Girasole di Ama - Client comments

Dear Sean
Nancy and I met with the Italian class we had been attending before coming to Tuscany and spent over an hour discussing the beauty and excitement of our trip to the cottage. Now we have most of our pictures back and so we were able to show the vines and trees beginning in April when they were barren right up to our return when they were lush and full. I think that even if we had known more about the geography and topography of the region, we could not have chosen a better, more central location.
In addition, the cottage was everything we could have wished for and more; beautifully detailed and equipped, impeccably clean and tidy and set in a landscape which perfectly depicts the true beauty of the Chianti hills.
As for the Bencinis, what can I say to properly describe this special family. Words like kind, generous beyond belief, helpful in every way seem somewhat inadequate, give our kindest regards to your family and to the Bencinis along with our best wishes. Robert

(Girasole d'Ama) Very nice, just like the web pictures. All home
comforts, plenty of hot water, good cooking facilities. Friendly helpful
owners (it's amazing how you can communicate without a word of each
other's language!) You could have praised it more highly in the
information as I didn't appreciate there was a dishwasher.
Peaceful location, yet close to small villages and only a walk from one
of the restaurants. Why not spell it out more clearly? The lovely Il
Poggio (this restaurant is now closed) is within walking distance, the others are not. Take a torch if
you go at night as we did - there are no lights at all!Wonderful wine tasting and buying session at the Bencinis - more like an
afternoon with friends than a commercial transaction.
Thank you for such useful and comprehensive information on how to get
the most out of PRADA outlet shopping nearby - although it was bad news
for my credit card.
Thanks for a lovely holiday,
Best wishes,
Karen

Thank you for your email regarding our stay at Girasole di Ama.
Firstly I would like to say that we were more than pleased with our accommodation. The cottage was perfect, well appointed and very comfortable.
Luciano and Daniella are very professional and so kind. Tuscany and its people are charming and this leg of our trip was I think our most favourite, closely followed by Venice. We did enjoy our stay in a convent in Rome also. The sisters were so gentle.
Please find our comments on the following:
Service: We found your service was excellent. Linda Page was wonderful.
Accommodation: The cottage as I said was perfect.
The area was beautiful, quiet and secure. Luciano was very helpful.
Setting: Perfect. We were alone, yet close enough to local villages for coffee and brioches! Il Poggio (this restaurant is now closed) restorante is great and only just across the road. Beautiful food and charming people.
Michela, we feel that "To Tuscany" is an extremely professional organisation and would certainly recommend you to our friends.
Many thanks again.
Michele

Girasole di Ama is a very sweet cottage that is clean and comfortable. It's in a beautiful setting and is very quiet. The kitchen is well equipped and the bed is very comfortable. It was nice to have a washing machine.
We really enjoyed visiting the many beautiful medieval towns of the Chianti. They were so beautiful, as was the surrounding countryside. And the history and architecture were fantastic.
We also were glad to have a kitchen in the house because it was fun to prepare dinner. Il Poggio (this restaurant is now closed) was also a highlight -- what a terrific restaurant, and right there in walking distance only about a mile from the cottage.
Thank you so much for helping us arrange it! We had a truly lovely vacation.
Lila

Overall we were very pleased. The cottage is very clean and comfortable. Daniela and Luciano were very helpful and when we had a small problem the heating they came and fixed it immediately. We enjoyed watching them work in the vineyards and pruning the olive trees. It was also nice to have ready access to the excellent wines of Casa Nouva di Ama. One night while I was grilling some steaks Luciano stopped working and came over with a bottle of wine for our dinner. Can't find that in any hotel.
The highlights for us were all the small things we learned and the people we met. After two months we knew the dry cleaner, butcher, newspaper stand, pharmacist, best place to buy shoes, where to find great gelato and even better pizza. I should not leave out our favorite restaurants, Tre Porte and Malborghetto,, where we were treated like regulars or the small cafes, Dante and the Chianti Café, where we drank way to many café americanos and ate to many pastries. Overall the best trip to Italy we have ever had.
James Gardner

Overall impression: Met our expectations from pictures on the web site (just right for 2).
The setting gave us the space, privacy and peace we very much wanted.
Central for touring the Chianti region.
Butterflies in the garden were wonderful.
Would like to have seen a visitors book to learn from other users recommendations and experiences.
Highlights: Reception and wine tasting given by the Bencini family on arrival at the winery. A very kind and warm welcome. Also gave us the opportunity to stock on Bencini produced olive oil and Chianti Classico Reserva wine (it's been a favourite wine for years - hence the visit).
Puccini opera and Pink Floyd Concert on the same night (at Lucca) - unexpected!
Meals at the Malborghetto restaurant (Lecchi-in-Chianti).
Wall-to-wall sunshine.
The Chianti/Tuscany scenery.
Unpleasant surprises: None
Best wishes
Mick
[Our comment - We would also like to thank Mick for the photos he took of Girasole di Ama and has graciously allowed us to use on the website]

Overall impression: The accommodation was up to expectation as to what was advertised on the Internet. The cottage was extremely clean and the Bencini family made us most welcome. Daniela was extremely friendly and helpful and to our surprise spoke reasonable English. The family made us feel very much at home and there was nothing simple like calling into their premises for some quick information - each time we were treated with wine tastings and nibbles. A very friendly, sincere and generous family which made our time in Tuscany even that more enjoyable. For those who have their own
transpsort and are looking for a cottage located amongst the vines and oil trees it is ideal and was more than what I expected.
Highlights: In Tuscany it was the many beuatiful villages and towns dotted throughout the Region. The restaurants and wine were also great.
Unpleasant surprises: Yes the unusual burst of wet and cold weather. It did spoil our time in Tuscany a little, but we can only blame mother nature for the unusual spell of inclement weather. The other suprise was genuine friendliness of the Bencini family, especially Daniela.
John & Pauline (Australia)

Dear Dympna
Just a quick response to your e-mail. Using the Australian vernacular, everything was bloody fantastic. Your service, continuous contact, etc was excellent and the accomodation was better then expected.ie the internet doesn't do it justice. The cottage is absolutely perfect for a country escape and the hospitality of the owners is warm and most welcoming....a perfect holiday.
Regards
Chris and Sue (Australia)

Overall impression: If anything it was better than described - and the owners were so welcoming and friendly and took a pride in ensuring the property was perfect and we were content.
Highlights: The peace and tranquility of the property - and the welcome from the owners
Unpleasant surprises: Nothing at all. Slightly more detailed information in the property about location of local services (we only found the Co-op in Radda late in the week!) and ideally a few more walks etc would be handy - but I'm being really picky in even mentioning it!
John (UK)

Dear Lisa
The accomodation was just what we ex pected,your web site was very good. As to your service,again very good.
The family made us very welcome,there when needed,but left us to enjoy the quite location,There wine is worth the trip.
We are always looking for this type of property Thank you Tony

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