La Capanna
What were the highlights of your holiday? La Capanna was an excellent base from which to explore Tuscany, we used our hire car to travel to local areas and the bus from Colle di Val D'Elsa to spend a day in Siena and another in Florence. Liliana, the receptionist, spoke excellent English and was very friendly and helpful. She always managed to find a map and information whenever we needed one about the places we were visiting for the day. We even managed to follow her directions to find car parks on market days! The weather was hot and the pool was a lovely way to cool down at the end of a day of sightseeing, it always looked so clean and inviting!
what was your overall impression of the accommodation?    We absolutely loved our time at Casa Sisti, La Capanna was a delightful place to stay and was everything the website promised and more. The accommodation had a friendly atmosphere, it was clean, was fitted out to a high standard and had everything we required for the stay. The view from the living room window was fabulous and the window could be opened wide to allow a cool breeze to flow through the accommodation.
Did you have any unpleasant surprises? No!
Do you have any other comments? A would highly recommend Casa Sisti as an excellent base for a holiday in Tuscany.
Maree Dresser
Australia
August 2009

Apartment 7
Was waren die Highlights Ihres Urlaubs?
Wie war Ihr Gesamteindruck von der Unterbringung? positiv, viel Platz, viele Sitzmöglichkeiten, Grillplätze, Wirlpool, Appartement schön, zentrale Lage für Ausflüge zu den Highlights der Toskana
Gab es unangenehme Überraschungen? nein
Haben Sie andere Anmerkungen?
Isabel Wozny
Germany
September 2009

La Capanna
What were the highlights of your holiday? Difficult to say what the highlights were as we had so many lovely day trips. I would recommend everyone visits San Gimignano (yes, there are lots of tourists, but that's for a reason because it's so lovely!), and Siena was beautiful.
what was your overall impression of the accommodation?    Wonderful. Our villa was even nicer than it looked in the pictures on the webpage. There were so many different places to sit etc. around the complex that it would be hard to feel crowded. Lilliane in the reception was so kind and helpful. It really enhanced our holiday because she was able to tell us where we could park for free in towns and helped to book us into museums in Florence and into popular restaurants, that our limited italian would have meant we missed out on. Signor Sisti was also very kind (even though he didn't speak any English, we managed to muddle through). THe reception area was also full of handy maps and tourist guides that all the guests could use, which again was very helpful as we could go on day trips already armed with a map, so didn't need to find the tourist information centres the minute we arrived. Would have liked an aerial view of the whole complex though (I think some of the other villa complexes on your site had this).
Did you have any unpleasant surprises? The cost of parking in San Gimgnano was rather steep (15 euros for an afternoon), but everywhere else was fine or free. I was also a little surprised at how much I needed my (very limited) Italian. I would really recommend people had a phrase book and learned some basics before they go.
Do you have any other comments? Will definitely recommend Casa Sisti, and To Tuscany to friends. Was very pleased with the service you both offerred. Casa Sisti had prepared us some information for when we collected our key. It would have been useful to have this in an email before we arrived (we arrived late at night, and so after collecting the key left very quickly to get to the supermarket before it shut - stupidly we didn't read all the info sheets they'd given us, which would have been very useful as they told us important things like how we needed a token from the cashier to leave the supermarket car park!).
Tessa Webb
United Kingdom
September 2009

Apartment 7
What were the highlights of your holiday? we travelled as a family of 4 with girls aged 12 and 13. They loved the pool, especially the diving board. There was also table tennins and a play area and the younger children staying seemed to be well occupied. The villa is really close to San Gimi which we enjoyed and we had a great day in Siena watching one of the palio trials. The location is great for seeing Tuscany and it was really easy to find
what was your overall impression of the accommodation?    accomodation was great- exactly as described on the website- the floor plans gave a good idea of what the appartment would be like but the outside space was better than I had expected. the description says that there is no oven but right opposite appartment 7 is a library area with a good selection of english books, wi-fi access, a shower room/toilet and an oven with hob and this room is available to use all the time. The laundary was also excellent with washer, separate dryer, ironing board and iron etc. the description also does not mention pool towels but these were included, along with some dishwasher tablets, tea towells etc
Did you have any unpleasant surprises? there were a lot of insects- take plenty of spray/ mosi coils if travelling in the summer in appartment 7, the twin bedroom has no ceiling fan though we were provided with an electric fan on request and this was fine
Do you have any other comments? overall an excellent holiday. The location was fantastic with great views and easy access to lovely places to visit. the accomodation was great- typical tuscan accomodation- clean and well presented. Pool area, hot tub etc really well maintained. Good parking areas under some cover. Not too far to a local shop but have to drive to get anywhere of any significant size eg to shop or eat but that was fine. Would definitely recommend, especially for families with children.
Emma Sutton
United Kingdom
August 2009

Pam - we stayed at Casetta Sisti for one week, June 8-15 and we wanted to say how much we enjoyed ourselves there. It far exceeded our expectations and we don't think you make enough of how wonderful the views and the gardens are on your website!  There was plenty of room in the cottage and it was well-equipped.
The pool area was beautiful and we felt that it was a great destination to take children to.
 
Please pass on our comments to Sean
Best Wishes - Jules King (Andy, Alex and Harry King
                               Sheila and John Marshall)

Pleasingly it was very much as we had seen on the web, with no nasty hidden surprises!  A picture of the actual apartment we had booked was not available on the site, but Sean convinced me on the 'phone that it would be fine; which it was.  It was clean, well run and Mr Sisti and Jacqueline were very friendly and helpful.
The accommodation had all that we needed, and was clean/tidy and everything worked.  The pool is great and there are some wonderful views.  We had a wonderful time at the wine-tasting evening, which we nearly decided not to bother with!  But we were so glad we did; it was a good chance to meet some other guests (which helped people get on better during their stay), the food/wine were excellent, and the tasting was such fun.  It was good of Mr Sisti to open up his home to us - we did not expect this.  You should make more of this evening on the web site!
For a relatively small set-up, it was a surprise to have someone on the reception for quite long periods.  This was very welcome and Jacqueline was always polite, helpful and knowledgeable.  It was nice to be able to wander around the gardens, and there was always a peaceful place you could find, if you wanted to be by yourself.
Casa Sisti was easy to find, and perfectly placed for visiting the towns and Cities of the region.  Although in a quiet and peaceful location, it was surprisingly quick to get to Florence and Siena, and even easier for wonderful San Gimignano.
Great views across the surrounding countryside - you should mention the 'look-out' point on the site. A glass of wine by the pool, some olives, watching the swallows dive across the water in late afternoon - that is my idea of a little piece of Tuscan heaven.
We had an absolutely wonderful time in Tuscany, made all the better by the
excellent service you provided beforehand, and the accommodation itself.
Please feel free to make use of any of the comments made here.
Best regards,
Adrian

We had a wonderful time.  The accommodtion was lovel very clen and
comforable.  The service was perfect and Senore Sisti could not have been
more charming.  We had a wonderful time and we really enjoyed pedro's wine
tasting evening.
The location was stunning.
We would definately think of using you again
Thank you for a lovely holiday
kind regards
Lavinia

Hi Pam
Just a quick email to say how much we all enjoyed our stay in Colle Val d’Elsa.  It was great to  wake up each morning to such fabulous views!!
Senor Sisti and his staff were most helpful and we will definitely recommend Casa Sisti to all our friends.
Thank you once again for all your help with the arrangements.
Regards
Marjorie Greaves (apartment 2)

Excellent! Lots of space, spotless, lovely decor, clever layout of apartments gave as much privacy as you'd need, but still allowed opportunities to "meet the neighbours" if so inclined. The place never felt crowded, and at times we felt we owned the whole of Casa Sisti. The apartment had plenty of room for the four of us. The bathroom was huge by holiday accommodation standards, with a smashing shower. All furniture and equipment was of a very high standard, and we had lovely big, comfortable beds. We were provided with extra spotless bed linen and towels during our stay. The little terrace at the back of our apartment, the surrounding gardens and pool area and the barbecue areas in the garden gave great freedom and variety not usually available in a holiday complex. So much attention to detail and comfort! And a brand new hot tub! The location was excellent. Sienna, Florence, and several beautiful hill towns within very easy reach. We also drove to Assisi which was well worth the trip. Mr. Sisti was smiley and friendly, always tending the garden, and obviously very proud of Casa Sisti. Roberta at reception was exceptionally helpful and professional. This was a really welcoming and professionally run set-up.
Kevin Barry (Accommodation: Apartment 7)

I have just returned from our holiday and found our Tuscan accommodation extremely comfortable and the owners very very helpful.  Linda Page was also very helpful with advice concerning other things including tips on the area.  The apartment itself was full of all the mod cons yet still looked like a rustic Tuscan kitchen - very nice.  Needless to say, the village was extremely picturesque as well.  My cousins who accompanied me and had never been to Italy,  had never seen any villages like it and were very impressed.
There was nothing that I disliked about your service and Casa Sista was a lovely property where I could wander around and take photos of the sunset in the little lookout in the back corner of the yard.  I also chanced upon an Irishman, at sunset,  chasing a white rabbit through the trees on the property!!!!!!  It was quite funny, I don't think he knew that I was there at first.
I would certainly use you again and also recommend you to my friends.
Pam Thomson (Accommodation: Apartment 7)

We walked into Casetta Sisti at 11pm, very tired after a long journey with flight delays. Our immediate reaction as Signor Sisti showed us through the villa was that the website did not do the property justice - a fact which was only reinforced over the course of our 2 week stay. Every convenience was there, the house was designed for practicality and comfort in the hot weather, the pool and amenities attached to it were second to none, and when we finally wandered through the rest of the property, all we found were even more magnificent surprises - the lookout house, the big antique succarese? the rabbit, the swings, the lovely walks through the olive grove to the hidden orchard... and that doesn’t even mention massaging a sore back in the hot-tub looking out on the Tuscan sunset with a glass of wine in hand - beats Deep Heat every time! The views from the terrace after we’d had our meals each day were absolutely breath-taking, and the facilities in the office (both Internet and Simone’s translation abilities!) meant that we were truly able to relax away from home and work. 
Eileen Dornan (Accommodation: Casetta Sisti)

Overall, we had a really great time and thought the Villetta at Casa Sisti was wonderful - and a bit special. It is a lovely old house that was obviously built originally with quality materials and great attention to detail - and we really appreciated these things. The whole place seemed to have been quite recently re-decorated and the quality of the furnishings, bedding and bathroom fittings was to a very high standard. Add to that the overall facilities, the position, the location and the friendliness of Signor Sisti - it would be hard to find a better combination. I am sure we will be back at some point!
Regards
Jonathan Partridge (Accommodation: Casetta Sisti)

Clean, relaxing, informal, lovely location. Mr. Sisti greeted us at 11.30 p.m. approx.(we arrived in to Bologna at 8.30 pm.), having driven over 2 hours. He was very welcoming, it was a good start to our holidays. We also liked the grounds, we had 2 boys (aged 10 and 12) who enjoyed the pool and the rabbit. The location was very central to all the places we had planned to visit. We have taken away great memories of our stay and would highly
recommend it to our friends. There were some very good and reasonably priced restaurants in the immediate locality.
Bernard (Accommodation: Apartment 2)

Dear Michela
We found your site surfing the internet and in the past have been tentative in using the internet for overseas accommodation. However, the service from To-Tuscany was first class. It was particularly helpful to be able to talk to Linda Page in Australia. Linda was extremely helpful and informative. Any questions were answered promptly and all arrangements went smoothly.
We had a great time and Zio Sisti and Simona could not have been more friendly or helpful.
We found the accommodation everything we expected from the photos. The apartment was very clean, comfortable and well appointed. Having the ’starter pack’ available was a great idea.
The surrounding property and garden added to the enjoyment. We often relaxed in the garden. It was a delight to walk through the village and surrounding country side and the local people were very friendly. We were able to use the local buses to visit nearby towns and markets.
We have no objection to using our comments if you see fit but would prefer christian names only.
Regards
Alan & Barbara (Apartment 1)

Overall impression: Excellent. The apartment was well furnished and the outdoor areas very well maintained with really useful outdoor furniture (lots of tables, chairs, sunlounges and bbq access). Simona and Signor Sisit were charming, helpful and relaxed.
Highlights: The location made sightseeing easy and the weather was superb so we used the pool every day.
Unpleasant surprises:
No.
Regards
Caroline (Accommodation: apartment 7)

Dear dympna
Thank you for your email,  We did enjoy our staty at unit 7, Casa Sisti. 
We loved Casa Sisti.  I think it was a big higlight of our trip in Italy.  The welcome we recieved from Simona and Mr Sisti was warm and friendly, and they had useful advice which helped us to understand the transport system, where to purchase food and some sightseeing ideas.  We only speak english - so we valued Simonas ability to speak english.
The unit is spacious, was very clean, and the kitchen allowed us to prepare simply meals from the delicious local food we brought in Colle.
My two children also were delighted with the pet rooster that strolled around the playground.  There was plenty to keep them occupied, table tennis, swings, and the spa.  (The pool was getting a bit chilly in October - but in summer they would have spent the whole day there!).
I loved the beauty of the Campiglia landscape.  From several places there are wonderful views across the olive groves, across the valleys to the neighbouring hillsides. There is a sense of being in a timeless village.
I would strongly reccommend Casa Sisti to families who want to see some of the historic sites, such as San Gimignano, and also would like a day or so  to just relax in a the welcoming place that is Casa Sisti.
I am very grateful to Linda for suggesting such a perfect place for us to stay and I will definitely stay there again when I return to Tuscany - one day I hope.
Many Thanks
Joanne (Accommodation: Apartment 7)

Overall impression: Loved the accommodation.  Loved the week spent there.
There was no undue loud noise and other guests were very friendly towards us, although some couldn't understand us!!  Which added to the fun of it all.
Highlights: The week in the villa was very restful.  I spent a lot of time at the pool and we made some lovely friends there. I think being able to mix and socialise with others added an extra touch to the stay. And Simona was so helpful with information on where to go and how to get there. Mr Sisti was a darling - and it was lovely to see the rooster trotting after him down the drive.
Unpleasant surprises: None.
Dianne (Accommodation: Apartment 7)

Overall impression: Excellent
Highlights: The scenery, visits to Siena, Florence San Gimanggano
Unpleasant surprises: Too many biting insects
David (accommodation: Casetta Sisti)

Overall impression: Very comfortable and well designed and well cared for. Signor Sisti was an inspiration.
Highlights: The pool, the hot tub, and the friendly hospitality of Signor Sisti and Liliana
Unpleasant surprises: No
Joanne (Accommodation:apartment 6)

Overall impression:We thought it was very good value; the beds were comfortable, the rooms were attractive and spacious, and everything was clean and in good condition. It was also very well placed - quite near to a small town where we could shop, and in very easy driving distance of Siena, Florence etc. The swimming pool was very popular, and we really liked the little eccentric touches like the ping pong tables.
The best thing about the trip was the kindness, generosity and patient attentiveness of the staff. This went far beyond the bottle of wine waiting for us when we arrived: they were able to offer us lots of advice, and even made one or two phone calls for us when arrangements had gone wrong. They obviously loved the place and were absolutely determined that we should have a good time.
Highlights: It's hard to say: everybody knows Florence is beautiful, but I had no idea how spectacular it actually was. Likewise, I've grown up hearing about the Leaning Tower of Pisa - but suddenly realised that all anybody ever says about it is that it leans; nobody ever says how gorgeous it is. The duomo in Siena (and the frescos in it) were an absolute delight. Even small and unpromising towns turned out to have huge 16th century centres with underground streets which would make them famous in this country. We ended up being rather dismissive of anything painted later than, say, 1380. Like everybody else, we also loved the affordable restaurants, the ice creams and the vegetables...
Unpleasant surprises:None, except the discovery that I'm not up to mastering Italian in a week, after all.
Charles (Accommodation: apartment 7)