saluti da Anna. (Australia)

P.S. Robyn and her family’s villa was only a short walk away from us.  It worked out perfectly.

Below are responses to your survey
My family and I couldn't be more pleased with the Villa and your service.
We have already recommended your website to others and would be pleased to be a reference for your service at anytime.
Thank for your assistance in obtaining the villa, usefull tips and helping our family experience a trip of a "lifetime"

Overall impression: The villa was more than expected. The immediate reaction to the views by my family was "we hit an home run!"
Highlights: Enjoying the Villa, dinner and wine in the local restaurants. Wine tasting at the wineries in the area and of course the people of the Tuscany region
Unpleasant surprises: The access road to the Villa and the overall experience of the rome airport.
thanks again...Steve (USA)

The problem with Casa al Vento is that the rest of your trip will be somewhat of a let-down. We spent a wonderful week there in late May with three other couples. This is a well-designed modern house with breath-taking views and beautiful grounds. We were so taken with the view that we prepared most of our meals in the large functional kitchen and ate on the covered patio. The rooms were all furnished with comfortable, attractive modern furniture.
We found that the nearest village, Pieve a Presciano, and the neighboring village, Badia Agnano, had wonderful shops with everything we needed. Shopping for food and wine and then preparing our meals added to our enjoyment of the villa. We especially liked the market and the butcher shop in Badia Agnano and ate two meals based on delicious sausages from the butcher. We had one lunch and one dinner in the restaurant in Pieve a Presciano, which were very good, and one lunch at an exceptionally good restaurant in the nearby hilltop town of Civatella. We also had one special, celebratory dinner at the villa prepared by Franca, the lady who cleans the villa.
The villa is very secluded, and we woke every morning to the songs of birds. Through most of the day we heard the call of a cuckoo. There are a number of hiking/walking paths, something we had not anticipated but which we took full advantage of. There is also a variety of wildlife. We felt fortunate to see pheasants, rabbits, a deer, a wild boar with piglets, and many birds. The location is also excellent for day trips to Arezzo, Cortona, Siena, and the Chianti towns.
Since some of the earlier comments on this villa were written, the villa has changed hands. The current property manager is a teenager who is not fluent in English and whose preferred method of communication is text messaging. A cell phone is advisable. Renters should also purchase cat food, as there is a well-mannered white cat (who will never enter the villa) attached to the property, but no food was provided for him.
Kathleen (USA)

Hi Michela,
I would like to say that Casa Al Vento exceeded our expectations and Christina was delightful. She was very helpful in directions to local areas and restaurants to visit and we enjoyed all her suggestions. The accomodations were perfect and the views out of this world. We found the location an easy commute to wonderfull places like Arezzo, Montepulciano, Civitella, The Chianti Wineries etc. This is our first time renting a villa and we believe we majically found the perfect one.
Our thanks to the people at To Tuscany and to Christina for her warmth and hospitality, I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Carmela Spencley

overall impression - Absolutely, incredible, superfantastic!!!!!! We were overwelmd by the surroundings and the standard of the house, even better than the pictures on the website.
highlights - Being around the house, meeting the hostess Cristina and travelling among the little villages.
unpleasant surprises - No
Johan

Location was good for visiting other towns in Tuscan Valley, facilities of villa were excellent, villa had a fabulous view!
The owner/hostess was an excellent concierge but also valued our privacy. We recommend having the maid prepare at least one meal-delicious! Pool is not heated and quite chilly [stayed in May]. Very reasonable price
The McDonnell family

Dear Michela,
We cannot begin to tell how much we enjoyed our stay at the Villa which we rented. Casa al Vento not only superblly fit the needs of our entire group but the Signora was a delight and most helpful. We have rented several villas in the past in Tuscany but never have we found a more congenial owner and a villa that made us feel like family.
Sincerely,
Thomas and Beatrice Maggio

As described on website, this is a superior house, with beautiful furnishings and all amenities provided.  The location and views from the terrace are breath-taking.  Double beds were excellent size and all bedlinen and towels of a high standard.
Kitchen and other facilities were excellent
The owner was very welcoming and informative about the area.
Judith Woodworth

Better than expected. The property is so beautiful that the pictures do not do it justice.
The seclusion, the view and the overall quality of the villa. Everything was great.
Vincent DeMauro

We did have an excellent holiday and the house that we stayed in was absolutely stunning.  We all
fell in love with Tuscany and all of us want to go back at some point.
Many thanks and we look forward to visiting Italy again in the future.
Kind regards
Julie