La Casanova - Client comments

Overall impression of the accommodation: Very clean, comfortable, well represented by the pictures on your website and great location and views.
Holiday highlights: Travel through the beautiful countryside and villages of Tuscany.
Unpleasant surprises: Cold and rainy weather followed by an unreasonably high heating charge.
Thomas (Switerland)

Overall impression: Excellent. La Casanova was very well appointed. Eg a laundry with washing powder, ironing board, front loading washing m/c, clothes drying horse are features we did not find elsewhere in apartments we rented in Italy. Apart from that a lovely lawn, expansive terraces, outdoor dining setting, recliner lounges, outdoor barbecue and magnificent views over a tranquil olive grove and vineyards. The kitchen and dining room were modern, clean and well equipped. The bathroom is spacious and modern. French windows with wonderful louvres open from the bedroom, kitchen and dining room onto the expansive terraces providing great views.
The apartment is located about 400 metres from the township of Radda in Chianti and the walk to town is lovely with great views over two valleys. The peace, quiet and absence of tour buses and tourists was most appreciated.
Highlights: Radda in Chianti, La Casanova and meeting the warm, friendly and very helpful members of the Porciatti family, the owners of the property.
Unpleasant surprises: Not in Radda in Chianti but in Reggio di Calabria and later in Palermo in Sicily we could have given both of these a miss.
Ian (Australia)

Hi Lisa,
We have just returned from holiday at La Casanove in Radda. I am just writing to thank you all for the arrangements and information for our holiday. Everything exceeded expectations. The accomodation was excellent and the location perfect for all ameneties. Unfortunately we had some bad luck in that I severley injured my back on arrival lifting a suitcase out of the car. This meant that I was bedridden for the first 3 days. However thanks to all the members of the Porciatti family my wife was given all the assistance she could have hoped for. They drove her to a Pharmacy and even arranged for and drove a doctor to attend me. They even brought in groceries for us. As a result by Tuesday I was able to walk a little and the following day drove a short distance. Luckily by Friday I managed to drive to Pisa Airport to get home. (A painful flight though).
I cannot thank the Porciatti`s enough for what they did and if you can contact them please convey our gratitude again. I have promised Roberto (the son) who acted as our translator that we will be back to stay with them and properly sample all the area has to offer.
I could not have wished for better views from a sick bed to aid my recovery.
With many thanks again and a promise to use you for future visits to this beautiful area.
Kindest regards
Tony and Pauline (UK)

Overall impression: Villa Casanova was fantastic and the Porciati's were wonderful hosts. We were extremely impressed by the quality and first class workmanship of the villa itself. The furnishings were comfortable and cosy. We have stayed in self catering accommodation many times in different places and in terms of amenities, the villa is superior. The kitchen was equipped with everything you would need to make a meal, the furniture was comfortable and there were plenty of towels, blankets, etc. We had great fun learning how to use a wood bar-b-que and eating one of Luciano's wonderful steaks. We were unfortunate in that the weather turned bad all over Europe the week we were at the villa, so we were not able to use the wonderful outdoor facilities as much as we wanted to. The fact that the villa was so nice on the inside, saved us from being disappointed when it rained and we had to stay indoors.
The view from the villa are beautiful and you can't help but feel tranquil and relaxed. We loved Chianti so much and Radda and the villa that we plan to return in two years time. We just hope that it does not become so popular that we can't get a reservation.
Highlights: The villa
The wonderful Italian people
The great food and wine.
The village of Radda
Siena
Montecatini Therme
Unpleasant surprises: No
Jim and Shawn (New Zealand)

Hi Dympna
The property was lovely - please pass on our regards to Luciano and his family for accomodating us. We have a fabulous time
Thanks
Anita (Australia)

Overall impression: Very comfortable. Good location. Very pleasant hosts. The lack of aircon or a fan in the extremely hot temperatures encountered made it a little uncomfortable at times. The swimming pool was a great asset.
Highlights: The time in the villa was only a small part of a 6 week holiday, but the ability to do as much or as little as we wished for that week was great.
Having a vehicle (essential) and being able to take trips to all the close Tuscany towns was one of the holiday highlights. It is always difficult to identify highlights, but the peacefulness of Tuscany was a good break from the bigger crowded cities that were also part of our holiday.
Unpleasant surprises: None.
Brian (New Zealand)

Overall impression: The accommodation was immaculately clean, spacious and fully equipped with all we required apart from the fact there was no cd or dvd player.
Highlights: Radda in Chianti. It was by far the most picturesque village in the Tuscan region we visited.
Unpleasant surprises: Yes we mislaid the car in Florence and Pisa as once there, we where lost in the beauty of these Cities, we'd forgotten where we parked. Fortunately we had the good sense to make a note of our location in Siena.
Derrick (UK)

Overall impression: Both places we stayed at were excellent. I guess the one thing at Radda that have been a down side was the thought of what the heating was going to cost if we used it, so we tended not to use it as we had no idea of what the costs would be and people in the visitors book had said they had been caught out by the expense. I think if places do charge extra for heating, they could at least give you an idea of the hourly cost so you can make a fair judgement.
Danilo at Sillico was very helpful and we appreciated the local wine, cheese and salami he had for us on arrival while showing us highlights in the area and suggested day trips on the map.
Highlights: Hard to say as we enjoyed it all. Lovely to have a base for a week, enabling us to thoroughly explore those areas. Also enjoyed staying in smaller villages and experiencing the local culture/food etc.
Unpleasant surprises: Not really. I guess maybe some advice to newcomers to Italy on how the toll system works on the autostrad could be helpful.
Tim (Australia)

Overall impression: Upon our arrival at the Porciatti family delicatessen we were given a very warm welcome and taken straight away to the accommodation. On arrival the accommodation exceeded our expectations, exceptional views, peaceful and traditionally furnished. The cleanliness of the accommodation was outstanding. Our 17 month old baby was also catered for with a highchair and cot with bedding which was very kind of the owners to provide. Although the accommodation is located next door to the owner’s house we must say you would never know they were there! They were exceptionally hospitable but never imposing.
Highlights: Where do we begin? Siena has to be the highlight..a beautiful city, dare I say that surpassed Florence(!) Also San Gigamano was beautiful, if a little busy. Greve in Chianti is exceptional for shopping for wine/olive oil/meats/cheeses. Florence is a must see – but please take our advice and DO NOT DRIVE – take the train/bus. Buying and consuming “Tonna De Radda” at the Porciatti deli – lovely with a nice glass of chianti and enjoying the beautiful views from our terrace at La Cassanova. Watching the fire flies in the olive groves adjacent to our villa was an amazing sight at night time.
Dining out at La Vigne was a definite highlight…lovely food with warm, welcoming owners…our toddler wandering around exploring cupboards/doors etc did not phase them in the slightest! I have to say as a couple with a young child we were made welcome everywhere by the Italian people – definitely a country to visit with children.
There is lots to see in Tuscany and we shall definitely be returning next year.
Unpleasant surprises:...giant millipedes if you leave your windows open at night!
Jennifer (UK)

Overall impression: Lovely accomodation- very clean -very hot at night - a fan would be a bonus.Apart from that all good
Highlights: I have been to Italy several times but what I liked most this time was the privacy we had in our accomodation- not having to share pool or noise etc from other people - I enjoyed it -like home away from home
Unpleasant surprises: No
Una (Ireland)

Overall impression: Excellent. Just like the photos & description. Clean.
Highlights: Exploring the hill top villages/towns. Florence. San Gimignano. Food!
Unpleasant surprises: No, but driving/parking in the bigger towns is a challenge!
Jenniffer (New Zeland)

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