Il Frantoio
What were the highlights of your holiday? Lovely village in good location.
what was your overall impression of the accommodation?    The accommodation was lovely and had everything we needed. Was very clean.
Did you have any unpleasant surprises? The road was very steep!! (although you had warned us in the info before hand!)
Do you have any other comments? Would recommend this as a holiday to friends and family. We had a lovely time, thank you
Katy Crichton
Ireland, Republic of
September 2009

Il Fienile di Montefienali
Was waren die Highlights Ihres Urlaubs? Toskana per se, wunderschönes Quartier, war perfekt
Wie war Ihr Gesamteindruck von der Unterbringung? Die Unterkunt war sehr schön es gab nichts auszusetzen, sehr gut ausgestattet liess keine Wünsche offen. Sehr freundliche und hilfeiche Leute vor Ort.
Gab es unangenehme Überraschungen? Die Erkenntnis eine Woche ist zu kurz
Haben Sie andere Anmerkungen? Zweites Leintuch pro Bett zum zudecken / Bett sollte zur Standardausrüstung gehören, bekam man aber sofort nachgeliefert daher nicht wirklich ein Problem
Hermann Zeymer
Austria
September 2009

Casa della Nonna B
Was waren die Highlights Ihres Urlaubs? Neben den "üblichen" Reiseführerempfehlungen haben wir diesmal auch viele kleine Orte besucht und viele schöne Entdeckungen gemacht. Ganz besonders hat uns das Schloss Brolio gefallen. Eine wunderschöne Anlage. In manchen Orte, wie z.B. auch in San Vincenti hat man uns sogar die Kirche aufgeschlossen und wir konnten uns umsehen.
Wie war Ihr Gesamteindruck von der Unterbringung? Das Haus war wunderschön und wir haben uns dort sehr wohlgefühlt. Die gesamte Anlage hat uns sehr gut gefallen.
Gab es unangenehme Überraschungen? Wir hatten 2x Stromausfall. Beim ersten Mal sind wir gegen 20.00 Uhr von einem Ausflug zurückgekommen und haben dann telefonisch niemenden erreichen können. Nachts war der Strom wieder da. Beim zweiten Mal haben wir es früher gemerkt, konnten auch jemanden erreichen, der uns den Weg zum Sicherungskasten beschrieben hat.
Haben Sie andere Anmerkungen? Wir wollten gerne Olivenöl und Wein direkt vom Hersteller kaufen. Im Laden lag ein Prospekt von einem Wein- und Olivenölhersteller in Licci aus. Als wir dort ankamen, stellte sich heraus, dass kein Direktverkauf erfolgt. Vielleicht könnten Sie interresierten Gästen Hinweise geben, wo ein direkter Kauf dieser Produkte möglich ist. Wir waren dann noch in San Vincenti, was ja gleich "um die Ecke" ist.
Dagmar Heinze
Germany
September 2009
Auf unserer Website haben wir Informationen über die Weinberge - jeder wird Wein und Olivenöl zu exportieren: http://www.to-toskana.de/lokal-info/toskanische-spezialitaeten/toskanische-weine/

Casa della Nonna C
Was waren die Highlights Ihres Urlaubs? die Landschaft und die Ruhe abseits der Zentren
Wie war Ihr Gesamteindruck von der Unterbringung? gut
Gab es unangenehme Überraschungen? nein
Haben Sie andere Anmerkungen? nein
Jürgen Ginap
Germany
September 2009

Bel Sorriso
What were the highlights of your holiday? We had excellent weather and the villa had everything we needed.
what was your overall impression of the accommodation?    Excellent
Did you have any unpleasant surprises? Swimming pool didn't use chlorine but something else which was unpleasant.
Do you have any other comments? Instructions for getting to the villa weren't very clear. Website could do with having Lat / Long co-ordinates to make it easier to enter in GPS devices espectiall;y for remote locations that can't be found by their name or an address (as in the case of this one)
John Worthington
New Zealand
August 2009

Casa della Nonna B
What were the highlights of your holiday? Opera at Cortona, the Palio, Lucca
what was your overall impression of the accommodation?    Excellent
Did you have any unpleasant surprises? Lots of very heavy thunderstorms
Do you have any other comments?
Jacqui Phipps
United Kingdom
August 2009

Casa della Nonna A
What were the highlights of your holiday? Peace and quiet of the villa
what was your overall impression of the accommodation?    Rustic & charming - as expected
Did you have any unpleasant surprises? Scorpions in the bathroom!
Do you have any other comments? Please place mosquito nets on the windows. Place a shady covering somewhere around the pool.
Gary Crowell
United Kingdom
August 2009

Casa della Nonna C
Was waren die Highlights Ihres Urlaubs? per Zufall genau die richtige Unterbringung sowohl vom Ort, als auch von der Anlage ausgewählt zu haben
Wie war Ihr Gesamteindruck von der Unterbringung? sehr geschmackvoll und gepflegt
Haben Sie andere Anmerkungen? wir kommen bestimmt gerne wieder
stephan wiegand
Germany
Mai 2009

Excellent - very well equipped and in a beautiful setting.  If you needed to retreat from the rat race, this was the place!
Ann Winter (Accommodation: I Famigli C)

Hi Michela
In ewsponse to your mail, let me say how much we all enjoyed out stay at
Montefianale.
As we approached the TV mast coming up from Montevarchi, we were wondering
how we would ever drive on these roads, but when we arrived down at the
houses we were overcome with joy.
Stefano made us so welcome and that evening treated us to a lovely meal and
beautiful wines
Our house La Chiocciola, so well presented, very high standard of equipment
and very comfortable beds.
If I had a "dislike", I would say that Gusme having the nearest shop, was
just a little too far to go for bread for breakfast. But we learned to
manage.
I found the site on the internet when browsing looking for self catering
accomodation in Tuscany
I thing the location is excellent for visiting such great places as Sienna,
Assissi, San Gimminano Volterra,and Florence, all of which we so enjoyed.
The local markets were great fun, and we bought many items of fresh fruit,
and good value in leather goods.
The nicest of all for us was relaxing by the pool in the lovely sunshine,
and listening to the cicaddas in the evening.
We had no nasty surprises, in fact the opposite. The quality of the
accomodation, the helpfulness of the staff and the opportunity to relax and
enjoy the peace (and chianti) made it memorable for us.
I look forward to visiting Tuscany again
Thank you all
Yours sincerely
John, Pam & Margaret O'Keeffe (Accommodation: La Chiocciola)

Excellent! The location was magnificent and the property was well equipped and comfortable.
The views from the property were wonderful and it was so peaceful. The sound of birdsong during the day, the chirp of crickets and rustling of larger creatures moving through the forests made the place feel particularly special. During the first week we thought we were the only folk there it was so quiet - had anyone else actually heard of this place? We had a number of lovely walks locally - the flowers and butterflies were beautiful in May.
Saw plenty of wildlife including an owl just by the chapel near the property and a snake minding its own business near Castello di Broglio. We also had a number of great days out at San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, Montepulciano, Montalcino and Siena to name a few.
The fresh produce (very cheap) was marvellous and the wines were very nice
and reasonably priced. At one point we actually though they’d got the price wrong on one bottle - but no, it was right!
We had a great time and many good experiences - we will be back!
Michael Dutton (Accommodation: Il Fienile di Montefienali)

Excellent. Clean, tidy, brilliantly furnished, homely, fantastic views.
Swimming pools were fab, Lorrenzo, the property manager was great. Fantastic to have it cleaned half way through. Top Marks
Robert Hammond (Accommodation: Casa della Nonna B)

Very nice and well presented, everything needed was there and it was clean, too. We would recommend it to all our friends.
Rome, Florence, Venice. In Tuscany we loved San Gusme, which was not mentioned in any guidebook and was absolutely lovely (We thought nicer than Greve or Radda). We loved San Gimigniano and Monteriggione, Siena, Pisa and Arezzo. We enjoyed the wonderful Italian people and the food and wine. And we really enjoyed our apartment in Montefienali, it was away from all places crammed with tourists and very peaceful and relaxing. We even saw a sow with cubs one evening.
Rudy Liedermann (Accommodation: Casa della Nonna C)

IL MIO APPARTAMENTO E’ RISULTATO ESSERE ANCHE AL DI SOPRA DI OGNI ASPETTATIVA L’HO TROVATO DECISAMENTE SPETTACOLARE PULITO ACCOGLIENTE E PERFETTO SOTTO TUTTI I PUNTI DI VISTA IL BORGO POI E’ POSIZIONATO IN MANIERA SPETTACOLARE TRANQUILLO E IN MEZZO ALLA NATURA !!
(translation: My apartment turned out to be above my expectations. I found it to be spectaular, clean, welcoming and perfect in all areas. The hamlet is located in a fantastically tranquil position in the middle of nature)
MASSIMO MALICI (Accommodation: Il Frantoio)

Overall impression: We loved it! We think it was the best house in the hamlet and the whole week was very relaxing. The staff in the nearby hotel wetre extremely helpful and friendly, and on the few occasions that we met Lorenzo he was also very polite and friendly. The access road seems a bit "challenging" at first but we soon got used to it. The house is ideally situated for enjoying the sun during the day (with one side always in the sun and one side always offering shade), and the terrace and barbecue were very useful for gentle alfresco dining (and enjoying the local wine products!).
Highlights: The peace and tranquility of the hamlet, the sounds of the birds singing and the wild boar in the woods. We were determined to try and see some of the wild boar as we had been told that they often came foraging in the hamlet during the night. One night we stayed up until 01:30 and we managed to see a group of a mother and three babies emerge from near the chapel after we had been listening to them rustling among the woods for some time. It was fantastic!
Unpleasant surprises: The very large wasps were something of a surprise - especially when they come in through your bedroom window in the morning!
To be practical, we would recommend installing fly-screens on the doors and windows [Our comment - we are liasing with the owner to do as suggest] as the insects could be a little troublesome and the weather as so hot that it became a compromise between suffocating in the heat during the night or leaving the windows open to be invaded by many insects.
Overall, we really enjoyed staying at Montefienali. So much so that we will be booking up for next year this weekend - and we will stay for two weeks this time!
Regards,
Jim, Maureen, George and Janet.

Hi Michela,
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Montefienali at the beginning of June. Although we knew the hamlet was kind of remote, we didn't realise exactly how isolated it was. Those windy, steep roads are not for the faint hearted!
However the hamlet was absolutely charming, the views spectacular, our apartment spacious, well presented and included everything we could possibly need. We absolutely loved ending a day's sightseeing with a dip in the pool, followed by a glass of vino on the terrazza! Absolute bliss.
Our favourite places were the smaller, quieter, hill towns. San Gusme, with it's charming quiet streets and view, was a definite favourite. It was wonderful to see the village waken up at night when everyone ventured outdoors to the bars/restaurants.
All in all a fantastic holiday and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend/use To Tuscany again. Service, accommmodation descriptions, driving directions were spot on. Well done.
Regards,
Aisling Brennan (Accommodation: Casa della Nonna C)

Overall impression: It was WONDERFUL! I will definately be going back there some day, if i can. It is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been and everything was in perfect working order. So nice!! And I can't thank the people who work at Montefienali enough for all their help and their excellent service.
Highlights: It was staying at La Terrazza :-) I didn't think it would be that secluded when I booked it, but it was actually really nice that it was. So peaceful and quiet on top of a mountain, I almost didn't want to go out and see the rest of Tuscany :-)
Unpleasant surprises: Not really, the only thing which was a bit of a disturbance was that next to us stayed an american family with about 1 million children, who were rather noisy. The didn't seem to go anywhere, except running around the villas and throwing big stones down on the path below right in front of our house, and they were very difficult to get to stop doing it. It really seemed out of place in this peaceful place on top of the mountain, where everything else was so calm and harmonic. But this was really the only little bit of nuisance we experienced, so it was not a big deal...

Dorte (Accommodation: La Terrazza)

I just wanted to let you know that we had a fantastic week at Casa della Nonna B.
Montefienali was a wonderful place to be, the house was really excellent, and Marianna and the others looked after us very well. All-in-all a huge success, especially for an 'impulse holiday' booked at the last minute.
Thanks also for the helpful information, and for fixing our 'extra' starter pack.
I also thought your website, unlike many, was very helpful - I think it's highly likely we'll be checking it out for 2007!
Best wishes
Keith Salvesen (Accommodation: Casa della Nonna B)

Hello Lisa
We have just returned from our week’s holiday to Montefienali and I wanted to write and tell you what a lovely time we all had. The place is really beautiful, well-tended and a true delight. Our accommodation was perfect, the beds were really comfortable and the views around the property were astounding, we just couldn’t have asked for more. The hamlet isn’t easy to get to but that is a very small price to pay for the experience of staying in such a wonderful spot. We even saw wild boar and deer.
We were very lucky because our two girls met up with another family who had two children of the same age, absolutely perfect. They spent a lot of time playing in the gorgeous pool or running freely round the hamlet. As you park your car at the bottom of the approach road it was perfectly safe to wander about without any worry of traffic at all. A true delight for parents and marvellous for our children too as for once they were able to have the freedom to roam and we could let them do so without a worry.
Katerina in the on site hotel was very pleasant and helpful and the place was just perfect. We had a wonderful week in June and just wish it could have been two.
I would like to thank you and Dympna for all the help you gave us in booking this property at short notice, you were very helpful and patient. I found your website to be excellent and the services of To Tuscany were really first rate. I will most definitely recommend you and hope that we will be able to book with you again when we next to return to Italy .
Many thanks
Irena (Accommodation - Il Fienile di Montefienali)

Overall impression: Montefienale in general was just lovely - the restoration itself, the setting, the incredibly rich assortment of wildlife - , and Casa della Nonna B in particular even surpassed our high expectations - a beautiful apartment with many thoughtful touches. Katerina at the hotel was just a joy, as was the food at the same establishment.
Highlights: In terms of places visited, Cortona & San Gimignano. In general, the hospitality of nearby restaurants, great people-watching, fabulous food (both at restaurants and the local produce), local markets....
Unpleasant surprises: A week of astonishing afternoon thunderstorms (very impressive). Wasn't quite prepared for how long it takes to get anywhere because of the nature of the local roads (narrow, steep, twisty, or all three).
Tracey (Accommodation: Casa della Nonna B)

Overall impression: Second year at this property - we love it - booked again next year - one improvement would be the provison of 2 comfortable chairs to sit out on.
Highlights: The restaurant at Coltibuno - went 3x for lunch - wonderful setting - good food - friendly staff
Lorenzo - greets you like an old friend - makes you very welcome and is very helpful.
unpleasant surprises: No - some people find this place too quiet but we love it
Keith (Accommodation: Casa delle Nonna B)

Overall impression: Casa della Nonna B was wonderful.  It looks great on the website but was even better in reality.  It really felt like a home away from home - it was very well furnished wih lots of lovely finishing touches. Montefienali itself was
a real gem - so beautiful and peaceful.  Caterina made us feel really welcome providing a drinks and nibbles reception on Sunday morning.
Highlights: Just sitting on the terrace, the peace only disturbed by the sound of the owls hooting and the wild boar crunching on the acorns.  Lunch in the Osteria di Starda, a short drive away.
Unpleasant surprises: Only one - the large supermarket recommended in the directions was too large for our needs and was absolutely heaving early on Saturday evening. Perhaps you could also provide directions to a smaller alternative.  Other guests we spoke to had the same experience.
Paula  (Accommodation: Casa della Nonna B)

Overall impression: Very good. The only disappointment was that the terrace was not an integral part of the house so any meal for 4 (or more) was a project. This was not mentioned in the accommodation details and we might have chosen other property.
Highlights: The Hamlet, the surrounding the food and wine
Unpleasant surprises: Yes - the rain! And the bugs.
Janneth  (Accommodation: Casa de' Pecci B)

Overall impression: The accommodation was charming, so peaceful with just the sound on the wildlife.  Catrina at the hotel was an absolute angel - always happy, enthusiastic and willing to accommodate all our needs.
Highlights: The culture and charming villages and towns.
Unpleasant surprises: None
Helen (Accommodation: Casa dell'olio)

Overall impression: Wow, Beautiful, comfortable, peaceful, relaxing and friendly.  My husband and I were so happy to be there and after a week we hated to leave.
Highlights: The beauty of the place and the friendly people, staff of Caterina who does everything and with a smile and Lorenzo who takes care of the place like it was his own.  The other guests were also friendly and fun.
Unpleasant surprises: No
I can't begin to tell you how pleased we were with the whole experience, we definitely intend to use the site again, if we could only afford to go all the time, that would be heaven.
Mary (Accommodation: Casa della Nonna B)

Overall impression: It was very, very good.  It's a beautiful location, very well restored, very peaceful and special.
Highlights: Staying in such a beautiful place, so isolated and quiet but with a pool and the opportunity for the children to meet other kids to play with.
Unpleasant surprises: No, not at all.  It was better than expected.
The information is very comprehensive, however a couple of things -
1. There is a fridge but not a freezer.  There was a very small icebox in the fridge without a cover/door so I wouldn't really count this as a freezer.  This did not really affect us but we could easily have bought extra milk, bread or some ice-cream on the way to the property thinking that we has somewhere to freeze them for use later in the week.
2. The terrace is completely shaded for most of the day.  It has part sun in the morning.  Again this was not a problem for us, but someone booking the property may get the impression (as I did) from the information that it is surrounded by sun all day.
Mary (Accommodation: Casa della Nonna C)

Overall impression: Very good. La Terrazza was even better than the photo's and description on the website. The big advantage of this apartment is the little garden area which feels very private and has a beautiful view. Inside is very
cosy and more spacious than you think. It also stayed lovely cool inside. La Terrazza is also perfectly situated in relation to the pool. Last I would like to mention that we were pleasantly surprised by the hotel, they provide a wonderful service, have free internet access, beautiful simple Italian food and give you all the help you need.
Highlights: Sitting in our little terraced garden, looking out over the Chianti
fields. So beautiful!
Unpleasant surprises: Our little baby developed a skin infection while we were away, but the staff at the hotel was extremely helpful in finding us a suitable
doctor.
Marin (Accommodation: La Terrazza)

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,
unser Urlaub war herrlich. Die Anlage in Montefienali ist für alle Naturliebhaber ein Traum. Weit weg von jeglicher Hektik, mitten in Wald und Natur. Ideal auch zum Wandern sowie für PKW-Ausflüge in die Toskana.
Il Frantoio ist gut ausgestattet - die Sitzmöbel/Sessel sollten erneuert werden - alles andere klasse.
Der Service von tuscany war rundum top - besser geht's nicht.
Das dürfen Sie auch gern veröffentlichen - vielen Dank für den guten Service und für ein sehr gutes Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis!
Stefan und Simona (Il Frantoio)

Overall impression: Absolutely fantastic.  The property had been renovated to a very high standard, but the great features were the choice of balconies, tables to eat at, and the views from the property.  Its remote location made it not the best base for touring Tuscany, and the road to it was steep, but this was made clear in the comments of other people who had stayed there.
Highlights: The idyllic location and the perfect weather.
Unpleasant surprises: Insect bites!
Philip(Accommodation: Casa della Nonna B)

Overall impression: Fantastic/excellent/home from home
Highlights: The Palio in Siena / Peace and tranquillity of the countryside
Unpleasant surprises: Many insect bites, particularly troublesome around the swimming pool.European strength insect repellent did not work. Next time we would have to take Tropical strength !!
Stuart (Accommodation: Bel Sorriso)

Overall impression: The house was lovely and very well-equipped. It was peaceful and very quiet.
Highlights: Visits to Siena and Florence.
Unpleasant surprises: We found the insect bites worse than we had expected - but your information had warned about this, so no complaints
Alan (Accommodation: Casa della Nonna B)

Overall impression: Very good, high standard
Highlights: the locals especially the owners very friendly
Unpleasant surprises: rain!  but outside of your control
Martin (Accommodation: Bel Sorriso)

It’s a long way to Italy from New Zealand, but I wish we could do it regularly. Our time in Italy, in Chianti at Montefienali and in this apartment in particular has been incredible. We adore this little borgo and have appreciated so much the many extra and considerable touches provided in Casa della nonna B. A fabulous little villa in a truly marvelous part of the world.
Tracy & Luigi - June 2-16, 2007 ( Accommodation: Casa della Nonna B)

This is certainly a piece of heaven, beautifully decorated and what a view. Has the Wow factor!! We saw lots of boars coming home late, on the road in. Sunshine every day; just wish we could stay one more week! Thank You for sharing your beautiful place. We are coming back!
Robynne & Adrian - July 18, 2009 ( Accommodation: Casa della Nonna B)

Beautiful doesn’t describe the spirit of this home! I had a wonderful time visiting the countryside, San Gimignano and Siena, but most of all sharing your home—it’s warmth & your hospitality. Thank You for such special memories. What a relaxing, peaceful and fun place.
Bernadette ( Accommodation: Casa della Nonna B)